7'6" Inch wood floored Achilles, NEVER with the engine mounted.

Coastwise from Port Isabel Texas, thru the Keys, across to the Bahamas, through the Bahamas (Bimini, Berry's, Nassau, Exumas, Eleuthra, return), back to Florida, up the east coast to Chesapeake, all over the bay, and return to Texas.

This included two overnights across a part of the GOM.

I've had problems three times, and all were within 2 hours of each other. Coming off the Chesapeake, into the Elizabeth River. Right by Willouby (sp?) Spit, it filled with water three times in a 2 hour span. I found that it had gone soft and coming down a wave, the bow would dive rather than ride over. Once I pumped it up, never another problem.

I do accept the fact that in towing offshore, the dinghy must be considered expendable, if the kaka occurs. But on my small 25 footer, putting it on deck is just too much to deal with.