Dinghy Options for the Ranger 25?

Island Ranger

I'm trying to decide what dinghy to use on Island Ranger. I'd especially like a hard bottom one, mounted on the swim platform so we can run it onto the beach without concern.

I tried our 8 ft Walker Bay...great dinghy, but I don't think it fits on the swim platform very well.

I then tried our Achilles LT-2 inflatable. It looks pretty good on the swim platform. But, the LT-2 is just a little small (per Linda), maybe I should go with a little larger dinghy, and put it on the cabin top?

So I tried to put it on the cabin top - it is about the lightest dinghy around, but still it was fairly difficult to get up there. I'd need to shift the sports rack around to have it fit better but I wouldn't want to try with an even bigger one....

I posted pictures in our album. I'd sure love to hear other ideas before I resign myself to the LT-2 and buy the weaver davits.

Is there a good hard dinghy that I should look at?

Anyone want to buy the Walker Bay? Laughing

Mac

journey on · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:04 pm Post subject:

having nothing better to do, I'll critique your dingy installation.

1. Owning a C-25, we cant carry any dingy on the rear, so you're one step ahead.
2. The Walker looks good. Tilt one end up and it'll be shorter.
3. The LT-2 has a tube transom. Try one of the others which have a board transom. Should give more room.
4. Since you're not going to have to deflate it to travel, how about a hard bottom inflatable. They're great (though I cant figure out how to haul one on the C-25.)

Looks like you can't lose.

The Southern Boris

thataway · Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:09 pm Post subject: h

There are several "nesting" dinghies. That is sort of a solution--but then you have to assemble the two halfs. With a transom about 8 feet, most of the C Dory family do not lend well to the usual hard dinghies. One less than 8 feet has little room--but one could make a plywood pram, with fiberglass covering with 7 foot length and adequate beam which would fit nicely on the swim step. Glen L has several plans which could be modified to fit.

another option is to put a hard top over the cockpit with a crane davit and then you have a number of options from pulling boats to nice 10 foot dinghies.

One of my favorite sailing dinghies is the Fatty Knees. They row and power well with small motors also. These are designed by Lyle Hess and there is a 7 foot version. These are currently built by Edey and Duff, but they tain't cheap!

Old Dog · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:50 am Post subject:

It is a bit of a problem for sure. The Walker Bay is a good dinghy and you might be able to rig a connection that would look right to you. St. Croix makes a tipup davit specifically for the Walker Bay but it is overkill.

Previously I have liked hard bottom dinghies but most are a bit too large to sit well on the Ranger. If there is one available less than 8 feet, you might like that.

I've gone the route of building a 7 1/2 foot wood sailing dinghy and am still undecided on how to mount it on the swim platform. Don't like the idea of Weaver davits because of the pounding the side of the dinghy takes when underway. The St. Croix system for the Walker Bay was not only excessive, it didn't fit well. May make a custom system or just keep it very simple.

Will be interested in your solution.

tuggin' · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:21 am Post subject:

Easy fix for this is found at www.dinghy-tow.com

Ron on Meander · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:56 am Post subject:

Mac,
Something that would work for the Walker Bay is to carry it on the swim grid vertically. Good old Red Fox used to do that with his inflatable in his cockpit. I've also seen at leat one other boater with a dinghy in this configuration. The weaver davits would still work in this way. The aesthetics might be somewhat compromised and the visibility may be impacted as well, but its one way to avoid lifting the dinghy on the roof.
Ron

thataway · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:14 pm Post subject:

The other option is conventional davits--and most likely that is the way I would go. A further option is the dinghy brackets which allow the dinghy to rest on its bottom on the swim step, and pivot athwartships, or allow the cradle to roll up on the swim step. I am not a great fan of either the Weaver or the tow behind--but everyone to his choices..

Island Ranger · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the suggestions. I wish I had tried standing the WalkerBay on end during my experimentation. I am guessing I wouldn't like the aesthetics, or the blocked visibility, but it would have been easy to check yesterday. Darn

Wouldn't choose the tow behind, and hadn't considered hanging davits. Gonna have to think about that one - especially 'cause I love the Fatty Knees!

Thanks again,
Mac

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject:

Crazy Idea # 8472:

Could one built a dinghy out of two small kayaks that could be bolted together?

It might not be super quick to assemble, but really might not take much longer that some of the inflatables with floors and other dinghy schemes.

The two kayaks could be used individually, of course, and when linked together would form a stable catamaran.

They'd be a lot easier to lift up to the cabin top individually than an inflatable or single rigid hull, too.

Cross linking struts could be designged with support bases so that only the struts and big wing nuts or knobs would have to be added during assembly.

A motor bracket could be added between the hulls, or more simply be incorporated into the rear strut.

The dimensions willing, the two hulls could be assembled together laying athwartships* on the gunnels in the cockpit, crawling underneath to get fore and aft, then launched over the side. (Bimini and cockpit closures might prohibit this, depending on their design.)

Would be especially do-able with ultra-lightweight hull composition materials, but doable in the injection molded plastics, too.

Something to have fun thinking about, anyway!

Joe.

* had a typo on this word initially:

athfartships

Definition: One of those tricky seamanship maneuvers one always performs quietly to leeward except when boating alone.

jlgray · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 12:09 am Post subject: Dingy Option

At the Seattle Boat Show, we became facinated with the Portland Pudgy, a hard bottom, molded plastic, rated as a 4 person lifeboat because it has a ton of floatation in it,yet can come with a sail kit, rows, and is less than 8 feet long! Check it out at portlandpudgy.com

Though made in Portland Maine, there is a start-up manufacturing plant in the Northwest and the rep for that is Anthony Peterson at 206-334-1221

We have hull number 36 on order for a June delivery and seriously thinking about adding a Portland Pudgy to the transom

Sea Wolf · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:27 am Post subject:

Here's a push-btton link to the Portland Pudgy Dinghy.

Seven feet eight inches long. 128 lbs. Basic dinghy $1900. Sailing rig optional ($900). Exposure cover (life raft duty) optional($1300).

Joe.

Island Ranger · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:28 am Post subject:

That looks great! I think we'll call in the morning to see if we can see how one will fit the back of Island Ranger. Thanks!

Mac

Wefings · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:46 am Post subject:

I met the Pudgy People at the Maine Boats ,Homes and Harbors show in Rockland Maine last year . That looks like a great solution . Multi use and very tough.
Marc

drjohn71a · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:49 am Post subject:

John...

that Pudgy thing looks great... about time they got a 4 person, rigid dinghy under 8 feet! I've already bought kayaks for now, but I will prob upgrade to something like that in the future.

Thanks for the photo...

John

timflan · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:18 pm Post subject:

Thataway suggested nesting dinghies. I don't know much about these...I've just admired them from afar.

http://www.niccollslite.net/