Is a Dinghy Cover Worth it ?

[landonshaw]

I have had the leaks in my dinghy repaired and the bottom surface coated while we were on vacation. The guy who did the work asked if I would like a dinghy cover made. First I think my dinghy is too old for it to help and second for the years we have been in the southern Caribbean, I can't remember seeing many dinks with a cover. My view is that it would be a hassle to have it. Comments and thoughts. Thanks Dave

[Eric M]

We have one, but we are mostly weekend warriors so the cover is on significantly more days than it is off each year. For us I feel it is worth it. It does take some extra time to put on before hoisting the dink up on the davits. I found it is far cheaper to buy one that is available commercially and have it modified as required for an exact fit on your dink/davits than to have one custom made, but that was here in the states where labor is pretty $$$.

[landonshaw]

We are generally in and out of the dinghy everyday and I think we would probably just stop using it. To cover it only for the night would only keep the rain from getting inside. Maybe that is why we don't see any. But still, if it would save buying a new dinghy???

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

We have a cover, sort of like chaps for the tubes which stay on all the time. Love it. Our dinghy is 14 years old and still going strong. Highly recommend protecting the tubes from the sun.

[Vasco]

Hypalon dinks don't really need any covers nor chaps. A cover is just a pain. Mine is in the sun 12 months year, 6 of those in the Florida summer, 6 in the Bahamian winter.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Hypalon dinks don't really need any covers nor chaps. A cover is just a pain. Mine is in the sun 12 months year, 6 of those in the Florida summer, 6 in the Bahamian winter.

Same here. My hypalon dink is a 1995 model, and stays in the sun 356 days per year. Still holds air as well as ever.

[landonshaw]

I did not know that Hypalon was unaffected by sun light. Thanks. Mine is hypalon.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by landonshaw

I did not know that Hypalon was unaffected by sun light. Thanks. Mine is hypalon.

I would not say that it's unaffected by sunlight. Mine has certainly oxidized over the years, and when you look at it you know you're looking at a 16-year-old dink. It has faded to a very soft gray, and is no longer shiny.

But it's not damaged. I would be shocked if it doesn't last 25 years.

[landonshaw]

Mine is already gray, looks old because it is old. But this is good to know, especially when I purchase a new dinghy, in another 10 years.

[MarkJ]

I reckon my $2,600 dink has a 3 year life expectancy the way I treat it full on every day.
Dinghy Chaps cost $1,000

So I saved the money on the chaps and enjoy my dinghy



*3 year life expectancy: I am never going to have a shitty old, air leaking, water leaking, wet pile of crap again. If I can possible afford it I am going to trade in Li'l Dink the moment she starts pissing me off. I reckon that'll be at age 3.


Mark

[sailorboy1]

I have a cover because it came with the last boat that had the dinghy. Makes good padding in my locker when I put stuff in it.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

*3 year life expectancy: I am never going to have a shitty old, air leaking, water leaking, wet pile of crap again. If I can possible afford it I am going to trade in Li'l Dink the moment she starts pissing me off. I reckon that'll be at age 3.

Three years? Sheesh. It took me three years just to train the dink to come when I whistle.

[landonshaw]

$1,000 US? What is it made of? It is a fraction of the price here in Grenada.

[timbenner]

DINGY CHAPS $1,000??? I had mine made for a third of that, with reflector tape and boat license numbers sewn in.

My dingy hangs from the davits at a slight angle (stern lower than bow) to drain it. The cover is too much hassle for me, but the chaps are worth the money to protect the tubes. When I say protect the tubes, I mean from sun and fishing hooks, etc. The chaps will surely add many years to the life of the tubes.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by timbenner

DINGY CHAPS $1,000??? I had mine made for a third of that, .

OK, I stand corrected.

AB/208001000001 Dinghy Chaps 8 VS Grey $484.00 $435.60
AB/208001000002 Dinghy Chaps 9 VS Navy Blue $506.00 $455.40
AB/208001000003 Dinghy Chaps 10 VS Grey $550.00 $495.00
AB/208001000004 Dinghy Chaps 12 VS Grey $660.00 $594.00

My dink might plead for a set but she ain't gettin' none!


Talk about high maintenance....