Show us your dinghy

[Hermit Scott]

permanent structure

I thought about this bimini frame and davits all in one unit. I don't know if my C30 could handle 200 lbs. of boat and what ever a motor would weigh added to the back though. Something like this is the only way I could handle a dinghy that heavy.

 

[Rick D]

Re: permanent structure

Hermit: if you're referring to the Watertender 9.4, it's only 115 pounds dry. The thing to do would be to remove the OB and put it on the rail. I never put mine on deck, it gets towed using a two-line bridle. I used to put the OB away, but I find there really isn't any reason to. Before I'd go too far in constructing any davits, I'd consider some off-the-shelf ones. Remember, if it doesn't look 'factory', it will only hurt your resale value. Here's one example: http://garhauermarine.com/catalog_process.cfm?cid=81

 

[Hermit Scott]

factory

Rick, you don't like the bed frame hoovering above the cockpit look???
I wouldn't buy davits from another company. You may catch me copying a design, but I have a fabrication shop so it costs a fraction to copy someone else's design. This picture is just a quick mockup of the concept of having davits and a bimini top together. Making stuff look cool is a big part of what I do for a living. My latest is www.body-spin.com.
I like the way arches look on sailboats. I will design it to look somewhat like an arch. I like the look of thicker tubing also, like 1 1/2" or 2". I do want a permanent structure though. I hope I can find a factory looking frame that I can copy, it is much easier than designing from scratch.

 

[Rick D]

Re: factory

Hermit, I wholeheartedly agree that execution is everything, and you certainly seem well-qualified to do it. Actually, I think an aft arch that would support your antennae, bimini, solar panel and dink would make a lot of sense, especially if you could construct it of aluminum to keep the weight down ie. like the sport fishers wear. I envy you. I can't even get anyone out to do some simple tube bending to modify my bimini frame. Maybe this economy will make them more inclined to return phone calls.

 

[John Howitt]

Not smart enough to add picture yet

We have a 8 ft roll up zodiac with a 2hp honda air cooled 4 stroke.
The flat bottom is a bit of a challenge at times, but always good for a laugh.

 

[Hermit Scott]

tube bending

I just happen to have a little experience with bending 1" stainless. I couldn't find stainless handle bars for an old motorcycle I was restoring/modifying, so I bought a tubing bender from Northern for $80 or so. There was a die that came with the set, I believe it was for 3/4" pipe but it fit the 1" tube perfect. I went to a steel specialty distributor and bought a 4' piece of stainless and a 4' piece or regular(cheap) steel for practice. Normally tubes need to be 'drawn over mandrel' to keep the bend from collapsing, but the 1" had a thick enough wall that is does a pretty good job of keeping it's diameter through the bend. Buying the hand operated hydraulic bender and the stainless material cost less than buying chromed handlebars.
You can buy the ends for the 1"tube at anywhere. When bending the tube it's easy to bend a little farther, not so easy unbending. But if you take it slow and practice on some cheap stuff you can do it.
I would much rather have enough money to have someone else do this stuff. My whole life revolves around trying to become financially free.

 

[tcbro]

Re: tube bending

Scott,

One technique I've heard of is to pack the tube with sand and weld caps on the ends. This will help prevent the tube from kinking. Cut the caps off and empty out the sand when you're done.

 

[Hermit Scott]

TcBro, The rails on the bimini frame I have are definitely thinner than the motorcycle handlebars I bent. There may be a problem with kinkning, especially if you try to go all the way to 90 degrees. I heard they have solid plastic inserts you slide in the tube. I have never seen them but I guess any plastic would do.
I have heard of the sand idea also. I wonder how well these things really work.
By the way I would gladly trade you this 200 lb. dinghy for yours. To me yours seems like the perfect size to keep on a cruising boat.

 

[tcbro]

Scott,

Kinking would reduce the interior volume of the tube. If you pack the sand in there tight enough the interior volume cannot be reduced. Seems logical to me.

I'm surprised that your dink weighs that much. It appears to be the same size and design as mine and mine wieghs a quarter of that. It must be made out of some pretty heavy wood!

 

[JustDucky]

Just a dinghy

It gets us from the boat to shore and back. That is all I ask of it.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

One unit as top and davit-would be nice.

It would be sweet to run all solar lines and other wires inside the uprights. Also to make the whole unit able to detach from the coamings with pins. And maybe have a flat solar water heater on top that had a very small pump that constantly cycled hot water between heater and storage tank.

 

[Tree]

My dink is a Walker bay 8 with float tubes.
It is very stable, rows easily, tows like a dream and is powered by oar (....ahem, which is me ....and after all, it is the least expensive and most reliable way to propel a dingy!)

Also, that is my Bristol 27 in the background.

 

[Hermit Scott]

That is one of the coolest sailboat pics I have ever seen. Do you guys haul your boats in the winter like they do in the north east. OR do you just keep 'em in the water?

 

[DannyS]

Here are a couple of photos of our dinghy. It is a little stitch and glue pram, plans bought online. It was a great project and a great boat but we have since gone to the dark side and invested in an inflatable. This boat is just a bit tippy when getting in and out and with two adults, two growing kids and a dog, we wanted something we could all get in and be comfortable. The downside to the inflatable is that you don't get those admiring looks when rowing by the other boats at anchor.​

 

[Tree]

Scott . To answer your question if we haul out or leave in the water up here.....

Both.

I used to leave it in the water over the winter but three years ago I found a trailer that could handle my boat and I've been bringing her home for the winter season and she sits by the house. It's great for working on those endless projects that boats seem to have. This winter, it's brightwork and cushions. (as well as maintenance).

The biggest advantage is not worring about snow loading and sinking. the bigest disadvantage is the expense and hassle of unstepping and restepping the rigging/mast.

 

[Larry Neese]

we love our watertender, we have a 5 hp Nissan and it willl get on plane with my wife and myself if she practically hangs off the bow, with just me it hauls, great little 550 dollar dinghy, bailing has proved to be a pain with tropical downours

 

[Ross]

Bolger/payson "Nymph" 10 years old now.

 

[shemandr]

I hope this question is good enough: How is the paint job on the nymph holding up? What did you use? "Pup" was finished bright but its getting time to paint it.

 

[Ross]

I hope this question is good enough: How is the paint job on the nymph holding up? What did you use? "Pup" was finished bright but its getting time to paint it.

I used McCormack Interlock direct to metal urethane. This is an industrial machinery paint for exterior and interior use. Mis-mixed quart for 3 dollars. After about four years sitting out with no cover it has started to look like it needs some attention. I have been making some repairs and a few modifications to make it more "Nancy Friendly". She thinks it is too tender for her comfort.