I would like some ideas on buying a dinghy. I don't need to store it on-board so an inflatable may not be needed. I also don't plan on being too far from shore so it wouldn't need to act as a life boat. I just want an inexpensive way to get onto the local islands without getting wet. A stable dingy that rows well. Also, what is a good tow line? I would think a line that floats would be best to keep it out of the prop. How many feet of line should I use? Thanks in advance for any pleasant ideas/comments, Jack
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both!
well if you want it to be stable and row well your going to have a problem ! a hard will row the best and generally an inflatable will be the more stable. if you want something cheap in a hard a leisure life 9.4 that west marine sells for 450.00 is a good overall bet if you go for an inflatable id look for a good used one of look on e bay .thats my 2 cents worth
well if you want it to be stable and row well your going to have a problem ! a hard will row the best and generally an inflatable will be the more stable. if you want something cheap in a hard a leisure life 9.4 that west marine sells for 450.00 is a good overall bet if you go for an inflatable id look for a good used one of look on e bay .thats my 2 cents worth
We lucked out with a generous marina neighbor
We had similar needs to you and caught wind that our neighbor across the marina was looking to replace his old YBW (Yankee Boat Works) hard dinghy with an inflatable. I offered to buy from him, and he gave it to us. It needed a little fiberglass repair which was done in a day, then a couple of coats of paint, and a new rubrail made out of a split garden hose pop-riveted to the gunwales. Thwart needed sanding down and a few coats of varnish, and we were ready to go. The painter is about 15 feet long and the boat follows nicely behind, even through pretty rough seas. I used two cable ties to attach a plastic iced tea bottle in the middle of the painter so that it would keep it afloat and out of the prop when backing or slack. I sprang for a new pair of oars. Peaceful rowing is a great way to explore the anchorage or get to shore after a day of sailing. Ask around your marina about anyone who might be moving up to a more expensive or technologically advanced dinghy, and you might find a similar bargain.
We had similar needs to you and caught wind that our neighbor across the marina was looking to replace his old YBW (Yankee Boat Works) hard dinghy with an inflatable. I offered to buy from him, and he gave it to us. It needed a little fiberglass repair which was done in a day, then a couple of coats of paint, and a new rubrail made out of a split garden hose pop-riveted to the gunwales. Thwart needed sanding down and a few coats of varnish, and we were ready to go. The painter is about 15 feet long and the boat follows nicely behind, even through pretty rough seas. I used two cable ties to attach a plastic iced tea bottle in the middle of the painter so that it would keep it afloat and out of the prop when backing or slack. I sprang for a new pair of oars. Peaceful rowing is a great way to explore the anchorage or get to shore after a day of sailing. Ask around your marina about anyone who might be moving up to a more expensive or technologically advanced dinghy, and you might find a similar bargain.
Did What Cory Did
I have an E-Bay inflatable (used) and a Leisurelife 9.4. The Leisurelife has bottom paint on it and stays in the slip. It is indestructable and tows very well. I use two 5/16 15' or 20' dock lines with water-ski floats on them and S/S snaps on the end. Just takes a moment to set up. I just tie it off the bow to back out and move the tow lines back to the stern cleats when I get out to the channel. Using two lines adds redundancy as well as a lot of stability to the tow. I let it ride on the stern wave so the bow is riding up. The small soft-tail inflatable either gets towed or tied to the stern pulpits unless we are travelling over a day. I found the used inflatables to be pricy on E-Bay, tho. The Leisurelife is a real bargan however. I paid as much for the bottomsider cushions I had made for it as I did the whole dink! I run a 3.5 HP OB and row it sometimes. Rick D.
I have an E-Bay inflatable (used) and a Leisurelife 9.4. The Leisurelife has bottom paint on it and stays in the slip. It is indestructable and tows very well. I use two 5/16 15' or 20' dock lines with water-ski floats on them and S/S snaps on the end. Just takes a moment to set up. I just tie it off the bow to back out and move the tow lines back to the stern cleats when I get out to the channel. Using two lines adds redundancy as well as a lot of stability to the tow. I let it ride on the stern wave so the bow is riding up. The small soft-tail inflatable either gets towed or tied to the stern pulpits unless we are travelling over a day. I found the used inflatables to be pricy on E-Bay, tho. The Leisurelife is a real bargan however. I paid as much for the bottomsider cushions I had made for it as I did the whole dink! I run a 3.5 HP OB and row it sometimes. Rick D.
Water tender
We used the water tender 9.4 from the Chesapeake Bay all of the way down to Venezuela. If you watch the sales it can be had at West Marine for under 400. They priced matched boaters world and we had a 10% coupon. It was picked for the reasons you stated above, dry, rows easy, light, and inexpensive. We used it with a 5hp 4cyl and it was dry and very stable. With one person it would plane and I could fly. We sold it to upgrade to a larger and faster Caribe. We had tons of offers and was able to resell quickly.
We used the water tender 9.4 from the Chesapeake Bay all of the way down to Venezuela. If you watch the sales it can be had at West Marine for under 400. They priced matched boaters world and we had a 10% coupon. It was picked for the reasons you stated above, dry, rows easy, light, and inexpensive. We used it with a 5hp 4cyl and it was dry and very stable. With one person it would plane and I could fly. We sold it to upgrade to a larger and faster Caribe. We had tons of offers and was able to resell quickly.
Check this.
Check this article from Ocean Navigator mag. There are actually two articles for you to read to help you. Check and print "Bringing a friend..." and "Dinghy Power" before they expire. http://www.oceannavigator.com/site/csrv/bSource.asp?v=169
Check this article from Ocean Navigator mag. There are actually two articles for you to read to help you. Check and print "Bringing a friend..." and "Dinghy Power" before they expire. http://www.oceannavigator.com/site/csrv/bSource.asp?v=169
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