10-23-2009
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S/V Lilo, Islander 32
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lafayette, Oregon
Posts: 181
Rep Power: 5
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We have been using a hard dingy for a few years in the Puget Sound area, and tow it on a regular bases. I do not have any great stories to tell as we have not lost, swamped, capsized it, or got the painter in the prop yet, but it does cost a knot or two, as mentioned earlier. Often we are just sailing a few hours to another state park or Island, so the cost of towing is negligible. However, on days when we really want to make some distance, or in rough weather or potential for bigger waves such as crossing the strait of Juan De Fuca, we will put it up on deck.
We used to have a very heavy little guy, which required a lifting bridle and using the the spinnaker pole, halyards and winches to get it up, and it was still rather difficult. Last winter we built an 11 foot nesting dingy, so we can lift each half separately and nest the on deck so it is only about 6 feet long. This has worked great, and we can easily lift each half of the dingy from the water to the deck without any lifting aids. I find we put it on deck far more often as it only takes 10 minutes or so, rather then the 30 or so it did before, and a lot less stress and potential to get hurt. It will be even easier once I add a gate in the foredeck lifelines, so we do not have to go over the top.
We also do not have an out board for it at this point, rowing only, so lifting the outboard is not an issue.
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S/V Lilo
1964 Islander 32
Saint Helens, OR
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