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Author Topic:   Dinghy

handn posted 05-23-2005 05:30 PM ET (US)
We just finished an 800 nautical mile cruise down the Sea of Cortez and back in our 305 Conquest. We had a great time, everything on our Whaler worked fine and the cabin actually wasn't as small as it appeared when we first started out.
The only thing that was really aggravating was the dinghy. It was a hypalon inflatable that lived rolled up on the fore deck because that was the only place for it. The 2.5 h.p. outboard lived in the second stateroom, a.k.a. the storage locker.
To launch the dinghy, my wife and I had to lug it from the foredeck into the cockpit, pump it up, launch it and install the outboard after retrieving it from the storage locker. When it was time to go, the procedure was reversed. We got better at doing all of this and our time for doing all of this got cut down, but it still took at least a half an hour each way. Meanwhile our cruising companions were out trolling for marlin in their big boat after hauling their dinghy fully inflated with the motor mounted onto the foredeck with their power davit.
I got so I didn't look forward to anchoring because that meant wrestling with the dinghy instead of enjoying a well deserved sundowner.
My question to forum members is there an alternative to a blow up dinghy or a faster and less aggravating system for dealing with one.
kglinz posted 05-23-2005 05:56 PM ET (US)
I just throw mine up on the hardtop crossways.... http://image24.webshots.com/25/5/14/59/95651459OlbUnW_ph.jpg
kglinz posted 05-23-2005 06:11 PM ET (US)
Better Picture. ....... http://members.fishingworks.com/kglinz/PhotoImages/Mary1000027.JPG
JohnJ80 posted 05-23-2005 07:59 PM ET (US)
tow it. for long runs, just take the motor off. When you have to back, just bring the line forward and short.
J
lloyd13 posted 05-24-2005 01:59 PM ET (US)
Put it on the hardtop or wherever, but if you tow it, be prepared to tow it full of water, submerged, and trying to tear out your cleats. Eventually it will happen. One breaker over the side and you will have a serious problem. I have been there and it isn't any fun.
handn posted 05-26-2005 11:11 AM ET (US)
I can't put my dinghy on the hardtop because of the outriggers, vhf antenna, anchor light and gps antenna take up all the space. Towing the dinghy behind the boat might work for sailboaters but it won't work at planing speeds.
Does any one have any experience with inflatable kayaks?
kglinz posted 05-26-2005 11:46 AM ET (US)
A lot of people install a radar arch that is high enough to slide the dingey under it. I'm not sure what Conquest this is...... http://www.tannermfg.com/jpegs/ConquestRoofweb.jpg
aubv posted 05-26-2005 02:18 PM ET (US)
handn,
Why not just use oars in stead of the added hassle of even a small outboard engine?
Are you aware of Boston Whaler Squall?
Squalls are designed to be towed at high speeds without the plug in, according to the old brochures. A good set of oars with removable blades allows storage of the oars in a number of out of the way places.
Another alternative might be something like an 8' Walker Bay Dinghy that only weighs 71 lb.
Jim D posted 05-26-2005 03:08 PM ET (US)
I use Weaver dinghy davits...doesn't everybody?
Seriously, very common solution around here.
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/WVR/WVRDAVITS.html
Jim
pvonk posted 05-28-2005 02:47 PM ET (US)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/WVR/WVRDAVITS.html
handn posted 06-02-2005 06:39 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the suggestions, particularly the one about the outboard. Lugging it around was a chore even though it is only a 2.5 h.p.
Let me ask a dumb question. I assume the dinghy davits mount the inflatable on the inside of the transom since the outboards are on the outside. In my case, that wouldn't work because I couldn't fish with the dinghy in the way.
Has anyone used the Walker Cay dinghy? I saw one in the cataloge and it looked pretty cool.
jimh posted 06-02-2005 10:45 PM ET (US)
[Administrative post]
aubv posted 06-03-2005 07:24 AM ET (US)
handn,
We owned a 10' Walker Bay and liked it but our needs changed and sold it to a friend, who likes it.
I have another friend who with an 8' Walker Bay and while he would like a slightly larger dinghy because of his physical size he is happy with the 8'. I happen to be on a town dock yesterday and noticed 5 out of 6 dinghies on that dock are 8' Walker Bays.
The wheel in the keel is a vey nice feature.
The Walker Bay Hyrdo curve oars are the nicest oars we've used and purchased a set for our Squall.
fwiw
David Pendleton posted 06-03-2005 06:08 PM ET (US)
Have you considered a Zodiac? You can find them lightly used for the price of a new Walker Bay.
Mine (an 8.5) only weighs about 90 pounds and that's with a plywood floor. When it's rolled up, it fits in the back of my Wife's Volvo V40 station wagon (the small one).
Try that with any other dinghy.
It's much more stable than a WB and it won't swamp as easily. Even if it does, it would be difficult to sink unless all three chambers were punctured.

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Author	Topic: Dinghy
handn	posted 05-23-2005 05:30 PM ET (US) We just finished an 800 nautical mile cruise down the Sea of Cortez and back in our 305 Conquest. We had a great time, everything on our Whaler worked fine and the cabin actually wasn't as small as it appeared when we first started out. The only thing that was really aggravating was the dinghy. It was a hypalon inflatable that lived rolled up on the fore deck because that was the only place for it. The 2.5 h.p. outboard lived in the second stateroom, a.k.a. the storage locker. To launch the dinghy, my wife and I had to lug it from the foredeck into the cockpit, pump it up, launch it and install the outboard after retrieving it from the storage locker. When it was time to go, the procedure was reversed. We got better at doing all of this and our time for doing all of this got cut down, but it still took at least a half an hour each way. Meanwhile our cruising companions were out trolling for marlin in their big boat after hauling their dinghy fully inflated with the motor mounted onto the foredeck with their power davit. I got so I didn't look forward to anchoring because that meant wrestling with the dinghy instead of enjoying a well deserved sundowner. My question to forum members is there an alternative to a blow up dinghy or a faster and less aggravating system for dealing with one.
kglinz	posted 05-23-2005 05:56 PM ET (US) I just throw mine up on the hardtop crossways.... http://image24.webshots.com/25/5/14/59/95651459OlbUnW_ph.jpg
kglinz	posted 05-23-2005 06:11 PM ET (US) Better Picture. ....... http://members.fishingworks.com/kglinz/PhotoImages/Mary1000027.JPG
JohnJ80	posted 05-23-2005 07:59 PM ET (US) tow it. for long runs, just take the motor off. When you have to back, just bring the line forward and short. J
lloyd13	posted 05-24-2005 01:59 PM ET (US) Put it on the hardtop or wherever, but if you tow it, be prepared to tow it full of water, submerged, and trying to tear out your cleats. Eventually it will happen. One breaker over the side and you will have a serious problem. I have been there and it isn't any fun.
handn	posted 05-26-2005 11:11 AM ET (US) I can't put my dinghy on the hardtop because of the outriggers, vhf antenna, anchor light and gps antenna take up all the space. Towing the dinghy behind the boat might work for sailboaters but it won't work at planing speeds. Does any one have any experience with inflatable kayaks?
kglinz	posted 05-26-2005 11:46 AM ET (US) A lot of people install a radar arch that is high enough to slide the dingey under it. I'm not sure what Conquest this is...... http://www.tannermfg.com/jpegs/ConquestRoofweb.jpg
aubv	posted 05-26-2005 02:18 PM ET (US) handn, Why not just use oars in stead of the added hassle of even a small outboard engine? Are you aware of Boston Whaler Squall? Squalls are designed to be towed at high speeds without the plug in, according to the old brochures. A good set of oars with removable blades allows storage of the oars in a number of out of the way places. Another alternative might be something like an 8' Walker Bay Dinghy that only weighs 71 lb.
Jim D	posted 05-26-2005 03:08 PM ET (US) I use Weaver dinghy davits...doesn't everybody? Seriously, very common solution around here. http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/WVR/WVRDAVITS.html Jim
pvonk	posted 05-28-2005 02:47 PM ET (US) http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/WVR/WVRDAVITS.html
handn	posted 06-02-2005 06:39 PM ET (US) Thanks for the suggestions, particularly the one about the outboard. Lugging it around was a chore even though it is only a 2.5 h.p. Let me ask a dumb question. I assume the dinghy davits mount the inflatable on the inside of the transom since the outboards are on the outside. In my case, that wouldn't work because I couldn't fish with the dinghy in the way. Has anyone used the Walker Cay dinghy? I saw one in the cataloge and it looked pretty cool.
jimh	posted 06-02-2005 10:45 PM ET (US) [Administrative post]
aubv	posted 06-03-2005 07:24 AM ET (US) handn, We owned a 10' Walker Bay and liked it but our needs changed and sold it to a friend, who likes it. I have another friend who with an 8' Walker Bay and while he would like a slightly larger dinghy because of his physical size he is happy with the 8'. I happen to be on a town dock yesterday and noticed 5 out of 6 dinghies on that dock are 8' Walker Bays. The wheel in the keel is a vey nice feature. The Walker Bay Hyrdo curve oars are the nicest oars we've used and purchased a set for our Squall. fwiw
David Pendleton	posted 06-03-2005 06:08 PM ET (US) Have you considered a Zodiac? You can find them lightly used for the price of a new Walker Bay. Mine (an 8.5) only weighs about 90 pounds and that's with a plywood floor. When it's rolled up, it fits in the back of my Wife's Volvo V40 station wagon (the small one). Try that with any other dinghy. It's much more stable than a WB and it won't swamp as easily. Even if it does, it would be difficult to sink unless all three chambers were punctured.