Tender/Dinghy for a C22

[Leeward Rail]

I noticed in a recent photo posted by "CaptDon01" that he has an inflatable boat for use as a dinghy/tender for his C22.

I had been considering my options, and his photo prompted me to do a quick search for a used one locally. I lucked out and picked up a Seahawk 400 Sport (not the cheaper Seahawk 400) for FREE ! It's missing the paddles, and the seats, and has a few small holes, but otherwise is in pretty good shape. Fortunately I already have some paddles lying around.

So my questions are:
Do you use a dinghy/tender for your C22 ?
What is it ? (mini kayak, inflatable etc ?)
What are it's pros/cons ?
How do you store it aboard ?
If it's inflatable, how do you fill it with air ?

 

[CaptDon01]

On our Capri-18 we used a Sport-Yak. Towed and rowed wonderfully, stable, but kind of a paint in the butt to transport.

On our C-22 we use a Solstice inflatable. Fairly inexpensive, capable of using an small outboard,(nice!), towed pretty nice.

But we're looking at upgrading to an inflatable with a hard transom, and a high pressure inflatable floor. Stores easier when not in use, easy to transport, and inflates and deflates quickly with a 12V blower.

But, a hard dinghy tows nicer, but for getting on and off the dinghy at the boat, we found the inflatable dinghy more stable.

Friends of our use an inflatable tandem kayak on their Montgomery-15 on our trips to Catalina Island. I don't know how they board it without going over.

One trick we've used is adjusting the length of the tow rope. Get the dinghy positioned so it's mostly surfing down the stern wave of your boat, and the drag is minimal. Some raise the dinghy on the back of the boat, but with our outboard stored on the transom pulpit, it just didn't work for us.

A dinghy really makes your cruising enjoyable, and our little dog absolutely LOVES dinghy rides!

Don

 

[CloudDiver]

I have 10 foot Zodiac with a hard floor. The only reason I got it was because it was a good deal on a used Zodiac with very little wear and tear.

It collapses enough to slide into storage under the starboard cockpit area since I have no sliding galley there. Problem is the solid transom and everything make it a hefty 60 pounds or better to lug around, and worse the hard floor is difficult to set up and strike down in a small C-22.

Basically I'm just going to use it to ride out to my mooring ball and leave it pad locked while I sail. I will, begrudgingly, tote it along if I make trips to Catalina Island or down the Baja Coast.

In the future I will find an 8 foot Zodiac with a high pressure floor like Don mentioned. Way easier to set up and stow in a mesh bag, and it should end up compact enough to actually fit through the lazzaret hatch in the cockpit rather than bringing into the cabin and sliding in on the starboard side.

I'm also planning to get a small LEUHR propane out board that uses the small screw in bottles, less hassel than having a second outboard or using my 6HP long-shaft with a transom riser and switching it out off the mount.

To make things even more manageable I will eventually fabricate a stainless single arm davit for the Port or Starboard quarter, small enough to stow below but just big enough to lift 100 to 130 pounds. Should only cost me $40 in materials not counting the blocks for a 12:1 purchase.

 

[Jackdaw]

WOW. I simply cannot imagine towing a dink behind a Catalina 22. The boats are not speed champs to being with, and this would make it much worse. 90% of the time I bet it takes a full knot off your speed.

We pack a West Marine Mini-Dinghy in its storage case, which is about the size of an airline carry-on. The little 2 person inflatable is rugged with its Condura cover, and inflates quickly with a 12V air pump.

 

[Milton.Audas]

We use a (relatively) inexpensive Intex Seahawk II. Gotbit as a set for $115 from Amazon about 4 yrs ago. Still strong, no leaks or issues. Stores inflated on wall during winter. Tows well, stores nicely between bow and dock. Handles well with 3 on board. 1 adult and 2 kids. Kids enjoy being towed along under motor or sail. Son wants a small electric motor but that's not going to happen. Oars work just fine

 

[CaptDon01]

WOW. I simply cannot imagine towing a dink behind a Catalina 22. The boats are not speed champs to being with, and this would make it much worse. 90% of the time I bet it takes a full knot off your speed.

Nothing scientific, but a lot depends on the distance you tow the dinghy behind the boat. The wrong spot, and it's tugging pretty good, adjust the bridle to take advantage of the stern wave, and we've not experienced any noticeable difference when towing the dinghy. I'm sure there is some sacrifice, just nothing noticeable. Routinely we're the largest boat in our flotilla made up of Montgomery 15's and 17's, Potter-15's and 19's, Oday-192, and a Sanibel-18. And most of us are pulling a dinghy of various designs and sizes on our trips to Catalina Island.

Don