Matching the dinghy to cruising style

[Moonstruck]

Choosing the boat to match your cruising style is very important.* Matching you dinghy to your cruising style is also important.* At one time, we were doing allot of hops between marinas with a few anchorages thrown in.* That has reversed.* We find that we really enjoy cruising alone and anchoring----a completely different style.

The boat has been set up for it-----LED lights, inverter, larger house bank, etc.* Now, we have the proper dinghy also.* It is a joy.* Having a solution for storing a 15 hp engine on an express boat is necessary.* I do not want gasoline on the boat itself.* With the speed and comfort of the new dinghy, we are enjoying it almost as much as Moonstruck.* We waited too long to make the upgrade.

It would be interesting to see others solutions

 

[Peter B]

Well....don't stop there Don...what is this 'proper' dinghy? Pics and explanations as to why please.


-- Edited by Peter B on Sunday 5th of June 2011 01:36:49 AM

 

[Sailor of Fortune]

Do tell Don!

 

[Moonstruck]

Sorry about that.* I thought you guys may have picked up on the discussion in General Maintenance of the Weaver David System.* Below are some pictures of why we needed the up grade.* One was 4 years ago when the kids were smaller.* One is last summer in the Bahamas with the kids coming back to the boat.* The last is the kids last week in the new dinghy.

Of course one size does not fit all, but I should have upgraded sooner.

*

 

[healhustler]

At least for me, this is an important thread. *I've got a 9.5 Caribe with a 9.9 Merc right now, and my Admiral and I would most likely be doing a lot of canal, river, and cove exploring in the areas we plan to cruise, including Bahamas. *We're looking at dingys with comfortable seats and consoles, and even though ribs are highly recommended for Bahamas type cruising, we're still leaning toward Livingstons and a few other non-inflatable designs that are dry but durable.

 

[Moonstruck]

healhustler wrote:
At least for me, this is an important thread. *I've got a 9.5 Caribe with a 9.9 Merc right now, and my Admiral and I would most likely be doing a lot of canal, river, and cove exploring in the areas we plan to cruise, including Bahamas. *We're looking at dingys with comfortable seats and consoles, and even though ribs are highly recommended for Bahamas type cruising, we're still leaning toward Livingstons and a few other non-inflatable designs that are dry but durable.

*Our dinghy is*a 10.4" Caribe with 17"tubes.* Truly one size does not fit all.**I have a friend with a trawler that just spent 5 months in the Bahamas.* He switched from a hardside to an*inflatable dinghy.* Don't know why.* A console with about a twenty horse motor would be great>* We don't have a place to store that.

Hopefully, others will chime in to tell how their dinghy matches their cruising style.

 

[Enola B]

There is a dealer just a couple miles from me that has the Livingston Cat's in stock. I'm going to take a look at them. Presently have a 10 ft Dyer Dink with sail and a Merc
2hp OB. Had a deflatable, don't like those things! The Dyer is definately a displacement hull only so would like something a bit faster for island crusing.

 

[markpierce]

Haven't developed a new cruising style yet, and in my previous boat "lives" never found much of a need for a dinghy.* If I do find the expense and hassle of a dinghy to be worthwhile, my current thought is to acquire a Trinka 8 with oars (no engine)*and use the extra mainsail halyard to transport it between the water and saloon roof.

 

[Andy G]

Over a number of years and boats we have progressed from a small inflatables with 3.3hp, through to slightly bigger ridged floor inlatables with a 5hp, that was stowed on the bow of the boat, to a 10'/15 hp combo hung off the back of the boat.For me a 15hp motor is a hefty peice of equpiment and I like it securly bolted to the transom of the RIB

The progression roughly followed the the kids, the bigger they got the bigger the boat and outboard. The current configeration lets them & a couple of friends tow someone behind on the donut, and still plane, which for big kids on a donut is a must.

This set up also lets 4 adults go in search for coffee at planning speed, which is good as we tend to find secluded spots to anchore up at night.

So 12 years on this is our set up.

*

PS Confession. If you look on the cowling of the motor it is a 5hp, the 1 is missing. Kids over here in Oz can get their junior boat licence at 14 and it becomes a senior licence when they turn 16. With a junior licence they are not supposed to exceed 10 knots. I cunningly thought the water police would not know the difference, until one day *the kids were escorted back to the mothership with the police boat behind them. They said to my number three boy, OK son, which one is your dad and who changed the cowling markings.....$150 later.

 

[Delfin]

There are many aspects to cruising on boats that are important, but the right tender is right up there in terms of what counts. Part of what attracted me to the empty hull that Delfin was when I bought her was the large open foredeck. We chose a Boston Whaler 13'3" sport boat with a 40 hp to set on rails. This we use to enable us to anchor a few miles away from amenities, or to transport bicycles ashore. To supplement this, we have a Porte Bote, which is so butt ugly that no one would steal it, but which you can drag up on rocks, or coral, or whatever. Powered by a 2 hp, it is an ideal tender.

And to keep in modest shape, I built a Whitehall dinghy than can be launched off the foredeck that rows like a banshee.

For a liferaft we have a Tinker Traveller that we have had for years. This very interesting inflatable can be sailed, and it sails pretty well, as well as serves as an abandon ship solution.

If I had to choose just one, I would go with Don's choice, although I am happy with what I have.

 

[Sailor of Fortune]

I really like your davit system. It appears heavy duty. Is it off the shelf or specially made?

 

[Moonstruck]

Sailor of Fortune wrote:
I really like your davit system. It appears heavy duty. Is it off the shelf or specially made?

*Jack, the davit system was stock, but not sold as a system by Weaver.* That is why I said that it was a learning process.* I first used the glue on pads for the davits (still use them for attaching to the boat for stability when boarding).* Thought that put too much stress on the tubes, so added the transom arc.* I wanted a bow arc, but didn't want the arc they had that mounted on the floor.* Then I found the arc that attached to the bow locker, and it was out of the way of the feet.* The Weaver Leaver made the whole thing work.* The 15 hp Yamaha is the largest engine I could get under 80 pounds.* Because it is heavy, I added the come along hoist bracket to the underside of the rear roof overhang.* Seems to work.

Of course, as discussed before, I had to install a stern light on the roof.* The forum members gave me allot of assistance with this.* Walt (Seahorse II) even e-mailed me a picture of his light setup.* That was a great help.

Almost every situation for carryiing a dinghy is a little custom.* The variety of boats and dinghies makes it so.

Added:* Weaver has a work sheet that is pretty detailed that has to be filled out.* It seems that they do customize each installation to a certain extent.* Jason with Weaver had the bow locker arc made to my specs.* They are great to work with.* Their system is very competitively priced when compared to others like Seawise.* I am a happy customer.


-- Edited by Moonstruck on Monday 6th of June 2011 06:57:00 AM

 

[jleonard]

We are sporting a new dink this season something we should have done a few years ago. We have a 10-4 Achilles RIB with a double hull. That makes a nice flat floor and*it also has a bow locker for the anchor, tiller extension, etc. and as mentioned makes a nice stepping pad or seat. It is powered by a 15 hp 2 cycle Yamaha.

We anchor out a lot, and plan on starting the loop next summer. We love exploring, and of course there is always the dog to take to shore.

We did fine all these years with 9 ft dinghys and an 8 hp evenirude, but it didn't always get on plane, and interior space was at a premium at times when we had chores to do or had guests.

This one is also lots drier due to the large 17 inch tubes and bow rise.

*

*

 

[skipperdude]

oops


-- Edited by skipperdude on Monday 6th of June 2011 09:28:02 AM

 

[skipperdude]

shrimp wrote:
Over a number of years and boats we have progressed from a small inflatables with 3.3hp, through to slightly bigger ridged floor inlatables with a 5hp, that was stowed on the bow of the boat, to a 10'/15 hp combo hung off the back of the boat.For me a 15hp motor is a hefty peice of equpiment and I like it securly bolted to the transom of the RIB

The progression roughly followed the the kids, the bigger they got the bigger the boat and outboard. The current configeration lets them & a couple of friends tow someone behind on the donut, and still plane, which for big kids on a donut is a must.

This set up also lets 4 adults go in search for coffee at planning speed, which is good as we tend to find secluded spots to anchore up at night.

So 12 years on this is our set up.

*

PS Confession. If you look on the cowling of the motor it is a 5hp, the 1 is missing. Kids over here in Oz can get their junior boat licence at 14 and it becomes a senior licence when they turn 16. With a junior licence they are not supposed to exceed 10 knots. I cunningly thought the water police would not know the difference, until one day *the kids were escorted back to the mothership with the police boat behind them. They said to my number three boy, OK son, which one is your dad and who changed the cowling markings.....$150 later.

*

Shrimp,

A little off topic but I noticed in your last pic that you painted your shaft and props.

Is that prop speed? How to you attach your shaft zinc?

Are your props Aluminum or B

 

[Moonstruck]

jleonard wrote:
We are sporting a new dink this season something we should have done a few years ago. We have a 10-4 Achilles RIB with a double hull. That makes a nice flat floor and*it also has a bow locker for the anchor, tiller extension, etc. and as mentioned makes a nice stepping pad or seat. It is powered by a 15 hp 2 cycle Yamaha.

We anchor out a lot, and plan on starting the loop next summer. We love exploring, and of course there is always the dog to take to shore.

We did fine all these years with 9 ft dinghys and an 8 hp evenirude, but it didn't always get on plane, and interior space was at a premium at times when we had chores to do or had guests.

This one is also lots drier due to the large 17 inch tubes and bow rise.

*

*

*Your dinghy sounds very much like our Caribe set up.* The 17" tubes add great stability, and are a great place to sit.We added a storage*bag with cushion to the seat.* It is great for keeping things dry.*

Now, it may be time to ask everyone how they do navigation lights for their dinghy.* It is probably not totally legal, but our dinghy has the Aqua Signal LED bow and stern lights.* The bow mounts in a rubber base glued to the tube.* The all around light mounts to the engine cowling by suction cup.* We don't plane the dinghy at night, and run at 7 knots or below.* These lights are legal at that speed, but since the dinghy will plane, they may not be totally legal.* Navigation lights n a dinghy are a real problem.* What say you guys about how you solved this problem.

 

[koliver]

Don;
Your Regulations only require sidelights "if practical".
In Canada, for tiny boats (dinghies) no side lights are required, but an all round white is.

On my 12' Caribe, with 40hp, I tend to go fast at dusk, slow in the dark. So at dusk I need all that I can carry. I have a red/green mounted to the front of the console and the usual post with an all round white at the stern.

 

[Phil Fill]

When we bought the Eagle we bought a 12 ft rowing/sailing dink used mainly on Lake Union, as the Eagle was docked and occasionally we anchored.* We did not buy the sailing kit so we used it mainly for rowing and originally had a electric motor for when we got tired to assist getting back.* We bought a use 3 HP cheap gas engine which was as light as the electric but went further.* After the grandchildren capsized/swamped the dink a couple of time the electric died, and the 3 hp was not very reliable.*
*
So I decided to by a newer used 4 HP Mer. and found one on e bay, 250 bucks.* When I got there it was the kicker engine for a 12 ft Livingston center counsel with a 20 hp Merc. and trailer pack age for 1200 bucks, so I bought the package.* *Livingston are one of the most popular all fiber glass dinks/boat in the PNW.* Since we got the 12 ft Livingston and moved off the Lake Union we have use it most of the time.* The 12 ft rowing dink we still have for the grandchildren and in the marina.


-- Edited by Phil Fill on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 10:01:39 AM

 

[jleonard]

"Navigation lights n a dinghy are a real problem. What say you guys about how you solved this problem."

I have never used lights to this point. Only time we really run the dink at night is on Block Island, once in a while at 3 Mile Harbor. Never saw a marine patrol at night in either place, and I know that's not a good reason, but*it keeps my motivation to be legal as a low priority.

I do plan on getting something, probably the suction cup flashlight for the bow and a clamp on for the stern.

I DO keep the requirements for daytime esp since the NY marine patrols do spot checks. PFDs of course, registration certificate, anchor, and a noise making device (PFD style whistle qualifies and is easy to carry).

And no..having the first mate aboard does NOT qualify as a noise making device, although a friend of mine got away with it once because he got the patrol guys laughing so hard about it.

 

[Per]

we have a 9' achilles with the 3hp 2stroke evinrude.
and for what we have used it for its been great or at least good enough.
i or wifey can singlehanded pull it up on the swimstep.
it has the wood floorboards and a bench seat, we can almost comfortable fit 2 adults, 2 kids and our smaller dog to go ashore.
no planning with the 3hp but it goes as fast as is allowed inside our marina, and the 3hp is light enough to take on and off as required.

lately i have been considering how much fun it could be to have a larger Caribe with 25hp centersteering... so many more possibilities and recreational uses also.
but dont think i could store it on the boat unless i get a hoist set up... or i could just tow it?

 

[skipperdude]

I have a 9 ft RIB Chinese made Seabo.Got it cheep at Sam's club $350.00They had a bunch of them and couldn't sell them at the price of $1200.00 they were asking.*I use a 2h.p. Yamaha.

It gets me ashore and with the hard bottom I needn't worry about barnacles and rocks on the beach.

I like the Yamaha because I can say.**Hand me the outboard.

I hate trying to stand in the dink and wrestle a 30 or 40 pound outboard onto the transom.like on my Buddy's boat.

It's a whew!!! Major production.

SD*

 

[healhustler]

Per wrote:
lately i have been considering how much fun it could be to have a larger Caribe with 25hp centersteering... so many more possibilities and recreational uses also.
but dont think i could store it on the boat unless i get a hoist set up... or i could just tow it?

*Exactly. *Using a larger, more comfortable boat with enough horses to do quick passes or settle in for an afternoon of canal and cove exploring, comfortable seats and bimini all appeal to me. *I still have the original boom set-up which, according to Krogen, is good for 600 lbs., but I'm already looking at a heftier setup that would ease the handling aboard, but again, would cost more and need more maintenance too. *Keeping it simple may mean keeping it less comfortable.

 

[timjet]

I just replaced my 8' Apex with a used 11'3" Achilles. I use the same Weaver davit system that was in place for the Apex. The yokes had to be repositioned on the new Achilles however.*

I like the bigger dinghy and was concerned that it was too big. No so. It does not overhang our 13'3" beam and is just slightly heaver than the much smaller Apex. I took a great amount of time in finding the best position for the yokes on the new dinghy and it paid off. *The new Achilles does not have the double floor, but the PO put a outdoor carpet cut to fit and this makes it much more comfortable. The dinghy has custom made chaps which makes it look terrible (beat up), but protects the 17" hypalon tubes and will perhaps twart thieves due to its looks. Bigger is better and we can carry us two, the dog and two bikes in one run.*

We have not settled on a motor arrangement yet. I like Don's weaver lever setup, but have not decided yet if I need the bigger motor. I have a 3.3 HP Merc that moves the ding at disp speeds and is very easy to mount and unmount. Our 8 HP Johnson will plane with just me, but even with all 3 of us is much faster. I can but don't want to routinely mount and unmount this much heaver motor. The weaver lever system will work well for the Johnson and costs about $1000 and would solve the mount un-mount issue.*

We just completed a 13 day Key West trip and didn't find we needed the bigger motor. However, we plan on doing the Abacos next year. Don, would you recommend the bigger motor there?


-- Edited by timjet on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 12:58:46 PM

 

[Moonstruck]

timjet wrote:
We just completed a 13 day Key West trip and didn't find we needed the bigger motor. However, we plan on doing the Abacos next year. Don, would you recommend the bigger motor there?



-- Edited by timjet on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 12:58:46 PM

*Tim, you will absolutely love the Abacos.* Is a large dinghy engine necessary?* No.* We did quite well with a 3.5 hp Tahotsu.* If you want to do some long legged exploring and get out to some far reefs the larger engine is great.* For harbors and short hops not necessary.* You should do fine with what you have.

 

[Bendit]

For us, the Takacat is the best dinghy we've ever had.

It's light (60lb), very stable and, with a 5hp Yamaha, very fast. *It has a flat, dry floor and*I couldn't imagine us every going back to a monohull of any sort. It's too early to comment on durability but we keep it covered when on board*because, in this part of the world, inflatables are damaged by UV light more than anything else.

We hoist it onto the cabin top, complete with outboard, for longer passages, but have found it tows quite happily in*moderate seas at 9.0kn.

The repeated edits are due to my bad spelling and grammar!

-- Edited by Bendit on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 05:38:32 PM



-- Edited by Bendit on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 05:40:08 PM


-- Edited by Bendit on Tuesday 7th of June 2011 05:42:09 PM

 

[Andy G]

Shrimp,

"A little off topic but I noticed in your last pic that you painted your shaft and props.

Is that prop speed? How to you attach your shaft zinc?

Are your props Aluminum or B"

No we don't bother with prop speed, used to use it .but made no difference so the running gear gets the same treatment as the rest of the underside.

Props are cast bronze, 3 blade 24"*Michigan Federal ,16 " pitch

In the pitcure we had got a little ahead of our selves, painted everything before we thought about the anodes. My fault, I promised the crew that once we were finished lunch and the beers were on me, there was no stopping them. After lunch we sanded back and attached the anodes.

*

 

[nwboater]

Last summer we down sized from a 14' Duroboat with center console and a screaming 30 hp Mercury -- to an 8' Portland Pudgy with 2hp Honda. The skiff was ideal for exploring and speeding between anchorage and distant locations... but*we love the pudgy for so many reasons; it sails with grace and*rows with*ease, it doubles as a lifeboat (high free board, full length keel, flat floor inside) and it can take a beating on the rocks (double hulled!)*Best of all, I can*stow it on the boat deck*for longer passages or*tow her*behind on short hops.*The Portland Pudgy does it all!*

 

[Peter B]

Bendit wrote:
For us, the Takacat is the best dinghy we've ever had.

It's light (60lb), very stable and, with a 5hp Yamaha, very fast. *It has a flat, dry floor and*I couldn't imagine us every going back to a monohull of any sort. It's too early to comment on durability but we keep it covered when on board*because, in this part of the world, inflatables are damaged by UV light more than anything else.

We hoist it onto the cabin top, complete with outboard, for longer passages, but have found it tows quite happily in*moderate seas at 9.0kn.

The repeated edits are due to my bad spelling and grammar!

*Hey Jeff, I like the look of that as a dinghy alternative.* If I ever have to replace my trusty Tinker Tramp sailing inflatable, (built right there in Auckland actually), and I guess I will eventually, as I bought it in 1985, your Takacat looks a great candidate.* It would sit in the same mounts on the transom as my tinker, which as it happens, no longer sails, as I pinched the mast to mount my Airbreeze,**** Where did you get it from if I may ask, and approximate price?

 

[flashwillie]

maybe something like this.

http://www.crystalbayboats.com/Crystal-Bay-Yacht-Tenders---Our-Company.html

 

[Bendit]

Hi Peter,

The Takacat is designed here in Auckland and made in China (isn't everything).

Ours is the Lite 3m version and cost around $1800 NZD. There is also a Lite 3.3m,

All details at www. takacat.com*

Cheers,