In mid-June, a friend and I are going to sail around the Chesapeake Bay for 26 days. We heading south out of Crisfield to Cape Charles,to Norfolk, to Deltaville, to Solomon Islands to Annapolis to Baltimore, to the Sassafras River and then back down the Eastern shore to Crisfield. He has a compact 23 with a dinghy and I have a Hunter 23.5 without a dinghy? We will each be alone on our boat. He says we can share his dinghy when we're sitting on the hook. I'm not sure if I want to be that dependent on someone else. I'm looking at a tender sold by Boater's World. It's a three man inflatable with oars and foot pump. It has a wooden floor and a bench seat. Question: Do I need to buy a dinghy for this trip? Is so, do I inflate it and tow it behind, or stow it on deck (which will really shrink my foredeck)? Suggestions? Thanks Hayden
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Raft up
As small as your boats are, I would suggest that you raft up at night. Then the one dingy will not be a problem. That is a beautiful area to sail in, but is it ever shallow. Sometimes you will be a mile off shore and you could almost walk in.
As small as your boats are, I would suggest that you raft up at night. Then the one dingy will not be a problem. That is a beautiful area to sail in, but is it ever shallow. Sometimes you will be a mile off shore and you could almost walk in.
Kayak!
You've sort of answered part of the question already since you don't want to depend on your buddy, so let me tell you how I'd go about it! First, I like Jim's suggestion of rafting up with the guy who does have the dinghy. But, you also need your own way to get ashore. What I would do, given your stowage/towing limitations is get a one-man inflatable kayak and stow it below. Takes up less room on board than a dinghy and will be much easier to paddle. I would not recommend an inflatable tender with wooden floor boards--I have one and the boards are a pain to install and stow. Check out West Marine for their inflatable kayak selection. Also, keep in mind that some of the larger places you will visit such as Annapolis and Baltimore have water taxis that you can hail on VHF to go ashore, so you don't need a dinghy there at all. I think Solomons has them now as well. Even if you are not on a mooring (IOW, anchored out) they will come out to your boat and take you where you need to go for modest fee (I believe $2.50 ea. way in Annapolis last year). Enjoy the trip!
You've sort of answered part of the question already since you don't want to depend on your buddy, so let me tell you how I'd go about it! First, I like Jim's suggestion of rafting up with the guy who does have the dinghy. But, you also need your own way to get ashore. What I would do, given your stowage/towing limitations is get a one-man inflatable kayak and stow it below. Takes up less room on board than a dinghy and will be much easier to paddle. I would not recommend an inflatable tender with wooden floor boards--I have one and the boards are a pain to install and stow. Check out West Marine for their inflatable kayak selection. Also, keep in mind that some of the larger places you will visit such as Annapolis and Baltimore have water taxis that you can hail on VHF to go ashore, so you don't need a dinghy there at all. I think Solomons has them now as well. Even if you are not on a mooring (IOW, anchored out) they will come out to your boat and take you where you need to go for modest fee (I believe $2.50 ea. way in Annapolis last year). Enjoy the trip!
Cheap inflatable raft or kayak
Hi Hayden - I'm with Brian; get yourself an inexpensive inflatable raft or kayak and enjoy floating around on your own (fishing pole and beer optional). Something compact you can stow below or on deck when not in use. Have a great trip! Trevor
Hi Hayden - I'm with Brian; get yourself an inexpensive inflatable raft or kayak and enjoy floating around on your own (fishing pole and beer optional). Something compact you can stow below or on deck when not in use. Have a great trip! Trevor
If you decide to tow a dinghy
Here's a word of caution. If you happen to get caught in one of the big squalls that come up on the Bay in the summer, you don't want to be towing an inflatable dinghy if you can help it. They can flip very easily in a squall, and then you're towing something that feels like a barge, and it restricts your ability to manuver. My suggestion would be that if you are towing one, like many of us do, get it on board and either deflated or lashed on the foredeck when you see the line of black clouds forming. Hope this helps.
Here's a word of caution. If you happen to get caught in one of the big squalls that come up on the Bay in the summer, you don't want to be towing an inflatable dinghy if you can help it. They can flip very easily in a squall, and then you're towing something that feels like a barge, and it restricts your ability to manuver. My suggestion would be that if you are towing one, like many of us do, get it on board and either deflated or lashed on the foredeck when you see the line of black clouds forming. Hope this helps.
Swing keel
Do either one of you have swing keels? If you have a shallow draft you may not need the dingy for much.
Do either one of you have swing keels? If you have a shallow draft you may not need the dingy for much.
Crisfield
Hayden, Do you keep your boat in Crisfield. We are bringing our C320 up there from Myrtle Beach for the month of June. Pat
Hayden, Do you keep your boat in Crisfield. We are bringing our C320 up there from Myrtle Beach for the month of June. Pat
Cheap Dingy
I just bought a cheap inflatable dingy. It towed well and it worked fine. It is pretty heavy duty (three ply PVC construction). It is 9 feet long. I bought it from Cabelas. It only cost $150 and it worked fine. I sail a Hunter 22 and it was perfect behind me. I was out in some strong winds last weekend (saw 6.5 knots on my GPS). If you are thinking of a dingy this is a good one. I believe that it is made by Sea Hawk...The model is Sea Hawk Sport. It is worth looking at.
I just bought a cheap inflatable dingy. It towed well and it worked fine. It is pretty heavy duty (three ply PVC construction). It is 9 feet long. I bought it from Cabelas. It only cost $150 and it worked fine. I sail a Hunter 22 and it was perfect behind me. I was out in some strong winds last weekend (saw 6.5 knots on my GPS). If you are thinking of a dingy this is a good one. I believe that it is made by Sea Hawk...The model is Sea Hawk Sport. It is worth looking at.
Pat of Myrtle Beach
I keep the boat at Ocean City MD (real shallow waters @ 3 to 6 ft). We plan to trail them to Crisfield and set out from there. Are you sailing up or trailering the boat?
I keep the boat at Ocean City MD (real shallow waters @ 3 to 6 ft). We plan to trail them to Crisfield and set out from there. Are you sailing up or trailering the boat?
Crisfield
Hayden, We will be sailing up and will be in Crisfield all of June. If your there then stop by and say hello. Boat name is Jannie T. Pat
Hayden, We will be sailing up and will be in Crisfield all of June. If your there then stop by and say hello. Boat name is Jannie T. Pat
They are a pain in the neck
Towing them or sitting them on the cabin top. There there the motor and extra gas. Wish I save my money. Don't buy the Honda 2 hp.... It stinks! GET A 2 STORKE, CHEAPER AND NO MESSY OIL!
Towing them or sitting them on the cabin top. There there the motor and extra gas. Wish I save my money. Don't buy the Honda 2 hp.... It stinks! GET A 2 STORKE, CHEAPER AND NO MESSY OIL!
Raft up
Did something similiar last year in Long Island sound. I have a hard dink, my friend had none, but his dog. We rafted up each night and he used the dink to walk the dog. The trip was lots of fun! No trouble towing the dink. I have a ODay 23.
Did something similiar last year in Long Island sound. I have a hard dink, my friend had none, but his dog. We rafted up each night and he used the dink to walk the dog. The trip was lots of fun! No trouble towing the dink. I have a ODay 23.
Forget the dinghy
We sailed a Macgregor 26 for years. A very simular boat. With a 18" draft you should be able to put the bow on shore and step off. Even with a dinghy it's rare to get to shore without getting your feet wet. We have a dingy now and it's a pain in the ass to store. Our boat has a 4'6" draft and weighs 12,600#s so it can't be beached like the Mac or I wouldn't have a dinghy. The mac had floatation and was unsinkable and I assume the same is true for the Hunter 23.5...so you don't need a life raft. Even if you have to walk to shore 18" is only about knee deep and no big deal in the summer. Have Fun
We sailed a Macgregor 26 for years. A very simular boat. With a 18" draft you should be able to put the bow on shore and step off. Even with a dinghy it's rare to get to shore without getting your feet wet. We have a dingy now and it's a pain in the ass to store. Our boat has a 4'6" draft and weighs 12,600#s so it can't be beached like the Mac or I wouldn't have a dinghy. The mac had floatation and was unsinkable and I assume the same is true for the Hunter 23.5...so you don't need a life raft. Even if you have to walk to shore 18" is only about knee deep and no big deal in the summer. Have Fun
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