Best dinghy for single handed sailor

[Oohla]

Single handed geriatric who’s gonna throw the Jurasic era inflatable in the dumpster and keep the 6 HP Kim Jung Sun Compatable outboard for the new whatever to take my 42’ sloop (actually slutter) down ICW to C. Sea. Don’t want prototypical fiberglass-on-davits-self-weather-helm-device. Thinking hard-bottomed (sorry ‘bout all the hyphens) inflatable or port-a-bot (although it does remind one perhaps too much of “port-a-potty”) or something else suggested by the idiom savants who frequent this e-dive. Developed minor lust for Solo Skiff, but unfortunately too big to keep on deck. Notion of hot air baloon already rejected, but the graphics would have been
-well-big. Full disclosure: sitting on bar stool. Suggestions welcomed-other than AA that is. (Also rejecting idea of submersables out of hand.)

[motion30]

You are thinking hard bottom inflatable?

[siamese]

Sounds like it's nap time.

[model 10]

If you are going to use your anchor windlass to hoist it onto the deck, check to see how heavy a rib you can lift. We have a 1000w, and it sounds like it's at max, to lift a 9'rib. Part of the strain comes from getting a fair lead with the spin halyard to the windlass .

[mgl]

A RIB with a blow up hard floor or a wooden slatted one that can be roll up is best for storage. The critical thing is the weight for a single handed sailor. It is easy to set up a pulley system from the boom to lift it out of a locker. Rowing is easy and will handle most trips to shore and excellent exercise for old sailors.
Buy the smallest and lightest.

[Oohla]

Hard bottom roll up is what my Ooiji board suggested. But anyone familiar with PortABot? (Should be named NerdOBoat if you ask me, but I haven’t had my nap yet).

[hpeer]

Oohla,

What you want to know about PorteBoat? Ask away.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Oohla

Hard bottom roll up is what my Ooiji board suggested. But anyone familiar with PortABot? (Should be named NerdOBoat if you ask me, but I haven’t had my nap yet).

Umm... I don't think you can roll up ANY hard bottom dink or RIB. The "R" in RIB stands for RIGID.

CF member Mike O'Riley is a long time Portabote user. A pm to him might get you some info on these boats.

Jim

[dkenny64]

kayak...
I know hard to mount a motor too..
but the paddle easy..and are light - easy to get on board..
sit on top also tow well..


-dkenny64

[MartinR]

F-Rib, but does not come cheap.

[Delfin]

Originally Posted by Oohla

Single handed geriatric who’s gonna throw the Jurasic era inflatable in the dumpster and keep the 6 HP Kim Jung Sun Compatable outboard for the new whatever to take my 42’ sloop (actually slutter) down ICW to C. Sea. Don’t want prototypical fiberglass-on-davits-self-weather-helm-device. Thinking hard-bottomed (sorry ‘bout all the hyphens) inflatable or port-a-bot (although it does remind one perhaps too much of “port-a-potty”) or something else suggested by the idiom savants who frequent this e-dive. Developed minor lust for Solo Skiff, but unfortunately too big to keep on deck. Notion of hot air baloon already rejected, but the graphics would have been
-well-big. Full disclosure: sitting on bar stool. Suggestions welcomed-other than AA that is. (Also rejecting idea of submersables out of hand.)

Pretty hard to beat a Porte Bote. They tow fine tucked up to the stern, are lightweight and indestructible. You'd want the 10' with that size motor.

[gulfcoastsailor]

BIG Porte Bote fan. I use the 8' with my 32''. Get the current generation boat for the best transom. Folds neatly and will travel on the lifelines or even below deck in the unused V berth. A Nissan 3.5 pushes it around all day.

[powsmias]

portlandpudgy.com

[freakytiki]

just bought BIC Sport 213 Sportyak dingy...weighs 42 pounds

[Polar Opposite]

I had a porta-bote but got rid of it. Good concept, but the unfolding proved difficult on the small decks of my 32'. I now have a Pudgy, slung from aft davits. But I may go back to towing it to keep my mast vertical. Love the Pudgy, but the weight is formidable.