i am trying to decide if i want to spend the money on a dinghy or just go with a inexspencive blow up. Where are the used ones. any suggestions would be great. 6 day trip coming up and sailing to st augistine. I could just spend 30$ and dock there for the night. Suggestions. Would love to rent one.
dinghy yes or no
- Thread starter scuba01
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Depends
How many times you going to hear that
Scoop: Jax to St. Augustine isn't a long trip and you should never be out of cell phone range so you should be able to call for a tow if you need one, so that need is out. Since you only plan on staying one night, $30 is a lot cheaper then a dinghy (blowup or hard). Now a blowup non dinghy will not do anything for you. On the other hand, if you buy a dinghy now, you can use it for other situations and of course, if you ever have to call for a tow and it's a long tow, then that will cost just as much as a dinghy. Summary: If money is tight...skip the dinghy, take your cell phone and have a reserved slip at your destination. If not, buying a dinghy just maybe be a good thing and you may get your money's worth out of it. I bought mine on Ebay for $600 and it carries 1100 lbs.
How many times you going to hear that
Scoop: Jax to St. Augustine isn't a long trip and you should never be out of cell phone range so you should be able to call for a tow if you need one, so that need is out. Since you only plan on staying one night, $30 is a lot cheaper then a dinghy (blowup or hard). Now a blowup non dinghy will not do anything for you. On the other hand, if you buy a dinghy now, you can use it for other situations and of course, if you ever have to call for a tow and it's a long tow, then that will cost just as much as a dinghy. Summary: If money is tight...skip the dinghy, take your cell phone and have a reserved slip at your destination. If not, buying a dinghy just maybe be a good thing and you may get your money's worth out of it. I bought mine on Ebay for $600 and it carries 1100 lbs.Dinghy can save money
Many in the Pacific Northwest and Gulf Islands in BC use dinghies a great deal. Anchoring and taking a dinghy is a cheaper in the long run. When I was new to sail boating I wanted to tie up to a marina all the time. Now years latter, I prefer anchoring and taking the dinghy to the marina if needs be. In the Islands here, having a dinghy can be fun for local exploration.
Many in the Pacific Northwest and Gulf Islands in BC use dinghies a great deal. Anchoring and taking a dinghy is a cheaper in the long run. When I was new to sail boating I wanted to tie up to a marina all the time. Now years latter, I prefer anchoring and taking the dinghy to the marina if needs be. In the Islands here, having a dinghy can be fun for local exploration.
do get one
In the NW it is a MUST to have one when cruising. WE have found that with a good sized motor we also don't worry about needing a minor tow... we can do it ourselves. Also we anchor a lot, so need it.
In the NW it is a MUST to have one when cruising. WE have found that with a good sized motor we also don't worry about needing a minor tow... we can do it ourselves. Also we anchor a lot, so need it.
Go to any yard
...and ask them for names of people who might want to sell their abandoned dingys cheap.
...and ask them for names of people who might want to sell their abandoned dingys cheap.
Where are the used ones ?
Inflatable dinghies have a finite life. Hypalon will last longer but is more expensive. Most people pop for the PVC type. 5 years in the sun and they start to show signs of breaking down. There are of coures exceptions but, generally a used inflatable is likely to be a not so good thing.
Inflatable dinghies have a finite life. Hypalon will last longer but is more expensive. Most people pop for the PVC type. 5 years in the sun and they start to show signs of breaking down. There are of coures exceptions but, generally a used inflatable is likely to be a not so good thing.
New Inflatable
West Marine has a new product - a six foot inflatable that will take an electric trolling motor (a very slow one). The dink is well-made and comes w/oars, foot pump and a carrying bag - $200 total. I've a 24-footer and love being able to store the thing easily. Not a bad compromise in my book - good luck.
West Marine has a new product - a six foot inflatable that will take an electric trolling motor (a very slow one). The dink is well-made and comes w/oars, foot pump and a carrying bag - $200 total. I've a 24-footer and love being able to store the thing easily. Not a bad compromise in my book - good luck.
You might not be ready for one.
But a dingy that planes, changes everything. I was going to give some examples but, 'everything' says it all.
But a dingy that planes, changes everything. I was going to give some examples but, 'everything' says it all.
Dinghy, life raft?
Sailing in the waters of the cold N.E. it's always good if you don't have a life raft to have an auxilary boat you can use in case of sinking. In our waters even in summer, a person could die of exposure within a 1/2 hour if not rescued. That may be quite extreme but better to error on the safe side.
Sailing in the waters of the cold N.E. it's always good if you don't have a life raft to have an auxilary boat you can use in case of sinking. In our waters even in summer, a person could die of exposure within a 1/2 hour if not rescued. That may be quite extreme but better to error on the safe side.
Dingy Yes or No
We have a hardshell dingy from West Marine which rows nicely - $700 new. More people are going to kayaks. Great for small boats. They store easily on deck and tow well. We went with the Sterns 500 inflatable from West Marine for $200. Can't carry much, but very durable, extremely light and stows deflated in a large duffle bag. Great fun for exploring and taking the dog ashore.
We have a hardshell dingy from West Marine which rows nicely - $700 new. More people are going to kayaks. Great for small boats. They store easily on deck and tow well. We went with the Sterns 500 inflatable from West Marine for $200. Can't carry much, but very durable, extremely light and stows deflated in a large duffle bag. Great fun for exploring and taking the dog ashore.
St. Augustine
Scuba. We just came back from St.Augustine and know the place fairly well. The city marina is the only place to really head if you want all the luxuries and security and close to town. Looks like the anchoring off the Fort or south of the Bridge of Lions gets crowded and its along row or motor (via dinghy/kyak) to the Marina where they will let you tie up the dinghy while your in town. Although anchoring off the Fort provides great views of the St. Augustine skyline, again its along haul to the city marina (especially against wind and tide). For my piece of mind I would bite the bullet and shell out the bucks for a few nights at the city marina and if pressed also stay on the hook near the marina (south side of bridge). I do not know if the West Marine stores in Jax rent dinghy's. I would doubt it. The price you pay would be equal or close to marina dockage for your trip. I will assume your going via the ICW, which is a beautiful trip. When in St. Augustine, do not forget to grab a cigar, glass of wine and live jazz band at Stoogies, and have lunch or dinner at the Columbia Restaurant in the historic district. Fantastic 1905 salad. Have a great trip. Bob
Scuba. We just came back from St.Augustine and know the place fairly well. The city marina is the only place to really head if you want all the luxuries and security and close to town. Looks like the anchoring off the Fort or south of the Bridge of Lions gets crowded and its along row or motor (via dinghy/kyak) to the Marina where they will let you tie up the dinghy while your in town. Although anchoring off the Fort provides great views of the St. Augustine skyline, again its along haul to the city marina (especially against wind and tide). For my piece of mind I would bite the bullet and shell out the bucks for a few nights at the city marina and if pressed also stay on the hook near the marina (south side of bridge). I do not know if the West Marine stores in Jax rent dinghy's. I would doubt it. The price you pay would be equal or close to marina dockage for your trip. I will assume your going via the ICW, which is a beautiful trip. When in St. Augustine, do not forget to grab a cigar, glass of wine and live jazz band at Stoogies, and have lunch or dinner at the Columbia Restaurant in the historic district. Fantastic 1905 salad. Have a great trip. Bob
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