The Newport Dana is a compact inflatable with a removable hard floor and a transom for an outboard. Its appeal is a boat that can be packed away between trips. The ownership question is whether you have a practical way to move, assemble, launch and dry the complete setup.
Select an image to inspect this product on the page. Confirm the exact model before ordering.
Newport Dana 8ft 10in Inflatable Dinghy
Best suited to: Owners considering a compact tender or fishing boat who value a firm floor and can manage separate boat, floor and propulsion equipment at the launch.
Main limitation: Packing down saves storage space, but the floor assembly and carrying burden deserve careful thought, especially for solo launches.
Check product on AmazonConfirm ASIN B004BCSRIK and the selected variant before checkout.Quick verdict
The Dana deserves a shortlist when a compact hard-floor dinghy fits your actual crew and launch routine. Choose it after checking carrying arrangements and motor compatibility. If frequent unpacking feels burdensome, compare an air-floor design before committing.
Does the interior fit your crew and gear?
The current manufacturer specification gives an interior 69 inches long and 24 inches wide. That makes the layout worth checking before you focus on passenger capacity. A cooler, tackle bag and battery can quickly compete with foot room.
Mark those dimensions on the ground and arrange your usual gear inside them. This is a useful screening exercise, although the boat’s shape and fittings will affect the final arrangement. Think about access to the oars and tiller as well as where everyone sits.
Newport Dana weight and the trip to the water
The Dana’s published boat weight is 107 pounds. Add your motor, battery or fuel, safety equipment and personal gear when planning transport. A storage bag makes the package easier to contain; it does not make every lifting route manageable.
Walk the actual route from parking to launch. Steps, narrow gates and a muddy bank can matter more than folded size. Decide who will handle each component and where assembly can happen without blocking other boaters. Owners with a short, level launch have a different problem to solve from someone carrying everything down a beach path.
Why some listing measurements conflict
The Amazon listing for B004BCSRIK contains inconsistent fields: its measurements section reports 96 by 32 inches and 510 pounds of capacity, while its Dana comparison table lists 8 feet 10 inches and 1,067 pounds. Newport’s current product page and hard-floor manual support the latter figures.
There is insufficient evidence to label the conflicting fields as a specific older model. This review uses the current manufacturer specifications. For operation, follow the plate and instructions supplied with your own boat. Stay within both the passenger and total-load limits, accounting for everything aboard.
Newport Dana motor size: check power and weight
Newport specifies a 10 HP ceiling and a separate 90-pound maximum engine weight. Both limits matter. Ask Newport to confirm the suitability of your exact motor and installation before ordering, particularly if you already own an outboard.
Plan where the fuel tank or battery will sit and how you will keep access clear. A maximum horsepower figure does not establish speed, range or performance with your crew. The owner’s manual also warns that wind and currents can exceed the capability of a small motor or oars.
What the Newport Dana wood floor adds to setup
The floor is assembled from rigid panels and secured with side joiners. Follow the manual’s installation sequence, including leaving the keel uninflated until the boards are installed. Practice at home on a clean, smooth surface so the first launch is familiar.
Newport’s assembly guidance estimates roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Treat that as manufacturer guidance, with extra time for your first attempt and equipment checks. Before departure, use our boat maintenance checklist alongside the boat and motor manuals.
Plan for drying and floor care
The manual calls for mild-soap cleaning, a fresh-water rinse and drying before packing. It also advises checking wooden components for deterioration and protecting damaged surface finishes with marine-grade varnish. Storage needs to include somewhere you can do that work.
Keep sand out of the floor joints and inspect components while they are apart. Avoid dragging the hull across abrasive ground. A sensible ownership routine includes time after the outing, especially when you are tired and tempted to pack everything wet.
Compare the whole setup before choosing
Newport’s inflatable boat guide describes the trade-off between hard-floor structure and the lighter, simpler packing of air-floor designs. Compare the time and handling each design requires for your trips.
Our Intex Excursion 4 review offers another portable-boat comparison. Pay attention to floor construction, mounting arrangements and usable space rather than treating passenger numbers as interchangeable. For an Amazon purchase, Newport’s FAQ explains how to request boat registration documents. Confirm the paperwork route before your first outing.
Source-checked specifications
| Model / ASIN | Dana 8ft 10in / B004BCSRIK |
|---|---|
| Listed boat weight | 107 lb |
| Current maximum load | 1,067 lb; verify your boat’s capacity plate |
| Passenger limit | 3 people |
| Maximum motor power / weight | 10 HP / 90 lb |
| Interior dimensions | 69 × 24 inches |
| Tube diameter | 18 inches |
| Construction | PVC; hot-air-welded seams |
| Air chambers | 3 plus inflatable keel |
| Floor | Alloy-framed marine plywood |
Related product research
Compare BRIS 10.8, BRIS 12.5 Fish Hunter and Newport Dana for different size and setup needs. For inflation planning, see the FBSPORT pump review. These links are comparisons, not a claim that the pump is compatible with every boat. Use the Product Finder or browse Watersports & Recreation reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Are oars and a pump included?
The current package lists two oars, a foot pump, bench seat, floor set and carrying bag. Check the selected seller’s package contents before ordering.
Does the pictured motor come with the boat?
The standard package contents do not list a motor. Treat propulsion and its battery or fuel system as separate purchases unless a specific bundle explicitly includes them.
Is three-person capacity comfortable for fishing?
Passenger capacity alone cannot answer that. Map out your crew, gear and access needs before choosing a boat this size.
Sources and methodology
Specification-based editorial review checked on October 14, 2026. Product identity and gallery were verified against the normal Amazon listing, with current Newport documentation used to resolve conflicting specifications. Practical fit recommendations are editorial analysis, without hands-on testing or measured performance claims.
- Amazon listing: exact ASIN, package and conflicting measurements
- Newport Dana: current specifications
- Newport hard-floor boat owner’s manual
- Newport assembly and disassembly guidance
- Newport inflatable boat buyer’s guide
- Newport boat FAQs and registration-document guidance