Towing a Portland Pudgy?

[SailorElliot]

Hey,

I'm looking for a dinghy for a Flicka 20 and I've stumbled across the controversial Portland Pudgy. I like its ability to row well, sail, motor (as I will mostly be doing), and, best of all, be used as a life raft with its enclosure (which does indeed double the price of the boat).

The foredeck is too small to safely store any dinghy unless it is stored deflated which adds the difficult challenge of inflating an ~7' boat in ~5' space. This means my only option is towing.

Does the Portland Pudgy tow as well as they claim it does? What is a prediction of the speed loss it would bring? Should I be concerned about it flipping if I'm sailing in heavier weather (not too big a deal in SoCal haha)?

Any advice on this topic would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Elliot

 

[Kings Gambit]

So, the question as always, do you wish a dinghy or a life raft? An inflatable dinghy does not have to be 7+ ft. There’s the Zodiac Cadet @ 6’ 7” with the slats bottom; 44 lb that can carry a 3-hp outboard. Add a two-person Revere life raft in a valise and you’re set w/both for your sized boat. Forget the Pudgy. It’s too much boat to manhandle from a 20-ft boat, in my opinion.

 

[SailorElliot]

So, the question as always, do you wish a dinghy or a life raft? An inflatable dinghy does not have to be 7+ ft. There’s the Zodiac Cadet @ 6’ 7” with the slats bottom; 44 lb that can carry a 3-hp outboard. Add a two-person Revere life raft in a valise and you’re set w/both for your sized boat. Forget the Pudgy. It’s too much boat to manhandle from a 20-ft boat, in my opinion.

Wouldn't the Zodiac cause a lot more drag, slowing the boat substantially? My current 8'3" slat-bottom dinghy loses a knot and of boat speed which is substantial for such a slow boat.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Wouldn't the Zodiac cause a lot more drag, slowing the boat substantially? My current 8'3" slat-bottom dinghy loses a knot and of boat speed which is substantial for such a slow boat.

Don’t tow; inflate at destination. That’s why go smaller.

 

[jssailem]

What about a nesting dinghy. It’s compact might fit in the 5 ft bow space.

Here is a video.