Inflatable for CD 27

[Richard Gelfand]

Further to my earlier message regarding inflatables, I was curious if anyone could comment on "doughnut" shaped inflatables such as the Redcrest by Avon. Achillies also makes one. What draw backs do these boats present?

I have also looked at a Mini Bombard made by Zodiac. This boat has a hard transom, but is very small...only 6'4" overall.

I would love to be able to stow what ever boat that I get in the port lazarette on my CD 27. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Steve]

Hi,

We all want a dinghy that stows like a Avon donut, motors like a 10' RIB and rows like a Tinka.
NO such Animal. All is a compromise. We have a CD 27 and are presently using the small West Marine Inflatable with the rubber slated floor. Not to stable to walk in but with a Merc 2hp, it's OK
I think in the future I may opt for a Trinka as I enjoy the rowing and I am coastal cruising. If it's to stinky to be hauling a Trinka, then I was to stupid to watch the weather signs.
Our West marine stowes OK in the V birth when it's to rough and anything smaller is tough if there is an occasional guest.
So all this chatter may not help much but good luck with your compromise.

Steve



NEastSail@aol.com

[Mike Thompson]

I have been towing a hard dingy, actually a WaterTender 9. I have
done this for six years with a CD-25 and for the last year with
a CD-28. I go out in plenty of rough weather and for trips
out of sight of land - but not offshore.
Works fine. Do you plan to go offshore?
Mike



miket@truesoft.com

[Dan VanWinkle]

I've been wrestling with the same questions. I just sent for plans for a dinghy I found in Wooden Boat Mag. It's called NYMPH and Harold Payson sells the plans. It has the squared off bow but a nicely rounded hull and a lot of rocker. Should be a great rowing boat. It's 7' 9". I plan to cut it in half and make a nesting dinghy of it. I will make one or more models to see where and if it can be cut. Wish me luck. Ofcourse, this is assuming it will fit somewhere on my 25D. Hopefully on the bow or coach roof. I do coastal and Barnegat/Delaware/Chesapeak Bay cruising. Best of luck in your search. dvw

Hi,

We all want a dinghy that stows like a Avon donut, motors like a 10' RIB and rows like a Tinka.
NO such Animal. All is a compromise. We have a CD 27 and are presently using the small West Marine Inflatable with the rubber slated floor. Not to stable to walk in but with a Merc 2hp, it's OK
I think in the future I may opt for a Trinka as I enjoy the rowing and I am coastal cruising. If it's to stinky to be hauling a Trinka, then I was to stupid to watch the weather signs.
Our West marine stowes OK in the V birth when it's to rough and anything smaller is tough if there is an occasional guest.
So all this chatter may not help much but good luck with your compromise.

Steve

dwinvan@aol.com

[Jerry Axler]

Further to my earlier message regarding inflatables, I was curious if anyone could comment on "doughnut" shaped inflatables such as the Redcrest by Avon. Achillies also makes one. What draw backs do these boats present?

I have also looked at a Mini Bombard made by Zodiac. This boat has a hard transom, but is very small...only 6'4" overall.

I would love to be able to stow what ever boat that I get in the port lazarette on my CD 27. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

I have a Bombard AX-3 that I store when not in port. You need a small outboard since inflatables don't row very well in anything above a dead calm. I very rarely tow a dinghy, since in a sudden squall even in enclosed waters you run into Mr.Murphy and all H-- seems to break out and the dinghy always picks that moment to go astray by swamping,parting a painter or losing an oar.I never tow the dinghy on the open ocean. The Bombard stores well with its slatted floor and moves reasonably well with a 2 hp and the size is about right to serve as a tender for your boat.

Jerry
"Shana"



cutter36@erols.com

[Dave and Jane Olson]

Jane and I discussed this issue last night. We have a 25D. We're thinking these days about an 8' hard unit made by Gig Harbor boat works in Wa. I like the towing, rowing and long lasting attributes of a hard but stowing a soft... I like that idea too!!!

What does everyone else have? Opinions please...
Dave and Jane

I've been wrestling with the same questions. I just sent for plans for a dinghy I found in Wooden Boat Mag. It's called NYMPH and Harold Payson sells the plans. It has the squared off bow but a nicely rounded hull and a lot of rocker. Should be a great rowing boat. It's 7' 9". I plan to cut it in half and make a nesting dinghy of it. I will make one or more models to see where and if it can be cut. Wish me luck. Ofcourse, this is assuming it will fit somewhere on my 25D. Hopefully on the bow or coach roof. I do coastal and Barnegat/Delaware/Chesapeak Bay cruising. Best of luck in your search. dvw

Hi,

We all want a dinghy that stows like a Avon donut, motors like a 10' RIB and rows like a Tinka.
NO such Animal. All is a compromise. We have a CD 27 and are presently using the small West Marine Inflatable with the rubber slated floor. Not to stable to walk in but with a Merc 2hp, it's OK
I think in the future I may opt for a Trinka as I enjoy the rowing and I am coastal cruising. If it's to stinky to be hauling a Trinka, then I was to stupid to watch the weather signs.
Our West marine stowes OK in the V birth when it's to rough and anything smaller is tough if there is an occasional guest.
So all this chatter may not help much but good luck with your compromise.

Steve

OlsonAcre@compuserve.com

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Dave & Jane,
I am just completing building a 7'9" pram from old American Plywood Association plans I obtained years ago. I have built this dink 6 times including the one just finished! The cost this time for materials was right around $600 and the time to build is right around 200 hours. Sounds like a lot of hours, particularly if Kevin Costner can build a Malabar II in just four weeks in the movie "Message in a bottle"!! But, this one is perfect! She is all bronze bound, sealed with 3m 5200 in all joints and should last as long as the 1/4" marine fir plywood lasts. The real nice thing about her is that she tows just great. If I adjust her to ride the quarter wave of Hanalei, she will sit there all day as happy as a duck. She only weighs 80#, so drag is not a problem nor is handlin' her ashore.

I guess you can tell, I prefer a hard dink. They look like they BELONG with a classic like the Cape Dory's. She makes a classic gig for the 1st. Mate to row the Captain and Commander around the harbour!

Fair winds....

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei (CD-30)