The Perfect Dinghy

[Chasing Summer]

I'm re-building a 42 ft Spencer sailboat and an at the point where I need to be thinking about what dinhy I'm going to get because I need to build the dinghy pads on the cabin top. I plan on using a ridgid dinghy so please no comment so simi or inflatable.
Thanks in advance for all your comments
discussion catagories:
material, length / beam, passengers / cargo, type bow and stern
Lowell - s/v Chasing Summer - Spencer 42/hull 17

[callmecrazy]

the portland pudgy.

With sailing rig...

[Dennis.G]

Fatty Knees
Fatty Knees Dinghy Design: A solid dinghy that's fun to sail
row or sail

[cat man do]

One of the cheapest, easiest and best dinghy's I used was an 8 ft version of this



One sheet of 6 mm (8x4) ply screwed to a bench at approx 3/4 mark for bottom
Bend front up stuffing paint tins under to hold the curve
offer up 6 mm side and scribe curve and cut
do transom and front
ran seats for and aft (4mm) to stiffen
used 50m pvc as gunwale cap, one saw cut push down over 6mm, and same (1/2) used as rubbing strips for bottom
cove and glass all with 5oz and epoxy.
Less than a weekend to make.

This could carry 4 to 5 drunken men
I could safely stand up and walk around, even on the gunwale
2hp powered it along nicely enough
It could handle a 1 metre chop at a pinch

Looked like nothing but most were continually impressed at its usefulness for price

[sabray]

Chameleon designed. by Danny Greene. Nests into a small footprint on deck. Wonderful design.

[siamese]

No such things as perfect dinghy. ALWAYS a compromise, and never completely suitable.

[SkiprJohn]

Look at a Livingston. They come in all sizes. Very stable and can carry a lot for their size. They are fiberglass and have a catamaran configuration. I've never seen a sailing version but maybe you could rig it such. If you want a small sailing version then El Toro or Naples Sabot are two of the best sailors around. They are a bit small at 8 feet but are stable as a hard chined pram.
kind regards,

[Mike Vogdes]

nuther vote for the portland pudgy..

[gjordan]

Even though I was critisized for saying this on another thread, I must say it again. Think very hard before you put a dink over the forward hatch. In case of a fire ( which is rare but possible) the forward hatch is the only way out of your boat. Fires get ugly fast and being stuck in the cabin could ruin the rest of your life. Two part dinks are easier to store than one piece dinks. My 2 cents worth.____Grant.

[mbianka]

I like my 8 foot Porta Bote. Can lift it with one hand, holds a lot and rows nicely with me facing forward. Plus you can fold it up for storage if you want. Hull folds up up about as thick as a surfboard. The 10 foot version also has an option sailing rig available.

[Chasing Summer]

gjordan ... Critisize???? not a chance. ALL comments are welcome. Thank you for reminding me again that the sea is no place for the unplanned situation. Don't worry, I'm a submariner and always thinking of 2 ways to do everything possible. My dinghy will go over the fwd slide area of the main hatch leaving the fwd hatch, yes, for escape if nessecary ... along with a fixed escape ladder.

[Capt.Fred]

A dinghy is a tool and its function is safe transportation under many conditions. A 3 point dinghy similar to a small boston Whaler is very stable. Think about stepping aboard in rough conditions, carrying heavy loads or retrieving an anchor and chain etc. Also floatation and self draining are a must. There are lighter versions, similar to the Whaler hull. Capt.Fred

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by mbianka

I like my 8 foot Porta Bote. Can lift it with one hand, holds a lot and rows nicely with me facing forward. Plus you can fold it up for storage if you want. Hull folds up up about as thick as a surfboard. The 10 foot version also has an option sailing rig available.

I'll add another vote for a 10' porta bote. On our mothership, which has no reasonable davit options (a double-ender) but ample side decks, the porta bote has been great. It's light yet very strong. Can carry a large load. It rows well in most conditions, and takes an outboard (small one). And for kicks it has a lateen sail rig which is fun in the anchorage. It's not perfect, but for us has been the best dingy option so far.

[stevensc]

I have had a 9' Livingston dinghy whith 6hp O/B, for a couple of years now. lots of room, very stable, and sturdy. Mine is carried on Kato Davits mounted on the transom.
Steve W

[impi]

I dont know what the perfect dingy is, but the admiral was chuffed with me for putting a decent size electric bildge pump into it ... means we always have dry feet, not to mention bags