I bought this dinghy at a local boat show, zodiac 285, it says it can hold an 8hp, I have an old 4.5hp, but the engine is heavy. This inflatable has a wood floor and really takes some time to assemble and inflate. Where do I put this monster now? I have a Cal 33 with limited space, it is not equiped with davits- should I try dragging this behind the boat? Put the engine on the rail? Deflate and lie it across the deck? Suggestions, advice thank you.
- Status
Try towing it
Try towing it and see how that works out for you; its one of the cheapest options. Of course, you'll want to tow it without the baby in it.... There have been a couple of threads on weight versus horsepower/planing the dingy. I voted for the low weight since speed really isn't needed in a dingy. My Walker Bay with a 3.3 Merc will go just fine. If your primary dingy trips are into marinas, then you can't go that fast anyways; usual speed limits are around 5 MPH, so with my 3.3 Merc I can't really break the sound barrier, nor worry about speeding at the marina.
Try towing it and see how that works out for you; its one of the cheapest options. Of course, you'll want to tow it without the baby in it.... There have been a couple of threads on weight versus horsepower/planing the dingy. I voted for the low weight since speed really isn't needed in a dingy. My Walker Bay with a 3.3 Merc will go just fine. If your primary dingy trips are into marinas, then you can't go that fast anyways; usual speed limits are around 5 MPH, so with my 3.3 Merc I can't really break the sound barrier, nor worry about speeding at the marina.
Check out dinghy tow
that might work for you. You can make something similar. If you tow it by the painter, take off the engine and store it aboard the mother ship.
that might work for you. You can make something similar. If you tow it by the painter, take off the engine and store it aboard the mother ship.
Dragging dinghy
Be careful dragging the boat, it can slow down your boat about a half knot. Also make sure you take out the baby before you drag the boat.
Be careful dragging the boat, it can slow down your boat about a half knot. Also make sure you take out the baby before you drag the boat.
tow it, however...
We used to tow our inflatable until one time when we were sailing back from marthas Vinyard in a bit of a storm.....boat was moving great through the heavy seas (1977 Cal 34 III). When I looked behind me, the inflatable was flying and bouncing along.....not good (engine was on the stern rail). We then got davits and they worked good, however took a bunch of space on the narrow transom of the Cal. I recently purchased a Pearson P36-2 that hass a 12 ft. beam. The cabin top will accomidate an inflatable when we travel. Day sails and overnights on the sound, we leave it at home. Greg
We used to tow our inflatable until one time when we were sailing back from marthas Vinyard in a bit of a storm.....boat was moving great through the heavy seas (1977 Cal 34 III). When I looked behind me, the inflatable was flying and bouncing along.....not good (engine was on the stern rail). We then got davits and they worked good, however took a bunch of space on the narrow transom of the Cal. I recently purchased a Pearson P36-2 that hass a 12 ft. beam. The cabin top will accomidate an inflatable when we travel. Day sails and overnights on the sound, we leave it at home. Greg
I have that model
only way to get the floor installed is on the dock, so don't think you can roll it up and take aboard to assemble once you anchor. When not in use it is rolled up in the dock box or house, I never leave it out because its made of the less durable fabric. I tow it with a 2 stroke 3/4 hp (think weed wacker with a prop)reversed on the transom of the dink, with the prop sitting on the bottom of the boat. I am just as likly to drop the OB in the drink trying to load it in, as the dink flipping with the OB reversed on the transom.
only way to get the floor installed is on the dock, so don't think you can roll it up and take aboard to assemble once you anchor. When not in use it is rolled up in the dock box or house, I never leave it out because its made of the less durable fabric. I tow it with a 2 stroke 3/4 hp (think weed wacker with a prop)reversed on the transom of the dink, with the prop sitting on the bottom of the boat. I am just as likly to drop the OB in the drink trying to load it in, as the dink flipping with the OB reversed on the transom.
From the picture
I can see that the dinghy is performing a valuable task right where it is. If you want to use it for boating, you should know that there is no good way to tow it. No matter what you do, you will effect your sailing. It will slow you 1-2 kts. Put the outboard on the rail and the dinghy on the fore deck. Your sailing will be better and you won't have to worry about that thing trailing behind. Jim
I can see that the dinghy is performing a valuable task right where it is. If you want to use it for boating, you should know that there is no good way to tow it. No matter what you do, you will effect your sailing. It will slow you 1-2 kts. Put the outboard on the rail and the dinghy on the fore deck. Your sailing will be better and you won't have to worry about that thing trailing behind. Jim
Becareful with the tow line and your prop..
We had a guy here in channel islands coming back late at night. Was confused with the harbor entrance and had to put in quick reverse. Well, the line fouled his prop and his 36+ new boat ended up on the beach. I don't tow but the experts here could give you good suggestions on how to do it and what line to use to avoid the above.
We had a guy here in channel islands coming back late at night. Was confused with the harbor entrance and had to put in quick reverse. Well, the line fouled his prop and his 36+ new boat ended up on the beach. I don't tow but the experts here could give you good suggestions on how to do it and what line to use to avoid the above.
Dinghy aboard
Cute baby. I have an 8.5' Zodiac which I typically tow using a bridle I believe I bought at West Marine. The bridle connects to the two rings, and spreads the weight and stress and keeps it reasonably centered. The bridle line is polypropylene, so it floats and is less likely to foul the prop. But I would not tow it on a very long trip, or in very rough weather, and I second the comment that it is a pain to assemble it on the boat (or on the dock for that matter). In my new boat I am leaning towards carrying it uninflated and using it without the wood floor for casual use while at anchor. Has anyone else done that? I have a relatively light 4 HP outboard that I can store on the stern pulpit.
Cute baby. I have an 8.5' Zodiac which I typically tow using a bridle I believe I bought at West Marine. The bridle connects to the two rings, and spreads the weight and stress and keeps it reasonably centered. The bridle line is polypropylene, so it floats and is less likely to foul the prop. But I would not tow it on a very long trip, or in very rough weather, and I second the comment that it is a pain to assemble it on the boat (or on the dock for that matter). In my new boat I am leaning towards carrying it uninflated and using it without the wood floor for casual use while at anchor. Has anyone else done that? I have a relatively light 4 HP outboard that I can store on the stern pulpit.
what to do with the dink
Besides being a great playpen they are fun to use in the water also ! What I would suggest is to store it on the bow inflated. Use the halyard to haul it up (spinnaker halyard is great for this if you have one)When it is time to sail decide if you want to take the dink with you and then tow or leave it at the dock if you think you will not need it. My suggestion would be to mount the motor on the rail for use when needed.
Besides being a great playpen they are fun to use in the water also ! What I would suggest is to store it on the bow inflated. Use the halyard to haul it up (spinnaker halyard is great for this if you have one)When it is time to sail decide if you want to take the dink with you and then tow or leave it at the dock if you think you will not need it. My suggestion would be to mount the motor on the rail for use when needed.
Towing right
When towing: Adjust length of your tow-line so the dinghy rides down one of your boat's wakes, reduces drag. Attach your line in V-shape to the lower (the lower the better, so the bow will not be pushed into the water) ring-fasteners on each side of your dinghy's bow, not the one in the middle, this will give it more stability. In anything above BF 5 the dinghy belongs on the (fore)deck. Peter / Nepomuk
When towing: Adjust length of your tow-line so the dinghy rides down one of your boat's wakes, reduces drag. Attach your line in V-shape to the lower (the lower the better, so the bow will not be pushed into the water) ring-fasteners on each side of your dinghy's bow, not the one in the middle, this will give it more stability. In anything above BF 5 the dinghy belongs on the (fore)deck. Peter / Nepomuk
yeah
I know I can't back into a slip with the dinhgy still tied to the stern, so that is basically what I'm asking...what do people do before they back in? Do they untie it and run it around and tie it off to the bow? Do they just let it go with a long line attached so they can pull it in later and put it on the bow? Marti Gras in Galveston is going to be starting soon and I want to anchor out in Offats bayou and dinhgy to shore that weekend. Figured it would be easier to deal with setting the dinhgy up on the dock then on deck and towing it out and back.
I know I can't back into a slip with the dinhgy still tied to the stern, so that is basically what I'm asking...what do people do before they back in? Do they untie it and run it around and tie it off to the bow? Do they just let it go with a long line attached so they can pull it in later and put it on the bow? Marti Gras in Galveston is going to be starting soon and I want to anchor out in Offats bayou and dinhgy to shore that weekend. Figured it would be easier to deal with setting the dinhgy up on the dock then on deck and towing it out and back.
Backing in with dinghy
Franklin, I back in to my slip towing my dinghy all the time. I just shorten the tow line so the dinghy is right by the stern quarter as I'm backing and it ends up between my boat and my neighbors. It makes a great (ok, very expensive...) fender so I don't bump my slipmate if things are windy. Works pretty well getting out too. I guess it would depend on the slip configuration and how much room you have...
Franklin, I back in to my slip towing my dinghy all the time. I just shorten the tow line so the dinghy is right by the stern quarter as I'm backing and it ends up between my boat and my neighbors. It makes a great (ok, very expensive...) fender so I don't bump my slipmate if things are windy. Works pretty well getting out too. I guess it would depend on the slip configuration and how much room you have...
Depends on the Condition
On my Catalina 30 - we have a 2-person Zodiac. When there is a calm to mild chop I tow it...if the weather is going to really kick-up I stow it on the bow and have it partialy deflated. I also pull it in tight to the stern and then lift it up partially out of the water and latch it to the stern cleat....the dink then drags its stern in the water. Good to do if you get an unexpected surge of wind and you can't get her on deck! I also use that cheap-plastic like line available at most harware stores as a tow line. The sun destroys it in a season or 2 but it floats! Just try keeping it out of the sun when possible and check to make sure it is sea-worthy for towing. It helps avoid propo-problems as mentioned above but could still get in there. Rob
On my Catalina 30 - we have a 2-person Zodiac. When there is a calm to mild chop I tow it...if the weather is going to really kick-up I stow it on the bow and have it partialy deflated. I also pull it in tight to the stern and then lift it up partially out of the water and latch it to the stern cleat....the dink then drags its stern in the water. Good to do if you get an unexpected surge of wind and you can't get her on deck! I also use that cheap-plastic like line available at most harware stores as a tow line. The sun destroys it in a season or 2 but it floats! Just try keeping it out of the sun when possible and check to make sure it is sea-worthy for towing. It helps avoid propo-problems as mentioned above but could still get in there. Rob
The Monster looks safe enough...
It looks like the monster's in the right place now. With rubber sides she should be pretty safe. When she get's a little older you can think about moving her to a larger dighy so she can run around a bit. The duck has got to go, does she have any brothers or sisters yet?
It looks like the monster's in the right place now. With rubber sides she should be pretty safe. When she get's a little older you can think about moving her to a larger dighy so she can run around a bit. The duck has got to go, does she have any brothers or sisters yet?
My two cents worth
1. Use a bridle to make her track better. Do not use the single bow ring like I did once. I was downwind in a big blow one time and noticed that the dinghy passed us and flipped upside down. It pulled that ring right out of the bow. 2. If you do use the yellow polypropylene line for a painter, be very attentive to it in regards to wear. I once saw someone grab a polypro line and pull on it. Unfortunately she was not able to hold the boat and the line slipped through her fingers and it cut her hands so badly that she went to the ER.
1. Use a bridle to make her track better. Do not use the single bow ring like I did once. I was downwind in a big blow one time and noticed that the dinghy passed us and flipped upside down. It pulled that ring right out of the bow. 2. If you do use the yellow polypropylene line for a painter, be very attentive to it in regards to wear. I once saw someone grab a polypro line and pull on it. Unfortunately she was not able to hold the boat and the line slipped through her fingers and it cut her hands so badly that she went to the ER.
- Status