Dinghy, most popular size and type

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by thomm225

For those with a smaller boat, I'm thinking a Zodiac 230 Roll up.

You can use the oars instead of an outboard. You get little enough exercise on a sailboat as it is.

A dinghy this size will fit on my foredeck inflated, (Bristol 27) and at a weight of 49 lbs. should be easy to load and offload.

Plus it fits in a small storage bag when necessary.

In my case, the old 16'6" foldable kayak I've been using is getting too old plus it blocks one entire side deck on my boat.

If you want to row, you'd be better off with a small rigid dinghy if you can live with the lower stability and weight capacity. Inflatables generally don't row well at all.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Jimbo2010

No not yet, I'm looking at fabricating a pair, looking at others in my marina they look relativity easy to make, bend 2" SS for the main arms and weld reinforcements, add 4:1 blocks/tackle.

They are so overpriced in the market for simple construction.

You may find, like me, that finding someone to fabricate curved ss tubing is difficult and expensive. To find someone who can fabricate one with welded angles is easier and less expensive. Not quite as pretty and fancy though, admittedly.

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Jimbo2010

No not yet, I'm looking at fabricating a pair, looking at others in my marina they look relativity easy to make, bend 2" SS for the main arms and weld reinforcements, add 4:1 blocks/tackle.

They are so overpriced in the market for simple construction.

If you've got the ability to make them yourself, that seems like a reasonable plan. I'd suggest adding a cross-brace that ties the 2 davits together towards the outer end, and also give some thought to how they'll be supported (such as whether your stern rail is strong enough to take all of the load or not).

You may also want 6:1 tackle, at least at the engine end of the dinghy if you're planning to lift with the outboard mounted (vs lifting it separately and then lifting the dinghy). We've got 6:1 at both ends of ours. I figure the dinghy is probably 150 - 160 lbs on the engine end, 90 - 100 at the bow. With 6:1 tackle the bow is easy to lift, but at the engine end it's just acceptable and I wouldn't mind a bit less force required.

[Jimbo2010]

I'm surprised I can't find DIY plans or a U tube on building a set.

I was going to go to muffler shop to have the main frame bent, I can weld the rest of it.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

If you want to row, you'd be better off with a small rigid dinghy if you can live with the lower stability and weight capacity. Inflatables generally don't row well at all.

I'm hoping my wide body and long arms can overcome this problem.

The Zodiac 230 Roll Up is 54" wide, and I am 80" wide at full wing span.

Plus most times I can get in close to shore with my boat's 4" draft.

[Jammer]

Not sure what that has to do with it.


The problems rowing a deflatable are that:


1. The oarlocks move due to the flexing of the tube, absorbing a good deal of the energy of the stroke


2. The hull shapes have high drag.


3. The oars they come with have a good deal of flex, also absorbing a good deal of the energy of the stroke.

[Don C L]

I have an Avon Redcrest and it rows fine, the oarlocks are the molded rubber and the wood oars are fine, they don't flex. I got it for my son for him to go fishing in but I will be selling it. Compared to my inflatable whitewater kayak it fails in every respect. Paddling a kayak you have nearly non-stop thrust unlike with rowing; it's MUCH faster and you don't get slowed down by a headwind. The 14' kayak I have with large tubes holds 850 pounds, is stable and rolls up into a package that is a little bigger than the Redcrest but much easier to handle because you don't have the wood floor to deal with. The inflatable floors now are nearly rigid so there is no need for rigid wood or plastic floors now IMO. Taking off from a beach into some waves is much easier in the kayak too and it's self bailing. If you don't need an engine, if you are not planning to use an engine, the inflatable whitewater kayak is far superior IMO.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Not sure what that has to do with it.


The problems rowing a deflatable are that:


1. The oarlocks move due to the flexing of the tube, absorbing a good deal of the energy of the stroke


2. The hull shapes have high drag.


3. The oars they come with have a good deal of flex, also absorbing a good deal of the energy of the stroke.

Well if I don’t like the way the oars that come with the dinghy perform, I’ll use my single carbon paddle that I use on my kayak.

My reach should help there as well.

Plus, I usually don’t have far to paddle anyway. 200-400 yards at most at least for the last 12 years or so anyway.

[MicHughV]

The oars that come with an inflatable dink are typically short stubby aluminum one's...I've tried rowing with them.....it's an exercise in futility from my point of view...this also assumes you've got a seat in the middle otherwise you'll be sitting on the floor of the dink...

[thomm225]

The Zodiac 230 even though small does have a seat.

The good news is that it will fit on the foredeck of my 27' boat inflated.

[rslifkin]

For rowing a couple of hundred yards at most, just about anything will work. But if you want the option to row further, I'd consider either a short rigid pram or maybe a nesting dinghy that would fit on the foredeck, as a decent design of either one will row significantly more easily than the inflatable, and if you're a strong rower, then with a decent rowing boat you could cover some decent distance.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

For rowing a couple of hundred yards at most, just about anything will work. But if you want the option to row further, I'd consider either a short rigid pram or maybe a nesting dinghy that would fit on the foredeck, as a decent design of either one will row significantly more easily than the inflatable, and if you're a strong rower, then with a decent rowing boat you could cover some decent distance.

A pram sounds good, but I'm not seeing any available nearby.

[MicHughV]

I'd get a small outboard for that dink. There are a variety of 2 hp-ish outboards available.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

I'd get a small outboard for that dink. There are a variety of 2 hp-ish outboards available.

No engine at first anyway, but maybe later if I actually cruise long distance and need one.

My home is in a rural area which is where I will retire so since I left there 50 years ago it might be tough to stay there long after retirement which is why I'm getting my boat prepared.