Looking for the smallest Dingy possible...

M

MilesandMiles

New member
After entertaining several "dingy" jokes within the topic heading, I finally settled on the direct approach :)

I'm wondering: what is the smallest "dingy" someone could carry and use to get from a CD22 to shore (short distances, where the shore/dock can be seen from anchor site) I have a mid-sized kayak and mid-sized canoe already, but can't think of an out of the way place to carry them yet. I see myself doing a lot of anchoring out and then making my way to a fro land.

Thanks,
Brenton
 
I have a small raft with oars that I would sell. It worked well for two people. It will not mount a motor but does roll up in two a. Small bag. I will ship it for $100. It is the smallest that west marine sells
 
Darn it Tom. You beat me to the punch. I was trying to select the picture of the dinghy when you posted.

This goes out to anyone. I have a Sevylor dinghy used in our first season (2005) and not used since. I'd be willing to sell this for a very reasonable price.

I live in Seattle so can hand it over directly when you come up to the PNW.

5511_895781_3152191.sized.jpgcj8.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 5511_895781_3152191.sized.jpg
    5511_895781_3152191.sized.jpg
    109.9 KB · Views: 0
Feathercraft Baylee dinghys are very high quality, ultra light, have composite oars made by Werner, fit into a drybag when deflated and include important features not listed on their website. For their price they damn well better be all that.
Our Baylee 3 (HW) sets comfortably on top of our C-D 22 Cruiser with a couple straps crossed over it and attached to the handrails. We have an 18" radar dome on a 5" post and one end of the dinghy fits over the dome. FWIW, even if Feathercraft offered me a full refund I'd keep the boat even though I don't like how much it cost.

linkey> http://feathercraft.com/inflatables/baylee.php?
 
Some thoughts on small dinghies: I have owned a Bombard AX 3 (Name at that time--now the AX 1) which at that time was a PVC impregnated fabric at 6' 7" length. It was suitable for two people and a small dog--but not a lot of excess room. It is light at about 32 lbs, a slat floor and can use a 3 hp outboard. We used that for several years on the C Dory 22 and 25. I could bring it to the cabin top alone, and easy for two people to put it on the cabin top. There are 7'10" versions of the same boat with considerably more room and not much more weight.

I personally avoid any of the pure vinyl fabric only boats, since they can be snagged or punctured easily. My safety is important--and I include in that the possibility of dunking in cold water and hypothermia.

I was not familiar with the Featherweight--they seem to be a quality product--but not cheap. A thinner fabric will not last as well on rocks and barnicles which you find in the PNW.

I also have one of the West Marine micro dinghies--which I keep on my Tom Cat all of the time. The reason I see them differently than the pure vinyl boats is that they have a thick nylon outer layer to help avoid abrasion of the vinyl.

My primary dinghy for the Tom Cat is a 10'+ air floor Hypalon boat, which will take a 10 hp outboard. At 60 lbs it is managable to put on the cabin top.

Also remember that inflatables are easily blown by the wind. Many years ago, I found myself in a situation where I went downwind from the beach, and then turned to round up behind the boat and a 2 hp outboard would not push the boat into the wind. Fortunately my wife threw me a line, and I got into the lee of the transom.

Be safe.
 
I use a 6' fiberglass dingy to row back and forth to the tug..... I now never leave the tug tied up to the dock overnight...just had too many problems with vandals.... I have a mooring buoy that is about 50' off the end of my dock...it is good and strong...so I have no more problems..yet.

A neighbor gave me the dingy...and it is miserable..I think it is roughly 6' long....and rows like an intertube...never straight...but round and around..it has a keel but I think 6' is just to short...also it only carries one..we tried two but it sunk.. (short swim)... what a miserable boat.

I think you need at least 8' for safety...a 6' boat works for one in smooth water...but I would rather swim than row that thing in waves...

Joel
SEA3PO and Tug "Kea"
 
I second the notion of a real PVC inflatable. I use a Mercury Roll-up 200. It's the smallest one they make, really for 1 person but it's rated for 2. It is very stable with the 3.5 hp engine I run on it. I have rowed it as well. I can get in on/off the roof by myself. It is very easy with two people.

I would not get a toy such as Seyvlor or such. I used them years ago, and they worked, but they are nothing like a real PVC inflatable.

Once I had to puncture my PVC dinghy in order to retrieve it (something I don't want to talk about :shock: ) I had a very hard time puncturing it! I could not get a screw driver through it. I could not get a nail through it. I finally used the smallest allen wrench I had and was barely able to get a hole in it. I used the patch kit and it has never leaked a drop.

This winter I will be building (another) solid dinghy but will keep my Mercury inflatable for trips.
 
I guess we all should have asked how many folks you need to transport in the dinhgy and what is"small" in your mind and how much you want to spend?
 
ha! yes, I could have included a few more details eh :)

So far, it's just me and Emma (a 25# corgie/brat mix) though I'm available for the right adventure partner that likes dogs and small child part-time :)

(please send pictures of dingy) :)

I do have some questions about the inflatables, like exactly how one inflates them (blowing into them really hard? on board compressor?) from the pics, they look like they fit nicely on top and over/around the radar (like my 22 has) I do have a Honda 2hp 4-stroke I use on my sq stern canoe, but was imagining paddling into shore. I'm still relatively young (38) and dumb. (i.e. still see's physical pain as some sort of badge of honor)

I too (like someone mentioned) see myself anchoring out away from docks and paddling in, for a bit more seclusion and security. On my travels I've always seen small boats and canoes anchored out in bays and think "how do they get out to them, and why?" then realize they're place holders for the REAL boat out and about somewhere :) Landlubbers!!!

The inner-tube isn't far off from what I was thinking (funny!:) I will be interested in taking a closer look at the two offered for sale. I'll PM before leaving or when I get there.

I'm sure glad I did my research well before buying a boat, not only are the CD's awesome, but what a great support group they come with. Nice to be able to ask beginner questions without being brow-beaten into the surf. Try learning your chops in the 4x4 world...yikes!

Brenton
 
I always say get the biggest anything you can handle and afford. you can always row a 6 man dinghy to shore by your self but you cant row 6 people in a one man dinghy anywhere. You will find that a 6 to 8 ft inflatable will fit on the roof and at a mere 30 you should be able to get it on and off the roof by your self. Our is a 8ft?? and I can lift it and set it on the roof from the bow by my self at 45 :wink . sometimes we row to shore and some times we use a 3.5 motor. the only draw back to rowing is that some times you cant anchor too close to shore. Friday harbor as an example has most of the mooring ball and most of the open area to toss anchor aways from any public access. you all so have to watch the wind when rowing . you might not be able to make it back if you have to go up wind.

I would buy used until you find what you want. we started with a two man inflatable kayak, then a little inflatable that only rowed and now the 8 ft zodiac with motor. I bought the last one on craigslist with motor for 500? or maybe 600 I forget.
 
Rowing through wind in any inflatable will get old in a hurry. I would definitely use your small outboard.

I never deflate mine, I let some air out to allow it to fit better on the roof between my radome and all around light.
 
tbrady had a rowing cat, (Sport cat) or something like that. It was green and there were pix in his album. (Just can't go looking for that right now, sorry) :oops: He carried it on top, with a couple of kayaks.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
My recommendation is to listen to Peter & Caryn/Jazzmaniac. They have a small Sevlyour they used in their first year. And then, I assume, went to another type of dinghy.

Take them up on their offer, use it and then decide what you want. Lots of good suggestions above, but a bit confusing. Go bottom end and then decide. That way you cant lose.

Boris
 
Back
Top