Show us your Dinghy!

[Sumner]

....I bought the same air pump as Sumner (in stock where I bought the raft) and it looks it should fill that raft quick - maybe under 5 minutes. The air pump uses about 10 amps completely unloaded, about 7 amps with the air resticted. Pump used just under 20 amps for a short time during start up. I think filling the raft is hardly going to be noticed by the battery......

Yep, I'll bet it fills in well under 5 minutes and you won't have problems doing it on board. Ours is pretty impossible to do there since getting the hard floor into place requires a pretty flat surface and it has the hard transom on it also.

Still saying that I sure have appreciated the large tubes and the V-bottom at times out in rough water. I think you have a good solution for what you are doing though Walt.

You might put some socks on 'adventure dog' though ,

Sum

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[MrBill_FLL]

just don't drop it.... all plastic. been through a few of them.

they don't bounce well at all.

 

[patrickfarley]

Sounds like a good idea, same canoe we have. I have some good memories with it on rivers in Wyoming/Montana.

Have you been down in that area of Florida before? Do you have a chart plotter to use down there? We would of had a hard time getting around with just paper charts, but do have them. Everything looks the same and you can be in 2 feet of water a couple miles from land. We use SeaClear (free) with the free NOAA charts on one computer and transfer the waypoints to a handheld Garmin 76S. Works very well.

We haven't been north fo Punta Gorda, but plan on that also. Will you go outside or stay on the ICW?

You will like it ,

Sum

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I have read so many of your posts that I feel like I know you(really I am not a stalker). I have set up my laptop with SeaClear and the NOAA charts. I know the area around Sarasota very well. I know all the best fishing spots. I lived in Sarasota for a few years and now canoe there during Christmas break every year. When I lived there I had a 21' Venture(1970s era sailboat). I have a Mac 25 now because of the swing keel. It will let me go anywhere I want without getting stuck. I just raise the keel if I ground and float off.
I have gone out Big Pass a few times and back. No real distance on the Gulf. Grounded many times going out Big Pass before I learned it changed and the charts have nothing to do with reality. I stayed on the ICW most of the time.
If you use Big Pass check the Sarasota Sailing Squadron web site. The pass moves and they usually keep up with the changes.

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron is a very nice place. When I was a member they were very nice to visitors(docking, showers, restroom but no laundry). They have a new manager now and I plan to call and find out the current situation. They have never had enough parking so I know they are out for parking.

I want to hit Punta Gorda in June and try for a Tarpon off of a sailboat.
I am still looking for a place to store my Suburban and the trailer within biking distance from a boat ramp.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

-fwiw, the lovers key area has a nice canal system with porpoise and mantees this time of year.



-OH, anyone look at portaboats? the folks that own them like them, and resale value is strong.

 

[Sumner]

....I have gone out Big Pass a few times and back. No real distance on the Gulf. Grounded many times going out Big Pass before I learned it changed and the charts have nothing to do with reality. I stayed on the ICW most of the time.
If you use Big Pass check the Sarasota Sailing Squadron web site. The pass moves and they usually keep up with the changes.....

Sounds like you have a lot of experience in that area and are all set to go and have a great time. I need to learn more about fishing down there. Living in the Mountain West I know how to catch trout, not the trout down there, but not much else.

Thanks for the info on Big Pass, that will help us a lot ,

Sum

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Our Endeavour 37[/FONT]

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[Quebec1]

My dink !

 

[Charles Erwin]

Buckles together in the middle.

 

[Hollyweirdos]

Buckles together in the middle.

I love that little boat!

 

[Fred]

I have a SeaHawk II dinghy and a 2hp Evinrude. Works reasonably well. It is very light and tows behind the boat with very little noticable resistance. The 2hp evinrude is very light and easy to move from the stern rail to the dinghy. The directional stability of the dinghy is not great while motoring but it works.