Inflatable dinghy dock?

[skunther]

I’m considering purchasing an 8x6 or 5x6 inflatable dock to keep my dingy out of the water when not in use. I can’t keep it on the dock and the only other place I can put it is on my deck, which often isn’t convenient. It fits perfectly between my bow and the dock, but I’m tired of cleaning its hull.

Is anybody out there using a similar inflatable Dinghy dock set up? I’d love your opinion as to what works/doesn’t work. Is 6 x 5 enough floatation and stability for a 281 Avon? Its dimensions are 9’x5’, 113lbs. I don’t know that a 6 x 8 would fit where I want to put it, given the shape of my slip (dock box occupied a portion at an angle from the dock to my finger). I plan to put the Dinghy dock right against the dock, in front of my bow.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The attachment points to a floating dock are much more compact then to a fixed dock so take that into account when estimating space needs.

 

[Will Gilmore]

You wouldn't need to keep cleaning the bottom of an inflatable float? Or does that come out of the water when not holding the dinghy up?

Probably don't need the bigger one.

-Will

 

[rgranger]

You wouldn't need to keep cleaning the bottom of an inflatable float? Or does that come out of the water when not holding the dinghy up?
View attachment 237726
Probably don't need the bigger one.

-Will

How does that work? Can you drive up on that? Do you have to deflate it everytime you go out?

 

[thinwater]

I’m considering purchasing an 8x6 or 5x6 inflatable dock to keep my dingy out of the water when not in use. I can’t keep it on the dock and the only other place I can put it is on my deck, which often isn’t convenient. It fits perfectly between my bow and the dock, but I’m tired of cleaning its hull.

Is anybody out there using a similar inflatable Dinghy dock set up? I’d love your opinion as to what works/doesn’t work. Is 6 x 5 enough floatation and stability for a 281 Avon? Its dimensions are 9’x5’, 113lbs. I don’t know that a 6 x 8 would fit where I want to put it, given the shape of my slip (dock box occupied a portion at an angle from the dock to my finger). I plan to put the Dinghy dock right against the dock, in front of my bow.

I've know people who use them.

Think of how the dinghy dock is going to foul and what cleaning that in the off-season will take.

It's easier to anti-foul the dinghy, IMO.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Don't you love how that boat owner doesn't even need cleats? Just a cow hitch on the speed rail and yer good ta go.

-Will

 

[higgs]

Can you rig something up from the dock - some kind of crude davits - to pull the dinghy out of the water and leave it suspended in front of your boat?

 

[skunther]

Interesting thought. Maybe I could rig attachment points on the dock to hoist the starboard side and hoist the port side from the Hunter bow cleats. Seems maybe a little wonky…

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Have you considered davits? Either on your boat or the dock? I imagine dock mounted could be built for a reasonable price

 

[skunther]

What would be the cost for davits on the boat? Any recommendations?

 

[Will Gilmore]

Universal Dinghy Lift from West Marine, advertised at $150usd.

Maybe impractical for carrying the dinghy, but easy enough just to get it out of the water on the dock side. Mast and boom, and harness.

-Will

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

Universal Dinghy Lift from West Marine, advertised at $150usd.
View attachment 237763
Maybe impractical for carrying the dinghy, but easy enough just to get it out of the water on the dock side. Mast and boom, and harness.

-Will

You can easily make that setup with your retired (old) running rigging. I’d use whatever lifting points are designed into the dinghy and adjust the lines for proper hanging balance as needed. (Don’t forget to tie off the bow and stern to the mother ship in case of storms, and pull the drain plug so it doesn’t fill.)
Edit - and this might be ok for a typical summer storm but of course this is not suitable for hurricane force winds.

 

[jssailem]

I recently learned a knot that can help you balance your dinghy fore and aft as you lift the boat. It is called a Portuguese bowline.

 

[skunther]

I unfortunately don’t have any dock space to put the dinghy, so it will have to be in/on/over the water. If I could get davits on the stern without too much investment, that would be a nice solution. I will have to research those.

 

[dLj]

I've often pulled my dinghy up with a spare halyard and hung it from the side of the boat. Essentially a no cost option.

dj

 

[thinwater]

And leaving it in the water you are constantly pumping rainwater and scrubbing algae. I would only do that if I were using it nearly daily.