Pram tender
- Thread starter dutch123
- Start date
Les Lampman
New member
dutch123":26yihqjj said:
Hi Dutch,
Stability, like beauty, is a perception value so it's really difficult for other folks to tell you what you'll like with regard to that parameter.
I can tell you that a pram (like the Sabot) is more laterally "tippy" than a wide inflatable but it's less "tippy" that a round bottom dinghy.
Landlubbers can get away with stepping fairly far outboard on an inflatable (if it doesn't skitter away) but that won't work on a pram; one must observe nautical tradition and step as far toward the centerline as is possible when boarding (and stay to the center when leaving as well).
All small boats are light (relatively speaking) and the crew weight (even just one person) is a significant proportion of the total weight and care must be taken where that weight is placed.
Also, the pram won't have the "inner tube" flotation device around its perimeter so you have to rely on good old-fashioned weight balance (and I dare say seamanship) to keep the open side up.
Probably the overriding issue with a pram on a CD22 is the weight of the beast (likely 80 to 100 pounds) and how to handle it in order to get on and off the cabin top. Nothing less than two large teenagers (hopefully not too bright) or a davit will suffice in most instances. In short it will be a pain in the backside. Whether or not the merits of the pram outweigh the considerable downsides is a decision of a personal nature.
I have owned several prams (including two racing sabots)--used outboards (2 hp) on the non racing prams, and rowed them a fair amount. I would not recommend one for a C Dory dingy.
Reasons: They are hard dinghies, and have to be stored somewhere (not good to tow a pram--because of stability and swamping). They would be difficult to lift on the cabin top or a rack. They are hard chine--and any hard chine boat will tip if you put weight on one side, until it comes to an equilibruim. They tend to be heavy.
The plus is that they give more room for the length.
Reasons: They are hard dinghies, and have to be stored somewhere (not good to tow a pram--because of stability and swamping). They would be difficult to lift on the cabin top or a rack. They are hard chine--and any hard chine boat will tip if you put weight on one side, until it comes to an equilibruim. They tend to be heavy.
The plus is that they give more room for the length.
matt_unique
New member
I've built two pram's over the years (I have one pictured in my photo album not to be confused with my current flat bottom dinghy project). Mine were rugged and could carry all that you put in them. They rowed nice and true and were stable with a small outboard as well.
My suggestion would depend upon your use. If you want this to get from ship to shore at a floating mooring or a short tow - the pram is far better. It will carry more, offer solid footing, more protection from splash with higher gunwales, and will be less affected by wind. It would be too heavy to hoist up onto a vessel without a crane.
If you want something that you plan to carry aboard you would definitely want an inflatable. I will be using my rigid dinghy to get from ship to shore at the yacht club and for short/slow tows. For overnight cruises and such I use a 6' Mercury inflatable (Roll-Up 200). I can hoist it on the roof by myself or very easily with another set of hands. It is relatively light, stable with a small outboard, and of course will not scratch the roof. It is no fun to row this thing any distance in wind or current.
These are the trade offs.
Good luck with your decision.
My suggestion would depend upon your use. If you want this to get from ship to shore at a floating mooring or a short tow - the pram is far better. It will carry more, offer solid footing, more protection from splash with higher gunwales, and will be less affected by wind. It would be too heavy to hoist up onto a vessel without a crane.
If you want something that you plan to carry aboard you would definitely want an inflatable. I will be using my rigid dinghy to get from ship to shore at the yacht club and for short/slow tows. For overnight cruises and such I use a 6' Mercury inflatable (Roll-Up 200). I can hoist it on the roof by myself or very easily with another set of hands. It is relatively light, stable with a small outboard, and of course will not scratch the roof. It is no fun to row this thing any distance in wind or current.
These are the trade offs.
Good luck with your decision.
If you are dead set on getting something with hard sides, (and heavy), look into the {Portland Pudgy). One cool boat, good for rowing, towing, or as a lifeboat. Bit of a challenge to get it up top though.
Photo from Sequim Bay 2010 CBGT of Gregg on Ariolla, a 25 C-Dory with a bow launch system for the Portland Pudgy.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
We don't usually use our Archiles 7ft. I back the boat up to shore and step off the swim step off course this is onto a sandy beach I don't think it would work with rocky beaches ( buggering up the prop)
With the c-dory hull you can bring the boat right up to shore I think if you anchor out then maybe you might need one . down here in florida I would suggest a hypalon inflatable vs. PVC .Hard bottom boats for a small 22-25ft boat would be a challenge .
With the c-dory hull you can bring the boat right up to shore I think if you anchor out then maybe you might need one . down here in florida I would suggest a hypalon inflatable vs. PVC .Hard bottom boats for a small 22-25ft boat would be a challenge .
In lakes we often put the stern to the shore--and can often just step off the swim platform to land. But in the PNW--the tides can be huge (20 plus feet--and you can have that hard aground, or way out in the bay feeling with the stern on the beach).
We have enough tide in the FL. Pan handle area, that we will occasionally put the bow on the beach--but often go stern too and in just a foot of water and wade ashore. (Tidal range is a foot to 18" max). The wind and barametric pressure can affect water levels as much or more than the tide.
We have enough tide in the FL. Pan handle area, that we will occasionally put the bow on the beach--but often go stern too and in just a foot of water and wade ashore. (Tidal range is a foot to 18" max). The wind and barametric pressure can affect water levels as much or more than the tide.