I want to buy a tag along boat to explore and/or be able to get to and from without using the launch. Various websites from Maine to Florida offer great suggestions as to which one to buy but none talk about towing qualities behind an average 34 foot sailboat like mine. My last dinghy was a new 1977 inflatable that flipped over many times during my voyages. It lasted 2 years before the floor leaked and the tow ring pulled out. Definately not kid-proof. The repair kit didn't help much. The rest of the boat held up until the mid nineties when the patched wear spots including the constant bow wear and a general softness of the tubes from inflation and deflation took its toll. Any suggestions or comments or brands that you might have liked or disliked would be greatly appreciated
Inflatables vs hard fiberglass/wood dinghys
- Thread starter hightower
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My recommendations
My advise is to purchase a RIB and add Weaver snap davits. I've own all kinds of inflatables and nothing comes close to the performace of a RIB. Only negative side is that they aren't easliy stored. In your case you don't want to do that anyway. I also prefer not to inflate/deflate my tender, however you really don't want to tow it. Best practice is a expensive davit system or chock it up on the bow if there is room. But another great way to do it is to purchase a Weaver snap davit system. They are not expensive and work great!
My advise is to purchase a RIB and add Weaver snap davits. I've own all kinds of inflatables and nothing comes close to the performace of a RIB. Only negative side is that they aren't easliy stored. In your case you don't want to do that anyway. I also prefer not to inflate/deflate my tender, however you really don't want to tow it. Best practice is a expensive davit system or chock it up on the bow if there is room. But another great way to do it is to purchase a Weaver snap davit system. They are not expensive and work great!
Hard Dinghy
Based on your requirements it seems the best choice is a hard dinghy. They tow well, row well, can sail or power, are nearly indestructible and are less expensive. They are also not nearly as attractive to thieves. Their down side is their carrying capacity is not as high and not as stable as an inflatable. Given that I put my money where my mouth is and chose a hard dinghy as my tender. I went with a Walker Bay 8 and this is my first season with it so have not used it yet. Reviews I have read have been positive. The basic boat comes with oars and everything needed to go. I will be looking to add a sail rig. What I really liked was the option of purchasing a set of inflatable tubes that can attach around the boat, essentially making it into a RIB. The good thing is if the tube is punctured the basic buoyancy of the boat is not affected. Good Luck, a million opinions on this subject.
Based on your requirements it seems the best choice is a hard dinghy. They tow well, row well, can sail or power, are nearly indestructible and are less expensive. They are also not nearly as attractive to thieves. Their down side is their carrying capacity is not as high and not as stable as an inflatable. Given that I put my money where my mouth is and chose a hard dinghy as my tender. I went with a Walker Bay 8 and this is my first season with it so have not used it yet. Reviews I have read have been positive. The basic boat comes with oars and everything needed to go. I will be looking to add a sail rig. What I really liked was the option of purchasing a set of inflatable tubes that can attach around the boat, essentially making it into a RIB. The good thing is if the tube is punctured the basic buoyancy of the boat is not affected. Good Luck, a million opinions on this subject.
Hard Bottom Inflatable...
..., otherwise known as a RIB, will give unlimited towing options, stability of load portability provided that you are able to store the motor. I have elected to tow the dink with the motor mounted on the transom that is part of the molded bottom. Then I don't have to worry about the wear-and-tear of towing it with the motor mounted. I also bought a dinghy cover to use dockside when I don't use the dinghy.
..., otherwise known as a RIB, will give unlimited towing options, stability of load portability provided that you are able to store the motor. I have elected to tow the dink with the motor mounted on the transom that is part of the molded bottom. Then I don't have to worry about the wear-and-tear of towing it with the motor mounted. I also bought a dinghy cover to use dockside when I don't use the dinghy.
I went with WB 10
I like the idea that my Walker Bay is not going to decay in the sun, is not going to get punctured, does not need pumping up, can be turned into a sailboat, can be rowed easily, can have tubes added for extra stability, and is darned good looking to boot. It is also less expensive that a RIB. On the other hand the very serious cruisers do seem to love the RIBs. While towing the WB around the San Juans is OK I don't think I'd want to tow it or anythng else down the Atlantic and I would think a 34' sailboat could hold any dink out of the water.
I like the idea that my Walker Bay is not going to decay in the sun, is not going to get punctured, does not need pumping up, can be turned into a sailboat, can be rowed easily, can have tubes added for extra stability, and is darned good looking to boot. It is also less expensive that a RIB. On the other hand the very serious cruisers do seem to love the RIBs. While towing the WB around the San Juans is OK I don't think I'd want to tow it or anythng else down the Atlantic and I would think a 34' sailboat could hold any dink out of the water.
Some suggestions, FWIW...
I prefer the stability and safety of an inflatable. I've been very happy with the Avon and Quicksilver brands we've owned, both about nine feet long. I always carry ours on the step transom, laying on its side athwartships. Check out my photos in the Photo Forum. Dink davits are expensive and clutter up the stern IMHO. Boats without step transoms can use Edson brand hangers for inflatables that attach to your stern pushpit rails costing much less than a davit system. Of course a davit system makes sense for those that like them. Terry
I prefer the stability and safety of an inflatable. I've been very happy with the Avon and Quicksilver brands we've owned, both about nine feet long. I always carry ours on the step transom, laying on its side athwartships. Check out my photos in the Photo Forum. Dink davits are expensive and clutter up the stern IMHO. Boats without step transoms can use Edson brand hangers for inflatables that attach to your stern pushpit rails costing much less than a davit system. Of course a davit system makes sense for those that like them. Terry
I used the Weaver davits on my H36....
with an Achilles 280+Tohatsu 9.8hp and works great for me/ abe
with an Achilles 280+Tohatsu 9.8hp and works great for me/ abe
Used a hard fiberglass for 25 years
I have had a hard dinghy for most of my sailing life. My first was a sumner 8 followed by a generic and now a trinka. This is what you want if you take a few years off and enjoy both rowing and sailing a small boat. Mine stored easilly on the bow of my 33 foot cheoy lee. It survived 70 knot winds and 20 foot seas comming back from Bermuda with no problems. It was stolen twice once in Maryland and once in Virgina. One time returned and one time covered by insurance. I now use a nice chain and lock and no further problems. 4hp outboard makes it nice for exploring up creeks and behind the next island.
I have had a hard dinghy for most of my sailing life. My first was a sumner 8 followed by a generic and now a trinka. This is what you want if you take a few years off and enjoy both rowing and sailing a small boat. Mine stored easilly on the bow of my 33 foot cheoy lee. It survived 70 knot winds and 20 foot seas comming back from Bermuda with no problems. It was stolen twice once in Maryland and once in Virgina. One time returned and one time covered by insurance. I now use a nice chain and lock and no further problems. 4hp outboard makes it nice for exploring up creeks and behind the next island.
Consider all the options
an inflatable or RIB can be powered by a motor and that is about it. You cant really row these things and sailing is "right out". If you have kids or just want to have some fun or the motor goes Tango Uniform then a inflatable is a real pain to use. I don't turn my kids loose with the outboard. They have to demonstrate that they can row and sail before they earn that right. I found that after they learned to sail her they took her out with the outboard once and came back to put the sails on.... The outboard was boring, go figure! I personally use a rigid fiberglass 8' sailing pram. She rows well, sails great and when you put a 5 HP motor goes like a scalded cat. The instability issue is highly over sold by the inflatable crowd IMHO. If you bring here along next to the boarding ladder and step into the center of the boat there is no problem. I find that pulling the dingy up so the stern is where you enter it makes stepping into the center of the boat REAL easy. The issue of carrying capacity is one to weigh however. An inflatable will carry more stuff for the same length boat.
an inflatable or RIB can be powered by a motor and that is about it. You cant really row these things and sailing is "right out". If you have kids or just want to have some fun or the motor goes Tango Uniform then a inflatable is a real pain to use. I don't turn my kids loose with the outboard. They have to demonstrate that they can row and sail before they earn that right. I found that after they learned to sail her they took her out with the outboard once and came back to put the sails on.... The outboard was boring, go figure! I personally use a rigid fiberglass 8' sailing pram. She rows well, sails great and when you put a 5 HP motor goes like a scalded cat. The instability issue is highly over sold by the inflatable crowd IMHO. If you bring here along next to the boarding ladder and step into the center of the boat there is no problem. I find that pulling the dingy up so the stern is where you enter it makes stepping into the center of the boat REAL easy. The issue of carrying capacity is one to weigh however. An inflatable will carry more stuff for the same length boat.
Step On The Gunnels
That is the only why my wife gets into our RIB. What hard dingy under 12' you can do that with.
That is the only why my wife gets into our RIB. What hard dingy under 12' you can do that with.
A good rowboat needs a bit of
caution to get in and but that's the price for a good rowboat. If you just want to motor the tubes make it easy to get in and out without danger. I like to row. I like the quiet. A nice glass row/sail dinghy is hard to beat, in my opinion. The excercise is healthy, too. Great for kids. Depends on your mind set and abilities. And situation. I understand why cruisers who have to go several miles for groceries want an inflatable with a 9.9.
caution to get in and but that's the price for a good rowboat. If you just want to motor the tubes make it easy to get in and out without danger. I like to row. I like the quiet. A nice glass row/sail dinghy is hard to beat, in my opinion. The excercise is healthy, too. Great for kids. Depends on your mind set and abilities. And situation. I understand why cruisers who have to go several miles for groceries want an inflatable with a 9.9.
Another option
Check the link below for another option. A hard dinghy that can row, sail, power and also is designed as a life raft. Has double walls with hatches so survival gear etc can all be stored on board, no need to worry about a ditch bag. I saw one at a boat show and asked someone who used it and said its stability was much better than a regular dinghy, could almost stand on the gunwales. I really like this design but did not go with it as it was just out of my price range. If I had the budget for an RIB I would probably go with this instead.
Check the link below for another option. A hard dinghy that can row, sail, power and also is designed as a life raft. Has double walls with hatches so survival gear etc can all be stored on board, no need to worry about a ditch bag. I saw one at a boat show and asked someone who used it and said its stability was much better than a regular dinghy, could almost stand on the gunwales. I really like this design but did not go with it as it was just out of my price range. If I had the budget for an RIB I would probably go with this instead.
Raritan Bay ???
One of the key factors is .....where do you intend to sail, that you need a dink? I dont know where Raritan Bay is and how rough it gets, but.........it is never a good idea to tow a dink in open water if thats what you intend to do. If in a major body of water, and you are towing, you had better have a very quick system of getting boat and motor on board if need be. Also, stability plays a MAJOR role if again, in open water. To find out for sure, you will definately have to get on someone elses boat that has a hard dink and try getting in and out of a hard dink in only 1-2 foot chops. I dont mean make it a practice try, I mean get in the dink, motor it away and then try tieing it back up and getting back on board. There is nothing more stabile than an inflatible, not even a close second. And the best inflatible is an RIB. By the way, women dont usually step in and out of things like men do. Men 'make a committment' and keep moving. Women tend to test the stability, step on the gunnel, then try to ease their way onto the dink. THAT JUST DONT WORK. Again , think stability. A dink is not cheap, and the wrong dink can be an expensive mistake. This is a good opportunity for me to get on my soapbox, and push for more people on here to fill out their 'profile'. Its nice to see what and where people sail. That lends more credence to their posts and replies. Different size boats and different sailing areas have totally different concerns. Thats not to say that everyones reply is not valid, I'm not trying to start anything going in that direction. All I'm trying to say is that each area has its own set of unique problems. Also, Phil spends a lot of time trying to make this a very informative site, so lets use these features. Phil also spends a lot of time removing some of my replies, cant blame him for that though. IMHO Tony B P.S. After you get this resovlved in your mind, your next question should be "What size O/B?" and that will be another interesting thread.
One of the key factors is .....where do you intend to sail, that you need a dink? I dont know where Raritan Bay is and how rough it gets, but.........it is never a good idea to tow a dink in open water if thats what you intend to do. If in a major body of water, and you are towing, you had better have a very quick system of getting boat and motor on board if need be. Also, stability plays a MAJOR role if again, in open water. To find out for sure, you will definately have to get on someone elses boat that has a hard dink and try getting in and out of a hard dink in only 1-2 foot chops. I dont mean make it a practice try, I mean get in the dink, motor it away and then try tieing it back up and getting back on board. There is nothing more stabile than an inflatible, not even a close second. And the best inflatible is an RIB. By the way, women dont usually step in and out of things like men do. Men 'make a committment' and keep moving. Women tend to test the stability, step on the gunnel, then try to ease their way onto the dink. THAT JUST DONT WORK. Again , think stability. A dink is not cheap, and the wrong dink can be an expensive mistake. This is a good opportunity for me to get on my soapbox, and push for more people on here to fill out their 'profile'. Its nice to see what and where people sail. That lends more credence to their posts and replies. Different size boats and different sailing areas have totally different concerns. Thats not to say that everyones reply is not valid, I'm not trying to start anything going in that direction. All I'm trying to say is that each area has its own set of unique problems. Also, Phil spends a lot of time trying to make this a very informative site, so lets use these features. Phil also spends a lot of time removing some of my replies, cant blame him for that though. IMHO Tony B P.S. After you get this resovlved in your mind, your next question should be "What size O/B?" and that will be another interesting thread.
Dinghy
Thanks to all for your replys. I have davits on my H34 and I've decided on either a RIB or a classic 11 foot sailing dinghy. The season's young and I hope to see some of you sailing. Hightower
Thanks to all for your replys. I have davits on my H34 and I've decided on either a RIB or a classic 11 foot sailing dinghy. The season's young and I hope to see some of you sailing. Hightower
good quality
Hightower: There are several good quality units on the market. I suggest that you look at the big guys like Avon & Achilles. There are also the AB & Caribe. You may want to consider the newer models with a single hull (verses a double hull). These units are much lighter and I think you can get away will a smaller engine. We have a Caribe that has been left outdoors, in the water and inflated since 1994. It has been an excellent unit. We have a 15hp engine on it and other than a fuel problem the entire unit has been very trouble free for all of these years.
Hightower: There are several good quality units on the market. I suggest that you look at the big guys like Avon & Achilles. There are also the AB & Caribe. You may want to consider the newer models with a single hull (verses a double hull). These units are much lighter and I think you can get away will a smaller engine. We have a Caribe that has been left outdoors, in the water and inflated since 1994. It has been an excellent unit. We have a 15hp engine on it and other than a fuel problem the entire unit has been very trouble free for all of these years.
Mike if you find one, call me...
Micheal, If you find one of those ribs close by, call me. That might be just thing for Lola too. It's right in our budget, and beats the heck out of the 4-man coleman raft that we currently use. Great picture of Kelli too by the way... Ross in Tampa 1979 Oday 25 "Lola"
Micheal, If you find one of those ribs close by, call me. That might be just thing for Lola too. It's right in our budget, and beats the heck out of the 4-man coleman raft that we currently use. Great picture of Kelli too by the way... Ross in Tampa 1979 Oday 25 "Lola"
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