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In Need of a Dingy

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rmridgew
Deckhand

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USA
6 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/27/2004 : 11:53:00

I have been looking at an inflatable kayak to use as a dingy to and from shore.

Its only $65 and would be easy to store.

Is this a good solution?

Mac Ridgeway - Charleston, SC - 1979 C25 #1504
http://www.charlestonrealestateguide.com

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2004 : 13:25:03

My concern would be stability for getting in and out from the rail, swim ladder, or whatever, possibly with some wave action. An inflatable dinghy provides the most stability, a hard dinghy somewhat less, and a kayak... (?) I don't think I'm up to it. (But I'm getting a bit long in the tooth.) Both Sevylor and Sea Eagle make some lightweight, relatively cheap dinghies that should roll up fairly compactly. My preference is for something with a slatted floor for more stability climbing in and out, but still rollable.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/27/2004 13:27:16

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2004 : 13:48:52

An inflatable kayak like that can be a good option because it's light, inexpensive, very stowable, easily paddled and very maneuverable. Dave explained about its stability. It also won't have a lot of room for carrying passengers, equipment, etc. Like many "boats" in that price range, they are often made of vinyl, which isn't very durable, especially when beaching on anything other than a soft, sand beach. In a chop, they can also be a bit wet.

There is quite a big price jump from the vinyl boats to the more durable dinghies made with PVC. The one exception I've seen is the PVC-made one by Intex, sold at Costco for about $87. I'm not sure if it's still available there, but you may want to check it out. If not, web vendors sell it for about $120.

Here's a link to a recent discussion about it -- [url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6755&SearchTerms=Intex"]Intex Seahawk II[/url]

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2004 : 14:20:02

Heres a picture of my 2 man hard canoe/kayak (you don't get wet in it) Spike calls it the canoeyak.

http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/memorial/pictures/catalina1.jpg

Here you see it tied up alongside the boat.

This 2 man kayak carries 400 lbs. It is light and easy to paddle, either with one or two persons. It has rod holders and storage area. With seat backs, paddles, you can get the whole package at Sports Authority for under $500.

It fits on the bow of the boat with the nose through the C25 bow pulpit and the stern between the mast and the forward lower. Its easy enough to hoist on board and tie down upside down. When you are getting close to your destination, just drop it over, it tows well up to 4.5 knots.

Getting in and out.

Tie a rope to the bow of the kayak. Run this to your jib winch and tie it off. Tie a rope to the stern of the kayak. Run this to the same jib winch and tie it off. I have permanent ropes with big loops in them - I just drape them over the winch. Don't have to be tight.

Now the kayak is alongside and cant move forward or back or side to side. Put the paddles in the kayak. Lower yourself over the side of the C25 and step in, keeping feet in the middle. Hold onto the winch as needed. Sit down. Lift the ropes off the winch and paddle away.

I use this method with the dinghy as well. No boarding ladder needed. That is for emergencies if someone falls in.

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/28/2004 : 12:03:53

Hi Mac,

As they say on "Monty Python", "And now for something entirely different."

After a few less than satisfactory experiences with inflatables when we lived in SE AK 25 or so years ago, Kathy and I have firmly resisted inflatables.

Our parameters for a dinghy are: 1. floatation for at least three people in harbor conditions; 2. load carrying capacity and space so I can row out a second anchor if I want to set two anchors; 3. that the ride be relatively dry; 4. that the dinghy rows and tows easily and straight; 5. that the dinghy is designed for a small (2 or 3 hp) engine in the event that we feel the need for an engine; and 6. that the dinghy sails efficiently so I can sail around an anchorage. I realize that these limits are such that I'm not going to find very many inflatables that qualify. Consequently, Kathy and I bought and have owned for 18 years now a 9 ft Fatty Knees sailing/rowing dinghy. In addition to meeting the six qualifiers, it is cute, low maintenance, and performs so well that I have not felt the need to make my own dinghy all this time. What are the cons to the Fatty Knees???? Well, price mainly. A new one is spendy......and used ones are pricy too relative to the inflatable you mentioned originally. I think we paid $800 for the Fatty Knees (used). But, if I divide that price by the 18 years we've had her, that's only $44.44 per year.

There are less expensive "hard" dinghys too. And, always the option to build a dinghy if you have the place and tools needed for the project. If you don't have the place and tools, you might check out your local high schools and/or community colleges. These schools often offer evening, "adult" classes in wood shop. I took one of these to have the tools needed to make an entertainment center several years ago. In the class was one fellow making a 12ft "fish'n" boat and another making a 10ft hydroplane.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2004 : 13:29:37

I built a "Walnutshell" 7'6" dingy this winter. I wanted a off-season project and a tender.

"Love Me Tender" was built from plans I got on the internet, marine plywood and West System Epoxy. Took me about five weeks doing all the work by myself.

I chose to fiberglass the hull exterior and leave the interior natural with one epoxy coat. Painted the hull white.

It rows well, tracks straight, weighs about 90 pounds (fiberglass) a little more than I thought. She has a home-made mast and boom of aluminum tube on the "Optimist" model and an "Optimist"-like rudder and tiller. Currently the sail is fabricated from Tyvek Housewrap, a cheap material for experimenting with shapes. I just cut it and glued an edge line (1/8" nylon) inside the turned-down edges. Works fine for a while.

It was not cheaper than buying a Walker Bay 8footer (without sails). The cost of the epoxy was more than I imagined. The work was very satisfying, however and makes up for the bucks.

If I did another one, I would build in a daggerboard trunk. "Love" sails with leeboards and a lugsail cat-rig so the leeboards are a pain in the ____.

I have since built a three-wheeled cart (from a used baby-buggy-for- joggers thingy that they gave me at the thrift store and aluminum tubing)to pull the boat around. It allows me to move it and load it into our Aerostar van by myself. I still need someone to help me get it through the gate at the marina because I have to turn it on edge to go through. A hanging set of blocks lets me lift it to the rafters in the garage, out of the way.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2004 : 19:21:47

very much like my recent project, except I salvaged a derelict boat and put about $200 of epoxy and 100 hours into it.

Its fiberglass over foam, a full keeled sailing dinghy, heavy, tows well (but slows my C25 down significantly). Have not worked on the mast/sail yet. I will build something like a sailfish lateen rig for it.

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 07/29/2004 : 23:17:31

I'm with Bill H on this one. I gave up on my Achilles deflatable after two seasons (dinghy docks were murder on it). I bought for $750 and eight foot Puffin, carries three, rows really well, will take a four horse outboard. Can also be purchsed with centerboard and sailing rig (for much more bucks). I looked at the 8 foot Walker and passed on it b/c it only seats two. The newer ten foot Walker will take three, but is quite a bit more expensive. I also keep an inflatable two person row boat on board just in case I'm in a foreign port and there's no launch.

BTW, I assume it was a dinghy you wanted. Or did you want an especially dirty small boat ("dingy")?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2004 : 21:47:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jwilliams
 I chose to fiberglass the hull exterior and leave the interior natural with one epoxy coat.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Jim: If "Love Me Tender" is exposed to much sun, you might want to put a coat of spar varnish over that epoxy. I have observed that Epoxy discolors badly from UV, but spar varnish will protect it.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2004 : 00:41:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by deastburn
 I gave up on my Achilles deflatable after two seasons (dinghy docks were murder on it).
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

What was the problem with dinghy docks? What kind of damage were you getting on your Achilles? I thought that the Achilles brand were all Hypalon and pretty durable. My dinghy is an Apex 10.2, hypalon, and seems to be well made and pretty strong. Is there something I don't know about these inflateables that has to do with tying up to dinghy docks?

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2004 : 11:10:10

Dave,

Thanks for the tip about spar varnish on epoxy. Even tho I keep "Love Me" in the garage, it's a good idea. I'll do it.

Jim

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2004 : 21:08:07

I have a Avon redcrest bought new in 1975 for $475 on sale. Still in use although it has spent lots of time in the bag during winters up north, etc. Now hangs in garage. Can be stowed in dumpster, towed, rowed, half deflated and carried on deck as a liferaft, etc. Pretty cheap use over the years. Ill bet that Charleston has used boats in the paper classified, where you could find some sort of used rollup that would put the modern item to shame, IMHO, Ron srsk Orion SW FL

Edited by - on

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