"Take apart" dinghy ... - Page 4

wind_magic · #31 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

Thank you to everyone for the contributions to this thread, it is interesting and there are some really good posts here, it is much appreciated!

Another question, do you feel that the take-apart feature takes away from the structural integrity of the boat ? Is a big wave or crashing on to the beach through the surf going to fold it in half or something ? Or is the fact that the two bulkheads are sandwiched together with the four (?) bolts enough to make that stronger than the rest of the boat ?

deniseO30 · #32 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

one could indeed come apart at the seams if the boat is used in storm conditions or surfing. The bolts could pull through the Bkhds, or worse. but then, a seam on a lapstrake or other type of joint could pop too.

I will say this, when I was in the wooden canoe hobby, building, restoring old etc. I saw a birch bark canoe running class 2 rapids! (2 is mild) My son and I spilt one of my wood strip canoes down the middle while going over a rock to avoid a rafter another time! (pine creek gorge in central pa)

funjohnson · #33 (**permalink**) 11-17-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by wind_magic

Another question, do you feel that the take-apart feature takes away from the structural integrity of the boat ? Is a big wave or crashing on to the beach through the surf going to fold it in half or something ? Or is the fact that the two bulkheads are sandwiched together with the four (?) bolts enough to make that stronger than the rest of the boat ?

With as stiff as my dinghy is (two bulkheads, 5 1/4" bolts and thick case for the centerboard) I can't believe that cutting it in half really did much to weaken it. I dropped it from our dinghy ramp about 5 feet to the cement below.... it just laughed!

The Spindrift is very stable. Typically, I have my wife, Greyhound (70 pounds), 40 pounds of stuff and 3.3hp engine on the boat going to our mooring. It can get a bit wet in the bigger stuff, but I never felt we were going to flip over. I'm going back to my inflatable next season just because its doesn't hurt the sailboat when I smack it trying to get on our off. The hard dink is stronger built than my Hunter sailboat.