Dinghy Delima

[BenCarney]

My new (to me) CD22 came with a really nice Zodiac Cadet 230 aero. Seemed like a bonus as part of the deal, but now I'm not so sure. I just mocked it up with some scaffolding to see what it would be like to manually hoist onto the cabin top from approximately water level. Now I know I can do it, but I also know I don't really WANT to do it. We almost exclusively anchor out and like to hop around. The thought of wrestling that 55# bear (at least) everytime we stop is not appealing. I see tons of picture on here of people on here with dinghies of this size and truly wonder how they cope. I'm not quite ready to commit to a lifting davit, but maybe that's the only answer.

My wife and I are not large people. We are happy to row, but would also like to use a small electric outboard like an EP carry or Elite on occasion. All of this has me looking at lighter options like:
Achilles LT2 (would prefer an air floor). Supposedly 37#
Alaska Series 220TDS supposedly 40#, but I don't see how that's possible given all the other air floor models are significantly heavier.
Takacat 220GO around 42# depending on source or the even more obscure
Takacat 220UL @ 31# this would be ideal, but I can't find any real use data or even pictures with 2 adults

I guess I'm wondering if anyone else has switched to something like LT2 or 220TDS and what the experience of hoisting it onto the cabin is like? Would it be significantly easier than my Zodiac? Can you even row with two people on a boat of this size?

Also open to new ideas, but I feel like I've read just about every dinghy post on the forum at this point (this site is an amazing resource). Some thoughts on alternatives:
Kayaks: Not good for our small dog and the paddles tend to get you wet. No outboard
Canoe: I think one stable enough is going to come at similar weight to dinghies above. No outboard
Packraft: Not great for paddling distance generally. Paddles get you wet. No outboard

I know I could deflate/inflate, but storage in the cockpit is at a premium on a 22 and the process discourages relocation. Really hoping to keep friction down.

Our current solution is a packraft 'canoe'. It weighs next to nothing, keeps you dry if the weather is okay (inflatable seats), but it really requires two people to operate and obviously won't ever accept an outboard. Sorta works for dog. Not a true long term solution.

If you have a quick, low friction dinghy solution for a 22 that works for two adults to row or operate with a small outboard, I would love to hear about it.

 

[thataway]

We have had a number of inflatable dingies since 1963. On the most recent C Dory 25 we used the Garhauer Davit--with about a foot added to the bottom pipe, with a 9 1/2 foot Weight 63#, "West Marine" branded, but built by Avon inflatable floor dinghy. The davit is only in place when being used. It can also be used in the cockpit to hoist other materials aboard into the cockpit or an larger outboard motor from a bracket on the transom to an inflatable boat. This setup has worked very well for us for a peroid of over 20 years on the various C Dorys. We have a spreader bar termersathwartships, at the balance point, whick hooks into fastners athwart ships In the photo, my wife is attatching the spreader bar to the 6 part tackle; the dinghy is walked aft, so my wife can easiy exit to the cockpit. The dinghy is then eased foreard, and hoisted by the davit. We used this system well into our 80's with back problems, so we had less than the 'usual" strength of the average C Dory owner. Hard Kayaks can also be hauled aboard with this outfit.


The only major disadvantage of the Garhauer Davit, is that you have to "swing" around it when going forward on that side. We can leave it up, in the use position, or with the arm folded down the pipe. We store it in the side "pouch" on the 25 or 22.



Even the inflatable floor can be burdensome in some situates. But the wooden and aluminum floor is even more of a hassle. We had a 13 Achillies with the wood/aluminum foor, and it was always a strugle to put together--and this was in a boat with a large forward deck, which the dinghy could sit on and easily move around it. We also carried motor bikes, dive gear for 4 divers, or 4 Labador retievers in the larger boat.

There are other ways to carry the dinghy, such as the fold up over the engine used in the Ranger 23 outboard boat.

As for rowing any inflatable--yes it can be done, but in any breeze rowing is difficult, perticularly if going a long distance. We used a Toqeedo "3hp" electric outboard, a 3.5 hp Mercury 2 stroke outboard or a Suzuki 2.5 hp outboard. With other boats we have used up to a 35 hp outboard. We have always used tiller steered outboards in our inflatable, not a fiberglass or aluminum console on the side or center line.

 

[ssobol]

I have an Intex Mariner 3 dinghy. It is light, rowable, and can take a considerable load (two people and a dog would be no problem). In can be inflated across the cockpit of a 22 or carried on the roof. While not an "expedition" class dinghy, I have found it to be quite durable. It can be fitted with a small outboard. This dinghy costs quite a bit less than the "name brand' dinghies.
I also have a Bote Deus Aero. This is a SUP/kayak hybrid. It is for one person, but a small dog would also fit.
In my case, I have little use for a dinghy from my CD22 so both of these inflatables are used infrequently.

 

[C-Wolfe]

I’ll recommend that you don’t gave up on your current dinghy just yet. I have also try to replicate the water level on land but I find out that on the water is much easier, mostly due to the raft gliding much easier while floating. Once you figured out how to leverage your raft against the bow rail in a way that works best for you, you might find out that it’s not that bad. At 55#, I will consider that to be a reasonable weight for 2 persons and a dog. Everything is a compromise, something significantly lighter might come with compromise you don’t like. Just my 2 cents.
My current dinghy is about 80#, I can host it by myself with no trouble, at least for now.

 

[BenCarney]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

We have had a number of inflatable dingies since 1963. On the most recent C Dory 25 we used the Garhauer Davit...

I had hoped to delay any mods that involve drilling holes until proven absolutely necessary, but this really does seem like a good solution. There is a good chance I'll end up there.

I have an Intex Mariner 3 dinghy. It is light, rowable, and can take a considerable load (two people and a dog would be no problem). In can be inflated across the cockpit of a 22 or carried on the roof. While not an "expedition" class dinghy, I have found it to be quite durable. It can be fitted with a small outboard. This dinghy costs quite a bit less than the "name brand' dinghies.
I also have a Bote Deus Aero. This is a SUP/kayak hybrid. It is for one person, but a small dog would also fit.
In my case, I have little use for a dinghy from my CD22 so both of these inflatables are used infrequently.

The Bote Deus Aero thing is actually pretty intriguing. Thanks for sharing that. I think the Mariner 3 is actually quite a bit heavier than my dinghy. Maybe I need to go to the gym.

I’ll recommend that you don’t gave up on your current dinghy just yet. I have also try to replicate the water level on land but I find out that on the water is much easier, mostly due to the raft gliding much easier while floating. Once you figured out how to leverage your raft against the bow rail in a way that works best for you, you might find out that it’s not that bad. At 55#, I will consider that to be a reasonable weight for 2 persons and a dog. Everything is a compromise, something significantly lighter might come with compromise you don’t like. Just my 2 cents.
My current dinghy is about 80#, I can host it by myself with no trouble, at least for now.

I had suspected the friction involved with the solid surfaces would make it harder to hoist up on land, but it is nice to hear it confirmed. I will at least give it one good try on the water before giving up on it.

 

[C-Wolfe]

Might take more than one try until you find the perfect solution.
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