Smaller dinghys

Judith · Post by **Judith** » Jul 31st, '08, 17:54

Hi, John.

Price is generally an issue for us, too, but we ended up with two tenders, sort of. One or both of these approaches might work for you as well.

1) Check around locally. In our case, we spotted a rather neglected-looking dinghy sitting around the marina. We tracked down the owner, who--as it happened--was retiring from boating, selling his sailboat AND the dink. Now we have an 8' sailing-rig/rowing/motoring dinghy. . .which turned out to be a pre-Trinka (made by Knoc-on-Wood shortly before they sold rights and molds to the Trinka folks). $800, including reasonably new outboard + nice boat cover.

2) Then we got to worrying: if Warrens 'boyz' took the dink out exploring, how could we go find them in case of trouble? Since I first got onto the water via some limited kayaking experience, I naturally spotted a sale on inflatable kayaks. It's a Dragonfly, stores in its own 'suitcase' in the quarterberth, then inflates in a jiffy with 12v air pump we keep on the boat. And it's just plain fun! (If I had it to do again, I might've gone with a two-man kayak. . .But the kids really like this one!) We've had a number of people ask what it is, where can they get one (Great Outdoor Provision Co., for us). Under $200, but paddle not included.

Here are both of them:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12108888@N07/2720261811/" title="Dragon-DinkB 052707 by Morveren2, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/272 ... dce0_b.jpg" width="600" height="400" alt="Dragon-DinkB 052707" /></a>

M. R. Bober · Post by **M. R. Bober** » Jul 31st, '08, 19:41

Be careful with smaller dinks. I bought a 7' model many years ago to use as a tender on our CD27. With 2 aboard--we were lighter then--and a bag of ice or two, freeboard was not adequate to cope with any wave action.

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster (Where we are experts on the tender behind), VA

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Jul 31st, '08, 22:10

I read some where that 10 FT in about the minimum for a good rowing craft. Life is a compromise, Steve.

Ron M. · Post by **Ron M.** » Aug 1st, '08, 07:04

I have a 1970's built Stur-Dee 8' dink. it's a rugged little craft with flotation built into the sides. it rows. tows and handles well with a small outboard. I had to rebuild the transom but it's been a good little vessel.
________
Ford F-4Eat Transmission Picture

Tod M · Post by **Tod M** » Aug 1st, '08, 07:37

(faux lapstrakes), there is the Montgomery 6-8 and 7-11, if you can find a used one (I couldn't recommend new). The 6-8 was the Pardey's dinghy on Sarafyn (referenced in one of their books).

Here am I in a 6-8 at a (2003?) Lyle Hess get-together. That is a 26' Hess design in the background, "Polaris Jack", and we are in front of Vera's White Sands restaurant on St. Leonard's Creek off the Potomac It is a small boat!

[img]http://www.htmills.com/images/RowingJr2.jpg[/img]

And here is a 7-11. The wrinkles don't really go with the Cape Dory style, though.

[img]http://www.htmills.com/images/MBa01-7-11bowqtr.jpg[/img]

Tod M · Post by **Tod M** » Aug 1st, '08, 07:47

to build your own.

Here is a Bolger Nymph being towed (sorry the pic doesn't show the dinghy better). It has a plank running down the centerline which makes a great seat because you can position yourself anywhere along it for proper balance.

[img]http://www.htmills.com/images/LF-bluebirdandnymph.jpg[/img]

Then also, B & B yacht designs has a series of dinghies...

http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/cpaw.htm

Tod

Tim Mertinooke · Post by **Tim Mertinooke** » Aug 1st, '08, 10:42

Nesting dinghies provide an interesting solution that works for some.

D Rush · Post by **D Rush** » Aug 1st, '08, 11:39

This topic will undoubtedly lead to "Nesting Dinghies"

Nesting Dinghies by The Arrogant Boat Builder

Judith · Post by **Judith** » Aug 1st, '08, 12:28

D Rush wrote:This topic will undoubtedly lead to "Nesting Dinghies"

Nesting Dinghies by The Arrogant Boat Builder

I looked at these longingly while we were figuring out what to do for a tender. They're just gorgeous. Intriguing, too. . .

David L · Post by **David L** » Aug 2nd, '08, 05:12

Hi! John:

At 8'3" the smallest Walker Bay might not fit your requirements, but we have used one for over two years and find it a good all-round tender. The only problem is its limited carrying capacity. It's advertised as a "three-person" craft, but the weight limit is about 400#. Go figure.

Good luck.

David

Dick Kobayashi · Post by **Dick Kobayashi** » Aug 2nd, '08, 08:36

I hate inflatables - I like the lines of a neatly designed dingy and I like oars and hate outboards. So for years I have used junky cast off much repaired hard dingies with a beat up pair of theft proof oars. (too ugly to steal). Functional requirements, my wife's discomfort with the balancing requirements of small hard dingies, have caused me to 1) purchase a small 4 stroke outboard and 2) accept the donation of a 8-9 foot ancient Toyo Dynous dingy which holds air very well. I have the oldest and most decrepit inflatable in the harbor with bolted on oarlocks and oars held in place by bungee cord when not in use. Strangely I have received many complements on this outfit and almost have mastered thrust steering. My wife is happy - so I guess it is functional criteria in my case.

Judith · Post by **Judith** » Aug 2nd, '08, 09:32

"Which dinghy?" seems to be the perennial question. Even in the short time I've been sailing, I've seen a couple interesting discussions about this:

http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic ... ard+dinghy

http://www.capedory.org/board/viewtopic ... ard+dinghy

henry hey · Post by **henry hey** » Aug 2nd, '08, 10:51

Well. . a hard dinghy is certainly ALWAYS more rewarding to ride in, will tow better and handle an engine better. However, if you are hoping to stow that dinghy while you cruise that may be another matter.

I have a CD25 -- and as some of you may know, the cockpit locker space is TINY. I found a used Achilles LT-2. It's pretty much the smallest inflatable there is, with an oval profile (no transom board).

It's very small and is only good with two aboard. It does have a wooden motor mount that straps on securely and rows fairly well for an inflatable.

The real selling point for me, though, is that it fits COMPLETELY in the stern of my locker -- so much so that I have space for lines, fenders and anchors in the same locker. It is also quite light. I took it up to my boat on the subway at the beginning of the season.

It's all a trade off really. If you are going to cruise any distance, you may not want to tow a dinghy. If you do have a hard dinghy or even a medium sized inflatable, storage may become an issue.

Plenty to think about.

-henry

tartansailor · Post by **tartansailor** » Aug 2nd, '08, 20:02

I have a 15' Old Towne square stern with a 2 hp outboard.
Do not have a clew as to how it will work out. Biggest fear is that
it will flip out in the Atlantic, but for gunk holing, it should be ok?
We'll see and post later.

Dick

David VanDenburgh · Post by **David VanDenburgh** » Aug 2nd, '08, 20:32

We just returned from a month of cruising Lake Michigan and I was impressed all over again with how convenient our dinghy is. It is a West Marine (Zodiac) inflatable with an Evinrude 4 hp outboard. We keep it deflated and folded into its valise on the cabintop (see photo attached where you can see it in the stored position atop the sea hood). It takes just a few minutes to inflate with the foot pump, even less to deflate, and is easy to launch off the cabintop. We hoist it out of the water and put it on the cabintop with the main halyard - a one person job.

We have tried towing dinghys - terrible and dangerous in anything but calm weather. Inflatables don't bang your topsides. They can carry much larger loads far more safely than any rigid dinghy. I admit they don't look good. I admit they won't row. Everything is a compromise. I'm convinced our inflatable dinghy is the best for our needs.

http://picasaweb.google.com/david.vande ... 1719289474

The Cape Dory Board

Smaller dinghys

Two more possibilities

if you can find one......go for it

If you don't mind a dinghy with funny wrinkles

another option might be...

Nesting dinghies: still smitten

Consider Walker Bay

Functional or Aesthetic Criteria

Further reading

Dinghy

Canoe??