Dingy
- Thread starter nytopher
- Start date
Here are a few threads on the topic for your reading pleasure. As you get closer to picking a type or model, the gang around hear can surely help narrow down your list by sharing their experiences so keep asking questions.
Based on your location, you might actually have our previous 25 cruiser!
Greg
Based on your location, you might actually have our previous 25 cruiser!
Greg
okay, you have your PVC and you Hypalon, Hypalon costs a little more but resists UV better, so UV rays are a consideration, as are whether you plan to drag it up on a rough rocky beach. People like Achilles and the Alaska Series by Gary King, but zodiac, west marine, avon and others make suitable models.
Do you want to row or use a kicker?
Do you want to strong-arm it off your roof or will you have a hoist to assist? You have a decent amount of real estate up there, so you have lots of options. A lot of people spend a fair amount of time on their dingy while their boat is at anchor. The more dingy you buy the more you will be able to do with it. You could probably fit a nice old Zodiac Mark 1 on your roof and it would take conditions rivaling your C-Dory's capabilitys. BUT, you would not want to haul it up on your roof without a hoist, or take it down.
Then you have to consider how much weight you are willing to put on your roof from a center of balance standpoint as this will change your boat's handling characteristics to some extent.
So, read up, shop around, and start asking specific questions about your particular situation and I'll bet you will arrive at a good choice.
Do you want to row or use a kicker?
Do you want to strong-arm it off your roof or will you have a hoist to assist? You have a decent amount of real estate up there, so you have lots of options. A lot of people spend a fair amount of time on their dingy while their boat is at anchor. The more dingy you buy the more you will be able to do with it. You could probably fit a nice old Zodiac Mark 1 on your roof and it would take conditions rivaling your C-Dory's capabilitys. BUT, you would not want to haul it up on your roof without a hoist, or take it down.
Then you have to consider how much weight you are willing to put on your roof from a center of balance standpoint as this will change your boat's handling characteristics to some extent.
So, read up, shop around, and start asking specific questions about your particular situation and I'll bet you will arrive at a good choice.
Thanks for the replies. Greg, it just might be your previous boat. I have purchased it recently from a gentleman in Nanoose Bay.
As far as typical use, I would prefer to strong arm it off the roof and not have to deal with a kicker. I will look into both of your suggestions.
As far as typical use, I would prefer to strong arm it off the roof and not have to deal with a kicker. I will look into both of your suggestions.
One other consideration as regards no kicker. Rowing is great exercise and in most protected anchorages can be done effectively. But we've been out quite a long way at some anchorages or run into wind/tide issues etc when I'm glad we had the little 2.5 horse to push us, especially now with my bad left shoulder.
look at the Achilles LT4 and the Gary King Alaska Series 240 and 270TDS.
Both doughnut type, and therefore save a little weight by losing the transom, but still have motor mounts if you want them. The Gary King the spendier, but much more likely to handle some mistreatment (dragging) than the Achilles, which should cost much less, but will NOT hold up to dragging on rocks.
These are probably the best of the lightest dinghies for your CD25.
I have an Achilles LT2, and take good care of it, but with the big tides we have, I often have to carry it quite a distance to keep it dry at high tide and wish I could do some dragging now and then, especially solo. I row it now, but have plans to get a small honda 2 or 2.3 (gas tank under the cowling) for it. I've seen a tendency on our part to overload the dinghy a little to save trips, and I think a kicker would take care of that, and let us have a little more fun camping and at anchor without bothering the "big" boat. I'm also thinking about building a davit system on a mast to facilitate both dinghy loading/unloading but also longline/pot hauling. I only mention all of this because I began wanting to row and strong-arm the boat on and off the roof, and now I'm wanting to motor and hoist, but am glad I got a dinghy that affords the option of both, although not really ideal for the latter (a boat with a transom would motor better).
Both doughnut type, and therefore save a little weight by losing the transom, but still have motor mounts if you want them. The Gary King the spendier, but much more likely to handle some mistreatment (dragging) than the Achilles, which should cost much less, but will NOT hold up to dragging on rocks.
These are probably the best of the lightest dinghies for your CD25.
I have an Achilles LT2, and take good care of it, but with the big tides we have, I often have to carry it quite a distance to keep it dry at high tide and wish I could do some dragging now and then, especially solo. I row it now, but have plans to get a small honda 2 or 2.3 (gas tank under the cowling) for it. I've seen a tendency on our part to overload the dinghy a little to save trips, and I think a kicker would take care of that, and let us have a little more fun camping and at anchor without bothering the "big" boat. I'm also thinking about building a davit system on a mast to facilitate both dinghy loading/unloading but also longline/pot hauling. I only mention all of this because I began wanting to row and strong-arm the boat on and off the roof, and now I'm wanting to motor and hoist, but am glad I got a dinghy that affords the option of both, although not really ideal for the latter (a boat with a transom would motor better).
Lost Petrel
New member
We are quite happy with the PVC 8.5' West Marine dinghy that came with our boat. We have so far only used the oars but it will take our 2.3 or 5hp Hondas.
The two of us (latter half of 60s) have had no problem pulling it on and off the cabin top. Here are a coupe of photos of how it rides.
The two of us (latter half of 60s) have had no problem pulling it on and off the cabin top. Here are a coupe of photos of how it rides.
When out camping I use an Achilles LSI-290 which is admittedly huge for a 16' Angler. Not sure about getting it up on a roof of a 25, probably a bit heavy for that too.
BUT, what I love about this size dinghy is the ability to do some serious cruising. When at anchor, the 6hp kicker is easily lifted off the transom of the main boat and onto the transom of the dinghy, and I've taken that thing all over the place. The dinghy probably has more miles on it than the C-dory, and at 13 years old the hypalon is still like-new, with no leaks or damage. If you are so inclined, you can do a lot more with a dinghy than just getting to shore, especially if you have a 25' mothership!
BUT, what I love about this size dinghy is the ability to do some serious cruising. When at anchor, the 6hp kicker is easily lifted off the transom of the main boat and onto the transom of the dinghy, and I've taken that thing all over the place. The dinghy probably has more miles on it than the C-dory, and at 13 years old the hypalon is still like-new, with no leaks or damage. If you are so inclined, you can do a lot more with a dinghy than just getting to shore, especially if you have a 25' mothership!
The Alaskan Series is a pretty tough, durable, and relatively light weight inflatable. Air floor, doughnut boat that you can put a small OB on with a transom mount. The advantage is that they have a super tough bottom called Gator hyde or close, and it will tolerate some pretty rough dragging on the "beach".
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
journey on
New member
The above suggestions are a good guide. We've had an Achilles for 10 years now and they make a very good dinghy. Following are some suggestions.
First, see what they want ($) for the dinghy. Defender Marine is a good place to start. Whatever you do, don't buy a cheapie knock-off unless you plan to replace it soon.
If you plan to muscle the dinghy up to the top, 50 or so pounds is a good figure to shoot for. That's just a guideline, but I know we'd never get the present dinghy on top of the cabin without a struggle and it weighs about 80 lbs. For example, the Achilles LT-4 weighs about 50 lbs, without floor and oars.
That said, get the largest one you can lift/afford/stand. A larger one is more comfortable and useful than a smaller one.
Also, you may not buy a motor at first, but start looking at them. Rowing is fine, but motoring gets you a longer distance. If you have a get-me-home motor see if you can use that.
I prefer Hypalon and that's the difference between the Achilles and the rest, including the Alaska series. But the I live in SoCal and the sun shines and rots polyester. I feel that Hypalon also withstands the dragging and rocks better.
Boris
First, see what they want ($) for the dinghy. Defender Marine is a good place to start. Whatever you do, don't buy a cheapie knock-off unless you plan to replace it soon.
If you plan to muscle the dinghy up to the top, 50 or so pounds is a good figure to shoot for. That's just a guideline, but I know we'd never get the present dinghy on top of the cabin without a struggle and it weighs about 80 lbs. For example, the Achilles LT-4 weighs about 50 lbs, without floor and oars.
That said, get the largest one you can lift/afford/stand. A larger one is more comfortable and useful than a smaller one.
Also, you may not buy a motor at first, but start looking at them. Rowing is fine, but motoring gets you a longer distance. If you have a get-me-home motor see if you can use that.
I prefer Hypalon and that's the difference between the Achilles and the rest, including the Alaska series. But the I live in SoCal and the sun shines and rots polyester. I feel that Hypalon also withstands the dragging and rocks better.
Boris
I just talked to Max at Alaska Canoe and Camp, Jim Kings Kenai dealer, and he confirmed that Jim is still in business, and that they are still good boats, still hold up pretty well. Mine is nearly 10 years old, and will need to have some patch repair done. The patches holding the D-rings on and the D-rings themselves need replacing. I will be working on that this Spring too.
As to the material the Alaskan’s are made of, this is a quote from their website.
The Alaska Series website is here.
http://www.alaskaseries.com/index.htm
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
As to the material the Alaskan’s are made of, this is a quote from their website.
The Alaska Series website is here.
http://www.alaskaseries.com/index.htm
Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Phil Barnes
New member
West Marine had certain Dinghys at 25% off through March 27. Might be worth a look.
kennharriet
Member
Jim Kings alaskaseries.com is alive and well. We are picking up our new 240 TDS that was shipped to Fife, WA this week.
One plus on the Jim King series, if you are interested you can call and talk to Jim himself very easily. He will discuss the various aspects of each boat he sells and will special order colors, etc. He gets his boats made in Korea, so there is some lag time between ordering and receiving. Or, go see him at a boat show. These are known to sell for very reasonable prices at boat shows, and you can usually get a much better price than the list price on the website, so long as you aren't special ordering a boat. He may have something in his inventory you are interested in and that is where his best deals are found.