Peddle boat as tender.

[Kenzie Too]

Has anyone ever used a peddle boat as a tender? I'm looking for something serviceable and something the grand kids can have fun with.

[a64pilot]

Grand kids will have a blast, but I don’t think it will be a decent tender.
In my opinion a tender ought to be capable of a 1 mile crossing in pretty much open water in winds greater than 20 kts, or you will often be sitting in the boat hoping that maybe you can go ashore tomorrow.
Or your primary consideration in finding an anchorage will be getting in close enough to make trips short and in smooth water, so you’ll skip a lot of neat places to go to, based on your tender.

[Kenzie Too]

Thank you!

[a64pilot]

That’s just my opinion of course, an opinion

[Snore]

Originally Posted by Kenzie Too

Has anyone ever used a peddle boat as a tender? I'm looking for something serviceable and something the grand kids can have fun with.

I feel your desire to force your grandchildren to peddle items from a boat to be in poor taste.

I am sure they would like a pedal boat—Or if in warmer climates a sit on top kayak.

Sorry had to do it.

[a64pilot]

You know, ever thought about a sailing dinghy?
I bet they would love that too, and you can put an outboard on one, and many make excellent tenders, just have to deal with a hard dinghy is all, but surely you can put pool noodles on it or something?

[thomm225]

I use a 16'6" foldable kayak that barely fits on the deck of my 27' sailboat.

I don't cruise full time, but I do leave the kayak fully assembled during the sailing season.

I'm usually anchored within 300 yards of the beach/shore

It can be tough though getting the kayak back on deck after use especially if it has much water in it.

Also, getting in to the thing can be interesting at times.

[sesmith]

Hobie pedal kayaks work great. They are fairly pricey, though.

[roland stockham]

Yes I looked at peddle boat. A lot depends on what sort. Only one I saw where basically a pram tender with a direct drive paddle wheel. I looked to be very inefficient. Now if you found one with a decent set of cranks of a bike the coupled to a propeller shaft. Maybe a pontoon type hull you could have something that will work. If it is just a plastic paddle boat built for the local pond or beach then maybe not. for grandchildren something like a Walker Bay with the sail rig would be great fun and very safe under oars, sails or a trolling motor. Also make great tenders if you have room or can tow it

[Scubaseas]

Walker Bay RID with a sail kit and a small electric or gas outboard might be a ton of fun for kids or adults in any conditions. Unsinkable, very, very hard to tip over & can smash into things without leaving a mark or dent.

[Q Xopa]

Originally Posted by Kenzie Too

Has anyone ever used a peddle boat as a tender? I'm looking for something serviceable and something the grand kids can have fun with.

I kinda like the look of these- http://www.h2proped.com/.
I have a Pudgy. Just as an alternative to rowing. But as has been said still have outboard, and possibly sailing option.

But using legs sounds like a good option for a number of possible reasons. Legs are bigger and stronger. No oars hanging out the side of the dingy. You still have hands free to hang on or use radio, etc

The way it swivels and can pedal backwards looks quite handy too.

Just some crazy thoughts.

[NorthCoastJoe]

As a kid I towed a peddle boat in, it that had two adults aboard that could not get back to shore against the wind. My powerful craft, 10 foot jon boat powered by six foot ash oars, and my 15 year old body.

Get something you can row or a kayak. I have a Walker Bay 8 and love rowing it.

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by Snore

I feel your desire to force your grandchildren to peddle items from a boat to be in poor taste.

I am sure they would like a pedal boat—Or if in warmer climates a sit on top kayak.

Sorry had to do it.

If the grandchildren get a fine for unlicensed peddling, who's going to foot the bill? Would you have to paddle the them as a punish them for getting caught, oar would you just forget about it? On the other hand, it might give them a leg up in business!

[tomlisasail]

We bought 2 9' ft. ocean kayaks "frenzy" for $500 apiece that weigh 53 lbs. We stow them on racks outside of the life lines and alleviate the need for davits. My wife and I are 60 and 67 and we pull up the kayaks with no problem. The foot pedal kayaks are cool but heavy and would require davits because of the profile created by the prop and rudder. I know we will eventually need a dinghy when we do our long haul cruising,but for now the "frenzys" are awesome.

[Don C L]

The Hobie Mirage, as mentioned is an expensive possibility. But in our neighborhood, with kelp beds, I watched a couple folks with those get stuck in the kelp and it took them a while to get unstuck.