What to do, what to do?
I have not been able to determine the best option for securing a dinghy aboard my CD330 for a cruise up the US East Coast next month. I would like to take my 6 man Avon inflatable since it could be used as an emergency shelter (totally NOT SOLAS approved) if the need arose. The problem is where to store it.
I could deflate it and store it in the port cockpit locker, but the time required to deploy it would eliminate the possibility of using it in an emergency.
According to Mr. Murphy’s Law the option of towing it is a bad one as it will most likely end up swamped, lost, or under my screw.
I have not yet measured, but I do not believe I have sufficient space atop the coach roof to store her between the mast and the mainsheet traveler. Not to mention the fact that placing an unsightly inflatable on the beautiful lines of a CD would certainly get me voted the CD owner who did the most to hurt the CD reputation. I would also be concerned about the additional drag it would create in a heavy wind condition where I would need to heave-to.
So what should I do? Davits would interfere with my stern mounted radar pole, plus the wind issue and visual effect would remain.
Should I consider not bringing a dinghy and renting a life raft? Anyone have any experience renting life rafts?
I have not considered the possibility of getting a "hard" nesting dinghy as I think it would only partially satisfy some of my needs and not completely fulfill any of them.
Any ideas, suggestions, or experiences?
Chris.reinke@transamerica.com
Dinghy - Drag or Deck?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
-
Richard Stephens
Re: Dinghy - Drag or Deck?
On a 34 footer that I used to sail, we would keep
the inflatable on the coach roof, half-inflated.
The dinghy had an inflatable thwart, and separate
chambers for bow and stern halves. We inflated the
thwart and stern, and folded the bow under it. The
pump was stored underneath on a lanyard.
It is definitely not a replacement for a liferaft
for an offshore trip, but we felt it was a good
compromise for coastal cruising. Another plus was
that you only have to inflate the bow section when
you want to use the dinghy.
Towing an inflatable is not a good option. The wind
will get under it and flip it over. That turns it
into quite an effective drogue!
Have a good cruise!
Richard Stephens.
rstephens@alexusa.com
the inflatable on the coach roof, half-inflated.
The dinghy had an inflatable thwart, and separate
chambers for bow and stern halves. We inflated the
thwart and stern, and folded the bow under it. The
pump was stored underneath on a lanyard.
It is definitely not a replacement for a liferaft
for an offshore trip, but we felt it was a good
compromise for coastal cruising. Another plus was
that you only have to inflate the bow section when
you want to use the dinghy.
Towing an inflatable is not a good option. The wind
will get under it and flip it over. That turns it
into quite an effective drogue!
Have a good cruise!
Richard Stephens.
rstephens@alexusa.com
-
Catherine Monaghan
Re: Dinghy - Drag or Deck?
Chris,
Have you seen the Dingy Tow? With it, only the tip of the dingy's bow touches the water.
There's a CD36 that summers at our marina that uses one. I talked to the owner about it 2 years ago and he said that he really liked it. He said that he has never had any problem with it and he takes his boat from NJ to FL every year on the outside.
Dingy Tow has a website at: <a href="http://www.dinghy-tow.com/">http://www. ... ow.com/</a>
On Realization, our CD32, we keep our Apex inflatable rolled up (with its floor) on the cabin sole up against the starboard settee. It stays there until we need it. Then we tow it if the trip is short, otherwise we deflate it and back it goes down below. I realize that it would be difficult to get it on deck and inflated in a hurry in an emergency but it's an option.
Have you looked at the Winslow life rafts? <a href="http://www.winslowliferaft.com/">http:/ ... ft.com/</a> They fold up really compact into a valise that can be stowed in the cockpit lazerette. I have always been impressed by their products when comparing them to others at the boat shows.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Raritan Bay
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
Have you seen the Dingy Tow? With it, only the tip of the dingy's bow touches the water.
There's a CD36 that summers at our marina that uses one. I talked to the owner about it 2 years ago and he said that he really liked it. He said that he has never had any problem with it and he takes his boat from NJ to FL every year on the outside.
Dingy Tow has a website at: <a href="http://www.dinghy-tow.com/">http://www. ... ow.com/</a>
On Realization, our CD32, we keep our Apex inflatable rolled up (with its floor) on the cabin sole up against the starboard settee. It stays there until we need it. Then we tow it if the trip is short, otherwise we deflate it and back it goes down below. I realize that it would be difficult to get it on deck and inflated in a hurry in an emergency but it's an option.
Have you looked at the Winslow life rafts? <a href="http://www.winslowliferaft.com/">http:/ ... ft.com/</a> They fold up really compact into a valise that can be stowed in the cockpit lazerette. I have always been impressed by their products when comparing them to others at the boat shows.
catherine_monaghan@merck.com
CD32 Realization
Raritan Bay
Chris wrote: What to do, what to do?
I have not been able to determine the best option for securing a dinghy aboard my CD330 for a cruise up the US East Coast next month. I would like to take my 6 man Avon inflatable since it could be used as an emergency shelter (totally NOT SOLAS approved) if the need arose. The problem is where to store it.
I could deflate it and store it in the port cockpit locker, but the time required to deploy it would eliminate the possibility of using it in an emergency.
According to Mr. Murphy’s Law the option of towing it is a bad one as it will most likely end up swamped, lost, or under my screw.
I have not yet measured, but I do not believe I have sufficient space atop the coach roof to store her between the mast and the mainsheet traveler. Not to mention the fact that placing an unsightly inflatable on the beautiful lines of a CD would certainly get me voted the CD owner who did the most to hurt the CD reputation. I would also be concerned about the additional drag it would create in a heavy wind condition where I would need to heave-to.
So what should I do? Davits would interfere with my stern mounted radar pole, plus the wind issue and visual effect would remain.
Should I consider not bringing a dinghy and renting a life raft? Anyone have any experience renting life rafts?
I have not considered the possibility of getting a "hard" nesting dinghy as I think it would only partially satisfy some of my needs and not completely fulfill any of them.
Any ideas, suggestions, or experiences?
catherine_monaghan@merck.com