Dinghy for Hunter e33

[GreggL]

Fellow e33 owners, since I'm relatively new to the cruising world I've yet to have this cross my mind; but im now looking into purchasing a dinghy.
How are you all storing these (davits, towing, inflatable, strapped to bow, or likewise)? Seems every way I've come up with has it's problems.

 

[Scott B]

All depends on your needs and your cruising grounds.
How big do you need, how many people and how fast you want to go. If you need more than 2 and want to go distance, then a RIB, with a 9.9 or 15hp, will have to be towed or davits, or hoist the engine on the stern rail and stow on deck. There's not enough room between the mast and bow to store our 10 ft. RIB.

Do you sail in mostly protected waters or are you in open ocean. Will make a difference wether you san tow, davits or should be stored on deck or rolled up in a locker.

For the most part we're in protected water so tow. We use the dinghy constantly while anchored, ( which is every weekend ) doing dog runs to shore or just going for a walk on shore. I have been a little nervous a couple of times watching the dinghy slide sideways down following waves when we got into some rough weather a couple of times.

 

[GreggL]

I'm based in New Rochelle, NY so I'm primarily in the long island sound. It's usually pretty calm but can get rough every now and then.

Looking for something that can accommodate 4 people. Speed isn't really a concern for me, just something to get from ship to shore as you do. Beaches, fishing, etc...

My main issue is that I usually go marina to marina when on a cruise and have slips to deal with; having a dinghy in tow would make that difficult. On the flip side, pulling something that big on deck might be impossible. And then davits are a whole other issue with blocking my stern access. I've also thought about inflatable and storing it in the cockpit locker.

Any thoughts on this dilemma? Starting to think this is probably something everyone contends with as some point.

 

[Hello Below]

Greg

Your last statement is reality. The type of tender and towing method is definitely a tradeoff. I will be doing most of my sailing in coastal waters of the Pacific North West (ie south to Tacoma area, north to the top of Vancouver Island). The norm will be towing dinghy (Walker Bay Odyssey 270 - air floor). A small 2.5 HP Yamaha, normally stored on the Hunter stern rail, powers it. If the weather forecast is to be bumpy, I will secure dinghy on deck. I had the dealer rig a spinnaker line from the top of the mast to allow us to do this. Dinghy weighs in at only 63 lbs so it is very do able. Towing does add a drag on the sailboat but I find it to be minimal and possibly less than 0.5 kt when at cruising speed of 6.0. If we day sail, we normally leave dinghy at dockside. I am not a fan of davits as I find that the dinghy flops around more than I am comfortable with and I am not willing to give up my rear access to the cockpit. The latter is a major reason I purchased the new Hunter. Inflatables are not conducive to rowing and getting a 4 person one will mean a rather lengthy one. A RHIB will solve this problem with the addition of weight and inability to roll up for winter storage.

Coming alongside is usually not a problem as you will know beforehand which side you will tie to. Dinghy is then brought and secured close in, on the opposite side. Towing line brought onboard so not to get tangled in the prop/rudder.

 

[GreggL]

Thanks for the input. I gotta think about this one.

 

[Scott B]

Sounds like you may want something big enough to hold 4, but swing up on deck and a motor light enough to hang off the transom. You won't get up on plane, but will be enough to putt into shore.

I use my spinnaker halyard to pull mine up on deck or onto the dock to do any work. The motor is heavy and a pain to pull off at the dock, but I seldem have to do that.

I would suggest visiting a few inflatable dealers to see what is available, i.e. air floor, slat floor, wooden or aluminum floorboards, foldable hardbottom and fibreglass or aluminum RIBS.

Lots to choose from. If you talk to a couple dealers and tell them what you're looking for you can see what each type can and cannot do.

 

[paul1938]

I'm based in New Rochelle, NY so I'm primarily in the long island sound. It's usually pretty calm but can get rough every now and then.

Looking for something that can accommodate 4 people. Speed isn't really a concern for me, just something to get from ship to shore as you do. Beaches, fishing, etc...

My main issue is that I usually go marina to marina when on a cruise and have slips to deal with; having a dinghy in tow would make that difficult. On the flip side, pulling something that big on deck might be impossible. And then davits are a whole other issue with blocking my stern access. I've also thought about inflatable and storing it in the cockpit locker.

Any thoughts on this dilemma? Starting to think this is probably something everyone contends with as some point.

We just came back from our July 4th cruise to catalina harbor from Marina del Rey, it was about 30 to 35 nm each way.
We towed our 10'8" Portabote both ways, flat water going out, 2 to 3' coming back. noProblem. We towed it about 20 to 30' back depending on waves. It ways 57lb without engine. Ours is the Torqeedo 1003 electric, which we kept in the locker. I keep my portabote unfolded, although others keep it folded and use a kayak rack to haul it when sailing. Per Practical Sailor it's very stable, per my wife,its OK.
Good luck!