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24-04-2022, 20:14
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#1
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Kemah Tx
Boat: Gulfstar 51
Posts: 699
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Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
I have decided that the current dinghy will not work for my needs.
We currently have a Gig Harbour - 10' 6" feet long - i like the hard dinghy concept but this boat is not stable enough for our needs- SO currently looking at other options-- My davits can lift darn near anything and they then set the boat down onto our stern deck cradle- almost like what a trawler would have except this sets the dinghy athwartships on a stern deck that is about 4 feet above the water, where it is then strapped into the cradle.-- i would like to stay to 11 feet or smaller- 11 feet is pushing it. Stability is important, both in initial boarding and in getting back into from the water(snorkeling etc) would prefer not to have a huge engine- currently have a 3 1/2 hp Nissan and an 8 Hp mercury two stroke. Going to take a look at a Takacat tomorrow and have been looking at True Kit also. Any suggestions? Not interested in debating pros and cons, just would like to know what you use and why. Somebody had a metal boat that looked like a RIB but I have not been able to find it again. Thought i had it figured out with the Gig Harbour but this last launch and trip from the seawall turned into a real "here hold my beer and watch this moment" decided that for a hugely important part of our cruising this was not going to cut it. I have even considered a Portland Pudgy! It had a lot of good points. Have at it folks and give me your thoughts- thanks
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24-04-2022, 20:43
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Minnesota
Boat: Tartan 3800
Posts: 5,363
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
Interesting stuff. What happened at the sea wall?
Gig Harbor is a rounded hull shape that prioritizes rowing/sailing performance and stability in waves over stability with an unbalanced load. It has a pointed bow rather than a pram-type bow transom. A transom bow would provide more stability and capacity. Jon boats are the opposite extreme and have great stability when stepping aboard but are terrible in waves.
With lightweight boats, ballast will help stability. A 50# weight secured in the bottom center of the boat would do wonders. I sometimes use a scuba tank or a couple of dumbbells.
Pudgy look carefully at the dimensions as they are small.
__________________
The best part of an adventure is the people you meet.
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24-04-2022, 21:48
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Boat: Island Packet 40
Posts: 6,501
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
I have an 8' poly Boston Whaler type dingy which I have filled with styrofoam and decked in to make it unsinkable and less weight on the davits if I got pooped or forgit to take the plug out when it rained.
I went with this hull shape because it is extremely stable with good directional stability.
The extra weight of the decking in lets me step onto the side deck whilst boarding from the parent vessel and also sit on the side deck and swing my legs in to climb in from the water when beach launching.
I have also fitted large low pressure tires to the transom and steerable, telescoping smaller wheels on the bow to allow easier beaching.
__________________
Satiriker ist verboten, la conformité est obligatoire
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24-04-2022, 22:05
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 514
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
Sounds like you want a RIB. Exactly why the are so popular.
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24-04-2022, 23:07
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,481
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
I used a Livingston 8' which are mini catamarans. Easy for your davits and you can styep on any corner without swamping it. It will plane one with a 6hp or two light weight. Used $200-$400
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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25-04-2022, 03:25
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: La Manga del Mar Menor Spain
Boat: Bavaria 33
Posts: 2
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaymondR
I have an 8' poly Boston Whaler type dingy which I have filled with styrofoam and decked in to make it unsinkable and less weight on the davits if I got pooped or forgit to take the plug out when it rained.
I went with this hull shape because it is extremely stable with good directional stability.
The extra weight of the decking in lets me step onto the side deck whilst boarding from the parent vessel and also sit on the side deck and swing my legs in to climb in from the water when beach launching.
I have also fitted large low pressure tires to the transom and steerable, telescoping smaller wheels on the bow to allow easier beaching.
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I´ve never seen a dinghy filled with styrofoam and I think it´s a really good idea. Do you have a picture of it or a link where explain how you can do it?
Thank you in advance.
__________________
The sea will give each man a new hope, as sleep gives him dreams." Christopher Columbus
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25-04-2022, 05:13
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Boat: Island Packet 40
Posts: 6,501
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
Not a good image but the white stuff to either side of the small cockpit towards the bow is the top of the styrofoam which has not yet been decked over with plywood.
I just installed the cockpit parts of the deck then cut pieces of styrofoam to fill all the cavities.
__________________
Satiriker ist verboten, la conformité est obligatoire
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25-04-2022, 05:56
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Rochester, NY
Boat: Chris Craft 381 Catalina
Posts: 6,855
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
The size restriction will almost certainly force you to something with some kind of flotation tubes. Either a RIB, added flotation tubes on a hard dinghy of some form, etc. Most hard dinghies, skiffs, etc. just aren't stable enough until you're at 12+ feet (and weight carrying is an issue as well).
One possible exception would be something like a Dyer Dhow (only 9 feet), as they have a good reputation for stability and they carry a lot of weight for a small hard dinghy (650 lbs, IIRC, which is slightly more than our 12 foot aluminum skiff). So if you can find one to try out, that might be worth investigating. Much like the Gig Harbor, they're not meant to go fast, so no big engine needed. And there's a sail rig for them.
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25-04-2022, 06:29
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Boat: Bruce Bingham Christina 49
Posts: 3,329
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
If you like the True Kit, look at a Saturn mini cat. They look similar to the True Kit, but half the price. From the pics on the TK website can't tell if the tubes have a skegs on them like the Saturn, but they are important for better tracking.
We have a 12' and find it is very stable. It also gets up on plane easily w/only a 5hp w/2 people and gear. With 4 people/more gear, your 8hp would be more appropriate.
There was a CF thread this year discussing takacats, etc. that was a good read.
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25-04-2022, 09:31
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,481
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
Quote:
Originally Posted by rslifkin
The size restriction will almost certainly force you to something with some kind of flotation tubes. Either a RIB, added flotation tubes on a hard dinghy of some form, etc. Most hard dinghies, skiffs, etc. just aren't stable enough until you're at 12+ feet (and weight carrying is an issue as well).
One possible exception would be something like a Dyer Dhow (only 9 feet), as they have a good reputation for stability and they carry a lot of weight for a small hard dinghy (650 lbs, IIRC, which is slightly more than our 12 foot aluminum skiff). So if you can find one to try out, that might be worth investigating. Much like the Gig Harbor, they're not meant to go fast, so no big engine needed. And there's a sail rig for them.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Celestialsailor
I used a Livingston 8' which are mini catamarans. Easy for your davits and you can styep on any corner without swamping it. It will plane one with a 6hp or two light weight. Used $200-$400
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__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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25-04-2022, 16:43
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#11
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, in Tasmania, Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 29,753
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
Jim and I have always had large inflatables or a RIB. However, I think it depends a lot on how far afield you want to go, and what you will be asking the dinghy to do for you. Our present dinghy is 3.5 m (~11' 6") long, and 20" tubes. It is very stable. Planes easily with two and all the laundry, or dive gear, but we use a 15 hp o/b. Originally came with hypalon tubes, but the tubes for it were of South African lighter gauge fabric, and wore out quicker than we expected, and the dinghy has since been re-tubed with PVC fabric from west Germany. So far, 8 yrs on the PVC, and it seems good. It has been dressed in chaps from it's 2nd week with us.
I'd recommend a Rib, whatever length you will need for your needs. But I'd also recommend a little catamaran hard dinghy, if you like hard dinghies. Why not? stable, probably home buildable, too, if you like that kind of thing, long lasting, and not the flavor of the month, possibly less liable for theft, and you can putt-putt around with a small o/b, using less fuel, and probably saving money, too!
We found early on that it was fun for us, to have a fast capable dinghy, and it affects my view of the issue. We like to leave the mother boat in a safe anchorage and then explore in the dinghy. Sometimes we row it to listen to the bird life, and come back on a plane. But I think the people with slower dinghies may see more, and enjoy the new places at least as much..
Ann
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
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25-04-2022, 18:00
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Back in Northern California working on the Ranch
Boat: Pearson 365 Sloop and 9' Fatty Knees.
Posts: 10,481
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
Quote:
Originally Posted by JPA Cate
Jim and I have always had large inflatables or a RIB. However, I think it depends a lot on how far afield you want to go, and what you will be asking the dinghy to do for you. Our present dinghy is 3.5 m (~11' 6") long, and 20" tubes. It is very stable. Planes easily with two and all the laundry, or dive gear, but we use a 15 hp o/b. Originally came with hypalon tubes, but the tubes for it were of South African lighter gauge fabric, and wore out quicker than we expected, and the dinghy has since been re-tubed with PVC fabric from west Germany. So far, 8 yrs on the PVC, and it seems good. It has been dressed in chaps from it's 2nd week with us.
I'd recommend a Rib, whatever length you will need for your needs. But I'd also recommend a little catamaran hard dinghy, if you like hard dinghies. Why not? stable, probably home buildable, too, if you like that kind of thing, long lasting, and not the flavor of the month, possibly less liable for theft, and you can putt-putt around with a small o/b, using less fuel, and probably saving money, too!
We found early on that it was fun for us, to have a fast capable dinghy, and it affects my view of the issue. We like to leave the mother boat in a safe anchorage and then explore in the dinghy. Sometimes we row it to listen to the bird life, and come back on a plane. But I think the people with slower dinghies may see more, and enjoy the new places at least as much..
Ann
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__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow - what a ride!"
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26-04-2022, 07:33
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Gulf Coast or Atlantic
Boat: Gemini 105Mc
Posts: 7
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
At a boat show in Ft. Myers a few years ago we saw a fiberglass dinghy shaped like a RIB. It purportedly offered RIB performance without the worries of tubes deflating, etc. The dink was too heavy for our davits, so we didn’t pursue it further. Doesn’t sound like that would be an issue for you.
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26-04-2022, 08:12
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Tacoma, Washington, USA
Boat: Casacde 36
Posts: 598
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
I built a Danny Green designed Chameleon. Has the attributes you're looking for and have used it for 10 years in the PNW, Hawaii and Alaska.
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26-04-2022, 08:17
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Melbourne Beach / Fl Keys
Boat: Pursuit 3070 Sold / Cape Dory 28 FBT
Posts: 137
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Re: Dinghy Suggestions- Your Choice
Check out SV Delos. They have an aluminum dingy that looks like a RIB. Can't remember the name of it but looks almost indestructible.
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