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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Inflatable vs. Fiberglass Dinghy

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2009 : 07:25:40

Mike, the sail is removed from the furler before mounting it for travel. The furler is held to the mast by about a dozen of those looped bungees with a ball at the end. They are nice and tight. The furler is attached to the trailer mast tower by a line that wraps around the foil and mast and goes under the roller on the mast tower to keep it secure. I probable have another one of the bungees there too. At the transom is the aft mast support. The support at the mast step is made of PVC pipe. There is a "T" at the bottom that runs fore-aft, then a straight section, then another tee with a short straight section and 90 degree elbow off of it. I run a line through the elbow, up through the top and around the mast and foil to hold the mast and furler down. The same bolt that usually secure the mast to the mast plate is used to secure the PVC stand to the mast step. Note that the PVC stand hold the mast off-center which matches the transom mounted mast support which is port of the centerline.

As you can see in this picture the furler is actually not mounted to the mast and in a previous photos in this thread you will see that I used to travel with the furler tied off to the shrouds. Last time I tied it along the mast. Either way works but I now prefer to tie it to the mast. This is also how I do the winter storage. This setup makes for a good winter "tent."

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Mike013
1st Mate

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64 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2009 : 09:26:16

Randy,

Do you have a picture showing how you secure the mast to mast raising upright. Thanks for your help.

Mike

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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3704 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2009 : 12:45:44

Mike, no photo of that. What I do is raise the mast tower to the right height. Then I lay the mast on the roller of the mast tower. Then I run a rope uder the roller and around the mast and tie it. That secures the mast to the tower since the rope is captured under the roller (and within the roller brackets).

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MartinJW
Navigator

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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2009 : 15:31:29

I saw this thread about tenders, so I'll add my experience.

A couple of years ago, I bought a (cheapo, made-in-Korea) Baltik inflatable, and I've not been very happy with it. We've been very careful with it, but, after only 3 seasons, I think it's probably no longer usable. I should have bought a "real" inflatable like a Zodiac or Avon.

I was not very happy with the purchase experience (from AffordableInflatable.com), either; I've detailed this on Yelp.com:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/affordable-inflatable-anaheim

Hope this is helpful,
Martin

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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1893 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2009 : 20:23:24

I'm a fan of hard dinks with sails as well as oars and motor option. I realize that puts me in the minority. I built an 8' plywood & fiberglass D4 from free downloaded plans. If I were to do it over, I'd like to try a 11' or so 2pc nesting dingy, like a Spindrift 11N or similar, preferably with a centerboard and balanced lug rig.

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MartinJW
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241 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2010 : 18:39:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 My bucket list.....if I had one, would include the Walker Bay with tube and sail kit. That being said, I've used my 7.5' Zodiac for 12 years without issue. While cruising I tow it easily and it tracks well using a bridle. I generally use the oars when cruising which is not ideal since its wood slat floor doesn't steer well. I use a 30 # thrust electric trolling motor from shore to my mooring otherwise. Again tracking is an issue but....there's no physical effort involved. It easily carries 4 adults with day sailing supplies and remains stable when stepping on the tubes to get into the Catalina.

Also on the down side, two of the slats rotted and broke but were replaced with treated plywood at a huge savings over new replacments and I replaced the stock paddles with aluminum canoe paddles which are longer and provide more thrust in the water.

On the whole I've gotten 12 years of good, relieable use out of a $750 inflatable and have never regretted the purchase. It is still in great shape and expect to be using it for another 12 years....if I'm around that long.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Al,

Is your 12-year-old Zodiac made from Hypalon?

Thanks,
Martin

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5378 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2010 : 22:17:09

I have a twelve foot fiberglass Vanguard Zuma catboat Spinner that I've towed behind Passage to use while on anchor at our local backbay (Milford Gulf behind Charles Island).

I could consider it to be a dink, as it would be fine heading up to the beach, but I've never used it in that way.

At 130 pounds, it would be a pain to tow on a long trip. For a day sail, with adequate winds, I imagine it would be fine.

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Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2010 : 23:09:51

As long as we've dredged this up, I'll add this comment: Hypalon is worthwhile if you expect your inflatable to be exposed to considerable sunlight--on a dinghy rack or floating at a dock. Otherwise, the lighter PVC is very serviceable. I bought a Hypalon Achilles roll-up, which was probably overkill for me--I generally roll it up and carry it in my cockpit. If I were to do it over, I might by WM's (by Avon) PVC rollup with lightweight floor slats. I replaced my Achilles heavy plywood floor sections with stiff, light polyethylene foam boards. So now I have the best of both worlds (?)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 02/20/2010 23:10:39

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 02/21/2010 : 23:32:44

My 8 foot Livingston is 30 years old.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.