What Type Dinghy / Tender ?

[David_Old_Jersey]

Just found the Flapdoodle dinghy folding dinghy (Built from Plans)







Features

[unbusted67]

I've watched this a few times and its just making me feel like I'm on acid.

[David_Old_Jersey]

I will defer to you on this point

[unbusted67]

...probably a good idea. I have just found a 12" oday widgeon I like online anyone know anything about these little guys?

[Ferroever]

I've got a Porta-bote. Anyone have any horror stories for me?

[David_Old_Jersey]

And yes these really do exist!

One Man Raft Kickboat Inflatable Rafts Rafting Equipment Rafting Supplies

[David_Old_Jersey]

I think it's an Avon........

[RandyAbernethy]

Make sure you've got good clearance on that prop...

[Steve Pope]

We use a Walker bay with the inflateable collar, it is good when we carry it in the davits but a pita to try to stow on deck on offshore passages.

[ssullivan]

The dinghy/tender/dink issue has been a big one for us lately. We are trying to adapt to life at anchor with a lot of commuting in to work via a dinghy. Right now, we are so far out that there is a ferry that takes a similar route to our dingy ride!

We see conditions on rainy, cold and stormy days with 4' chop in the bay that we have to cross. Our current 10' Achilles (with aluminum floor and inflatable keel) just doesn't cut it. It pounds, we are wet and we are cold both from spray and precipitation.

One of the biggest changes for us (aside from selling the boat and getting a stinkpot to live on - I'll sail a Laser or something to get the fix) is having to commute in daily to work. This means we need the ultimate tender.

Even working on megayachts, using a 25' (or 30'? can't remember) center console Parker and RIB Novurania, you could STILL be wet and cold.

Since we plan to anchor out for the winter this year (in MAINE), we need something REAL to keep us warm and dry on the ride in to the car (2+ miles each way).

I'm thinking of getting a 12-16' aluminum skiff workboat (deep V hull) and putting a couple of seats in with wheel steering and a sunbrella enclosure to keep the rain (read SNOW) off of us. I plan to haul it up on deck with a crane when it's at the boat, so we don't have to worry about fouling the bottom.

Just a set of thoughts to contribute to the thread... I think I'm working on the "ultimate dinghy" here....

[southernman]

What about a lifeboat kind of boat? Your new boat sounds like it would have significant payload capacities so what about an old disused lifeboat with a fully enclosed roof? I've seen some used on Oil Rigs here in NZ just sitting around doing bugger all in scap yards that could be used. They are 18 feet overall and fully enclosed with a 10hp diesel engine. It may look a little bit of overkill but you will be the one arriving nice and dry on the dock! The idea would be to the the roof/canapy removable for the summer months.

[CaptainK]

Originally Posted by ssullivan

The dinghy/tender/dink issue has been a big one for us lately. We are trying to adapt to life at anchor with a lot of commuting in to work via a dinghy. Right now, we are so far out that there is a ferry that takes a similar route to our dingy ride!

We see conditions on rainy, cold and stormy days with 4' chop in the bay that we have to cross. Our current 10' Achilles (with aluminum floor and inflatable keel) just doesn't cut it. It pounds, we are wet and we are cold both from spray and precipitation.

One of the biggest changes for us (aside from selling the boat and getting a stinkpot to live on - I'll sail a Laser or something to get the fix) is having to commute in daily to work. This means we need the ultimate tender.

Even working on megayachts, using a 25' (or 30'? can't remember) center console Parker and RIB Novurania, you could STILL be wet and cold.

Since we plan to anchor out for the winter this year (in MAINE), we need something REAL to keep us warm and dry on the ride in to the car (2+ miles each way).

I'm thinking of getting a 12-16' aluminum skiff workboat (deep V hull) and putting a couple of seats in with wheel steering and a sunbrella enclosure to keep the rain (read SNOW) off of us. I plan to haul it up on deck with a crane when it's at the boat, so we don't have to worry about fouling the bottom.

Just a set of thoughts to contribute to the thread... I think I'm working on the "ultimate dinghy" here....

Hey Sean.

Have you ever thought about getting a big work type boat. And putting a small center cabin type of structure. That could with stand high winds. And rain and snow?

I have thought about something similar a while back. And I might have some ideas. PM for for any details. I have plenty of photos with options you might find interesting?

[rsn48]

Where I live, there is a community up Indian Arm (a fjord) that has no road access, so even though they live on land, they boat to their car at the marina and drive to work from there. The boat commute for them is around 15 to 25 minutes. The "school boat" brings their kids to the Deep Cove public jetty and they walk to school.

None of them use a dingy, or anything resembling a dingy, and sometimes these folks are going through some pretty intense fog (with no radar). They all use "run about" beaters, if your commuting full time, get a "beater" runabout, forget the dinghy stuff. You want beater runabout with either a canvass top or hard top, if it was me, it'd have a hard top - no suffering in the rain with a wind for me. I'm not a big "run about" fan but this is one time when they shine.

Here in the Cove, not only do we have two car families but two boats as well - his and hers.

[GordMay]

Something like this ...
Grumman Car Topper Aluminum Boat - $350
Grumman Car Topper Aluminum Boat

[ssullivan]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Something like this ...
Grumman Car Topper Aluminum Boat - $350
Grumman Car Topper Aluminum Boat

EXACTLY, Gord. That Lund is one I have seen around lately and looks like a possible candidate. Not having postitive flotation is a bit of a down side, but the way these boats handle the chop and go flying across the bay at 15 knots, leaving the owners dry is enviable.

Possibly, I think some of these have some positive flotation in the built in seats.