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Motor vs Rowing inflatable dinghy...

20K views 55 replies 27 participants last post by  TomMaine 
#1 ·
... not as a tender. Rather, for exploring, exercise, etc.

Okay, so I scored an RU 260 off craigslist. It came with dock wheels, which are amazingly useful. Also, a custom cover and tow rope. I jury rigged a rear view mirror (bicycle mirror), wind vane, and streamers (so big boats can see me). Here's a pic of the way I have it set up.


I've been rowing almost every day since I picked it up a week ago. I did not plan to get a motor, as I am using it to a) exercise and b) explore. The thing is, a couple of days ago, I got caught in a strong current, and this had me re-thinking the motor bit. I rowed about 5.7 miles that day. Though, most of it was leisurely rowing, the current really taxed me.

So... I've been investigating potential motor solutions.

Since I wash it down and store it on the dock every night, the motor would have to be reasonably light. This led me to researching an electric motor, as I would still only use it if I got caught in a bind. Thing is, the batteries weigh a ton. Over exaggeration, I know. But you hopefully get my point. The other thing is, that is additional weight I would be rowing around. Oh and. I am not interested in "planing" the dink. That is, the motor would be for situations where I find myself in a bind, like the other day.

I've also considered the little Nissan 2.5 motors, or something similar. They have more power, but then, I'd have to deal with the gas. Again, weight becomes a factor. Esp lugging the thing on/off the dink. Yes, I could use a halyard, but the extra hassle makes taking it out less fun, iykwim.

I have considered just painting the bottom with anti-fouling paint for inflatables and just leaving it in the water over the summer, as I have plenty of room behind my boat in my slip. But I am not sure how to deal with covering it to protect against UV. My custom cover is designed for storing it on the hard.

Oh and, aside. Speaking of UV. I admittedly don't get it. If I'm out rowing all day, it's getting lots of UV rays. So, perhaps coating it with UV protectant might be a good idea?

My other concern is the fact that motors tend to get stolen. Yes, I could put a motor lock on it. But again, it increases the usage hassle. Plus, the motor could increase the possibility of the whole dink getting stolen. Of course, I have a lock for the dink, too. But again, extra hassle.

So, here's my Q. For those who have/use dinks for just puttering around, is a motor worth the effort/cost? If not, how do you deal with those rare binds? Any/all ideas, opinions, etc. welcomed.
 
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#30 · (Edited)
Glad to hear that you're rowing and that you're enjoying it too! I row, because I don't have an outboard, and I enjoy it sometimes. I do sometimes feel like I'm the only one left on the water using his/her oars. How strange that people would call out disparaging comments to someone rowing....

I grew up playing with an 11' plywood floored (with inflatable "keel") PVC inflatable dink. I use that little craft every way you could think of. I have had a 2HP, 6HP and 15HP on it at different times. I experimented with various forms of sail rigs (all failures) and rowed it quite a bit.

One day I was going for an evening row IN MY MARINA and the current took me down the fairway. I tried to row against it but couldn't and had to row 90deg to the current and beach the boat, go get my car, and muscle it on top of the car and drive it back to the marina. I was discouraged to say the least that I COULD NOT row it against a modest current, but I also wondered about safety. I did have an anchor, but staying anchored for half the night didn't sound like fun.

Ever since that event I'm pretty soured on inflatables. I don't trust small outboards and don't want to have a big one. So what happens when the outboard dies while out exploring in an inflatable that you can't always row back to the boat.... hmmm..... Been looking for the perfect rigid dinghy ever since.

It sounds like you're enjoying many of the disadvantages of an inflatable but enjoying few of the advantages. They're primarily loved for their stability and the fact that they don't need fenders. Many don't ever deflate them, but there's that advantage too. I have a feeling that if you switched to a rigid dink of any kind you'd be in heaven.

The Walker Bay's are actually pretty good little boats, and since they're everywhere a used one should be able to be had cheaply. I have a Portland Pudgy which comes up on craigslist sometimes for reasonable prices.

Another thought is to get a kite (like a toy kite) and use it as a sail to help you move your craft. Kayaks do it and they even have their own small kayak sails. Might be hard to deal with since you don't have a rudder, but you could look at it. Another idea, which a friend of mine did for his kayak, was he kept a large folding golf umbrella (which had a clamp on it). In the rain, it kept the rain off of him. In the sun it kept the sun off. In the wind, you could open it up and it acted as a very effective sail.

Happy rowing!

MedSailor
 
#32 ·
I get more patronizing comments, like how cute, he's rowing his dinghy, hope ou get there mate, types. So it's created a mini attitude for me. I'm not understanding this whole must have an outboard. Do we really anchor in such strong currents? I'm in a part of the world with decent currents and have yet to have a problem rowing.

Example.

Just read an article about Princess Louisa inlet. The author describes the peace quiet beauty. Then it shows him exploring coves in his dinghy with a two stroke outboard. I'm reading this post and thinking why is everyone thinking an outboard is such a necessity? Have you seen what two strokes dump into the water? How they smell? How do you describe the beauty of small coves while motoring you sinking polluting outboard?
 
#33 · (Edited)
Do we really anchor in such strong currents? I'm in a part of the world with decent currents and have yet to have a problem rowing.
For me, the answer is NO I do not need an outboard to avoid the currents WITH MY CURRENT TENDER. With my inflatable with the plywood floor, yes I did need an outboard (or a change of craft). I just couldn't row it against a current, but with my new tender I feel safe enough that I can.

The outboard is a choice for me (though I don't have one), whereas the ABILITY to row the craft against a current without the outboard is a must for me. This is because I don't trust small motors so even if I did have one I'd still worry that it would conk out and I'd be trying to row my rubber bathtub.

MedSailor
 
#34 ·
Okay, went out and picked up the longer oars. Wasn't really crazy about them, in that the longer length did not seem to make that much of a difference... unless I was power rowing. Which I'm not. Plus, if I left the oarlocks loose enough to do a feather/block, the oars slid all over the place, making the rowing tougher. I tried them at various lengths, and when I got back, decided to return them for now. I may change my mind later, but for now, the ones that come with the raft seem to be fine.

We had two windy days, which were not really conducive to rowing around, so I putzed around, and looked at, among other things, different raft sail configs. In fact, I am thinking about making my own rig, similar to this SailBoatsToGo setup:



But the only reason I would do something like that would be more of a jury rig challenge. You know, just for the halibut.

As I stated, I do enjoy rowing my little dinghy. Moreover, while other dinghies are great, I already purchased this from craigslist. So, looking at buying something else simply makes no sense.

At this point, I'm leaning away from buying a motor for the thing. So, I'll be limiting my exploring expeditions away from the heavier currents and during light or no wind days. Which is fine as my initial reason for getting a dink in the first place was to be able to go over to Jack London Square and Grand Marina via water, instead of driving or taking a bus. The place is less than a mile as the crow flies... or rather, as the dink rows. lol In fact, I rowed over to Grand Marina this morning, and then, to Jack London Square, where I wandered around, and then headed back before the wind picked up. The total row was only 3 miles. So, not really much of a work out, but still fun.

Imho, the reason I enjoy rowing is bc I'm not in a position where I have to get somewhere. So, it's not really a chore. I think if I was depending upon this little boat as a tender... say, I was anchored out and had to get to shore, I might not enjoy it... bc I *had to* row. Then again, I would not have picked it up, if I was looking for a tender.
 
#35 ·
Okay, you guys talked me into trading up... sorta. I've put my dinghy up for sale and in the mean time am gonna pick up a walker bay that is rigged out for sailing (and rowing, of course). Still no motor. Which is exactly like I want it.

I did some research on rowing shells. Talking about drooling! There's some real sweet ones. But honestly, most of them are way out of my price range. At least, with the WB8, I can still row for exercising, and work on some sailing, too.

I've got the boat on hold. And the price is right. Just have to find time to go pick it up. That, and hoping there are no major problems. Since it's pretty much plastic, can't imagine it having any serious problems. But if anyone knows of any major probs with this boat, your input is welcomed! :)
 
#36 ·
Okay, you guys talked me into trading up... sorta. I've put my dinghy up for sale and in the mean time am gonna pick up a walker bay that is rigged out for sailing (and rowing, of course). Still no motor. Which is exactly like I want it.
Sounds like a good idea! Definately don't get a motor unless you want to give up rowing. I think most people find that it's just too easy to be lazy if you have a motor and not row. Ever seen someone drive from one side of the strip mall to the other? ;) Without the motor, you can continue to enjoy rowing, and I bet you'll like the walker's rowing and sailing abilities and you won't miss much about your inflatable.

MedSailor
 
#39 ·
If you enjoy rowing get a small hard dinghy in the 9-10 foot range and your life will change. You can row against that current or wind and put real hardware and oars on her

You can find a good used one for about 500 USD if you hunt a bit.

10 feet will still car top or deck on a small cruising sailboat.
 
#40 ·
Shadow;

Kudos for sticking to your guns re: row vs motor. My boat buddy insists that I use/need a motor on my 9' RIB. Hell !! I *enjoy* paddling about the marina in it. I even tried to sail it with a (much more primitive) rig that that shown...just for S&Gs :D
I am seriously considering a smaller hard-shell, tho. As much as I'd luv ta build a sweet little cockleshell; there's not enuff time to sail/maintain the mother ship AND craft a dink.
Anyone in the N. Chessie wanna swap a hard dink for a Caribe 9X? ;)

Best,
Paul
 
#42 ·
Am thinking about building a hard rowing dinghy, maybe a nesting dinghy to replace my rubber ducky. I like the idea that the RIB can be deflated and stowed for long trips. It also rows quite nicely...BUT not like a well designed rowing hull like a Whitehall or Adirondack Guideboat or similar hull shape. Something like a Dyer dink shape is very seaworthy and would be great except for the weight. Does anyone have a hard dink that is seaworthy, slips through the water nicely, and is light enough to drag aboard without a major block and tackle operation?

I built a (plywood core) stitch and glue pram style dink a couple of years ago but it is neither very light nor is it very stable and seaworthy. It's ok to get from boat to shore on Lake Champlain in a protected spot but I would not trust it in a following sea on salt water or bring it cruising.

I'd like to lay up a very light foam core via stitch and glue and then cover with Kevlar, emulating the construction of some ridiculously light whitewater racing canoes I've had. The last 18' Sawyer weighed in at something like 45#. A boat as small as a dink, say 8', constructed with these ultra-light materials shouldn't weigh more than about 40#. I just need a design so as not to reinvent the wheel.
 
#45 ·
I'd like to lay up a very light foam core via stitch and glue and then cover with Kevlar, emulating the construction of some ridiculously light whitewater racing canoes I've had. The last 18' Sawyer weighed in at something like 45#. A boat as small as a dink, say 8', constructed with these ultra-light materials shouldn't weigh more than about 40#. I just need a design so as not to reinvent the wheel.
These seem pretty interesting and similar to what you're talking about.

Dinghy plans for the spatially challenged

They're crazy light.
 
#51 ·
Yeah, I'd really like to avoid a two piece. I wonder if the Spindrift would work at 8' which would fit ahead of my mast and leave a little room to be able to do silly things like raise sails. Looks like a nice hull design.
 
#53 · (Edited)
FWIW, I chose to power my little inflatable "dinghy in a bag" with an electric trolling motor. Everyone has tradeoffs to make on their specific boat and motoring needs. In my case, I had no place secure to keep a gas powered moter except in the cabin, and I did not want gasoline down there. The electric trolling motor and battery both store safety down below (as does the dinghy when it's deflated). Also I'm cheap, and found the trolling motor for $80 and already have a couple spare group 24 batteries in my basement for driving sump pumps and starting my Trophy boat during the 1-2 weeks a year that I use it on vacation. This dinghy will get very infrequent use (once or twice a year), so for <$200 total it will have to be good enough for me. If I were a serious cruiser with a larger boat I'd get a more serious dinghy and outboard.

In addition, for the inflatable that I have, even though it's rated for 2.5 HP outboard with the motor mount, I felt it was safer to have the weight of the battery contained within the boat itself instead of the weight+torque of an outboard hanging off the transom. A steady 30 lb thrust should be enough to get this lightweight boat most anywhere in protected waters, and won't cause the flotation tubes to collapse under the pressure.

Weather lately has been terrible, so I've had to work in between rainstorms. All I've been able to do so far is attach the registration numbers to the boat (each one had to be attached with Krazy Glue because they didn't want to stick to the fabric) and install the motor mount. I hope to test it all out this weekend.





 
#54 ·
I had a few minutes between thunderstorms yesterday evening to place the battery and trolling motor on the raft and ride around a few of the local marinas. I confirmed that the dinghy has enough speed to make headway against the local current, which is obviously very important.

After an hour of motoring around the area, I packed up the motor and battery in the cabin and was done for now. I checked the voltage on the battery afterwards, and it barely dropped at all.

There's a nice little cove about 5 miles upriver with a restaurant (upscale internal restaurant and casual patio dining). We've bene there before by car, but with this little dink we'll be able to anchor in the cove and make it to shore without getting all hot and sweaty.

Between that and the occasional long weekend on the upper Bay, I expect we'll get some occasional use out of this makeshift dinghy.



 
#56 ·
Good for you. You don't need a motor on a hard dinghy. We've rowed for decades of coastal sailing(from Candada to the Bahamas).

It's good excercise(rowers arms don't do the double wave), it's a simple system that doesn't break(check your locks and oars regularly), it's clean and green and best of all, rowing is a pleasant experience on the water, you can't get with a motor.

 
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