[C38] New Topic: Dinghys

[Tom T.]

I'm enjoying the different takes on dinghies.

Like most things, there is no "one shoe fits all" approach to dinghy
selections.

After seeing some of the replies on this forum, I'm surprised at some
mention personal experiences of tow ability vs. launch ability of various
dinghies.

Our RIB towed very well, even with the outboard and fuel.  At any speed
that produced a stern wake, we would tether the boat so that it would ride
the leading edge of the stern wake and surf behind us.  We used a double
bridle to tether the dinghy straight and at times the dinghy bridle would
go slack as the dinghy tried to catch up to us by surfing down the stern
wake.

We could often travel faster towing than with the motor stowed on the stern
rail and the dinghy stowed on the bow.  It seems the extra weight on the 38
reduced our speed overall more than the speed loss from towing when we had
a stern wake.

The transom plug on the RIB is a one-way flapper valve so any water in the
dinghy is self bailing.  Even in rough seas, the RIB never took in any
water anyway so the only water it received was if it rained and the self
bailing drain plug took care of that.

We sold the 38 but we still have the 10' RIB, along with several other
dinghies.  The RIB is by far our favorite because of its volume, dryness,
easy towing, speed and unlike the experiences of others, our RIB is very
easy to row.  Not all brands are alike.

We had a neighbor on our dock with another brand RIB and his neither towed
well or rowed well.

As I said, no dinghy is perfect for all occasions but for me, the RIB we
have is as close as I will get.

Because of the exceptional stability of the RIB, we have no problem getting
people on and off.  We have a smaller hard shell dinghy that is very tender
in similar conditions.  Some of our guests have been older sailors and
getting them on and off was a fright with the less stable dinghies.

Tom Troncalli
Extreme Boataholic


> [Original Message]
> From: Craig Steinkraus <Navion at Charter.net>
> To: Catalina 38 Listserve <listserve at catalina38.org>
> Date: 1/14/2011 10:28:30 PM
> Subject: Re: [C38] New Topic:  Dinghys
>
> Jay, I bought my first dinghy from    www.boatstogo.com     Air floor and
a 
> V bottom. Not the best dinghy in the world, but the price was right and
used 
> it for several years before upgrading to a RIB.
>
> Craig Steinkraus
> "Wings" C-38 # 280
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jay Sorensen" <jsorensen at novarx.com>
> To: "Catalina 38 Listserve" <listserve at catalina38.org>
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 7:46 PM
> Subject: [C38] New Topic: Dinghys
>
>
> OK, I'm sort of dubious about asking this question.
>
> Now that the boat is looking good and safe the family of 4 is planning on
a 
> 10 day or so cruise to Catalina, Santa Barbara, and San Clemente Islands 
> here in So. Cal this summer.  I have done the trip before delivering 
boats 
> to Santa Barbara, Marina del Ray, Long Beach, etc. for races and have
always 
> used the local shore boat to get ashore.
>
> But first mate Dorothy likes the concept of instant access to the shore
for 
> her jogs, dining, etc.  And what the first mate wants, the first mate
gets. 
> Maybe I should start calling her Admiral..............
>
> We have a tandem kayak but that is not a stable way to leave the boat. 
> We've tried!
>
> Anyway, probably like others out there I don't want to spend a lot of $$
for 
> something that will not be used often.
> We don't need a high power planing dinghy because the anchorages are all 
> close to where we want to go ashore.
>
> I'm thinking about either a 10' Haypalon inflatable with a < 10hp engine
and 
> a soft bottom or a 12' folding boat with a similar or smaller motor
(after 
> someone on the board said they used one.)  Together we all weigh apx
600lb 
> so we are approaching the upper limit of the 12' porte-a-boat.  Used ones 
> are less expensive here and may stow better on the raiing??  But do you
get 
> what you pay for??
>
> We do not have davits, and will store it on the foredeck during
crossings. 
> The ability to roll up the dinghy and not deal with floorboards seems
like 
> it would be a benifit.  But a folding boat stored across from the kayak 
> seems like a nice balance.
>
> So what do you have out there and what do you think will work for our
first 
> dinghy?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jay & Dorothy Sorensen
> C-38 #311 Broad Reach
> San Diego, CA
>
>
>
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
>
>
> > _______________________________________________
> > Listserve mailing list
> > Listserve at catalina38.org
> > http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org
> > 
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Listserve mailing list
> Listserve at catalina38.org
> http://catalina38.org/mailman/listinfo/listserve_catalina38.org