dinghy

dlewis812 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-30-2010

new to get a dinghy for my cat 30 recently purchased. looking for one which can tow; and also that can handle a outboard (requirement of one of the mooring locations will be using). looking through the thoughts on rigid/inflatable.

would prefer not to spend $$$ as I just bought the boat. have found a couple of walker bay 8' that look in good condition and reasonably priced. thinking might prefer the rigid.

TQA · #2 (**permalink**) 03-30-2010

Key question is

A are you going to row the sucker much

B will you always use the outboard.

If A you want a hard dink and preferably one that will row better than a Walker.

If B why not go for something that will roll up and stow down below.

huguley3 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-30-2010

I have an avon with the hard wood floor and inflatable keel. I also have one similar to the west marine ones with the slatted floor and no keel.

The keel makes a HUGE difference when motoring. The hard wood floor also make it a lot easier to move around and feels better. The floor is in 3 sections but I have seen some with an aluminum rollup floor that felt solid. Stowing the wood floor is something of a problem but if you are towing it and only want the option to store it below then it would be ok.

Neither one rows well at all.

The avons a much nicer dinghy so its sort of apples/oranges but its what I have and what I have noticed. i have seen some with high pressure floors that looked pretty neat. As soon as I find one really cheap I can compare.

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 04-01-2010

The problem with most rigid dinghies is stowing them. A catalina 30 has a limited amount of deck space and is really too small for davits. Stowing a hard dinghy on the boat would be an issue, and towing the dinghy is not always possible—especially in heavy weather.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlewis812

new to get a dinghy for my cat 30 recently purchased. looking for one which can tow; and also that can handle a outboard (requirement of one of the mooring locations will be using). looking through the thoughts on rigid/inflatable.

would prefer not to spend $$$ as I just bought the boat. have found a couple of walker bay 8' that look in good condition and reasonably priced. thinking might prefer the rigid.