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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Dinghy Recommendations

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Sea Wolf
1st Mate

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27 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/28/2004 : 11:33:36

What's a good dinghy/tender to have on a C25?

To carry 2 people... and a dog.

In general w/ say a 2hp motor and how about a sailing dinghy?

What size should I be looking at?

Thanks.

Edited by - Sea Wolf on 08/28/2004 12:39:26

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2004 : 12:51:14

Some folks spend big bucks on a nice inflatable. Here's a couple less expensive options...

If they still have them in stock, Costco sells the Seahawk II for less than $100. It's a good little tender, much tougher (PVC construction) than anything else in that price range which is usually made of cheap vinyl. I made an engine mount for mine. An inflatable is usually more stable (less tippy getting in and out) and can carry more than a hard dinghy.

I also have a hard tender which is pretty versatile. Rows great. Motors great (although won't plane with my little 1.6 hp motor).

And it's a blast to sail...

It also makes a good platform for fishing -- easier than an inflatable to clean up bait, scales, fish guts, etc. and you can't puncture it with errant hooks. Searching local marinas and/or newspaper ads can locate one (with sailing rig) for under $500. Condition can vary greatly, but minor repairs are pretty easy. Walker Bay sells new ones, but they cost a lot more.

Edited by - RichardG on 08/28/2004 12:56:16

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2004 : 13:02:45

If you're going to be serious about trailering and exploring venues outside the marinas you'll want a good tender. Unfortunately, a really good tender can be 1/2 the cost of a decent C25 !

For my (very) occasional use, the $100 "Syntex Sea-Hawk II" does just fine... until current spouse dropped the oar shaft connector in the drink.

If you really want to sail it, you'll be looking at a rigid dinghy... the downside is that they take up room on the deck when not being towed and must have a place to be stowed when trailering too. I really like the look of the Walker Bay "hybrid" dinghy. What a great concept.

http://www.walkerbay.com/

As far as 'first line' inflatibles, I've heard good things about the Caribe line...

http://www.internet.ve/caribe/

Edited by - on

Sea Wolf
1st Mate

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27 Posts

Response Posted - 08/28/2004 : 13:07:11

The little sailing dinghy looks really nice and fun. Nice wood trim on it, sharp looking little boat. That sounds like a good deal on an inflatable too. About what diminsions should I be looking at? What's your technique for carrying it aboard?

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2004 : 16:30:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">About what diminsions should I be looking at?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The sailing dinghy is about 8.5'. The reason I bought the inflatable was that my kids (3 & 5) are getting bigger and it was getting a lot harder to squeeze 4 people into the hard dink. The Seahawk II (made by Intex) is about 10.5' and fits us all (plus supplies) MUCH better, is more stable and has proven to be quite durable so far.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">What's your technique for carrying it aboard?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The Seahawk comes with a carrying bag. It rolls up a bit bigger than normal with the motor mount, so I made a separate bag for the oars, pump, etc. When cruising, I usually store it in the quarterberth, but I suppose it's small enough to fit in the cockpit locker. At home, I store it in my garage (after cleaning, drying and repacking neatly after each cruise).

I tow the hard dink everywhere because it's way too heavy to lift onboard, plus I don't know if it would fit even if I could lift it. Both the C25 and dink float in my home slip year-round.

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2004 : 16:42:49

Sabot-style boats seem to be the most commonly found hard dinks in marinas around here. However, a lot of them are stored in marina dinghy racks and appear to be used very seldomly. I had my eye on "Sweet Pea" for a long time at my old marina, looking like it was never used. Eventually I made an inquiry about it and was directed to the owner. He was an elderly guy who explained he could no longer use it and that he was thinking of selling. The transaction was completed in about 5 minutes.

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2004 : 21:22:09

Richard G.

Can you please measure the leeboard on your dingy...depth, width, thickness and send me email the dimensions.

I want to add one to Love Me Tender.

Thanks,

Jim Williams onefrog@yahoo.com
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

jcfordham
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2004 : 08:41:34

We have one of the Seahawk's from Costco and it can be a real adventure to paddle in a breeze for any distance. I had never thought that one could add a motor. Can you share any info about your improvised mount?

Thanks!

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RichardG
 Some folks spend big bucks on a nice inflatable. Here's a couple less expensive options...

If they still have them in stock, Costco sells the Seahawk II for less than $100. It's a good little tender, much tougher (PVC construction) than anything else in that price range which is usually made of cheap vinyl. I made an engine mount for mine. An inflatable is usually more stable (less tippy getting in and out) and can carry more than a hard dinghy.

I also have a hard tender which is pretty versatile. Rows great. Motors great (although won't plane with my little 1.6 hp motor).

And it's a blast to sail...

It also makes a good platform for fishing -- easier than an inflatable to clean up bait, scales, fish guts, etc. and you can't puncture it with errant hooks. Searching local marinas and/or newspaper ads can locate one (with sailing rig) for under $500. Condition can vary greatly, but minor repairs are pretty easy. Walker Bay sells new ones, but they cost a lot more.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2004 : 10:55:44

seahawk motor mount uses an oak board, 2 U bolts, and a PVC frame connected to the rod holders. Works great.

Drill holes through the board to mount to the connectors that are at the back of the dinghy. The trick is getting it at the right height so that your motor will clear the top of the dinghy yet still get the prop in the water.

the pvc frame is screwed to the wood board. Then the tubes comd forward, through an elbow, and into the rod holders. A hole is drilled through the holder and pvc to take a bolt and nut. This frame is essential to transfer the thrust of the motor forward.

The entire mount and dinghy still fits in the bag and the whole thing can be stored in the quarterberth

I use a 28 pound Mercury 3.3 hp outboard. Works great at displacement speeds.

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2004 : 14:09:17

jcfordham:

Here's a link to how I made mine -- [url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6830&SearchTerms=Intex,Seahawk"]motor mount[/url].

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2004 : 14:13:35

jwilliams:

I'll probably be able to check this week -- I'll email the dimensions. I think, based on its shape, it's from a Sabot rig (same with the rudder/tiller).

Edited by - on

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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.