Rowing Dink

[barnakiel]

Countless.

You can build one in ply and epoxy if you like. - give it a nice keel along the centerline ans she will row like a dream. Cheaper than anything one can buy.

b.

[Blue Crab]

I think it might be smart to cut out two dinks. Build the first to use, and have all precut parts at the ready stashed under a bunk for when, not if, you lose it, it gets stolen or maybe to sell it to a fellow cruiser in need.

Old guys tell tales dept: In Coconut Grove back in the 80's there was a rough and ready guy in the anchorage who owned a mold for a round bottom dink. He did no finish work but I handed over $200 and he popped out a copy, ran a 1x2 around it, glassed in a seat and even drilled a big hole in the bow to secure the painter with a big fat knot. Bristol all the way! He did the actual layup right on Dinner Key itself back in the foliage.
It was ugly but rowed well and theives turned up their noses at it apparently. Ah, the halcyon days of old.

[capnorv]

Gig Harbor Boatworks makes a nice 8'. Figure shipping about a hundred to the East Coast.

[boatman61]

LOL... there were 2 low teens kids in Poole had a thriving little concern back in the 80's.... they had an old optimist they used for a mould... 50quid a pop... basic wood strengtheners and seat... buy n fit your own rollocks/oars...
light an did the job.. only negative no floatation... had to pay a diver the price of the dinghy to bring it up after two drunken sailorscapsized it one boozey late/early night/morning in Cherbourgh....
Moral of story.... its cheaper to let go the line 'After' your in and seated...

[smurphny]

Have always tried to make dinks as ugly as possible to discourage thieving b#$^ards. Have flit cans of odd colored spray paint to make nice graffiti:-)
Hey, the idea of keeping some 1/4" ply cut and stowed is a good one. The problem would be finding an inch of space with all the other assorted junk on board.

[smurphny]

I'd consider the Walker Bay boats but they are grossly overpriced. For under a hundred bucks, built a stitch/sew pram last year and it actually LOOKS like a boat and not recycled Clorox bottles. It's just too heavy to take along cruising. I used some scrap pcs of 1/2"CDX for the seats and frames which probably added 20 lbs or so. Would really like to foam core one of these or possibly a design like the little "Chirp" above. Without the plywood, these would probably weigh in at <40 pounds.

[sabray]

here is the chameleon Ive been building. features flotation chambers, nesting, sailing rowing, sculling knotch. I cant comment on handling other then it comes apart well. few more weeks and I should know.

[Cormorant]

Check out Jim Michalak's "Vole." Cheap and fun to build. (Plans are available on Duckworks.) It's 8 feet long and 4'6" beam. Slight V bottom, lots of freeboard. Rows like a dream, fast and nimble when lightly loaded. Tows straight and true, bobs lightly over any waves. Sails nice, too -- lots of fun in harbor when the big boat is anchored. And can carry a good load if necessary. Can carry upwards of 500 lbs. at its waterline, probably can handle a couple hundred more if in a pinch.

[smurphny]

Hey Sabray, that looks great. I like the sharp entry. The pram I built has a typical blunt bow and has a hard time in any kind of chop. Yours looks much better. If it wasn't so fragile, would build a short Adirondack guideboat like the one (jpg uploaded as attachment) I built last year. They are fast and seaworthy but built from 3/16" cedar lapped planks. Would never take the banging around as a dink.

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by boatman61

LOL... had to pay a diver the price of the dinghy to bring it up after two drunken sailorscapsized it one boozey late/early night/morning in Cherbourgh....
Moral of story.... its cheaper to let go the line 'After' your in and seated...

Corrollary: the more tender a dink is, the better it rows. My self-styled saltyness took a hard hit one dark and stormy night as I stepped into my marvelous-performing BW Squall dinghy with a small 12v portaTV in one hand and every reader knows what was in the other. Yepper. Boat heeled toward the dock, my instincts took over and I tossed the TV but slammed into the dock requiring 30 stitches to the empty arm. Moronicly, I still brag about not spilling the beer. Beer: 50 cents. PortaTV: $100. Ah, the micro-cruiser's budget.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRUHb...eature=related

[w32honu]

You might have a look at ptwatercraft.com They are just coming out with a nesting dinghy in kit form. I think it is going to be a bit expensive, but looks to be a great boat. There will be an 11 foot version and a 9.5 foot version. It is the best looking and best designed nesting dinghy I have yet to come across.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by w32honu

You might have a look at ptwatercraft.com They are just coming out with a nesting dinghy in kit form. I think it is going to be a bit expensive, but looks to be a great boat. There will be an 11 foot version and a 9.5 foot version. It is the best looking and best designed nesting dinghy I have yet to come across.

"a bit expensive" PLS expand on that

I like the look of their dink if what they show here: What's Next is the thing.

When are they due?

To build a dink like this would be about 800 USD where I live - materials are very expensive here.

b.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by w32honu

You might have a look at ptwatercraft.com They are just coming out with a nesting dinghy in kit form. I think it is going to be a bit expensive, but looks to be a great boat. There will be an 11 foot version and a 9.5 foot version. It is the best looking and best designed nesting dinghy I have yet to come across.

Whoa!

I went to their blog and found this:

PT Watercraft

Count me in (budget allowing).

Cheers,
b.

[w32honu]

I have been e/m with Ashlyn at pt watercraft.............

She is estimating about $1500 for the kit. The boat weighs only 80 pounds. According to the web site it should be available this spring sometime. I think they are in the process of making a few minor changes to allow for an easier build.

I have been going thru the plans for Danny Greene's Chameleon. Its also a great boat. I figure about $700 to $800 to build the Chameleon. I like Chameleon for the cost and that it screams utility. Seems like a simple, rugged, good all around nester.

The PT boat is definitely a standout. Its about time a boat like this comes around. The video posted on their web site says it all.....................

Steve