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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Show me your dink!

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/27/2012 : 18:14:50

OK I have a line on a nutshell pram for $350. I have a 4 hp OB in the basement.

Is an 11 ft "pram" a suitable dink for our boat? has anyone seen an OB bracket that would work with one, and what other alternatives work well for you guys??

In your replies please bear in mind that we are a family of 2 adults, 1 teen, 2 kids and a dog. A 9 ft zodiac does not fit the bill. The pram is a good dinghy for sailing lessons with te kids though.

"Iris"
1984 FK/SR #4040
http://frosthaus.blogspot.com/

Take a minute to register your boat with the association!!
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/owner_questionnaire.htm

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2012 : 21:55:53

I'm inclined to question the assumption that an 11' pram will hold more people than a 10' inflatable--especially with some stability getting onto and off of your boat. (I'll agree that my 8-1/2' inflatable is a little small for your whole gang.) Besides the significant difference in side-to-side stability compared to an inflatable, the Nutshell has a lot of "rocker" in its design--it will tip fore-and-aft under load as well.

Then there's seating... Where will your gang sit in a pram? In an inflatable, the sides are seats, in addition to the seats.

Then there's towing in a seaway... (I'm assuming you don't expect to put an 11' hard dinghy on board.) If you get into some nasty seas and winds and your big pram flips, you have the worst kind of sea anchor. If an inflatable flips, you have an upside-down inflatable, which I'll admit can actually be harder to flip back over than you might think, due to suction, but at least it's floating there.

That's my take...

although I haven't been in a little (actually, big) pram quite like that in a lot of years.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 02/27/2012 22:05:14

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2012 : 22:22:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 In your replies please bear in mind that we are a family of 2 adults, 1 teen, 2 kids and a dog.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

When cruising with that crowd, you might be better off just picking up a transient slip.

Edited by - dlucier on 02/27/2012 22:22:38

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2012 : 08:49:33

I made a mistake in my post above, but I don't think it will change your feedback - its a Shellback Dinghy, which is a larger version of the nutshell - or something to that effect. Still only a very small flat area on teh bottom, hard chined, adn poor initial stability. But, its 11ft, has 3 benches, and lots of freeboard, and can be sailed, rowed, or motored.

Looks like this under sail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT5wiek5qEU - Could be fun for the kids.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2012 : 09:06:16

Looks like a lot of fun!

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2012 : 11:31:16

... and after watching this one I am completely sold! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTAK59AyGn8&feature=related

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2012 : 13:07:54

Someone already asked the same question that was on my mind: For towing, isn't the full flotation of an inflatable much preferred to any hard dink?

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2012 : 13:40:57

Rick, I think that really depends on HOW you tow.

Here is a previous discussion: http://catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=6699

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2012 : 12:16:01

Arrrrgh

Guy said he wanted me to pick up the boat on Saturday AM. I just got a call from him that someone came along cash in hand and bought it this morning. Grrrr. Stoopid craigslist.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2012 : 12:46:55

Yup--private sellers don't give a hoot about customer relations or satisfaction--in fact they hope they'll never see or hear from you again! Sorry you lost out--it looked like a fun boat!

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2012 : 13:21:04

Bummer!

That was a nice YouTube video.

I just noticed on the map of Finland that there are literally thousands of islands off the southern coast there - all the way from Helsinki to Mariehamn. What a spot to sail a dinghy!

By the way, how could you keep a hard dinghy from turtling in some serious chop? Could you attach styrofoam "noodles" or Rigid Inflatable Dinghy Tube Kits PVC for Walker Bay dinghies?

Can you keep it from flipping by towing with a short bridle?

What's the best method?

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2012 : 13:29:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JohnP
 ...By the way, how could you keep a hard dinghy from turtling in some serious chop?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Every half hour, a splash of rum overboard for Poseidon.

Edited by - on

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2012 : 16:13:58

I lost a hard dink many years ago, around 1977. I was westbound from St Thomas going to Puerto Rico and towing the 10' hard dink, had following seas and didn't snug it up close enough. I saw it roll inverted, dive for the bottom and the painter snapped, all in about 10 seconds. Lesson learned. Now I have an Avon 3.10 I bought in 1980, still gives me good service.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2012 : 22:09:17

I purchased a used Seaworthy 11.2 (predecessor to some of the Boat US/West Marine boats) that's in good shape, holds its air well. Just found out, though, that the marina won't allow dinghies unless they are stored aboard the boat. We'll have to see how big of a pain it is to inflate on deck, and whether I can get a second engine at a reasonable price. I don't think I want to be passing up/down the 8hp.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2012 : 08:04:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimGo
 ...whether I can get a second engine at a reasonable price. I don't think I want to be passing up/down the 8hp.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The Honda 2 is 28 lbs. and air cooled (no salt water issues). I can't guarantee a "reasonable price"--I think mine was a little under $850 (new).

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2012 : 08:06:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimGo
 I purchased a used Seaworthy 11.2 (predecessor to some of the Boat US/West Marine boats) that's in good shape, holds its air well. Just found out, though, that the marina won't allow dinghies unless they are stored aboard the boat. We'll have to see how big of a pain it is to inflate on deck, and whether I can get a second engine at a reasonable price. I don't think I want to be passing up/down the 8hp.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Put it in the swap meet when its time. I'll be watching. Either that or email me before anyone else gets a chance at it...

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2012 : 09:57:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 Yup--private sellers don't give a hoot about customer relations or satisfaction--in fact they hope they'll never see or hear from you again! Sorry you lost out--it looked like a fun boat!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">And buyers don't give a hoot about sellers . . .

Edited by - on

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