Smallest Roll Up Dinghy

[Letterkenny]

What is the smallest/lightest roll up dinghy that you have seen when in the rolled up state that could still take a small portable outboard? I have an air floor that gets to about 3’x1’x1’ and 73lbs but curious if there’s something more compact I can keep full time on my boat versus this one that I mostly keep inflated on the foredeck.

[IRENE]

Perhaps an Achilles LT-2...by weight. It does have floorboards.

We have an Achilles LSI-230, with inflatable floor, which is 55 pounds.

[boatman61]

The Seago-230 comes in at 26kg/31kg and can take upto 4hp... Air or slat floors. https://www.marinechandlery.com/seag...nghy-eco-range

[boatman61]

Perfect for the solo sailor at 19kg..
https://boatsmart.co.uk/products/fis...latable-dinghy

[Don C L]

I have had good luck with my Sea Eagle kayak so far and I know they make some small inflatable floor dinghies. You may want to check what they have at the Sea Eagle website. The inflatable floor in my boat is pretty rigid when fully inflated.

[Chris Cringle]

I agree with Irene. The Achilles LT-2 roll up is a high quality, Hypalon dinghy that is only 7’3” long and rolls into a very compact package. I power mine with 2 HP, two stroke, Yamaha outboard which is also very light and compact but provides more than enough power. You cannot buy a new two stroke in the states, but you can import a used one or pick up a new one up in the Caribbean or the Pacific.

[OldManMirage]

West Marine roll-up with slatted floors, 52 pounds.

https://www.westmarine.com/west-mari...-17981143.html

[nwh10]

If a PVC boat will work for you, take a look at the Highfield AM200. 6'7"; 53 lbs; air floor.
https://defender.com/en_us/highfield...-grey-pvc-2023

[Jammer]

The Achilles LT-2 is perhaps the lightest inflatable dinghy on the market at 29 pounds for the rubber bits, plus 8 pounds for the wood floor and 12 pounds for the seat, oars, and motor bracket. So 49 pounds all together. Plus motor. It doesn't plane; you would want a 2-3 hp motor to go with it. They are functional but slow and of limited capacity. Nonetheless, the LT-2 would be my first choice for a "standby" dinghy carried deflated below decks, either as a spare or on voyages where it is anticipated that dockage is available and a dinghy will be rarely used. The Great Loop and a number of other inland journeys are often undertaken with no dinghy at all.


The air floor dinghy you have now is probably the best you can do size wise if you want speed. As you're discovering, the paradox of inflatable dinghies is that they are rarely deflated because it's time consuming and physically demanding.



There are an increasing number of good inflatable kayaks out there, many under 30 pounds, but they will not take a motor and you will get wet making them marginal for dinghy service. See for example https://www.rei.com/c/inflatable-kay...%3A20+to+29.99

[Letterkenny]

Originally Posted by Jammer

The Achilles LT-2 is perhaps the lightest inflatable dinghy on the market at 29 pounds for the rubber bits, plus 8 pounds for the wood floor and 12 pounds for the seat, oars, and motor bracket. So 49 pounds all together. Plus motor. It doesn't plane; you would want a 2-3 hp motor to go with it. They are functional but slow and of limited capacity. Nonetheless, the LT-2 would be my first choice for a "standby" dinghy carried deflated below decks, either as a spare or on voyages where it is anticipated that dockage is available and a dinghy will be rarely used. The Great Loop and a number of other inland journeys are often undertaken with no dinghy at all.


The air floor dinghy you have now is probably the best you can do size wise if you want speed. As you're discovering, the paradox of inflatable dinghies is that they are rarely deflated because it's time consuming and physically demanding.



There are an increasing number of good inflatable kayaks out there, many under 30 pounds, but they will not take a motor and you will get wet making them marginal for dinghy service. See for example https://www.rei.com/c/inflatable-kay...%3A20+to+29.99

Yea I have a cheap kayak from Amazon but always get wet with it. I have a 3.5hp Mercury so not used to planning as it is. I was looking at the Achilles before it was mentioned here so I will consider it more.

[squarpeg]

Originally Posted by nwh10

If a PVC boat will work for you, take a look at the Highfield AM200. 6'7"; 53 lbs; air floor.
https://defender.com/en_us/highfield...-grey-pvc-2023

I have this dinghy with an old 3.5 two stroke. Purchased because I was too old to handle hard dinghy with 9.9hp. This is really manageable. I can carry no problem. Inflates in 15 minutes with a foot pump. Motor I purposely looked for. 27lbs. Not going fast but nice light package

[Letterkenny]

Originally Posted by squarpeg

I have this dinghy with an old 3.5 two stroke. Purchased because I was too old to handle hard dinghy with 9.9hp. This is really manageable. I can carry no problem. Inflates in 15 minutes with a foot pump. Motor I purposely looked for. 27lbs. Not going fast but nice light package

Website says 53 Pounds. Is 27 just without the floor?

[Cheechako]

maybe check out inflatable kayaks?

[squarpeg]

Originally Posted by Letterkenny

Website says 53 Pounds. Is 27 just without the floor?

Sorry for the confusion. Yeah the inflatable is 53lbs. Which is quite manageable. My engine is 27 lbs. nice easy to handle package

[Letterkenny]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

maybe check out inflatable kayaks?

Yea I have one I keep in my dinghy rack. I think I will see if I can find an easy place to store onboard long-term and bring my current roll up on longer trips. The kayak I have though you always get wet so might see if there is a better one.