Best Dingy?

[lbdavis]

Hey Joe,

Chuckles color comment made me go look at pics and I found this:



Looks like it should take care of your 4 adult issue. As long as you're not trying beach it in surf with that load

[sailingdog]

The porta-bote will store much more compactly than a portland pudgy.

[chucklesR]

Sd,
If you can't hang it from davits you can tow it. The Pudgy is far more versatile than a Bote and both have their intended market. If I was cruising the chain I'd want a Pudgy, not a Bote.
The only problem I have with Pudgy's, and why one isn't hanging from my boat is the un-repairability issue - the polyprop a whatever will not take any type of adhesive known to man, once holed it's shot.

I've got a 9.5 foot Apex RIB hanging from my davits, looking for a 8hp to replace my 15hp now (too heavy).

[lbdavis]

Originally Posted by chucklesR

The only problem I have with Pudgy's, and why one isn't hanging from my boat is the un-repairability issue - the polyprop a whatever will not take any type of adhesive known to man, once holed it's shot.

You might have to drag the pudgy down the road for a few miles at 70mph to hole that thing. That plastic is the SHiz-nitsky!

[arbarnhart]

Originally Posted by chucklesR

Sd,
If you can't hang it from davits you can tow it. The Pudgy is far more versatile than a Bote and both have their intended market. If I was cruising the chain I'd want a Pudgy, not a Bote.
The only problem I have with Pudgy's, and why one isn't hanging from my boat is the un-repairability issue - the polyprop a whatever will not take any type of adhesive known to man, once holed it's shot.

I've got a 9.5 foot Apex RIB hanging from my davits, looking for a 8hp to replace my 15hp now (too heavy).

Actually they can be repaired. The technique is known as plastic welding and it is tricky to get it right. I have seen some canoes that were properly fixed and they were solid and I have seen botched jobs that made a real mess out of a small hole.

[sailaway21]

You might look here: Chesapeake Light Craft » Welcome to Chesapeake Light Craft » Boats Plans Kits Kayaks Canoes Sailboats Rowing Boats Boatbuilding Supplies Accessories

I'm in the process of building the Eastport Pram and it's going rather easily and well. It does give you the option of making something that reflects your esthetic sensibilities rather better than a hunk of plastic as well. (g)

[arbarnhart]

Originally Posted by sailaway21

You might look here: Chesapeake Light Craft » Welcome to Chesapeake Light Craft » Boats Plans Kits Kayaks Canoes Sailboats Rowing Boats Boatbuilding Supplies Accessories

I'm in the process of building the Eastport Pram and it's going rather easily and well. It does give you the option of making something that reflects your esthetic sensibilities rather better than a hunk of plastic as well. (g)

I built something very similar to the Eastport a few years ago. It's the Little Breton:



The main (actually about the only) difference is that it has no sheer, which would make it a good clam shell top if you had a 8'x4' area for it.

You don't have to make a polytarp lugsail, of course.
Nor do you have to build it out of door skin or paint it with exterior latex...

[NCountry]

Water Tender 9.4! There's an article in a recent "Good Old Boat" magazine that was written by a guy that seems to have been through or seen quite a few tenders (dinghy's). The thing is so stable a 200 pound person (uh, that would be me) can stand on the edge of it and it won't flip PLUS is has built in flotation so even if you swamp it the thing won't sink. AND it will hold A BUNCH....Under $500.00 but you'll have to buy a motor.

[sgkuhner]

If you are going cruising in an area where you will be swimming and snorkeling, forget the hard dinghy. You definitely want an inflatable. We have the Avon 10' inflatable floor and love it. When we go to sea, we just inflate it and put in below in the forward cabin. But just gunk holing around the Bahamas or Maine, we tow it.

[buckeyesailor]

With all due respect SG.....(80 posts and a 7 Rep power!) but I'll bet that's a pretty cramped forward cabin with an INflated dinghy in it........