Dinghy's

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by SanderO

Planning is lovely if you are anchored way out. But getting up on a plan in a crowded harbor is rather irresponsible, could be dangerous and might even be illegal.

Speed is thrilling but... what the rush? What sort of situations do you need to plane your dink?

My dink is from NZ... it's an AquaPro... very nice dink.. tubes are too small I think... but it has an alum bottom. solid hand holds and zippered cover for the bow and storage in a fiberglass seat. 5 yrs... no leaks.

jef
sv shiva

Of course. I agree. However, there are many times I have planned out... never in a crowded anchorage. One example might be having to enter the ICW. ANother might be taking the dogs to the bathroom!!! I would rather have the option than not. Again, this is a very opinionated decision.

- CD

[sailingdog]

The problem with rigid dinghies, especially on smaller sailboats, is storing them. Towing them isn't an option for a longer passage, especially in heavy weather. Inflatables, are much easier to stow, but are vulnerable to punctures. I have a small inflatable that is used for shorter trips, but I am planning on carrying a larger folding Porta-bote dinghy for when I go cruising. It is far more durable, and has greater cargo capacity than the inflatable, yet can be easily stowed on my boat.

[tdw]

We've got a 7' plastic s__tbox (one of those rotten fake clinker things) has the tracking ability of a , well, a 7' plastic s__box. Nonetheless it takes being dragged across wharves , beaches even rocks without complaint. When we run away it will be left behind methinks. Really , unless you are on a mooring and need transport back and forth do not consider one of these things, they are horrible.

Alternative is a 10' Zodiac (inflatable floor type) which apart from an almost complete set of defective valves is pretty damn good although not much fun to row. No motor as yet but will probably slap a 5hp on it come the next cruise. Wish it was a tad more compact when packed away but I believe this has much to do with something call physics. Never did get the hang of it, science that is.

Now, a mate of ours has a thing called a Pea Pod. I am in love. What an absolutely gorgeous thing, if you like rowing. Sadly you need something with the deck space of the Queen Mary to carry it but you can row it in quite ugly seas and it is beautifully stable. I can stand in the very tip of the bow or stern and jump up and down. Doesn't even ship any water. Pea Pods also stack, so if you can find the space for one, you can find the space for two.

Last but not least we are also going to get an inflatable two person kayak. Hobie had one at the Sydney Boat Show. Very nice bit of kit I thought and wonderful for exploring up those small creeks and rivers. With enough space to carry some camping gear if required. A second tender is going to be very usefull methinks particularly as we will not be marina hopping and much prefer staying out on the hook.

[camaraderie]

Sander...a planing dinghy is almost a must for a cruiser. Distances, seas, weather, fishing, reef dives, carrying four adults, groceries, laundry etc. all contribute to the need and a planing dinghy has almost no wake (still good to go slow in anchorages with other people around). Never felt the need for one on LI Sound or the Chsapeake as it is just a means to get off the boat to land from a hundred yards out.
Completely different usage calls for a completely different solution.
Sure you can use almost anything... but check vacos picture above...those 4 RIBS are typical for the islands and those that don't have them wish they did but are understandably constrained by space or budget (or they are just wierdos sailing boats with 3 hulls and looking to be different! (G))

[sailingdog]

Obviously, Cam is slowly being corrupted by the power of being a mod with the big red button again.

[uspirate]

If planing is a must, these are what i use. i can even plane in a no wake zone!
link