A True Adventure Platform
Built for Adventure Octagonal Toons All the Goodies Grips and Rips
The mighty 8.5 is our smallest version of our ocean going, battle ready, cruising adventure machines. While most boats this size are rated for only 4 to 6 hp, we have a USCG rating of 10 hp. Dial in the right trim and motor setup and you have one sweet best in class craft on your hands.
There are several factors that combine to make the GoDu models such performance boats. One big factor is the industry first, octagonal toons which provide fast lift across a huge surface area for easy planing, dry boats.
With wheels, bumper, dragline, bow line, SeaDeck and more... The 8.5 comes ready to play from day one.
Cruise with confidence in a tender that is built for battle. Virtually infinitely repairable, easily maintainable, and adventure ready... book a demo today to see why this is the last dinghy you'll ever buy.
The Last Dinghy You'll Ever Buy
Included with Every GoDu
-
Surround Drag Line
A sharp black perimeter line, surrounds the whole top side of the GoDu. The line now features a Super Speed non-stretch core.
-
Sweet Wheels
The standard beach wheels deploy with ease. The are removable with a quick release plate. They make pulling your GoDu ashore and around on docks or concrete a joy.
-
Bumper and Deck
We use only name brand parts on our GoDus. The bumper canvas is Sunbrella®. While the decking is made by SeaDeck®.
The Three Trim Levels
The Expedition The FlatDeck The MAX
Coming in at only 144 lbs. light. Featuring a deep v-hull bottom and our awesome gear storage bulkhead. The Expedition is the top option when weight matters most.
With a minimal bump to weight, and a big improvement to riding and boarding comfort, The FlatDeck model is an easy selection for those who want a floor, but not a bow locker. No bow locker means more storage so you can pile gear and items up high. Water drains off the floor and underneath, to a small bilge which keeps items drier. A fuel line can also be run under the floor.
This trim level is maxed out with all the features. Sporting both the floor and adding a bow locker. The MAX trim gives a sweet place to sit, a step into the boat, and adds secure storage to your GoDu. It also gains two davit lift points which are icing on the cake.
GoDu 8.5
- Regular price
-
$7,695.00 - Regular price
-
- Sale price
-
$7,695.00
We call the GoDu 8.5: The Biggest Little Boat In Its Class.
While most boats 8.5 feet in length are only rated for a 4 or 6 hp outboard, the GoDu 8.5 is rated for a 10 hp motor and planes with two people aboard. Take it further by adding a hydrofoil fin and adjusting your prop pitch, and the performance will keep coming to life. Despite its smaller size, this boat is still stable enough to load onto the toons, just like its bigger sister, the GoDu 10.5
If your mothership only has room for a smaller dinghy, but you desire the performance and comfort of a full-size one, this is the boat for you.
The raw aluminum is specially selected to stand the test of time. The more scars it gains, the more character it maintains. Beat it, beach it, or bash it. May every well earned scratch, ding, and scar be a testament to your adventures.
__________________
Specifications:
-
144 Pounds / 65 Kilograms - Empty Boat Weight
-
8 Ft. 6 In. / 2.6 Meters Long
-
5 Ft. / 1.5 Meters Wide
-
24 Degree Deadrise Offshore Rated Hull
-
10 Horsepower USCG rated Engine Size
-
Fully Welded Aluminum Construction
-
Marine Grade 5052-H36 Series Aluminum
-
USCG Rated: 4 persons or 920 lbs.
-
Heavy Duty Full Wrap Around Bumper
-
Double Braid Grab/Drag Line Surrounding Deck
-
Fully Welded Aluminum Construction
-
Marine Grade 5052-H36 Series Aluminum
-
SeaDek Throughout
-
Heavy Duty Beach Wheels
-
Gear Storage Bulkhead
-
3 Interior Davit Lift Points on FlatDeck & Expedition Models & 4 Interior Davit Lift Points on MAX Models
-
Octagonal Toons for Easy Walking, Sitting, Stability
Payment:
If you would like to speak with the GoDu Team or would prefer to pay via ACH, Zelle, or Direct from Bank, please contact us. To pay with credit card, continue with the “add to cart” button on this page.
Shipping:
Shipping to the contiguous United States is a flat fee of $1,400. The flat fee includes shipping to the nearest freight fulfillment center to your desired location. If you require shipping to a specific address, this may require an additional fee. Residents of Hawaii, Alaska, or international customers, please contact us before purchasing to arrange shipping.
Please Note:
-
This boat does not include a motor, but does include beach wheels already installed.
-
By purchasing this product you are agreeing to the terms and conditions found here and warranty information found here.
-
All paperwork and required documents to register the GoDu 8.5 in the United States will be provided with the shipment of the boat.
Couldn't load pickup availability
The GoDu Difference
FAQs
Does the 8.5 Plane?
This depends on how much weight you have in the boat.
We have recently been testing our GoDu 8.5 demo boat with a brand new Suzuki 9.9 EFI outboard and have put together some tips and tricks on motor trim to achieve better performance when using the boat loaded heavy.
Our 3 recommendations are:
Remove the trim pin
Install a "Hydrofoil" or "Wing"
Put on a 7.5 pitch propeller
We have also had multiple reports of people upgrading their 9.9 outboards for more HP and being very happy with the results out on the water. So if you find your performance is still struggling even after our tuning tips and tricks, there are more opportunities to unlock the power you need to get the performance you are looking for.
Short or long shaft outboard?
We recommend a short shaft motor, but a long shaft would work too.
Where are the oars?
Like all flat back boats, the GoDu is not a rowing dinghy. We include a collapsing paddle for those rare occasions when you are operating in quarters too tight for outboard motor use.
Why aluminum?
Aluminum is strong, lightweight and durable. It is also the most prevalent and recyclable metal found on earth. Marine grade aluminum naturally oxidizes with exposure to oxygen, creating a self healing protective coating that requires no maintenance.
What is the bumper?
The bumper is made of a high density closed cell foam and covered with a heavy acrylic canvas cover, providing superb impact protection and abrasion resistance. Rest assured it will not scratch the mothership!
Is my GoDu recyclable?
Welded aluminum boats are very easily repaired, but if your boat was ever damaged beyond repair it is 100% recyclable. A durable boat with sustainability in mind!
Where is it made?
The GoDu 8.5 is made in North America! Welded in Ontario, Canada and assembled in Virginia, USA.
How much HP?
Due to the scale of recreational boat production in the U.S., the United States Coast Guard offers limited options for calculating power capacity and as such the GoDu 10.5 is currently limited to 20 hp in U.S. waters. The GoDu 8.5 is rated at a 10 hp in U.S. waters.
Non-U.S. residents can run a larger motor at their discretion.
Does the aluminum get too hot to touch?
When in the water, the temperature of the aluminum stays quite reasonable. Aluminum dissipates heat well, so once underway, the boat cools considerably.
When out of the water- the aluminum can get hot to the touch.
We have carefully engineered our SeaDek to protect bare skin when using the boat.
Lifetime Warranty?!
We want the GoDu to be the last dinghy you’ll ever buy. Read the nitty gritty of our limited lifetime warranty here.
How should I care for my GoDu?
Great question! Check out our Owner’s User Manual here.
Keel Guard?
How do you know if you need a keel guard?
Keel guards protect the bow weld on the hull of the boat from impacts and abrasion. The drawback is that they tend to be heavy.
Sand, like sand-paper, will eventually (someday) wear through the hull of your boat if you drag the hull through the wet sand on a regular basis.
If you are someone who can carry the bow of the boat over the sand 98% of the time, you likely do not need a keel guard.
If you are not strong enough, or simply do not want to physically carry the boat, but instead need or prefer to drag the boat across the sand: you should get a keel guard.
Another reason to get a keel guard is if you cruise in an area where you are likely to bash into rocks on a regular basis.