Im feeling a bit Dinghy

[Rob]

I'm on the Chesapeake Bay and I would like to try a hard dink. Any suggestions on hull shape? Anyone use a pram? How do they tow? What about the plastic ones at Boater's World? I'd like to fit at least 3 persons.

 

[Trevor - SailboatOwners.com]

Rowing, sailing, motoring, or all of the above?

Hi Rob -Now I know I'm in the minority here, but I prefer a hard dinghy. I have always cruised with them - growing up I learned how to row and sail on them. For me, one of the best parts of cruising is silently exporing an anchorage under sail after the big boat is anchored. I also have a 2 hp outboard for longer trips. Granted, I can't do more than 5 knots, and she's a little tippy compared to an inflatable, but for me it's worth it.I used to cruise with an 8' Quartermaster fiberglass dinghy. It was fun to sail and row, but was heavy - an issue for portaging across beaches etc. I now have a 10' Gig Harbor Navigator (see Related link below), which even has a little bowsprit for a jib! Not only does she row and sail very well, she's extremely light for her size, weighing only 75lbs. I paid extra for the composite kevlar, but I've been enjoying that dinghy for the past 7 years! And if I vacation by car, I can always find a lake to car-top the boat to!Best of luck,Trevor

 

[John Dawson]

Walker Bay RID

Why not the best of both worlds, an unsinkable inflatable for real emergencies and a rigid dinghy for motoring, rowing, sailing and towing. The Pardeys came to this design awhile ago with a customized Fatty Knees model.

 

[Bob]

Check out...

the January issue of Cruising World. Great article on hard dinks.My Walker Bay 8 is great in terms of cost and getting to and from the mooring. It is also light enough to manhandle into a dinghy rack. On southern Lake Michigan that's all you need, because they're pretty useless outside the harbor. I have had myself and one other adult in it and that's pretty much fully loaded. I can testify that it tows pretty well. Some of the others in the article look more suitable for knocking about, but they're also heavier and more expensive. Depends on what you want a dinghy for. Hope this helps.Bob

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

Second Trevor's Recommendation

We have on order a hard dinghy from Gig Harbor Boat Works that should be ready in about two weeks. We chose the Captain's Gig which is a little smaller than the Navigator but only by about 6 inches. Rows well, sails well and will handle a small outboard. Our idea of cruising is to find isolated beautiful anchorages and explore. The idea of being able to do so quietly by rowing or sailing, and also being able to go for a day sail without pulling up anchor is appealing.Gary WyngardenS/V Shibumi H335

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Idea

Look in the classifieds of the Maryland Indpendent twice-weekly out of Waldorf. Then check other weeklies and the Annapolis daily. Whoever has the most boat ads, run your own ad that says DINGHY WANTED. Also post fliers at some of the many marinas around Solomons. What a great place to sail!