Best Dinghy Solution for a J100

[Jbingham]

Keeping her at a slip in Lake Champlain but the kids will want to anchor, as will mom and dad and head to shore from time to time for exploring. What is a good dinghy solution? Im resistent to tow behind. Not sure there is a lot of room on deck. thinking maybe something that can easily be blown up and vice versa to stick below. any one out there with a J 100 or a similar design that has a nice solution? I'm not against rowing by any means either. dont need to have a motor.

Thanks for any thoughts!

-Jonathan

[Jbingham]

Given up on blow up idea. Still ok to row though. West marine RU3 or SB-275 are both under 900. Any thoughts?

[SailFastTri]

Carrying needs? How many people, what size people? Dogs?

[Jbingham]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

Carrying needs? How many people, what size people? Dogs?

Great question. 50% time 2 adults 165 lbs and 115 lbs and an 8 month. Other 50%add in 2 60 lbs kids. We have skip at home but planning 6 weeks for trip

[Jbingham]

*slip at home. On 6 week trip 1/2 time be at a mooring

[ohdrinkboy]

takacat+5hp motor

[Mimsy]

I think with the amount of people you need to haul, you are going to find what I am finding. What is "best" and what will work are 2 different things.

I really want a Portland Pudgy but with 2 adults, a teen and a toddler it looks like it will have to be an inflatable of some sort. The Takacats look very interesting, but you can't get Hypalon in the model I like. If you are staying in New England, that might not be such an issue for you but we are in the subtropics and heading for the tropics, PVC is out for us.

[Jbingham]

Originally Posted by Mimsy

I think with the amount of people you need to haul, you are going to find what I am finding. What is "best" and what will work are 2 different things.

I really want a Portland Pudgy but with 2 adults, a teen and a toddler it looks like it will have to be an inflatable of some sort. The Takacats look very interesting, but you can't get Hypalon in the model I like. If you are staying in New England, that might not be such an issue for you but we are in the subtropics and heading for the tropics, PVC is out for us.

No tropics (yet). All New England sailing. Just looked at takacat. What's benefit over a traditional inflatable like an Avon or Achilles?

[Jbingham]

And again the point to stress since we have more of a racer/day boat than a cruiser which one and I not going to want to cut the line when I'm towing it at 8 knts!!

[Weyalan]

FWIW, we have a 9' fiberglass dinghy.

For cruising in sheltered waters with a good weather forecast we just tow it.
In open water or with heavy weather forecast, we stow it upside-down on the foredeck (tied-down with lines through the toe-rails) with fenders under each corner. We have a 3-point bridle that attaches to saddles at each corner and we lift it out of the water onto the foredeck using a spare halyard.

Not saying that a 9' hard dinghy is ideal, just that there are more than a few ways to skin a cat...

[lifeofreilly57]

Inflatables are hard to beat for stability and weight capacity, I was originally too cheap to buy one until I went for a swim trying to put a cooler aboard my racer/cruiser from a fiberglass dinghy. Even worse, I had to swim after the cooler to save the beer!
Of course if your going to do that you have to do it in front of as many witnesses as possible.
If your hauling a toddler and a couple teens, an inflatable would probably be a good choice, not as easy to row but more stable and higher weight capacity. Now to pick from the multitude of models on the market.......

[Jbingham]

Ended up getting a great Achilles off craigslist! Rolls up so I don't have to tow it. Previous owner had a 28' J Boat. From one J to another! Thanks for all the input everyone

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by Jbingham

Ended up getting a great Achilles off craigslist! Rolls up so I don't have to tow it. Previous owner had a 28' J Boat. From one J to another! Thanks for all the input everyone

Congrats! Now all you need is an electric pump. 100+ pump strokes on a hot humid day gets old, fast. Without the pump you won't want to stow it.

[Jbingham]

Came with a foot pump but already have an electric for the kids rafts. You only blow one of those up with your mouth once in your life