Tenders (Dingys)

[Donald Tyson]

Hello Boaters,
Okay. Let's take a count. How Many of you with the cruising sized C-Dorys keep a dingy with you when 1) Cruising or 2) all the time. Is it a hard Dingy or Inflatable. Do you tow it, roof it or Davit it ???. I've heard it suggested that because of C-Dorys shallow draft why bother with a Dinghy? I was thinking it would be nice for fishing up creeks or outside of harbors. A good example might be if in the tiny harbor In Burton Island, and the wife is relaxing of making dinner aboard the boat, I could feel free to take off and fish the rocky ledges of the outer parts of the Island.
So lets hear how many carry dinghies and what type?

[Foggy]

In the spirit of "less is more", some use their C-Dory as their dinghy.

Aye.

[Donald Tyson]

Well put. The first year (2025) we plan to use the boat in a shakedown fashion, up and down home territory, here on the east coast. Keep it simple Sonny!

[Donald Tyson]

Kind of on a ledge here btwn old and new. Book or computer. I hope I am not upsetting anyone with three questions in a row today but after surgery yesterday, I'm home climbing the walls, and yet trying to get my ducks in a row for 2025.
I have three areas of learning/recording I want to work on (i.e. log). Budget, Travel log, Repairs and upgrades.
Do you keep all your records in the cloud, on a computer or do you do it the old fashioned way by actually writing it all into a book.
If you have a moment I'l benefit from your replies.

[thataway]

When cruising we almost always had an inflatable dinghy. Carried on the roof, and use of a Garhauer davit to get the dinghy up there.

We cruise with dogs, and take them ashore at least 3 times a day. If there is any significant tide, and it goes out--you can easily pick up an inflatable dinghy and carry it (or even drag it to the water--not so with a C Dory--and you might be stuck on the beach for hours. Also if a storm were to come up, getting the boat off the beach may be difficult and also dangerous.

We also like to photograph wild life and birds. The dinghy with an electric motor is ideal for this.

We are aware of some C Dorys who used a Portland Pudgy however its 128# is a bit of a handfull to get on the cabin top.

Towing can lead to disaster. Even towing a RIB (which we occasionally did with the cal 46.). Capsize, become air born with heavy wind gusts, etc.

Short distances in good weather we towed a couple of times.

We used the dinghy for visiting with and transport to other boats, including other CDory's. In a place like Lake Powell, where you can get phone reception in limited places, it is easy to take the dinghy out of the cove into the middle of the lake to have line of sight with the cell towers. Even in emergencies this is important. For example when one of the Sea Brats had to be helicoptered out on a life flight, we had to have phone relay to the 911 and park rangers, until both were fairly close for even
VHF (repeater) transmissions.

On Davits off the stern--never saw that on a C Dory--but the Ranger Tug, outboard editions have a way of carrying it over the outboard motors. That might be copied by a C Dory owner.

[Karl Konecny]

I built a cedar strip canoe designed to fit on a roof rack beside my radar post. 10.5' long and extra wide, it can carry two people and my black lab. It only weighs 30 lbs and I can single handedly launch and retrieve it with a removable davit and pulley system that extends the rack.
I don't like to beach my C-Dory except on sand and during the appropriate tide so I use the canoe (named Archie -- after the Archie fire that killed the tree I built her out of). I also enjoy a quiet morning or evening exploring canoe paddle to watch wildlife, etc.

[Peter & Judy]

Our dingy is actually a pair of 13 foot kayaks. We don't take Mistaya anywhere without them. They are Seaward Mantra kayaks which are very seaworthy, not just some plastic toys from Walmart. Our C-Dory is our mothership and we plan our voyages around nice places to kayak. The biggest pleasure sea kayaking is the time spend exploring around islands and bays without having to paddle down long fjords or crossings in difficult seas. While we do enjoy getting out on kayak camping trips every year, our C-Dory will take us to remote and beautiful locations where we might spend days paddling just to get too.

We still manually lift our kayaks onto the roof of the boat, they seem to get heavier every year, so a davit will be considered into the future.

[robhwa]

I had an inflatable Avon that same with the CD22 when I bought it. I can see the point of having the dinghy for convenience and beaching, and my outboards (Cruise-n-carry 0.7 and 2.7) and now Torqeedo 1103 pushed it well. In particular, we don't typically have sandy beaches, and tidal differences are about 15 ft average. Its easy to get beached. The Avon was already well worn and hard to get on the roof. Its inflatable deck finally split and was unrepairable, and replacing it crazy expensive. I put a plywood deck in, which worked OK. However, I like to paddle a lot, so I started carrying canoes and kayaks. I have four nice kevlar canoes, a Minnesota II (42 lb), Champlain (46 lb) and recently Wee Lassie 10.5 (16 lb) and 12.5 (25 lb). These are pretty easy to get on the roof, and when I get there, I don't think twice about taking them off to expose my solar panels more. As I get older and weaker, I've started carrying the Lassies because of their light weight and can tie them together to make a very stable cat boat. I startedby using 2x4s and rope, but found these (https://www.springcreek.com/product/paddle-sports/canoe-accessories/lashing-bars/) which are better. This combination is driven really well with the Torqeedo, which I've moved complete to due to the low noise, not needing gas and oil, and low weight as I can move the motor and battery from the C-Dory separately. The Lassies are also fun for kids, as you have a comfortable seat in the bottom, and they paddle like kayaks.

[ssobol]

I have a dinghy for my CD22. However, I rarely use it and mostly leave it at home. Perhaps for extended cruises I might carry it just in case.

It depends on where you cruise. In remote B.C. a dinghy may be more useful than on the Erie canal.

[starcrafttom]

We have a 9ft? inflatable with a inflatable keel . The keel and floor are the must have for me. It allows you to easily row the boat to shore far better then a flat floor or a wood floor. I have had all of them at one time or another and nothing rows as easily as a blow up keel and floor. We used to carry a small motor for going to shore when we had a flat floor but it faster to just row now then get the motor on the dinghy. I carry the dinghy on the roof and just lift it up by the bow rope. Its really easy if you have a plan.

[colbysmith]

I have inflatable kayaks for my wife and I. Depending upon where we are cruising, sometimes I take them, sometimes I don't. I use the kayaks for exercise & enjoyment or exploring small streams where the C-Dory wouldn't be able to go, getting from boat to shore or another boat, if I'm going to be doing a lot of anchoring out and figure that need will arise. However, I do not travel with a pet, so that would not be a reason to going ashore. My decision making initially started with my planning to do the Alaska Inside Passage, and wanting a rescue device. I was looking at gumby suits as well. And motorized dinghy's. Finally decided the best choice for me would be an inflatable kayak. Light weight, easily storable, and no need for additional gas or registration. And would give me the opportunity to get off the boat at anchor. BTW, I don't enjoy paddling, so I have a Hobie peddle craft. Colby

[Plan C]

Ocean liners and Navy ships carry lifeboats. They don’t expect to sink. Why is a C Dory different?
With my first 22 I started with a small Avon type inflatable, with a 2hp Honda. I sold the Honda first. It was way too inconvenient. I anchor close to shore, and did not have the need for an outboard. Then I got rid of the inflatable. With the transom taking up space, making the passenger capacity tiny, it wasn’t a great dinghy. Plus, it was bulky.
I switched to a far cheaper solution, a two person inflatable like the Intek. These remarkable inflatables have more space than the outboard version, and they only cost about 50 bucks. Over the years, I have had several. I have yet to have one leak. If they last a year, they are terrific. Two, magnificent!
I have one now that may be four years old. I have yet to have one leak air.
I can put it up on the roof with one hand. It does row, but not terrifically.
If my boat ever sank, the Intek, for less than the price of a good PFD, can get me out of the cold water.
That’s my dinghy choice.

[JamesTXSD]

Over the years, we had various dinghies for our sailboats and C-Dory: Porta-Bote (hard/flexible/folding), inflatables by Zodiac and Achilles. Powered them with outboards: 2.5hp, 3.5hp, 5hp (which mounted on an adjustable bracket on the back of the C-Dory - just in case). All the inflatables could be rowed, none of them great for that. We also used kayaks on the C-Dory occasionally.







I've often said the best accessory for a C-Dory is the trailer: it greatly expands your cruising opportunities. Depending on where you are cruising, a dinghy (or kayaks) is the second best accessory if you are in areas where docks or beaching aren't options. Another good accessory is a pair of bicycles when you don't have access to your tow vehicle...

[gulfcoast john]

Hi Don,

Since it will be your first overnight pocket yacht cruising boat, it’s hard to impossible to know what you and your wife and dog (I’m under the impression you plan to boat with a dog from some other post somewhere) will end up enjoying (and not enjoying so much) until you actually try it. That’s OK, and should lessen your anxieties, especially with your wise decision to spend your first season cruising locally rather than committing to Looping in an unfamiliar boat with unfamiliar systems in unfamiliar waters. Soon enough, you’ll find out what works best for you and crew…but if 99% of us make other choices, don’t feel like you made the wrong choice. You did not.

Bob has excellent points as always.

Should you choose to Loop with a dog, consider a dinghy (with 2 adult seats and capacity rated for the dog) absolutely, positively, 100% mandatory. There are sections where you can’t reach the next marina before dark even at 25-30 MPH, such as Bobby’s Fish Camp to Fairhope, AL with locks and a long no wake zone through Mobile. With a dinghy you can row the dog to a boat ramp in a public park. Without one, you’d have to hold the dog in your arms on the bow while your wife gently motors (grinds?) the bow onto the slippery concrete ramp…what could go wrong? How will you get back onboard holding the dog in your arms after he does his business? He might do his business IN your arms if he’s a really smart dog. Other problem areas include the marshes off SC and GA, the granite islands throughout Georgian Bay and a few other places. Otherwise, you can easily get you and the dog on land or to a marina 100% of the time locally and 90% of the time in a fast trailer boat on the Loop. But not 100% of the time.

We bought a 12 ft Saturn HP air floor inflatable kayak years ago off a Brat crew who only used it once, on our theory that it might be useful in Georgian Bay this summer, but never inflated it. The bag alone is 24” in diameter and 30” high when tightly packed (which you won’t do in the dark in the rain on the boat), plus inflator machine, paddles, V tow lines with buoys etc. That all takes up a lot of room on a small boat. Make up a dummy model and see. It would interfere with the solar panel if we put it on the roof, and we have a 15k BTU Coleman up there plus Garmin 24HD radar + stand, hailer/foghorn, and VHF and AIS antennas. Maybe you’ll want bikes up there instead. You won’t know until you start boating on your boat.

You can’t know what nav suite the boat will have, but used C-Dorys are likely to have a Big Five brand plotter. You can delay the ‘tablet vs MFD’ Looper controversy and decisions until you see what your boat includes. For local boating, all you really need is a HH floating VHF radio ($200 w/o DSC), and anchor appropriate for your boat and local conditions (although NEITHER are required by the USCG,oddly enough) and a simple digit depth sounder (+ the USCG signals). For all Loop and US areas including penetrating 10ft of Eurasian millfoil in upstate NY canals, the PNW and catching a crack in the smooth pink granite bottom Escarpment in Canada, the Manson Supreme 25# with the release slot plus a Mantus swivel is great for a CD25 but can wait.

Deciding on a rough overall budget for boat purchase will help, and the ‘For Sale’ listings will give you a general idea about asking prices. Upgrades and repairs will depend on the condition of the boat, and your surveyor should be helpful with that. Modern well maintained outboard engines are about as reliable as car engines (many Hondas ARE car engines). Your Surveyor will require the Seller to prove the boat will reach the specified RPM at WOT at sea trial. They/It may not know much about trailers. Check the VIN plate for capacity and ensure tires are less than 36 months from MFG date stamp (week/year format on the tire). Bring a 12k bottle jack to the Survey and ensure each trailer tire spins smoothly without grinding or play when you twist it. If you’re handy enough to do your own 100 hour engine service you can save the $125/h shop fee.

Re Budget, you’ll likely get 2-3 MPG on plane on a CD25 and somewhat better at displacement speeds. Marina E-0 gas is FAR more expensive, so fill up on the road. Marinas serving outboard boats under 30 feet with 3-5 ft entrance depths are not listed in WWG or the AGLCA Forum we both read, but avg $1.50-1.75/ft/night vs $3.50/ft at ‘resort’ marinas with a 35 or 40 ft minimum. Call and ask.

When we’re onboard, we eat (and drink) the exact same items we do at home from Publix. Our monthly expenses are exactly the same at home or away cruising…but we still go places and do things while not cruising. YMMV.

Re cost logs, we simply use my Mastercard for all cruising purchases and review them online using our Verizon phone mobile hotspot, not marina wi-fi of course due to poor security. Anywhere you’re likely to boat in Canada will take your credit card, and the exchange rate you get is better than you get with Canadian cash + fee from a bank. A few little fruit stands and farmer’s markets want cash, but they will take your Dollars at par without the 20% discount they SHOULD give you..so no tips needed. In 4,900 miles and 214 locks on the loop since 2017, we have encountered exactly three marina fuel docks that will give a 3.5-5% discount for cash or even an out-of state check, but they still accept the card. Although we had been cruising parts of the Great Loop for 40 years, we didn’t know it until we met a CD25 crew doing the Loop in 2017 at Bob’s house and decided to start it ourselves. Thanks, Bob, Marie and Daydream crew for getting us started way back then!

Regarding voyage logging, your engine (2010 or later for Honda, 2006 for most others) will record hours and odometer as it will be on the N2K backbone with the GPS antenna or MFD GPS. For amazing gold-plated voyage logging, the fixed NeboLink ($125 with ACLCA discount) and Nebo Gold plan ($100/yr) is awesome, including automated starts, stops, times, locations, speeds, mapping, temp, altitude, weather, etc etc all reported and saved online in PDF format for your records with zero input required of me. It is both totally awesome and totally unnecessary! Sadly, we always fall for that particular combination of attributes. Again, YMMV.

For family/friends blogging, nothing beats the balance of ease of use vs features of the free no ads Find Penguins app since we are not Facebook fans.

I fear you are sweating way too much ‘small stuff’ way too far in advance of your actual boat purchase. A ballpark boat purchase budget is good. After purchase, your actual experience will determine how much your cruising costs will average. I suspect it will be less than you estimate. Although I agree that the Boat US estimate that outfitting a NEW boat will add 20-25% to the purchase cost, that does not apply to a used C-Dory 95% of the time if you choose wisely with a good Surveyor.

If you ask about Looping with a dog on a trailer boat without a dinghy on the AGLCA forum I suspect my impressions would be confirmed there, but you might choose to try it anyway. Stay mellow, curious but patient. Best wishes for a fast and painless recovery! PM or call for any questions. Hope something here is helpful.

John

[Hunkydory]

We’ve towed a variety of different dinghies behind our 22 cruiser over the last 22 boating seasons for over 10,000 miles & thousands more miles mounted on the cabin. Yes, you have to be conscious of its being towed in evaluating your daily/hourly sea conditions, but in all those miles, I’ve only had a dingy flip twice. Much more trouble than that, has come from the tow rope getting entangled in the prop or props. I still tow considerably, while on an extended cruise for the convenience of quick access to the dingy, with much of this done at displacement speed, as by the experience gained from all the past towing , I’ve learned a lot on what conditions & circumstances to avoid.

Others here have well described the types, usage & the many attributes of having a dingy, I will add, even though a 22 C- Dory & even the 25 is capable of very shallow water exploration, there’s risk in doing so. I’ve found our 22 C-Dory gets us into many places, the larger deeper drafted boats don’t dare go, but the fun doubles, when you can go explore further up the tidal bays & rivers in a dingy, while getting even closer to the wildlife without the risk of damage to your cruising boat.

For another way to learn & see more about the various uses of dinghies, I would suggest you read in the Grand Adventure Forum, the many extended cruises, written by us C-Brats & look at the photos & video of the different varieties & how they were used, towed & mounted.

Jay