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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Dinghy & C25

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frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/15/2002 : 16:45:29

I am thinking of purchasing an inflatable dinghy so I can anchor off the beach and row to shore.

Has anyone had expieriences with either towing or securing a dinghy to a C25. I've been told when towing it gets full of water and would hinder the performance while under sail.

The beaches off Fire Island, here in NY have about 3 ft of water!

Thanks

Frank Rich
84 C25 SK

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2002 : 19:30:24

I have a Sevalor (Spelling) I have no problem towing it or throwing it on the foredeck. It doesnt flip of fill with water. Not at 6 knots. I also have a Walker Bay 8 and it also tows like a dream. Either way Ive never had any trouble either stowing or towing.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2002 : 19:44:04

Whenever you tow any type of dinghy, it will affect the performance of the boat, because the dinghy adds drag, which affects the speed and maneuverability of the boat. But, that having been said, people still tow dinghies because they make it convenient to get from an anchorage to shore, and if you're cruising, you're probably not in that much of a hurry anyway.

An inflatable dinghy such as a Zodiac or Avon, with floorboards and made of fairly rigid fabric, tows well. A thin vinyl dinghy, such as a Sevylor, without floorboards, lacks rigidity, and does not tow well. It also doesn't carry passengers very well. Inexpensive, thin vinyl dinghies are so lacking in rigidity that they conform to the shape of the waves instead of riding over waves, as a boat should, and they are deformed when a wave hits them. Water will splash over the side more easily than on a Zodiac or Avon or similar inflatable.

I was recently looking at a Walker Bay dinghy (which is a hard dinghy, not inflatable.) They start at about $400. for a 2-person dinghy, they have a classic appearance, and I have heard nothing but good comments about them on the sailor's chat boards.

I think Boat U.S. sells Walker Bays, and they also sell off-brand inflatables similar to the Zodiacs, that appear to be good values.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2002 : 02:09:49

HUGE differences in price/quality in inflatables. I tried the cheapest once, a thin vinyl one like Steve described. DID fill with water, wouldn't tow, wouldn't row....junk IMHO. Most decent ones now are PVC heavy vinyl, i.e. Zodiac brand. The ones with a keel and rigid floorboards will tow (i.e. "track" better, but they're heavier to throw on deck. IMHO: the most durable fabric is Hypalon. It outwears PVC, but is enough more expensive that many brands have gone to PVC. I had a Novourania once, 8'6" with a plywood floor and rigid keel/hypalon fabric. It would plane nicely and towed great. Wish I still owned it, but it was heavy to put on the foredeck unless dismantled. Good luck; there are LOTS of options. In general, if you want a good one, better have lots of boat units....

Gary Encore! #685 (shopping for one, myself). My Boston Whaler sailing dink is SO heavy....but it tracks/tows VERY well....

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2002 : 08:47:36

We've used an inflatable Seyvlor "Tender" for the past 2 years. It is cheap, thin, doesn't row well at all, and can't be towed, BUT it stows very well & can be inflated on deck when we get where we're going. We put the outboard braket attachement on, trow the 1 HP Cruise 'n' Carry outboard on it & go! It works well for us, but it is a bit of a pain to inflate.

We just got an old hard 8' dinghy (model is "The Dink" - I don't think they make them anymore) this summer, but haven't towed it yet. We'll probably use it for short trips. We're a little nervous about towing it in following seas since we have an outboard & there is no way to stow it on board a C250.

I have heard very good things about the Walker Bay 8 - and you can get a sailing kit for it!

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

Edited by - on

Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2002 : 10:02:07

Another vote for a hard dink. We towed an inflatable for a couple seasons: towed poorly and it rowed even worse. I mumbled and moaned about it all the time. Now we tow a 8' fiberglass dingy, looks like a Walker bay. Tows like a champ and is a dream to take out for a row around the anchorage. Tows well enough that on longer runs we carry extra fuel, crab rings, and the pack out garbage in it. We did take the inflatable last (short) trip though- the kids wanted it to play with. We carried it in the hard dink!

Doug - #1913 Noeta

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2002 : 17:13:37

Here is a picture of Doug and the dink wada ya think!<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d823b3127cce9e4e997259420000001410" border=0>

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

frich
Captain

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USA
418 Posts

Response Posted - 07/16/2002 : 18:14:53

Hard it is mates<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>, maybe i will get lucky on E-bay.
Thanks for the input

frank rich
84 C25 sk

Edited by - on

jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2002 : 10:26:00

I have a Walker Bay and love it. It tows well and rows well. With my fixed keel I have to have a way to get back and forth to the beach while cruising, the little Walker Bay fits the bill.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2002 : 19:37:00

Jellyfish,

How do you transport your Walker Bay dinghy when you're trailering your boat? Do you cartop it, or do you carry it some other way?

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2002 : 00:09:02

The Walker bay 8 will fit on the bow. I dont know about trailering one. Will take pictures next week.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.

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jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2002 : 14:17:53

Steve, the Jellyfish never comes out of the water except every couple years for a new bottom. but the walker bay fits nicely on top of the car. there are light approx 70lbs +/- and easy to manage. i always tow her unless in real rough water, then she fits nicely on the bow.

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2002 : 15:14:41

I just wanted to make one observation on this subject. We have an older inflatable. I figure that I lose about 1/2 Knot when pulling. The one problem that I have observed first hand is that a rowing or sailing dingy is very tippy and unstable when stepping down from a C25/C250. You need to be agile. The inflatable, although still bouncy and woobly is easier to board. You might say they have a larger sweet spot for stepping into. Now I am fairly fit and agile, but I still want a solid place to set down on.

Ed Montague on 'Yahoo'
1978 #765 SK, Stnd, Dinette ~_/)~

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jncarlin
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 07/21/2002 : 20:58:30

Another dinghy alternative is the SportYak by KL Industries - it is relatively lightweight, can be ordered with a motor mount, and is easy to tow.

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