Think dink

[abe]

Achilles HB280DX (RIB), Tohatsu 9.8hp 4stroke.....

attached to the stern of a H36(newer model) with a Weaver Snap Davits and a Weaver Leaver that allows the engine to rotate 90degrees when the dinghy goes from flat on the water to on its side. Graduated from a WestMarine 8 1/2foot roll away dinghy with a 4hp 2 stroke Mercury. I feel like I traded in a Yugo for a Mercedes. I use the jib winches to help the dinghy pivot on its side.Motor boaters have been using this for ever....I think I am the first in my marina. The only thing is to attach the davits 24" high so that the dinghy does not hit the water when the boat tilts when sailing.abe

 

[Moody Buccaneer]

Walker Bay

After a few seasons with an Avon roll-up the keel bladder developed a leak. We rolled it up and it is in storage. We got a WB 8 with the sail rig. It is lighter than the Avon, I don't have an outboard for it yet but I might try a Seagull although rowing and sailing the dink seem to suit me better. The WB fits on the foredeck of our C30.I'm not a big fan of towing dinghies or dinghies on davits on 30 foot boats, but to each their own.

 

[BJV]

Have had a few

On our first boat we had an old 8' achilles with wood floor and a 2.2 hp outboard which served us very well. As the family grew we needed a bigger dingy so moved up to a 10' Mercury PVC inflatable with a 9.9 hp outboard, again softbottom, wood floor. Our present dingy took a lot of research and studying before we bought. We wanted durable, stable, good load carrying capacity (our intent is to do some long range cruising soon). Based on this we finally decided on a hypalon RIB, taking with it the downfall the hastle of storing it on deck. Selection of the dingy should be primarily based on what are you going to use it for, in our case it will become our "mini van" going from mother ship to shore so we opted for big and durable.

 

[Pooka 3]

Thanks - Portland Pudgy?

Thanks for the thread as I have been shopping for a Dink. Have been impressed by ads for "Portland Dink". Anybody have any experience with this brand? Mike T.Link: http://www.portlandpudgy.com/

 

[Don]

to many dinghy's

I have been through 4 dinghy's in the past three years and I think that I finally found the "one." It's a11.5' rowboat/sailboat/skiff that use with a 5 hp Suzuki... I tried a 9.4 water tender, but since I have to travel a mile+ to the sailboat that was to wet a ride to often.... Also went through two when I was rowing the half mile before I splurged and went for the dinghy dock permit.hard fiberglass miny sailboat works great and I can even sial it if I choose..

 

[larry w]

dinks

I have a 10' Avon with wood floors and an 8 hp Nissan with a Doel-Fin. It works well, but I'm looking for a used 10 ft. RIB with a 15 hp Yamaha 2-stroke, like Rick I's snowbirds. All of my sailing is in the Pacific Ocean and there is often a bit of chop. The RIBs power through it without a lot of pounding or spray, something the wife appreciates a lot.

 

[Timbo3]

multiple propulsion

I have a Walker Bay with RIB kit. I usually use a 2hp motor, but always take oars just in case or if I want to get close to dolphins or other wildlife - also good excercise. I have the sail kit too, but have not used it yet.

 

[White Sail]

Dinghys

I bought an ole' Ensign 8', I looked at a used Walker Bay however with all due respect to those that own them, they seem to be literally a piece of plastic not unlike my old plastic army men I used to play with as a kid. I'm sure they are fine boats that last for a very long time and are light but for some reason I like that fiberglass feel, it seems more durable, probably a false perception but I guess I'm old fashion (that said knowing full-well that the old timers used to say that not long ago about fiberglass compared with wood)!

 

[palacegrand]

No rib's?

I have a Walker Bay 8' myself, that was given to me gratis. (Previous owners wife kept tipping it while embarking/disembarking) There is a real difference in the stabibility between the 8' & 10' model which is what they have now. Anyway, it's fine for what I need, rowing about for exercise & exploration up here in the Gulf Islands/San Juans.Before it was given to me though I was definitely looking at inflateables, and because I like to row, was seriously considering RIB's. I'm surprised that no-one so far has mentioned using one as a tender. Any reasons besides cost?cheersjcm

 

[Rick I]

RIB's mentioned earlier

By the way a RIB is no diffeent from any inflatible, nearly impossible to row in a breeze.Rick IB393http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beneteau393/393 group

 

[abe]

Palacegrand, reply 30 loves his RIB..

nm

 

[Rick A]

Bad move on my part...

My wife wanted me to name the boat "Shmily" which is a acromym for "See How Much I Love You".It just didn't do it for me, but without thinking I offered to name the dinghy "Shmily".That has not gone down well.

 

[gary]

cape dory 10

Some of my fondest sailing memories include gunkholing in a cape dory 10 sailing dinghy. Stable, easy to row, a fine sail. Just don't try to lift her. We even towed her to Bermuda, but thats another story...

 

[shemandr]

Peanut Pram

If you're looking for a "two people and a bag of groceries" type dingy I have a home built pram from Common Sense Boat Design which has served pretty well for seven years now. It is not for going a quarter mile to your boat with gear (That's a tender), or a life raft for an emergency, or a mini van. It is light, easily repairable, a decent rower, easily driven with a 2-3 horse, takes waves and chop with aplum and tows carelessly. Nothing beats the fun of building one of these craft and then using it. Finish it bright and you'll turn heads in any port.

 

[mikenovit]

I love my PORTABOT

I bought a used 10' Portabot on Ebay in the Summer. It works great! Easy to fold and unfold (stores at 4" wide, 24" X 10' -- only weighs 60 #s, and holds my Merc 3.3HP) It is stable, tows with little resistance behind my Oday 322, holds 350#s of people...can't find any negatives vs. my SeaEagle inflatible that I sold for $125.