Inflatable Dinghies

I've got a potentially stupid question for you dinghy and radar experts.

My radar dome is mounted on a 6" pedestal on the front of the roof. If I was to purchase a dinghy, which I am seriously considering, the obvious place to store it would be on the roof top. I could place it either directly over the radar dome which would be the preferred option or immediately behind it. My question is..... how does the dinghy effect radar performance???? I am thinking either the Achilles 7' made of Hypalon or the Bombard A2 likely made of PVC.

I'm hoping that by some miracle beyond the level of my comprehension, the radar is not affected. If it is, it looks like a tall radar arch could be in order.

Tim
 
I struggled over what to do about a dingy. I had a GI Joe inflatable for awhile but did not feel comfortable with it. I finally decided on an a two man inflatable kayak. I can launch and retrieve it from the bow by myself and still keep the camper back on. It is very stable and Robbin has yet to fall in getting into it which is a good test, (hope she doesn't read this). It is made of hypolon and is very tuff. We used it a lot this summer and has worked well for our purposes.
Fred_s_Gulf_Islands_6_04_101.sized.jpg
 
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Fred. Obviously, someone in this group had the foresight to think about this before they mounted their radar. Looks like your raft fit's nicely. Perhaps you could tell me what kind of raft you have and where you purchased your arch?
 
Tim -
we traveled throughout Southeast Alaska with our inflatable on the roof, covering the radome. No problem whatsoever. It's probably a good idea not to have carabiniers or other metal hardware up there.
 
Thank you very much El and Bill and Fred for your replies. Can't say enough about how valuable a resource this site can be. It's amazing to think that radar still works with a dinghy on the roof. Nice to know I have a couple of options to consider.

Tim
 
I posted this on another thread and am copying it here... :)

“AIRE” “Traveler” model.

http://www.aire.com/traveler.shtml

I would not trade it for anything!! I would not have purchased a “dinghy” if I had known how much better I liked the canoe instead. It is absolutely self bailing. Super-Duper-Stable. Draws less water and is far easier to go ashore with than the little inflatable tender I bought, with a keel. Much better for two or more peeps to go “apaddling-around-on” (all day) really cruises with ease! IS lighter, and has an “inner-blatter” system I have come to “see-the-light” in, making it much more “repairable” out in the field… should you ever pull a “Greg” and end up puncturing it. Lol---just kidding, I still have yet to pop any “may-pop” around! (a ‘may-pop’ is another word for ‘inflatable’)
I know there waaay---spendy!! But the enjoyment level is right-up-there! :smile :love

ps: THE ONLY THING IS (OF COURSE) IS IT IS LIKE A "LEAF IN THE WIND" REALLY SHOULD HAVE 2-PEEPS TO GO PADDLING ON A WINDY DAY! :smileo
 
Greg,
Joe is trying to talk me into the zodiac style he has on Sun Dog. I almost bought one of these Aire Travelers last summer, but couldn't find enough loose change in my couch to foot the bill. :cry: I know you've spent a LOT of time in PWS but never can find you on the VHF. Have you noted any downside to you Traveler? Do you stow it on the roof while underway or tow it? How does it do with all the barnacles? Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
:xlol
The C-Biscuit
 
Interesting thread. I bought my C-Dory from Les, and he gave me the same advice last summer. I did buy the little 2HP Honda, but I had the chance right off to buy a used 8 or 8.5 Avon for not much money. I did that, and discovered that it was a two person job to put it on the roof. The reason was not the weight, but the awkwardness of it. I pretty much hated it.
Then I found an AX1 at a very good price at Defender, and bought it. It is wonderful. I feel it rows okay for short distances. Haven't tried the engine yet. It is extremely easy to handle. I can pull it out of the water with one hand. It is small enough you can stack it upright in the cockpit and still see around it. It is a great solution. Also I was advised that PVC works better in cold areas, and hypalon in bright sunny places.

Dave
 
Awright! Pleased to “meet you” C-Biscuit.

Well shoot, sorry we never hooked-up out there! One of the best things and a small miracle, is to actually ‘hook-up’ out in the immense SOUND!!
I thought I heard someone call “RedFox” on the radio a couple times this summer, but I was afraid to answer! :embarrased (lol) Next time I’ll muster-up the courage though ;D

OK. AS far as barnacles go… I avoid them like the plague!! I see they have raised all kinds of hell against my inflatable dinghy… so with the new canoe (it bein’ so dang purdy and all) I don’t even get close enough to a barnacle to find out! I spoze it would fair about the same, but it draws a couple inches or more! (less water) that right there makes it far less vulnerable to scraping barnacles. And if ya did… it would be easier to repair, with it’s “double-wall” design.

I’m fixin’ to head out next month and go hunt for some “winter king” Nothing more exciting than catching one of them in the dead of winter ;D

Oops… almost forgot. I carry the thing on the roof. It’s pretty light and not too cumbersome, though it’s sort of huge! Some times I tow it, but it does not tow very well, lashed to the gunnels, (it starts taking in water through it’s self-bailing ports) Tows pretty well behind RedFox though. As a matter of fact…. I did actually put a “D-Ring” on the bow, so to tow better that way. Maybe I can get a pic posted on that. They don’t have a good ring to hook to for towing (only complaint)
 
Heck yeah! Joe and I have the same brand of dinghy “MAXON” I got mine at Costco for a measly 650. $ Now I see they have gone up in price considerably!! There great, very well built, but sort of heavy. There a vinyl construction to. I’m no “expert” on the subject, and I have heard that “Hypalon” is rubber, and will last longer. Either way I don’t care if my inflatable will last a “lifetime” anyway… I figure to save some $$ and go with a vinyl or PVC job, they cut through the water better cuz there slicker (less friction)

Them AIRE canoes and kayaks are “welded” together by heat fusion! No “seams” cool huh!
:smile
 
Greg,
Arrgh...Fishin fer Kings in the winter, that be a bit nippy :xseek But I'm green with envy :xtongue at your grit. We're just beginning to explore all the nooks and crannies in the Sound but having the time of our lives. Thanks for all the great advice you've posted on the old C-Dog site and here. The wife and I are looking forward to our "chance encounter" with the Redfox. I'll get some of our pictures scanned and loaded here so you'll know us when you see us.

Tight Lines!
 
Well too cool! I really enjoyed your album :) It is the "time of anyones life" to be out there! I'd loose-it if it were not for that place and my boat. I just hope we like the "southeast" as much as the Sound. Some day I'm heading to Yakatat on RedFox and check out the Hubbard Glacier! 8) :disgust :photo
 
Greg,

Is your move to SE a done deal? I haven't been to Hoonah but I have traveled from Kake to Sitka by way of Angoon. Very interesting waters indeed!

We saw humpback whales near Kake!
 
“Frederick Sound”… that’s where the humpbacks thrive in summer!
Well we sure hope it’s a done deal, spoze we might find out soon! Better stop by and visit us!
Uh OH… Hears to the "Inflatable" thread… :moon :disgust
 
Greg,


HO HO HO and a MERRY CHRISTMAS DAY to yah! :xlol Hoonah is sure a lot closer to us than Anchorage! :D

We could have a C-Brats gathering in SE Alaska. :thup

Oh yeah, bring your inflatable! (Gotta stay on topic) :wink
 
Hillarious!! :xlol :xnaughty Maybe... just Maybe, I can be a "C-Dory-Dealer" there :idea :?: :idea: :arrow: :arrow: Still trying to figure out what i want to be ---when I grow-up!! :moon :moon :lol: :lol:

OH: Inflatables are a good thing :D :wink :smilep :star :star heheheehe :beer :lol:
 
My dinghy is one of Jim King's inflatables. A 220TDS in light blue. It is 7'3" long, 4'5" wide and weighs 40#. It fits beautifully on the cabin roof, comes with oars, an air floor, an easily removable wood seat and an outboard bracket. The coolest thing is Jim King can make you one in any color of the rainbow to suit your taste. I really like the air floor, very easy on the knees! :)

http://www.alaskaseries.com/

Jim
_____________
22' Cruiser Coho
 
With the dingy trouble of rowing, blowing in the wind and hoisting to the roof, inflating and deflating/storage and the kayak difficult to carry a cooler, large dog or two people (on smaller ones). Has anyone tried the most versatile boat? The canoe? Shallow draft, light (12 ft just 33lbs) carries two people, gear. Can use a small motor, sail rig, rows great, can use outrigger or the float tubes on the sides for rough water stability/boancy, maintenance free, really holds its value. Easy to lift or portage and tow. Stepping in off the swim step doesn't seem that challenging. A dink of some type is way down on this poor mans list but I think the canoe is what I will try.
 
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