T&T: Boss Boats

[Bob Austin]

I will make a couple of other comments on dinghies--as most know we have done
a lot of long distance cruising to places which are very harsh on dinghies.  I
generally carry two dinghies--either one hard dinghy and one large inflatable
or a small light wieght inflatable and a large RIB.  The reason is that at
times there is use for two dinghies.  The hard dinghy or the small light
inflatable is an excellent boat for going ashore on the beach.  It can be hand
carried up the beach.

The advantage of inflatables and RIB's is that they are soft sided and will
not mar the surface of the hull.  Even an RIB can be deflated for a passage.
An inflatable will make a better "life raft" (with CO2 bottle if necessary for
inflation).  An RIB will take a beating on the beach or rocks--if well
designed and a new saccrificial piece of glass on the "V" where it wears going
on the beach.  The disadvantage of inflatables are that they don't have much
room in the boat (same for Boss boat--looking at the pictures perhaps even
more)--This concept of tubular sides has been done in aluminum and even solid
foam, as well as plastics and fiberglass.

For a real dinghy, which is to be rowed or sailed: nothing beats a well shaped
hard boat--I have owned classics, such as the Fatty Knees 9 footer, one of the
first fiberglass skiffs made (1941 Wizzard) and Aluminum skiffs.  Each of
these has far more interior room than inflatables (or boats made to look like
inflatables) that are several feet longer.  The dinghies are very comfortable
to sit in and superb for fishing.  Try and row an an inflatable--or inflatable
copy?--I'll bet I'll beat you by  a long ways each time in a good hard rowing
boat.

As for high power in inflatable type of boats.  We had a 12 1/2 foot
Avon--very good craft--we even rescued people who had been flipped out of a 13
foot whaler in heavy seas.  We had two motors--a 15 and a 25 hp.  The 25 was
used only when we had 4 people and diving gear.  Even though the boat was
rated for a 25, it was really more engine and weight than I felt was "safe"
for the boat.  Many times boats are swamped by waves because they are stern
heavy--especially when slowing down,and the wake builds.

With our hard boats, we always lined the gunnel with a dacron cover over foam,
so that it would not damage the larger vessel.

You pays your money and takes the choice--but I have had excellent luck with
high quality inflatables for over 45 years.  Most of the boats were pre Zodiac
take over Avons (still have one--12 years old and looks like new) or
Achillies.  Never had a problem with air loss, even with daily use for years.
There is a good reason that inflatables have been so successful!

Bob Austin