2013 Puffin 8' Rowing Dinghy in San Diego area

[SwiftRanger]

Hey all,

We are selling our Puffin dinghy. She's treated us well, but we have little use for her in San Diego.
She's just barely fits in between the traveler and the mast atop a CD30, light enough to maneuver around (70lbs) on deck. Built in flotation. Actual size is 7'8".
In great condition, let me know if you'd like to stop by and check her out!

Thanks
Patrick

[tjr818]

How much are you asking for her?

[SwiftRanger]

With shipping and tax, we paid $1400.00 for her.

I'm looking to get somewhere around $600.00..

[Sea Hunt Video]

We are selling our Puffin dinghy. She's treated us well, but we have little use for her in San Diego.

Patrick: could you explain why you do not use your Puffin in the San Diego area.

[tjr818]

Patrick,
$600 - I'd buy her in a minute if I was anywhere near San Diego. We are in St. Louis, MO. I suppose shipping would be too expensive?

I have only heard good things about the Puffins.

Tim

[SwiftRanger]

Wow, that was quick. SOLD


In response to why we were selling it, 2 reasons:
1) Our boat is in San Diego where there aren't many places to go. The Puffin has ended up on the dock permanently.
2) It barely fits atop our CD30. Certainly would require some good chocks for any serious trip. We are planning a bigger trip in the near future and are considering a porta-bote or something similar.


AMAZING dinghy though. We've own a few hard dinghies and this was by far the best in every regard. If we had a CD33 or larger, we'd keep it forever.

Best,
Patrick

[Sea Hunt Video]

Patrick:

Congratulations on the quick sale. This is a great board.

Since she is sold I hope you won't mind me asking a question about stability on your "for sale" thread.

What can you share about the Puffin's stability - particularly getting onto her from a Cape Dory and climbing back up onto a Cape Dory from the Puffin. I am sad to say I am old, fat, out of shape and want a launch/dinghy that will be stable for "an old guy".

Thanks

[David Morton]

Hi, Robert. I thought I would chime in since I have some experience in this regard. I have a 8'6" Puffin. I am 5'7", 150# and 63yrs old. I generally use a 6' inflatable with a slat board floor, but I do use the puffin frequently. In terms of stability, the inflatable is generally easier to step into from the boat, however, I have not yet had an accident moving from my ladderless 25D into the Puffin. Usually I climb over the transom rail near the corner, step onto the seat, making sure the dinghy is quiet and in position, tied off at the bow to the coaming cleat. With one foot on the seat and still holding the transom rail, I lower other foot to the bottom of the Puffin in the midline. From there it is no problem to get seated and stable. The Puffin is easy to tow and way easier to row than the inflatable, but the inflatable handles my 2.5hp 4 stroke Yamaha better. While cruising I prefer to take the Puffin, unless the Admiral is aboard. The inflatable is the preferred mode from dock float to mooring. As I age I assume I will eventually get a transom ladder installed and/or resort to using the inflatable exclusively. But for now I manage well with either dinghy.
Hope that is useful.

David

[SwiftRanger]

I agree with David, it's a little more tender than an inflatable, but nothing for concern. We previously had an 8' Dinghy from a company out of Tampa (forgot the name) that was similar in design, but 25lbs heavier and much less stable.

The Puffin is definitely the best dinghy we've ever owned. The benefits of being a good rower, light (for a hard dinghy... still heavy though), beautiful, unsinkable, and well made outweigh the difficulty you may have boarding it.