Is it possible to store a hard dinghy on the deck of a Cat 34, 36 or 38, or is that really not possible? I like the idea of a hard dinghy for rowing exercise, but I wondered what people do with it when going on a cruise? Towing it sounds like a possibility, but some articles have said that towing in any kind of rough sea is asking for your tow line to snap eventually, resulting in the loss of the dinghy. I assume that these boats are too small to use davits. Does that leave us with only the inflatable option if we want to store a dinghy on board while sailing?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
T
Tom Soko
You're Right
Ken, I believe you are correct in your assumption that the C34, 36 and 38 are a bit on the small side for davits. I've seen davits on each of these models, but with anything more than a very light inflatable, the stern goes under. I store a 10 ft inflatable upside down on the bow of my 36 during the week. In that position it blocks quite a bit of the view looking forward, and I consider it unsafe to keep it there for sailing or motoring. I do, however, tow the dinghy everywhere I go. I tow it off the leeward stern, and adjust the painter length to match the stern wave (so the dinghy is surfing down the wave). Towing it off the windward stern exposes it to too much wind and sea, and would flip it. I do not cross oceans this way, but in conditions that any reasonable person would sail in, I've had no problems. Always empty it of motor, gas, oars, etc. Just my opinion.
Ken, I believe you are correct in your assumption that the C34, 36 and 38 are a bit on the small side for davits. I've seen davits on each of these models, but with anything more than a very light inflatable, the stern goes under. I store a 10 ft inflatable upside down on the bow of my 36 during the week. In that position it blocks quite a bit of the view looking forward, and I consider it unsafe to keep it there for sailing or motoring. I do, however, tow the dinghy everywhere I go. I tow it off the leeward stern, and adjust the painter length to match the stern wave (so the dinghy is surfing down the wave). Towing it off the windward stern exposes it to too much wind and sea, and would flip it. I do not cross oceans this way, but in conditions that any reasonable person would sail in, I've had no problems. Always empty it of motor, gas, oars, etc. Just my opinion.
T
Trevor - SailboatOwners.com
Dignhy storage
Hi Ken - I've always cruised with rigid dinghies. I like to row, and some of the best sailing on a summer cruise is dinghy sailing in new anchorages! I stored an 8' sailing dinghy on the foredeck of my Islander 28 when rough weather was anticipated. I've since upgraded to a 10' dinghy, and have no problem stowing her on the foredeck of our Catalina 36. We use a harness and the spinnaker halyard and place it bow forward with small cushions on the corners. We use a criss cross pattern with a long line to lash her down tight to the deck. No movement whatsoever. We've cruised around Vancouver Island twice this way with no problems. The genoa clears the dinghy easily. I agree it's easier to tow in most conditions, but I'd highly recommend pullling stowing your tender on deck when encountering rough weather or ocean swells. Have fun! Trevor
Hi Ken - I've always cruised with rigid dinghies. I like to row, and some of the best sailing on a summer cruise is dinghy sailing in new anchorages! I stored an 8' sailing dinghy on the foredeck of my Islander 28 when rough weather was anticipated. I've since upgraded to a 10' dinghy, and have no problem stowing her on the foredeck of our Catalina 36. We use a harness and the spinnaker halyard and place it bow forward with small cushions on the corners. We use a criss cross pattern with a long line to lash her down tight to the deck. No movement whatsoever. We've cruised around Vancouver Island twice this way with no problems. The genoa clears the dinghy easily. I agree it's easier to tow in most conditions, but I'd highly recommend pullling stowing your tender on deck when encountering rough weather or ocean swells. Have fun! Trevor
K
Ken Juul
I keep my 9.2 inflatable on the bow of my 34. Lift and store similar to Trevor. No problems sailing with it there, but I normally either leave it at the dock for day sails or tow surfing the stern wave if out cruising. Access to the foredeck gets a bit tight and use of the front hatch is lost, but in bad weather it is probably closed anyway.
I
Ivana
Kato Davits
I have my Caribe RIB on Kato Davits on my C350. I absolutely love the system. Under way we use rachet straps to keep the dingy solid and unmoving against the stern rail. I have the stableizer bar but it did not hold the dingy secure under beam seas, large wakes, etc. The rachet straps are perfect.
I have my Caribe RIB on Kato Davits on my C350. I absolutely love the system. Under way we use rachet straps to keep the dingy solid and unmoving against the stern rail. I have the stableizer bar but it did not hold the dingy secure under beam seas, large wakes, etc. The rachet straps are perfect.
W
Walter
Davits is the way to go
We have a Catalina 36MkII and have a 8' rowing/sail dinghy (fiberglass) which we carry with us in davits mounted on the transom. Unless you absolutely HAVE to back-in in your dock and need to step over the transom to get onshore, this is the way to go: out of the way, looks very seamanlike, and is not much of a fuss to get underway in an anchorage. And, yes, you have to support the dinghy with lines underneath when hauled up... Your Catalina dealer can probably recommend the appropriate system for your dinghy, depending on its weight.
We have a Catalina 36MkII and have a 8' rowing/sail dinghy (fiberglass) which we carry with us in davits mounted on the transom. Unless you absolutely HAVE to back-in in your dock and need to step over the transom to get onshore, this is the way to go: out of the way, looks very seamanlike, and is not much of a fuss to get underway in an anchorage. And, yes, you have to support the dinghy with lines underneath when hauled up... Your Catalina dealer can probably recommend the appropriate system for your dinghy, depending on its weight.
W
Walter
36MkII is not too small
Hi, guys, as I have mentionned in my own comment, a 36MkII is not too small for a 8' sail/row dinghy. However, if you are talking about a rigid inflatable, complete with big-time engine, you may be right. My dinghy (a Boatex model) weighs about 80lbs if memory serves me correctly. I store my mast and oars attached to the davits (not in the dinghy), so things are out of the way and not rattling around in the dinghy, either...
Hi, guys, as I have mentionned in my own comment, a 36MkII is not too small for a 8' sail/row dinghy. However, if you are talking about a rigid inflatable, complete with big-time engine, you may be right. My dinghy (a Boatex model) weighs about 80lbs if memory serves me correctly. I store my mast and oars attached to the davits (not in the dinghy), so things are out of the way and not rattling around in the dinghy, either...
- Status
- Not open for further replies.