Need advice on suitable dinghy

[Kelly Hanson East]

Rowing 4-6 people 500 feet in an inflatable will get old, really fast. At the risk of a flame war, and having owned a couple of types of both inflatable and hard dingies, I will make the brash statement that inflatables essentially dont row. Too much of your energy goes into the deformation of the hull and thus you barely move. When I spent a couple nights with Captain Rich and his outboard conked out, we had to row two of us 1/4 mile to shore for breakfast to FatCats in a really nice Zodiac - it was very rough going.

The CG rating for a dinghy is based solely on its 'flotation' ability which does not tell you much about stability, how it rows,etc. My Sevylor 9 foot blowup was rated at 4 people 1000#, while my Watertender 9.4 is rated at 3 people 650#. The WT is a plastic hard dinghy and rows, powers, and heavy weathers much better than the inflatable. It also tows well in the 6-10 kt range - I have never swamped it. I would like to make a cover for it though.

PS - the ultimate dinghy for me is the Portland Pudgy, but they run about 2k. James had one on his Erie Canal Cruise last year and I got an up close look - very nice.

On edit - corrected spelling, added link to PP.

[Russ]

Towing a hard dinghy in any kind of seas would frighten me. I've done it and my neck hurt from constantly looking back to check on it. If it swamps in rough seas you have a serious problem. Also, try getting into one of those in rough seas. Not fun.

"Rowing" a big Mable with any kind of wind would be impossible IMO. Towing it 23 miles would also be a hassle. As mentioned, inflating/deflating at sea is not easy. Try deflating a giant wet monster on the deck of a Mac. For that much money you could buy a real dink. They are fun, but not dinghys.

You already have an unsinkable boat as a life boat. So you are worried about fire. If you learn how to prevent fires, your odds are great that you will never see one. External fuel tanks mounted aft like we have are much safer than below deck tanks. I would give up the life raft idea and replace it with good PFDs and waterproof hand held VHF radio. If you had to go in, bring it with you and call for help. It sounds like in a high traffic area you will get help quickly.

As mentioned above, I would beach the boat and drop off your campers. The next option would be a decent inflatable and take several trips to shore. Maybe even a small motor. This could be inflated rather quickly and lashed down to the deck when not in use allowing a safer and faster trip to the island.
Then buy a towable toy for fun. A mixed use tow toy doesn't sound practical as you've described. It's a very interesting idea, but I just can't see it working in practice.


--Russ

[Bransher]

Kelly Hanson East wrote:

PS - the ultimate dinghy for me is the Portland Pudgie

Very nice indeed. Thanks for posting that as I had never seen one before. Previously, I was impressed with the Walker Cay rigid with the attached inflatable tubes. But now I like the look of the Pudgie even better.

[Hardcrab]

Curtis,
We too make trips to Catalina, but travel about 32nm south from MDR.
We settled on the 9.5 foot Baltic, (around $700) with a 2hp Honda outboard.
Two adults, 80% of the time, three grandchildren the rest of the time.
It's somewhat crowded, and will only get worse as they grow.
It will be two trips to the docks in our future.

When I used to tow it over, the only thing on board the dink was the oars. Nothing else.
I used a line 40-50' or so, bridled at the dink end, a stern cleat on the Mac, to get it way back behind the wake at speed.
(Pull it in tighter when around other boats and stuff).
It towed very well, no side to side, just tracking along as if on rails.
I have been at speeds over 22 knots while towing on these trips, in seas no more than 2-3 feet, with no problems at all.
My normal crusing speed for this trip is 15-17 knots. No dink issues at these speeds either.
I have never experienced, nor could imagine, a "kiting" condition or flooding/sinking of the dink.
Not in these waters anyhow.
It only weighs 75 lbs, so it floats very, very high.

All of this is "used to do".
We now inflate it at the MDR docks, hoist it onto the forward deck upside down, and head on over.
The main reason for not towing was the anxiety factor, that is, from losing the dink because of a failed line or something.
Not because of any towing, kiting, or flooding issues.

It will take a big dink to haul 6 adults.
Bigger dink means bigger issues across the board.
Consider a smaller dink and two trips to the dinghy docks.
Good luck.

[bubba]

I bought a 10 ft inflatiable keel and floor dingy that rolls up in a folding cover it's a Murcery brand. It tow's and rows really well because of the inflatiable keel and is light enough on the water it really doesn't slow us down. As far as a 6 passanger dingy the Mac is your best bet and don't buy an inflatiable. I here the catamaran design inflatiable dingies tow really easy and really scream alng with a motor.

[waternwaves]

I may be biased here.......

well, OK I am

I own a mercury inflatable, a baltik inflatable, had the walker bay, played with the pudgie (too small for 6), had a lund, a crestliner and various other attempts at the ideal dinghy.

The reason I do not recommed towing an inflatable at greater than hull speed has little to do with the mac.

It has mostly to do with the adhesive attachements of the tow rings. they will not stand continued towing at high speeds, especially with the larger inflatables. you will repair these glue on pads.

The real trick to towing any dinghy is keeping the water out.
The pudgie doesnt fit as well onboard, is heavier, and bangs around on deck. not things I want on my fiberglass. now if I had some nice stern davits, I think the pudgie and the walker bay would be much nicer. but they are not fun to get on deck. I am referring to the walker bay without the inflatable rim.

I keep trying to get rid of this mercury 330, but I just keep fixing it instead. its the right size to fit on the hunter foredeck.....the baffles between the chambers leak to each other., I fill the whole thing with only one valve. two other valves I have sealed with 5200,
I want a new larger baltik...... but as long as the other one keeps floating and going ...............and going................and going.......... and going......... I guess I am stuck with it. It isnt worth anything to sell, but it is too damn usefule to throwaway. Another thing I guess going for the inflatables is ytheir ease of repair.

oh well.......... until another 1200 magicly shows up in the toy account............. I guess we will continue with inflatable landing craft.

[Boblee]

There seems to be some consternation that a hard bodied dinghy will swamp or take on water, this has never been a concern for us irrespective of the sea or condition, it may well be under really extreme conditions but we try not to be there then but have been caught in 2m plus following seas and 30knot + winds with confused sea's due to tides etc.
We usually only use one line but have used two for maximum speed, the dinghy is towed according to the conditions but usually on the first wave but sometimes further back.
Sure the Mac can beach but not in all conditions such as rocks, tidal movement and unknown bottom, overhanging trees, no room at jetty etc etc as a note ours is usually but not always very heavily loaded with fishing gear and extra provisions including up to 60L of fuel, I would feel absolutely naked without the dinghy as it can be used for so many things.
Hope the photo works the dinghy was still tied to the Mac, btw where was the link to the "pudgie".

[paj637]

Get yourself a decent inflatable. Stay away from the smaller tubed ones. I bought a 2.5 meter Silver marine brand new but found out that the tube diameter was too small and wasn't as stable as I liked in rougher water. Just didn't feel that safe on the water in swells with wife and dog aboard. Finally picked up a 2006 Mercury 270 hypalon with air floor and keel for $225 at yard sale. Still small enough to place on the foredeck and lots more comfortable for me and the wife. I will keep the smaller dinghy for singlehanded trips someday.

[waternwaves]

pudgy

http://www.portlandpudgy.com/

[Rick Westlake]

After looking at their website, I am quite favorably impressed with the Portland Pudgy. But I'm pretty sure it would fill up the foredeck space of a Mac 26 to overflowing, and I've seen plenty of "towing a dinghy everywhere is not a good option" threads in boards meant for coastal & offshore cruisers. Plus - what about trailering with it? That's a substantial load to add to the roof of my 4Runner.

With my summer's experience using my inflatable KaBoat with Bossa Nova, I found I did well rowing it solo as a tender in harbor ... but not so well with two people aboard. (Ask Uncle Jim about that.) But it wasn't easy to inflate/deflate it on the foredeck; I found I had to inflate it with the bow tight up in the pulpit, the transom against the mast, and the sponsons projecting aft of that. It was awkward to launch or retrieve that way, because I had to lift the sponsons over my head to get them clear of the mast. And the KaBoat really did "fill up" Bossa Nova's foredeck.

If I were to "do it all over again" I would consider a single-person inflatable kayak as my "harbor tender" - something small enough to be easy to inflate/deflate/roll-up on Bossa Nova's foredeck. But I'd still want enough rated load to carry supplies & stuff from the dinghy dock to my boat and back - the Walker Bay Airis wouldn't do.

Chinook's PortaBote is another good option - it appears easy to assemble and dis-assemble, it doesn't take up too much deck room when it's folded down, but it's about as stable and capable as a hard-shell dinghy.

All that said, though, the Portland Pudgy looks like a very smart choice for those who have deck-space for a hard dinghy and even smarter for those who need to carry a liferaft. (That doesn't include Mac-sailors - events over the past summer have shown that our boats have enough flotation to serve as a liferaft.)

If I can get up to Portland next summer, I'm going to visit the factory and give it a very close look - preferably with a test-row (maybe a test-sail!)

[socalmacer]

I have made the trip to Catalina over a couple dozen times in the last 15 years on 2 Macs and have pulled an inflatable every time. One thing to consider when going to Catalina is you will not always get a moring in the harbor - Avalon or the Isthmus. To my point, the last trip over there there was not a single mooring available on the leeward side of the island which was early Friday in August '09 (suprising considering this economy). We had to anchor 3 miles from the dingy dock where an outboard motor was not a luxury but a a requirement. I have towed all my dingies behind the boat inflatted without the outboard mounted or anything else. On my X this was at full throttle, not full speed (faster than hull speed) as the weight of stowed items slowed me down. The two dingies I've used included a flat bottom and an inflatted keel design. These dingies are self bailing so any water that does get in doesn't stay long. I also make it a point to watch the dingy on the way over to see if any problems develop. Nothing compares to the stability you get from a "zodiac" style dingy. I've had six people in both of these for short trip. The last trip I made was with 2 adults and 3 kids. We were in that digny in the dark and made the 3 mile trip back and forth a number of time. My first inflattable lasted me 16 years and my latest one is 3 years old and look brand new. My suggestion is spend the extra money and get something that will not only be what you need but will provide the added safety/stability needed. Survey the dock at Catalina when you are there next, inflattable are by far the most commen dingk you will see. Good luck....

[curtis from carlsbad]

Wow ! I've got my work cut out for me on this dinghy idea. I like the looks of the Portland Pudgy very much but not the price nor the weight( I don't want to heft it complete with emergency ditch bag up onto the foredeck) . I would also worry about theft of the dinghy at Catalina while the Portland were tied up at the dinghy dock it's so nice. It looks like my towable idea is not very good so I'll have to figure out something else.I already shelled out $ 38,000 for the new Mac,gps,compass,vhf,AM/FM CD,used anchor 13lb danforth,265' of chain & rode (need a second anchor) and the used tow vehicle. Good thing I have until next Spring before I start making trips to Catalina to decide on the proper dinghy. I heard that on the West side of the Island in Catalina Harbor that you can always get a mooring ball or at least an anchorage. Is this true? I think I'll take a look here in 20 minutes at the 8x4' dinghy made out of plywood/fiberglass.It only weighs 35 lbs and has sealed compartments under the seats to keep it from sinking( he makes them here in Carlsbad as a side business,they cost $350. He says that I can put in some hatches (Kayak type) to store emergency gear/water/food in under the seats.It sounds like my fears of an engine fire are virtually unwarranted on this boat and that I could safely store the dink on the foredeck (with the anchor in a 4" pvc on the bow ready to rapidly deploy as a parking brake).I think this dink could only hold two people though but I'll just look at it tonight. Maybe I'll have to save for an inflatable zodiac type during the next few months but I don't like the looks of them for some reason that I can't explain. Curtis

[MARK PASSMORE]

Has anyone ever towed a canoe? I have never felt the need to tow a dingy at all, but now that Lake Lanier is over full pool and there are not as many nice sandy beaches to beach my . I have thought about towing an old town canoe that I already have. I think it would be ok on the lake but how about the Inter coastal or ocean? Thoughts and comments appreciated.

[ROAD Soldier]

Kayak yes, canoe no. There are some white water canoes out there that have air filled bags in them that might work but they are pricey. The price would not match the versatility of a dingy or kayak at all.

[waternwaves]

The manufacturer--(coleman) claims that their RamX polyethylene 17 ft canoes were unsinkable......

That does not mean that they will not flip over and completely fill with water while being towed. btw.....the cover which was bungied on, pulled loose when it flipped in the wind and waves.

Please. like many others have said before me, attach your gear securely. 4 bungies will not hold a cover on a 17 ft. canoe or a 8.5 baltik in bad weather.

Having tried....and partially gotten it onboard. The Pudgy is Not a foredeck option. something will break! look at a transom davit type system if you are going to use the pudgie.