After giving it much thought, I finally conclude that maybe an
inflatable 8.5' would be the least objectionable dinghy for use with
my 28' S2 sailboat. I have limited amounts of room for storage on
deck and a hard dinghy doesnt fit well.
So, some questions for ppl who know.


How long do they take to inflate?
How long to deflate?
Do they row at all?
Would you use them for fun things like exploring shallow areas?
what is stowage like?
Is it difficult to get the motor from deck to boat without dropping it
into the water?
Anything else?

A portabote 10 came in a close second but even closed, i think 10' is
too long.
I have heard seen a nesting dinghy that could work but would have to
see it being assembled in the water to be convinced. Portabote8 seems
a tad small.

My current Nautilus 8 rows well but does not tow at all well. It also
is very hard to row with two adults. Stowage is difficult to OK.


We use a Zodiac inflatable, just exactly the size you are considering. We have
had it for 7-8 years, and had to have it patched for the first time last
summer.

How long do they take to inflate?

Depends on the pump. The pump we use now is desgined to pump air on both the
upstroke and the downstroke. It takes about 200 strokes to fill the larger
chamber that includes the bow, and about 150 strokes to fill the smaller
chamber. How fast can you pump? When we're not in a hurry, we add 12 ounces of
pumping fluid about midway through the process. You'll find pumping fluid in
the icebox, often with a twist off cap. Be sure to put it into the pumper, not
the pump itself or the dinghy.

How long to deflate?

Only a minute or two, unless you are trying for maximum compression in which
case you will need to use the pump to get close to all the air removed, and
that will take maybe 30 and 20 pumps.



Do they row at all?

At all? Yes. Very well? No.

Would you use them for fun things like exploring shallow areas?

Perfect! Just watch out for jagged rocks on the bottom. You don't want to drag
an inflatable across a beach covered with barnacles, etc.

what is stowage like?

With all the air extracted and the dinghy folded carefully, it takes up the
space of a
medium size to large suitcase.

Is it difficult to get the motor from deck to boat without dropping it
into the water?

Probably depends on the motor. We use a 2.5HP Nissan (Tohatsu) that weighs
almost nothing. No more difficult to get the motor into the dinghy than any
other bit of gear. When installing the motor, I find that actually getting into
the dinghy with the motor and clamping it to the transom works better than
trying to fiddle with it from the swimstep or etc. If you're going to lauch the
dinghy with a boom, you might be able install the motor on deck and then
carefully lower away.