The C-Brats Forum Index
HomeForumsMy TopicsCalendarEvent SignupsMemberlistOur C-DorysThe Brat MapPhotos

Trailering with dinghy aloft

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Dinghys
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
PostPosted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:37 pm    Post subject: Trailering with dinghy aloft Reply with quote

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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
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
PostPosted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Dreamer



Joined: 01 Jan 2006
Posts: 1763
City/Region: Really Sunny SaddleBrooke
State or Province: AZ
Photos: Dreamer
PostPosted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
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
PostPosted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
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
PostPosted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Moon

_________________
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
View user's profile Send private message
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
PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've pulled my boat many many miles with the two kayaks on the roof. No problems.
_________________
Kevin Richards - Catch 22
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
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
PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
What's everyone else do?


Here's a 7'7" Achilles in "Road Mode" secured in the cockpit...inflated.


_________________
Pete

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
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
PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
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
PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
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
PostPosted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:32 pm    Post subject: Trailering with dingy aloft Reply with quote

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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
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
PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Moon
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
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
PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

We travel with the Achilles LT-2 inflated and in the cabin. No windage or wear issues.
Mike- Levity
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
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
PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rick,

We have towed to Port Hardy, B.C. at freeway speeds and possibly above Wink 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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
C-Dawg



Joined: 31 Aug 2007
Posts: 509
City/Region: Spanaway
State or Province: WA
Photos: C-Dawg
PostPosted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks all. Sounds like there's no issue with carrying aloft as long as it's secured correctly.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
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
PostPosted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The C-Brats Forum Index -> Dinghys All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
     Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum



Page generation time: 0.0671s (PHP: 69% - SQL: 31%) - SQL queries: 33 - GZIP disabled - Debug on