Hi,
(Been a while since I've been he wave to the ol' regulars!)

I'm thinking of trading my Walker Bay for an inflatable (then using the WB
for lake fishing), for the tender dinghy for Far Cove, my Catalina 36. I'm
NOT currently looking at brand-names - I first want to nail down what KIND
I want.

70% of the time it will be carrying 1-2 people, using an electric motor.
20% same thing, but rowed. I have a Merc 9.9 4-stroke (light for a
4-stroke...) that I MIGHT want to hang off the back, which creates the
dilemma:

I'm torn between basically "like-for-like": A small, 8-9ft flat
(inflatable?) bottom, like a Sea Eagle. I'll be gaining stability and
load-carrying, but losing on rowing enjoyment.

Or, a bigger, 9-10ft "hard" bottom with inflatable keel that would handle
the 9.9 (like a Brig).

The 9.9 will spend most of it's time on the 12-ft aluminum skiff where it
is now, and the inflatable will be stored on the deck of Far Cove,
probably partially deflated.

Comments? Does the inflatable keel help? Anybody done comparisons between
various floor configurations and performance while rowing or motoring?
Will the electric push the boat as well as it does the Walker Bay? Do the
"bigger" (10ft...) inflatables tow as easily as a WB?

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36
"Near Cove" Walker Bay 8