Inflatables on Roof

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DickAndSharon

New member
We have a 63 lb Zodiac that we roof mount on our 25. At age 64, we are finding it more difficult to wrestle the inflatable to the roof. Any secrets out there, any hardware being used to accomplish the task?
 
Our Achilles weighs slightly less than your inflatable. To put it on the roof, I stand on the bow and pull it onto the deck. Because we have a high top 22 with a tall radar arch, I have to flip over the inflatable to accomodate the "bubble" caused by the raised roof. This is the most difficult part for me. After the flipping is accomplished, I slide it back into position and secure it to the handrails on the roof. I keep the motor mount and oars secured to the inflatable during the process.

Les Lampman advised us that it is much easier to do this from the bow rather than the cockpit.

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
We have a West Marine 266 8ft inflatable that weighs about 50# and a high top with a tall radar arch. We store the dinghy right side up. The weight of the dinghy was a primary factor because at nearly 71 it keeps getting harder to lift things. I stand on the bow to launch and retrieve and use the painter for both actions. To launch I just pull the dinghy forward enough to clear the arch and slide it sideways until the stern slips over the edge. Usually all goes well. Occasionally a little water will splash into the dinghy if I let it slide down too fast. To retrieve I lift the bow of the dinghy using the painter and pivot it to balance on the bow rail. Once there I use the grab ropes along the side of the dinghy to muscle the stern sideways and up onto the cabin top. Once on the cabin top I slide it sideways and back until it is "home". It is secured to the cabin top using 1" nylon tiedowns running across from the stainless grab rails along the side of the cabin top. I just added two additional stainless handles on the front quarters of the brow so I will always have something to hang on to. The hardest part is the up and sideways slide from the bow rail to the cabin roof but I try to do it so at least part of the weight of the dinghy is supported by rails or roof through the process.
 
We have a Portland Pudgy on order now and plan to keep it upright on the cabin roof. It will have a motor mounted and a few other odds and ends that will take the weight up past 150 lbs. I have a couple of different designs sketched out so far that involve over the bow launching and retrieval. I will wait to finalize the design until I have the Pudgy in hand and can to some conceptual testing. I will likely be asking for advice at that point on fittings and other suggestions.

Greg
 
I currently use a 42 pound Aire Superlynx sit on top kayak - and am very satisfied however at the Seattle Boat Show I noticed a #14 pound two person dinghy made by Feathercraft. I made a mental note to mention it here when this topic came up.

Feathercraft [Canadian company] makes one of the best [foldable -take apart kayaks] - and a very nice sit on top as well.

Pro - wt - company reputation
Con - probably difficult to mount a motor, its doesn't have a hardshell bottom that you run on to the beach - [my solution] a pair of knee hi insulated muck boots -

Jim
 
I had a bracket for the Gerhauer davit made for the side of the C Dory--in my case the Tom Cat 255, but the geometry is the same for all of the boats. I use the slide in SS rod holder brackets, so it is only about 3/8" proud from the cabin side. The upper support bolts through the lip of the upper roof, and this is easily removable, light weight and not in the way.

We each get on a side of the inflatable, and slide up up on the roof--both have bad backs, but it works fairly well for us--the Davit is there if we need it, which we may in the future.

Sorry I don't have any photos in the album, other than the mock up. The SS mout was about $60.
 
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