Tender for SO 380

[avi]

Hello dear community.
I have just purchased a brand new Sun Odyssey 380 and I expect to get it by July-August 2024.
I am currently preparing the equipment list I will have to buy in order to get her into the water and I was looking for a recommended tender size. It should serve mostly 2 people with the occasional guest, so 3 ppl in total.
I plan to have the dinghy inflated on the deck, between the bow and the mast so any recommendation of an appropriate dinghy size would be appreciated

Thank you guys

Avi

[Zanshin]

Hello avi and welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new Sun Odyssey 380.

I think that your intended cruising grounds play a big role in the decision. If you intend on keeping the boat at a dock and will only occasionally use the dinghy infrequently then you could go smaller with a smaller outboard.

If you are cruising and anchoring and rely on the dinghy to get ashore, then you would want more power and more stability.

The weight of the outboard makes a difference. Are you in an area where you are still allowed to purchase 2-Stroke outboards? If so, that makes life a lot easier for mounting/dismounting the engine.

In the Caribbean distances from anchoring spot to dock, or from the boat to a more distant dinghy dock close to grocery and other stores, can be quite long - sometimes several miles. So a dinghy with a hard bottom and an outboard that will let you plane with 2 people plus shopping is very nice to have.

I had soft-bottomed dinghies in the past and was never happy. I've have several models of hard-bottomed dinghies and my past few have been from Highfield with aluminium bottoms. A small dinghy with a 9.8HP 2-Stroke Tohatsu will plane with two people. But I now have gone up to an 18HP Yamaha 2-Stroke and am much, much happier now.

[avi]

Hello Zanshi and thank you so much for your reply.
I should have mentioned that my plan is to sail along the Mediterranean coasts so in most cases, distances from the anchorage to a dinghy dock are not that far.
I will take your inputs for consideration.
Thanks a lot

[MartyB]

You need to get out a tape to measure the where and how big of a dinghy you can get inflated on the foredeck. You may only be able to get a 2.5M rib up there inflated. That is probably not big enough for the number of people you want to carry.
On the other hand, if you have more room, you can get into the next larger sizes ie a 2.8 or a 3.1/3.2M ribs. Make sure you include the width in the equation!
IF like me, you have a mini forestay. My ability to put a dinghy on the deck with 2.7M from mast to the base of the forestay, is zilch! as that area is about a meter to the mini stay, 2M from mini to forestay.
My only option is to tow a dinghy when I know I need to use one. I have a very rare to find fiberglass rib, where the hull will fold in half. So, it will go in between the mast and forestay. It's about 1.2M square by .6-.7M thick. I can get it onto a dock, inflate and use, tow to an anchorage etc. At 30', I'm too small to use davits in the back. Overall, around 2.8M long, fine for two people. about 1.3-1.5M wide.
I know one couple; they have a double floor rib. They are up there in age, and need a flat bottom so they do not lose their balance etc on the single floor that is angled. That add another 20+kg to a rib, depending upon the length etc.
Others also like the electric outboards, they can weigh as little as 25 lbs. Get a smaller lithium battery to go with the built in one, or a spare, you can get around for a while. Although if you have to anchor 2-3 miles from a dingy dock.....the std battery can be pushing you limit depending upon the speed, weather etc you WILL beat into one way or the other!

Reality, no real right or wrong answer, ONLY what works BEST for YOU!

Good luck on your choice!

Marty

[avi]

Very valuable information Marty
Thanks so much

[Mike]

Hi Avi,
We have a 380 and use a 2.6m Exel inflatable, we also don't go far so we have a Suzuki 2.3 outboard a bit small but light and does the job with two on-board. If you can amend your order look at the davits Jeanneau supply it may be an option. We don't have the additional forestay and a 2.6 fits in with out covering the anchor locker. We're back on-board next week, pm me and I'll check the measurement for you. We're currently in Portugal heading east this year.
Fair winds
Mike

[Charlie-Bravo]

I have a seago 2.4m inflatable with inflatable ‘keel’ and floor, named Lollipop since 2017 , 2 people and some shopping it’s maxed out space wise, this humble dinghy is propelled by a meagre Honda 2.3 four stroke, so getting on the plane for long distance shopping isn’t an option, but the motor can be lifted with one hand, and is easy to get back onto the mothership, and it runs for hours on half a litre of fuel, and gives a speed of 4 knots.
The dinghy lives athwart ships on the stern step, partly as the baby stay is in my way on the fore deck, but mainly as it is easy for two old feeble people to raise and lower, fighting the dinghy onto the fore deck seems to require halyards and winches …… or strong crew.

As mentioned by the learned and wise responses above, intended use is the key.
I have been waiting for Lollipop to retire, she is becoming a little sticky,  and have been looking for ‘the answer’ , and am seriously thinking of going back in time to a round tail inflatable !!  almost impossible to row, directionally unstable under power, won’t plane whatever engine you strap to the stern , but you get a lot more room in it for the length, it folds up small, it’s cheap (replaceable), and undesirable for joy riders .
It’s only got to get us to the beach …. and back, and a drier experience than a stand up paddle board, so meets our intended uses.

Just thought to ‘throw in’ the round tail with tiny motor into the thoughts.

CB