Creative solutions for packing a dinghy

[BigBonesBotta]

So I have a 30' sloop that I'm gearing up for coastal cruising on the U.S. west coast. I'm wondering if anyone has any creative ideas on where to keep a 10' rigid dinghy. I tried an inflatable but that was nothing but a pain. Obviously I can keep it on the forepeak but that would be unpleasant if I have to go forward. I can tow it, but I'd be nervous doing that in my native Oregon waters. Could try davits but I'm wanting to get a wind vane. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Stu Jackson]

You've described all the alternatives I can possibly think of for a hard dinghy.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Have you considered a Porta-Bote?

They can be folded up, and then stowed along the lifelines, like a kayak.

[nimblemotors]

Idea #1 is to have a catamaran as a dinghy that you can tow, and it has solar panels roof on it, so you have solar panels that don't get shaded. As a cat it won't swamp and sink.

Idea #2 is build a dinghy garage extension to the stern of your boat.

You did ask for creative ideas. The well-known common-wisdom ones you already spelled out.

Originally Posted by BigBonesBotta

So I have a 30' sloop that I'm gearing up for coastal cruising on the U.S. west coast. I'm wondering if anyone has any creative ideas on where to keep a 10' rigid dinghy. I tried an inflatable but that was nothing but a pain. Obviously I can keep it on the forepeak but that would be unpleasant if I have to go forward. I can tow it, but I'd be nervous doing that in my native Oregon waters. Could try davits but I'm wanting to get a wind vane. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[BigBonesBotta]

Originally Posted by nimblemotors

Idea #1 is to have a catamaran as a dinghy that you can tow, and it has solar panels roof on it, so you have solar panels that don't get shaded. As a cat it won't swamp and sink.

Idea #2 is build a dinghy garage extension to the stern of your boat.

You did ask for creative ideas. The well-known common-wisdom ones you already spelled out.

I did indeed say creative. I quite like your first idea though. As far as a portabote is concerned, I've heard that the rubber on them doesn't agree with prolonged exposure to salt water.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by BigBonesBotta

I did indeed say creative. I quite like your first idea though. As far as a portabote is concerned, I've heard that the rubber on them doesn't agree with prolonged exposure to salt water.

I suggest you read any of the various threads on this forum related to Porta-Botes and read the comments from the happy Porta-Bote owners in the many "dinghy" threads too.

Start HERE:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ity-76059.html

IF that does not convince you, then proceed to even more:

Porta - Google Search

[Pete7]

What was the problem with the inflatable? For the size I think ours is brilliant. We have a similar sized pram dinghy to get out to the yacht, but it isn't anything like as seaworthy. We carry our inflatable vertically on the stern, so its easy to launch and recover.

Pete

http://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery...6667&catid=516

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by Pete7

What was the problem with the inflatable? For the size I think ours is brilliant. We have a similar sized pram dinghy to get out to the yacht, but it isn't anything like as seaworthy. We carry our inflatable vertically on the stern, so its easy to launch and recover.

Pete

Moody 31 - April Lass under sail in the Solent Cruisers & Sailing Photo Gallery

Vertical stowing of dinghies was a surprise to me, first seen in NZ, for me. But for some vessels, it seems to work OK. Otherwise, if PortaBote's are not compatible for you, look for an old Avon Redcrest on ebay. If you find a good one, it will still be okay, and roll up able, and you can stow it just forward or just aft of your mast.

We had an 8 ft. Achilles, that we rolled up and took to HI on our 30 footer, and it served us well, but don't really expect good rowing capability or much over getting you ashore and bringing you back. This is NOT a dinghy for exploring long distances from the mother boat.

They can be stowed below, but man, are they a nuisance!

Ann

[deblen]

Davron Marine Products (Dinghy-Tow)

[Mike OReilly]

Another portabote suggestion here. We started carrying one on our 34-foot ketch, and still have it on our 37-foot cutter. Most 30-foot boats could carry a portabote on the side deck, with the seats below or in a sail locker.

If that doesn't work for you, and you don't like the inflatable dingy idea, how about an inflatable kayak? I have an Advanced Elements Convertible. There's a fair bit of cargo space when this boat is paddled by a single person (it can be paddled by 2, hence the "convertible" name).

A nesting hard dingy? Never used one, but many do and they nest in 1/2 their size.

[atoll]

in the past I have stowed a hard dinghy on it's side on the side deck leaning against the coach roof and dodger/rigging.

crossed a few oceans like this generally will try to stow on the weather side if a trade winds passage.

photo is Hawaii to Australia in the NE trades,dinghy a walker bay.

[IdoraKeeper]

This problem vexes me as well. Inflatables are fragile on rocky beaches. They also create a lot of drag when towed. Basically I have no room for a dingy but can't do without one. I don't want gasoline on board either. Solution? Dockhead has it sussed...the boat must be 60 ft. Only then does the geometry work. Arrrrgh!

[boatman61]

I like the slat floored inflatables.. 1/4 inflated it'll fold easily to fit on a foredeck or coach roof ahead of the mast nicely.. and still have enough air to support you if a fast abandonments needed.. pump up at leisure... Grab bag stowed and lashed in the fold.
But.. that was not the question.. look at a solar frame on the stern with a slant overhang aft.. I had one made for my Bene 331 a few years back.. hung blocks on lugs and it worked a treat.. fitted solar panels and a wind gen on top.. with facility to switch sides for the wind gen.. or add another.
Would post a pic but everythings packed for my flight to London and on to Malta this afternoon.

[Reefmagnet]

I had an Avon Redcrest on the Vega. By just deflating the rear section it stored out of the way on the foredeck immediately in front of the mast quite nicely. They don't row very well, but the smallest of outboard motors will power one quite nicely and fuel isn't that hard to store. The only other options I think are to go portabote style, nesting dinghy or forgo the windvane for rear davits loaded with enough solar panels to keep up supply to an autopilot. Of course the problem with the last suggestion is that a dinghy really shouldn't be carried on davits out in open water.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by IdoraKeeper

This problem vexes me as well. Inflatables are fragile on rocky beaches. They also create a lot of drag when towed. Basically I have no room for a dingy but can't do without one. I don't want gasoline on board either. Solution? Dockhead has it sussed...the boat must be 60 ft. Only then does the geometry work. Arrrrgh!

Once again, I say portabote is your friend. Seriously, our two boats are very similar. The portabote will easily sit on your side deck. I store the seats on the foredeck in a special bag. The bote rows well (so no gas), is not bothered by rocky beaches, takes a good load, can be motored, and even has a sail rig. There is no perfect dingy, but for my boat it's worked very well.