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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Dinghy & C250

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jkountz
1st Mate

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USA
48 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/29/2003 : 16:18:36

I am looking for a new dinghy and wondered what other people were using. I currently have a light-duty SEVYLOR which stows in the port cockpit locker. It can handle two people, just barely, and does not row very well.

I’ve been looking at Zodiac style inflatable and hard dinghy's. The hard dinghy's reportedly tow well and are very durable. The Zodiacs’ look to be more sea worthy than the hard dinghy and can be stowed below decks.

I need to be able to carry 3-4 people. I am also interested in hearing whether people tow their dingy or tie-down on the deck.

Thanks in advance.

John Kountz
C250K - Foolish Treasure
Seattle Washington

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2003 : 10:49:18

How big are those 3-4 people? We have a Walker Bay 8 footer, available everywhere for under 5 BU's, which carries Mam Dad and the two little sailors nicely. I tow it, about twenty or so feet behind. I plan on getting the sailing kit so the little ones can develop some seat of the pants sailing skills. Finally, it fits (upside down) in the cockpit absolutely perfectly for over the road travel.
Not the least of my reasons for bringing a dinghy is as a lifeboat. Therefore it has to be in the water, ready to go. Towing an inlfatable creates a lot of drag. Finally, it provides some extra storage for the plastic beach toys etc........
The official Coast Guard sticker says 2 adults.........There is a ten footer, but that would not fit in the cockpit.

Oscar
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

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andy
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2003 : 12:13:21

John,
I have a fiberglass dinghy made by gig harbor marine on the Puget Sound (Seattle). It tows wonderfully and rows beautifully. I doubt you'll be able to store any dinghy on deck especially one that will haul 3-4 bodies. You'll find that an inflatable will be much more stable than a glass one but they usually dont tow as well. Mine is fairly "tippy"... you have to be really careful getting in and out of it. For a hard dinghy check out a Walker Bay...they look maintenance free and are reasonably priced.
Andy Anderson
CSCO Kid C250WB #163
MHYC McCall, Idaho elv.5000', lat. 45N

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2003 : 14:33:04

We have the same Sevylor inflatable as you which we keep deflated & stored aboard at all times. We also have a small hard dinghy which we've only towed a couple times. Its great & tows nicely, but we've had some problems w/ it hitting our tipped-up outboard in rough seas. I don't think its possible to store a hard dingy on board a C250 while underway.

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

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jfesi
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2003 : 16:11:10

John,

I also have a Walker Bay 8' dinghy. This will be our 4th season. We got it at Boat US when it was only 4 BUs, plus we used the 10 percent discount. It's hard to knock it for $350.

It tows well, but is light and somewhat unstable in high winds and rough water. Thankfully I'm moored about 100 yds from shore. I'm tired of rowing, so I just bought a small outboard for it. Will let you know how that works out.

It really is designed for two adults. Total weight of people, motor and baggage is 425 lbs. If all your passengers are around 100 lbs you're in luck :-)

Alan Therrien
"Moonpenny"
C250WK #418

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2003 : 18:06:42

I use a 9'6" inflatable sport boat... West Marine... by Zodiac. Its the one with the plywood floor boards and the inflatable keel section. It tows easily... and would handle the older 8 hp Honda and plane without problem with 420 lbs in it. The old Honda was 79 lbs and wasn't too heavy to swap off the boat to the dinghy... the new Honda at 108...is too heavy to mess with and likely too big for the dinghy.

While it tows easily...it doesn't row easily when loaded down. The carrying sachel will store (shoe horn fit) in the V berth locker. Price abt 10 boat units.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2003 : 20:53:49

>we've had some problems w/ it hitting our tipped-up outboard in rough seas<

As I said, I give the dink about 20 feet of line....it just does it's thing back there.....no problem.

Oscar
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/LKforumshot.jpg" border=0>
Lady Kay 250 WB #618
In the driveway in Behtlehem, PA ready to go anytime.

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2003 : 13:01:22

20' of line - wow that's a lot more than we were using. I'll have to try it.

We got our hard dingy ("The Dink" model name) free from a coworker who had it in his shed for a decade. We cleaned it up, sawed out access ports & rebedded everything. Dan, my husband, even painted it & put a pinstripe on. Total cost under $100. I would like a Walker Bay though so I could get the sail rig for small boat fun.

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

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Rob Poirier
Deckhand

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Canada
23 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2003 : 16:01:43

I tow an AquaPro aluminum RIB 8.5’. It rows great and I fly when powered by my 3hp Yamaha 2 stroke ( as long as I’m alone in the dinghy). It only weighs 82 lbs and adds great access to cruising the 1000 Islands. I highly recommend it.

Rob Poirier
250 wb #44

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