Tender/dinghy

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sheila

.
Dec 3, 2013
22
renault rc8d edenton
This topic comes around every few years, so here we go again.

I'd like to know what people are using for tenders. We have tried a 2-pc. bolt together wooden boat that stowed on the cabin top. It was always in the way, weighed a ton and was hard to wrestle over the side.

We've tried two different inflatables--one soft bottom, one slatted floor. We pulled them behind the boat, and they worked kind of like anchors under sail. These were impossible to row, so we needed a small motor and gas on board. :)-(

We've also tried the Foldaboat. It is sort of like a giant origami project, and was a job to assemble, especially on the foredeck. Even folded up, it still took up quite a bit of deck space, and weighed a lot. It rowed nicely though.

So now, we are back at the drawing board, thinking of a new dinghy, and considering an inflatable double kayak.

Ideas?

Thanks,
Sheila
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi Sheila

Tinker Tramp every time, added bonus is you can get a sail kit for it. Not cheap but wonderful fun.

Cheers

Steve B Southern Comfort V1703
 
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rogerefairest

.
Jul 6, 2007
106
Hi,

I got both, an inflatable dingy 2.6 meters slated floor and a kayak (pathfinder) 4 meter long, dont like using the engine (unless we have to take the engine to get maintenance, then.....)

With the dingy I have had my wife row it against a F5, for 1 cable it gets there but is a good 10 min rowing and God forbid the paddle comes out of its axel, but it works and you can go on it from the side of the boat with ease, storage for us it goes on the main cabin floor, it takes 25 min to inflate and set up from the word go but is good excersice and can carry 400 kgr (i had it with about 350 Kg and was defenetly close to its limit),

The inflatable kayak have not tried to raw it against the wind (its speck says not more than F4, but you know they should have a margin of error) so don’t know how well or bad it performs on it, but is certainly faster to row, and goes through smooth water like a dream, however the model I have (pathfinder) is difficult to get into from the deck of Ocean Sunrise due to the soft bottom of the kayak, another thing to note is that although smaller is bulkier (more square and less long) so is a bit of a nightmare to store (I am still trying to find a home for it), and it requires a longer surface to set up, (whilst the dingy can be set up on the triangle fore of the mast) it takes about 15 min to set up, and can carry 170kg but we have had it with 210 without a difference that I could notice, of course there are better kayaks than this one but for its price is not possible.
Horses for courses, if I was going to be on isolated spots and worried about its security, I would go with the kayak (you can carry it like a 25 kgr back pack, if uncomfortable) if using it as a working horse to ferry you and stuff around the dingy.
Good luck.
 
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tim_klynn

.
Feb 12, 2008
337
I''m probably going to get an inflatable for a short term dinghy solution. Eventually, I will either go the Black Fly route (once Peter gives it the thumbs up as the original guinea pig tester), or possibly create a nesting dinghy using PolyEthylene sheets.

The guys I know a Boulder Boat Works (Boulder Boat Works | World's Finest Drift Boats - Own The River) have been making 17' drift boats from PE for about 10 years, they are tough (take big hits into river rocks), UV doesn't bother them, and they are fairly light (something like 170lbs for a 17' long boat). A nesting dinghy might weigh 60-70 pounds in two 35 lb pieces. Anyway, that's a long way out solution, as I have a lot of priority projects and no big need for a dinghy as of yet. -Tim
 
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elias_tamas

.
Mar 3, 2009
10
Hi Sheila,
We use a sit on top kayak (rotomod, ocean duo). For short trips we pull it after the boat it slows her about 0.2 knots. in rough sea it turns up so then we put it on the foredeck.
We can row it against 7 beaufort wind. Also good for longer kayak trips.
Best wishes: Tamas
 
D

dougpol1

.
Feb 13, 2010
528
While anchored in Boot key harbor in the Florida keys. Every Wednesday
night the cruising crowd had a sailing dingy race. The cost was $2.00
per racer. The winner got the pot and he bought a keg of beer with the
winnings and we all sat around telling stories and drinking beer. Lots
of Fun! There was a guy there that had a dingy he built he claimed it
weighed 28 pounds It was light when I picked it up. It was sheathed with
1/8 mahogany plywood and she held up well to a good sized sail and he
won some races.
The big thing was she was often tied up to the dock with all the other
dingies. I did not see any evidence that she was being damaged by that
abuse. And I looked! They had no motor so sailed to the dock and
sometimes rowed. I was very impressed with her. The man and wife were
not small light people either. Every part of her structure had lightning
holes and even the forward and stern transom was 1/8 with a 1/2 frame
around it. The bottom for standing on was a 1/2 in. keelson about 6
inches wide with a couple stringers on either side also to stand on.
Most dingies now are inflatables they don't appear to be so hard on a
light built boat when banging together at th dock. This boat was not
glassed except for a strip on her keel for running up on a sandy beach.
I am thinking about building one like her for my Vega. The biggest
danger to such a boat is getting caught under a dock on a rising tide.
Doug
elias_tamas wrote:
 
E

emmajen5

.
Feb 28, 2006
127
After trying a number of different options, I find it's really hard to
beat the eight foot Achilles inflatable I've now been using for about
two years. It's relatively light, very stable and easy to get in and
out of from the boat, sits very happily and unobtrusively when at
anchor with only occasional gentle nudge to remind me it's still
there, easy to row, carries an amazing amount of weight, doesn't need
painting, easy to beach, and tows just fine. When you do want to have
it stowed while under way, it takes up very little deck space. We
deflate it and lash it down aft of the mast and when needed have found
there is room to re-inflate and launch it on the foredeck. The whole
operation takes a maximum fifteen minutes and the reverse even
quicker.

Garry
V2427
 
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pelagicasd

.
Jan 28, 2001
694
We used a 9 1/2 foot Bombard with the drop stitch inflatable floor while we were in Mexico. Friends had a smaller version Achilles, also with an inflatable floor. I found that with the lock tightened on our 3.5 HP outboard I could open the throttle and get it to plane by kneeling behind the bow. I could steer by leaning. wouldn't plane with two of us onboard though. On the down side it was a PVC boat and just didn't hold up in the sun. By the end of the first year the seams between the floor and the tubes were seperating. Also had a problem with the connection between the vinyl boot of the transom where it joined the tubes coming loose. When we took it back to West Marine they re-glued the floor and sent it back. Next trip back to Mexico we inflated it and found that they didn't repair the transom tube problem. West Marine no longer has an inflatable repair shop. When I discussed the problem with the folks who insoected our life raft I found out that it can't be glued back as they're welded together! These people are the ones doing life raft repacks and repairs on inflatables as their only business. I believe them! They could have taken my money and tacked it back together but they said I wouldn't be happy with the work they could do on it. Next boat will be a 9 1/2 ft Achilles. This size can be lashed to the cabin top when folded and can be inflated on the fore deck. The inflatable floor is a real plus. It can also be lifted by one person. Don't tow your inflatable by the bow ring. Make a bridle from the bow to the transom

To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
From: Garry_McKevitt@...
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:02:07 -0800
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Re: Tender/dinghy



After trying a number of different options, I find it's really hard to
beat the eight foot Achilles inflatable I've now been using for about
two years. It's relatively light, very stable and easy to get in and
out of from the boat, sits very happily and unobtrusively when at
anchor with only occasional gentle nudge to remind me it's still
there, easy to row, carries an amazing amount of weight, doesn't need
painting, easy to beach, and tows just fine. When you do want to have
it stowed while under way, it takes up very little deck space. We
deflate it and lash it down aft of the mast and when needed have found
there is room to re-inflate and launch it on the foredeck. The whole
operation takes a maximum fifteen minutes and the reverse even
quicker.

Garry
V2427
 
J

johndixon7677

.
Dec 15, 2009
9
look into foldaboats the 10' will plane with a 3.5 and they fold flat for passages

________________________________
From: walt/judy brown/allore bestvega@...
To: albinvega@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, February 18, 2010 7:30:57 PM
Subject: RE: [AlbinVega] Re: Tender/dinghyWe used a 9 1/2 foot Bombard with the drop stitch inflatable floor while we were in Mexico. Friends had a smaller version Achilles, also with an inflatable floor. I found that with the lock tightened on our 3.5 HP outboard I could open the throttle and get it to plane by kneeling behind the bow. I could steer by leaning. wouldn't plane with two of us onboard though. On the down side it was a PVC boat and just didn't hold up in the sun. By the end of the first year the seams between the floor and the tubes were seperating. Also had a problem with the connection between the vinyl boot of the transom where it joined the tubes coming loose. When we took it back to West Marine they re-glued the floor and sent it back. Next trip back to Mexico we inflated it and found that they didn't repair the transom tube problem. West Marine no longer has an inflatable repair shop. When I discussed the problem with the folks who insoected our life raft I found out that it
can't be glued back as they're welded together! These people are the ones doing life raft repacks and repairs on inflatables as their only business. I believe them! They could have taken my money and tacked it back together but they said I wouldn't be happy with the work they could do on it. Next boat will be a 9 1/2 ft Achilles. This size can be lashed to the cabin top when folded and can be inflated on the fore deck. The inflatable floor is a real plus. It can also be lifted by one person. Don't tow your inflatable by the bow ring. Make a bridle from the bow to the transom

To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
From: Garry_McKevitt@...
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:02:07 -0800
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Re: Tender/dinghy



After trying a number of different options, I find it's really hard to
beat the eight foot Achilles inflatable I've now been using for about
two years. It's relatively light, very stable and easy to get in and
out of from the boat, sits very happily and unobtrusively when at
anchor with only occasional gentle nudge to remind me it's still
there, easy to row, carries an amazing amount of weight, doesn't need
painting, easy to beach, and tows just fine. When you do want to have
it stowed while under way, it takes up very little deck space. We
deflate it and lash it down aft of the mast and when needed have found
there is room to re-inflate and launch it on the foredeck. The whole
operation takes a maximum fifteen minutes and the reverse even
quicker.

Garry
V2427
 
T

TJBurkett

.
Jun 2, 2004
128
I use an inflatable double kayak that works great, easy to inflate and deflate ( about 10 minutes with a foot pump), paddles well- I was able to paddle it easily last summer about a 1/2 mile dead into 2-3 ft seas and 15 knot breeze in the anchorage. Will hold two people and a limited amount of gear or one person and lots of groceries. Stores easily either in the cockpit locker or straped to the top of the sea hood in front of the dodger. It tows reasonably well, although I almost always just deflated it. bought mine from REI here in the states last summer for under $300.00.

Tom

Pagan Baby V-398
 
P

pjacobs55

.
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
Oh no, I feel another dinghy project approaching!!!
Why does this always happen before I've finished the last one?

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
Victoria BC Ca
 
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eliassonguitars

.
Dec 24, 2009
60
Oh, you are lucky. Building small crafts is an absolutely wonderfull thing to do. I´m building a 12´sail and oar dinghy and before that a canoe.

The Origami folding dinghy is interesting. Its 188 x 43 x 10cm when unfolded. Maybe it can be positioned on the side of the cockpit where some have these wind sheets (sorry, I lack English words)
It should even be possible to keep under deck in bad weather and on other boats than the Vega in one of these beds under the cockpit. I might build one next winter.

I have followed you building of your sof dinghy. Very pretty. But I would be afraid of leaving it on the beach.

Anders
 
E

eliassonguitars

.
Dec 24, 2009
60
Oh, you are lucky. Building small crafts is an absolutely wonderfull thing to do. I´m building a 12´sail and oar dinghy and before that a canoe.

The Origami folding dinghy is interesting. Its 188 x 43 x 10cm when unfolded. Maybe it can be positioned on the side of the cockpit where some have these wind sheets (sorry, I lack English words)
It should even be possible to keep under deck in bad weather and on other boats than the Vega in one of these beds under the cockpit. I might build one next winter.

I have followed you building of your sof dinghy. Very pretty. But I would be afraid of leaving it on the beach.

Anders
 
P

pjacobs55

.
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
Actually, that is a concern. It's light enough to carry above the tide line, but might just blow away on a windy day!

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
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tim_klynn

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Feb 12, 2008
337
Peter-you create some gorgeous dinghys. Unfortunately, my skill level is not quite advanced as yours so I have to set my sights for a potential self-created dinghy a bit lower.

I think I may have found a design that is within my realm of abilities to create but it does have some drawbacks: low freeboard, poor secondary stability, inability to plane, difficult to store onboard. As with most things related to boat selection there are seems to always be a advantage for each disadvantage. The advantages to this design: short fabrication time, readily available on the second hand market at a l low cost, low probability of having it stolen, great for a soak after a long hard day.

The dinghy:610x5 | Boat Design Net
 
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sailshiva

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Jun 6, 2007
132
Wow, that's an unusual boat! Thanks for posting!!

Sheila

(Peter, if you build this one, be sure to post pictures of it too!!)
 
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