I finally need to have a dingy and am debating where to store it, as it won't be used often. I don't like the look of davits, or the visability lost over the deck with it mounted there. Seems like deflated in a ####### locker is the only option? Where do most people put them when not in use? Is there a better dingy that allows for ease of storage when rolled up to put into a locker?
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Dingy Storage
We have the best of both worlds. The boat came equipped with St. Croix Davits, realy high quality and low visibility folding Davits. We also had the Town Marina build two dingy racks. The dingy spends most of it's time on the rack, but is easily placed into the water then either towed or carried in the davits.
We have the best of both worlds. The boat came equipped with St. Croix Davits, realy high quality and low visibility folding Davits. We also had the Town Marina build two dingy racks. The dingy spends most of it's time on the rack, but is easily placed into the water then either towed or carried in the davits.
Rack or Tow
For us, I didn't want the expense of davits on a H29.5 and deflating and inflating is a real pain. We have a roll-up tender that when we are doing day sails or long term storage it stays on the marina rack with a cover on it. When we overnight or take longer trips, we tow it behind. If the forcast is for really nasty weather, than we either strap it vertically to the stern swim platform or deflate it and stow it below.
For us, I didn't want the expense of davits on a H29.5 and deflating and inflating is a real pain. We have a roll-up tender that when we are doing day sails or long term storage it stays on the marina rack with a cover on it. When we overnight or take longer trips, we tow it behind. If the forcast is for really nasty weather, than we either strap it vertically to the stern swim platform or deflate it and stow it below.
dink stow
We used to be able to store the dink on a foam float next to the boat in the slip. It was great. Easy on, easy off, never had to deflate, just drag it up onto the float and cover it. They're re-built the marina now with double-finger slips and there's no place to put the float except in the slip in front of the boat. Hassle to use it. I think I'm going to stow mine in the davits for now and see how it goes.
We used to be able to store the dink on a foam float next to the boat in the slip. It was great. Easy on, easy off, never had to deflate, just drag it up onto the float and cover it. They're re-built the marina now with double-finger slips and there's no place to put the float except in the slip in front of the boat. Hassle to use it. I think I'm going to stow mine in the davits for now and see how it goes.
Davits work well...
On Wandering C's, my Pearson 33, I installed St. Croix davits and love them. The dink is a Walker Bay 8 foot with the inflatable collar. Total weight is about 85 pounds without it's Mercury 4 stroke, 4 horse outboard. When properly secured, it rides well, has ample visibility beneath, no worries about the towing line parting, and security is enhanced while at anchor. When the boat is not being used, I remove the collar [motor is only left on at anchor], pull the plug and only remove it from the davits should a hurricane come our way.
On Wandering C's, my Pearson 33, I installed St. Croix davits and love them. The dink is a Walker Bay 8 foot with the inflatable collar. Total weight is about 85 pounds without it's Mercury 4 stroke, 4 horse outboard. When properly secured, it rides well, has ample visibility beneath, no worries about the towing line parting, and security is enhanced while at anchor. When the boat is not being used, I remove the collar [motor is only left on at anchor], pull the plug and only remove it from the davits should a hurricane come our way.
on deck for now
I towed a hardy dinghy for 20 years and just bought an inflatable about a month ago. For now, I am storing it on deck. At 63 pounds, I use the spinnaker halyard to get it on board. Not ideal, but is less hastle than rolling away each weekend. I don't like davits for the same reasons you sited. I do like the swim transom mounted units, which I might get next year. Still experimenting.
I towed a hardy dinghy for 20 years and just bought an inflatable about a month ago. For now, I am storing it on deck. At 63 pounds, I use the spinnaker halyard to get it on board. Not ideal, but is less hastle than rolling away each weekend. I don't like davits for the same reasons you sited. I do like the swim transom mounted units, which I might get next year. Still experimenting.
In Locker
Storage in a locker is best if sailing performance is an issue. All of the extra windage on deck or davits can hurt your sailboats performance going upwind. Most authorities advise against davits offshore. Right now we have a walker bay 8 that we store on the foredeck. When we are just daysailing we leave it at the dock. It isn't too hard to winch it on and off with a spare halyard. But if we go to an inflatable we are planning to store it in a locker when going offshore. The WB8 rides fine on the foredeck it just restricts visability and adds windage. We have had a few waves slap the stern that would have probably caused problems with a dinghy in davits but now that we are on a lake we might add davits for convenice and as a place to mount a solar panel.
Storage in a locker is best if sailing performance is an issue. All of the extra windage on deck or davits can hurt your sailboats performance going upwind. Most authorities advise against davits offshore. Right now we have a walker bay 8 that we store on the foredeck. When we are just daysailing we leave it at the dock. It isn't too hard to winch it on and off with a spare halyard. But if we go to an inflatable we are planning to store it in a locker when going offshore. The WB8 rides fine on the foredeck it just restricts visability and adds windage. We have had a few waves slap the stern that would have probably caused problems with a dinghy in davits but now that we are on a lake we might add davits for convenice and as a place to mount a solar panel.
Ron again
Bill, I thought long and hard before deciding on the size and type of inflatable. I intended to get one that I could store below deck, as I was tired of towing a dinghy and storing it for the winter. Problem was that the 8' would roll up easily, but was to small for my needs. The 9'3" that I bought, suits my needs, but is a pain to roll up and store every weekend. Inflatables, like sailboats, appear to be a compromise.
Bill, I thought long and hard before deciding on the size and type of inflatable. I intended to get one that I could store below deck, as I was tired of towing a dinghy and storing it for the winter. Problem was that the 8' would roll up easily, but was to small for my needs. The 9'3" that I bought, suits my needs, but is a pain to roll up and store every weekend. Inflatables, like sailboats, appear to be a compromise.
BILL SAINT ..........What size boat?
What boat do you have? Size does matter when selecting a place for a dinghy. I cant believe no one asked that question yet.
What boat do you have? Size does matter when selecting a place for a dinghy. I cant believe no one asked that question yet.
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