TomCat Dinghy Question

jaber · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject: TomCat Dinghy Question

Hello all! I have been lingering around for quite some time now, but getting close (in 2008!) to finally getting a TomCat so wanted to engage a bit more personally now.

What dinghy do most of you TomCat owners have, and more importantly where the heck do you stow it? I was thinking something like a 9'4" to 10' inflatable should work fine (without engine) but stumped as to where I can put it. Front (upside down on bow covering berthing hatch) - seems like it may be a bit too long for this, not to mention probably not an ideal spot. Top - I think it will just be way too heavy and a pain to get up and down. Tow - I do not like the idea of towing.

Any help will be greatly appreciated! I have lots of questions lined up.

Thanks!

Chris

matt_unique · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:29 pm Post subject: Dinghy

I have not yet taken delivery of my Tomcat, but I will be using my 6' Mercury inflatable with a 3.5hp engine. My dinghy will easily stow on the roof of the cabin and I specifically purchased this one so I could carry it by myself. It's rated to carry two people, but it's really a 1 person mover. It's surprisingly stable even with some gear though. This small inflatable works great for me to get from ship to shore but it takes multiple trips to move a party to shore of course.

jaber · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks Matt. I have been debating on a smaller dinghy but leaning away from this as I will most likely always have four people on board; the darn 'what if' factor keeps coming up. If I am unable to find a suitable place, it may just be a 6 footer.

Speaking of, will you keep the motor on this or put on once in the water? Are you planning putting it on top upside down and somewhat slid under the radar platform?

Thanks!

Chris

Dreamer · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 5:44 pm Post subject:

Hi Chris, Welcome to the site and the TC-255 fold. Here's one solution. It's an Achilles LT-4. We put the arch forward just to accommodate a dinghy loaded from the cockpit. The 2 hp Honda mounts on a shop made rail mount in the cockpit. Roger

Bearbait · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject:

If all you are going to be using it for is getting back and forth to shore then keep it small, they are very heavy and cumbersome to get up on the boat.

matt_unique · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:32 pm Post subject: Dinghy

Discovery · Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:42 pm Post subject:

his was our solution on the trip to BC last year. The bracket finally gave out while in Florida last winter. I will make a new and improved, stronger version, in the future.

Also put the dingy motor in the cockpit.

jaber · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 1:28 pm Post subject:

Thanks all for the info! (Sorry for the delay, was out of town) Maybe I will get a smaller one afterall. Was worried about not having a craft large enough to carry all people, but that may be a unnecessary worry.

Dreamer - what size and weight is your dinghy? A 6 footer also?

And to top it off, lots of great pics of the 255! What a beautiful boat on the water. Smile

Thanks again!

Chris