Pete wrote:

I've been searching for the "perfect" hard dinghy, but so far have come up
empty.


Perfect dink, perfect wife -- Both so difficult to define.

It should:
row well in calm, chop and surf
carry my family + provisions - 500-600lb capacity minimum
be unsinkable - built in floatation or better, an inflateable collar (like
the new Walker Bay's)
fit on the foredeck = 8', requiring a two piece nesting design
function as a lifeboat - I can make/add what I feel is necessary
be equipped (or equippable) with a sailing rig
be durable and repairable - GRP is easier to patch than injection molded
plastic And of course, be affordable - less than $1500 for a used one in
good cond., new around $2000 with sailing rig

Any suggestions?

At the risk of being repetitive on the NG, we're a 28' boat that carries
a 12'5" PortaBote. Doesn't nest and is considerably larger than 8', but
takes up far less space on our foredeck since it replaces our side deck.
(Stepping on it is no problem.) Our foredeck is mostly free.

Rows easily enough that many/most on the Chesapeake row rather than
bother to put the outboard on. Planes 300# easily on 4 or so HP. Has
enough freeboard to handle 5 real adults in moderate chop. For its
weight, it's lots less destructible then GRP. NEW, ours was less than
$1500 a few years back and the factory sailing rig didn't cost $500.

PortaBotes DO take a little getting used to, but until we hit the
lottery and can afford the mothership that would handle our absolute
favorite dink/engine combo, it'll more than do.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/