View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
C-Dawg
Joined: 31 Aug 2007 Posts: 509 City/Region: Spanaway
State or Province: WA
Photos: C-Dawg
|
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:37 pm Post subject: Trailering with dinghy aloft |
|
|
I searched the archives, but didn't come up with an answer. Is it safe to travel at freeway speeds with the dinghy strapped to the cabin roof? Or should it be inflated at the launch?
What's everyone else do? _________________ Rick & Shirley
Go Dawgs!
C-Dawg sold November 2018 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
JamesTXSD
Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 7444 City/Region: from island boy to desert dweller
State or Province: AZ
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: "Wild Blue" (sold 9/14)
Photos: Wild Blue
|
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
We do not trailer with the dinghy on top - I would be concerned that there would be wear on the inflatable where it's strapped or tied. It only takes a few minutes to inflate the dinghy once we get to the launch area.
Best wishes,
Jim B. _________________ Jim & Joan
CD-25 "Wild Blue" (sold August 2014)
http://captnjim.blogspot.com/
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Dreamer
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1763 City/Region: Really Sunny SaddleBrooke
State or Province: AZ
Photos: Dreamer
|
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Rick,
We leave it up there all the time. We secure it from the front and sides. After 5 years, it shows no signs of wear where it slides under the arch. See album for photos. _________________ Roger
Once a C-Brat, always a C-Brat
Dreamer- Sold 25 Feb. 2013 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
starcrafttom
Joined: 07 Nov 2003 Posts: 7878 City/Region: marysville
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1984
C-Dory Model: 27 Cruiser
Vessel Name: to be decided later
Photos: Susan E
|
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
We tow from home in marysville to twin bridges every weekend in the summer. 30 mile or so each way. speeds up to 70 for most of it and we always leave the dinghy on top. just use two good ratcheting tie downs. no problems with it yet. we also run the boat with the dinghy on top. _________________ Thomas J Elliott
http://tomsfishinggear.blogspot.com/ |
|
Back to top |
|
|
hardee
Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 12632 City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
Photos: SleepyC
|
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think it would depend on several things:
1. How the dingy is tied down, with what and where
2. How the tiedown attachments are affixed onto the dingy
3. How much flexing the dingy does if/when tied and traveling at "freeway" speeds.
4. Where it is rubbing or wearing, on both the dingy and the C-Dory
If it is up there, it is going to add more to the windage of the tow. If it is tucked in, tight, and there is little flexing or rubbing, and you are OK with the added windage, and as long as it is VERY secure, I would think it OK to tow with it up.
(Be a good time here to get on my soap box) about using Bungee cords for load securing ----->> NOT. Stretching == movement == NOT secure. Learn a couple of basic knots, and use them with sturdy line and you have no worries about your load.
Harvey
SleepyC _________________ Though in our sleep we are not conscious of our activity or surroundings, we should not, in our wakefulness, be unconscious of our sleep. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Catch 22
Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 385 City/Region: Lynnwood
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Catch 22
Photos: Catch 22
|
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
I've pulled my boat many many miles with the two kayaks on the roof. No problems. _________________ Kevin Richards - Catch 22 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Adeline
Joined: 03 Nov 2003 Posts: 985 City/Region: Vancouver
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Adeline
Photos: Adeline
|
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: | What's everyone else do? |
Here's a 7'7" Achilles in "Road Mode" secured in the cockpit...inflated.
_________________ Pete
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
localboy
Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 4656 City/Region: Lake Stevens via Honolulu
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: 'Au Kai (Ocean Traveler)
Photos: 'AU KAI
|
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Rick, we tow w/ the dinghy on the cabin roof, upside down/bow forward, and held down by a bungie cord "spider-web". No issues at all. Our dinghy is 7'11". It's so much easier to inflate at home w/ my compressor system [than the foot pump]. I can inflate the entire boat, including floor, in less than 5 minutes @ home.
Quote: | (Be a good time here to get on my soap box) about using Bungee cords for load securing ----->> NOT. Stretching == movement == NOT secure. Learn a couple of basic knots, and use them with sturdy line and you have no worries about your load. |
Harvey the inexspensive bungie web I use (Harbor Freight) is stretched nearly to it's limit while holding down the boat, so it's tight. It has plastic hooks every 8" or so and they fit perfectly over the rooftop grab rails. The boat is held down 360* and the forces are evenly distributed over the entire boat & roof. The first time I used it M watched once we hit the freeway (60 mph); it didn't move an inch. I don't disagree about your point of using lines/knots, but this solution so far is easy, quick and effecient. When the web shows sign of wear, it will be replaced. I think I paid ~$15 for it. _________________ "We can go over there...behind the 'little one'....."
Wife to her husband pointing @ us...from the bow of their 50-footer; Prideaux Haven 2013 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20779 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
|
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think a lot depends on where you are going to tow the boat. We do not tow with a dinghy inflated. There are issues of relative pressure as you go up in altitude. You could possibly damage the inflatable going from sea level to 9700 feet. There is gong to be increase wind resistance, and you will not get as good fuel economy with the tow vehicle. We will inflate the dinghy the first night under way. Even at home, we carry the dinghy in the cockpit until we stop for the first night, when we inflate it. _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
|
Back to top |
|
|
teflonmom
Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 415 City/Region: Red Lion
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Snickers AUG 08
|
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject: Trailering with dingy aloft |
|
|
We carried our inflatable on top of our van on several trips to Florida. No problems except one time in the winter we lost the air in the dink due to temp change. It got very soft. _________________ Pat & Fred Messerly |
|
Back to top |
|
|
hardee
Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 12632 City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
Photos: SleepyC
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: | Harvey the inexspensive bungie web I use (Harbor Freight) is stretched nearly to it's limit while holding down the boat, so it's tight. It has plastic hooks every 8" or so and they fit perfectly over the rooftop grab rails. The boat is held down 360* and the forces are evenly distributed over the entire boat & roof. The first time I used it M watched once we hit the freeway (60 mph); it didn't move an inch. I don't disagree about your point of using lines/knots, but this solution so far is easy, quick and effecient. When the web shows sign of wear, it will be replaced. I think I paid ~$15 for it. |
Mark, Your exception is noted. I too, use a bungee spider webb for some things, and as you specified, it will do the job. My issue is with the single or two bungee cords to hold anything down. Too much stretch, and not enough security.
Harvey
SleepyC |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Levity
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 204 City/Region: Shippensburg
State or Province: PA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Levity
Photos: Levity
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
We travel with the Achilles LT-2 inflated and in the cabin. No windage or wear issues.
Mike- Levity |
|
Back to top |
|
|
amy and karl
Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 228 City/Region: Graham
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-DAISY
Photos: C-DAISY
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Rick,
We have towed to Port Hardy, B.C. at freeway speeds and possibly above for three summers now. Not to mention countless trips to Tacoma and Bellingham. We typically have two crab pots and a couple full jerry cans of gas in the dinghy. All held down by two dock lines on top of the 22. Our dinghy was a pvc 9'1" Silver Marine with air floor. Never had any problems as a result. Save yourself some time and leave it inflated on the roof, bow forward rightside up.
Karl |
|
Back to top |
|
|
C-Dawg
Joined: 31 Aug 2007 Posts: 509 City/Region: Spanaway
State or Province: WA
Photos: C-Dawg
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks all. Sounds like there's no issue with carrying aloft as long as it's secured correctly. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pat Anderson
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 8551 City/Region: Birch Bay, WA
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Daydream
Photos: Daydream and Crabby Lou
|
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
Like Roger on Dreamer, we travel with our Alaska Series dinghy bow forward and right side up on the cabin roof of Daydream all the time. It is held down by two ratchet straps, and I tie the painter to the front cleat. I have not see any wear or other problem from doing this, we have gone to Powell and back twice with it on top (last year we took kayaks instead, and this year, as you may know, we were halted a good deal short of Powell, Yakima to be precise), and to the San Juans and back literally dozens of times. Not a problem. _________________
DAYDREAM - CD25 Cruiser
CRABBY LOU - CD16 Angler (sold 2020)
Pat & Patty Anderson, C-Brat #62!
http://daydreamsloop.blogspot.com
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|