Dinghy Blues

[joempo]

While on the Desolation Sound cruise, Robyn and I found our Walker Bay dinghy is not well suited to our needs. Based upon the factory label, I am close to the max weight by myself. Any additions such as provisions or dogs send it over. I don't see that changing anytime soon. :lol:
We are definitely going to purchase a different style dinghy. I nearly took a header out of ours at Gorge. Robyn had a mishap while returning Jack and Marty from "shore leave" while we were rafted in Tenedos Bay and found the self-inflating PFD functioned as designed. Fortunately for both of us, only our egos were bruised.
I'm taking a survey - what's good, bad and ugly about your dinghy? I don't need brand names, just the style, i.e., inflatable soft bottom, RIB with aluminum, PVC or ? bottom, catamaran-style or something in between. Based upon your experience and knowledge of other styles available, would you change?
Thank you in advance.
Joe

 

[Scottfree]

Portland Pudgy, check out their web site.

 

[baz]

Yea… Portland Pudgy will survive just about anything you 'throw' at it. It's unsinkable, can't be punctured by dogs, USCG certified for 4 people, etc. Check their web site as previous poster mentioned. I've had at least 6 people review my Portland Pudgy and all have bought a Pudgy later. I let them take it out for test rides etc and they have all returned convinced… and I get no commission. :lol:

 

[knotflying]

Since we trailer a lot I prefer an inflatable. We have the Bombard AX 3 - 8'-6" , weighs about 40 lbs. I can store it under my solar panel when not in use and lash it to the swim platform when in use and underway. It holds two of us and supplies comfortably. Has an inflatable floor. Carrying capacity is 595 lbs and a 4 HP motor max.

 

[Pete]

Baz and other Portland Pudgy users. With some kind of lifting system the Pudgy adds quite a lot of weight to the stern. Any noticeable effect on trim and performance?
Pete

 

[baz]

Baz and other Portland Pudgy users. With some kind of lifting system the Pudgy adds quite a lot of weight to the stern. Any noticeable effect on trim and performance?
Pete

Pete:

Yes, the Pudgy weighs in at around 160 lbs unladen. It's a sturdy non-collapsable dinghy and has a length of approx 8.5 feet… ideal for the R-25/R-27's beam dimension.

I use a 4:1 block & tackle to lift the Pudgy from the water and would say the max effort is around 30 lbs which I can easily handle. Lowering the Pudgy can be done quickly by hand using the long strap I use to secure it when underway.

I've not measured performance with and without the Pudgy and undoubtedly it does affect performance and fuel use when installed on the swim step. I accept this performance loss for the benefits that the Pudgy provides us.

[EDIT]
Today with the Pudgy mounted on our swim step our top speed with WOT is around 16 kts. When the boat was new without the Pudgy and little gear on board with 2 people onboard the top speed with WOT was around 19 kts.

I also would assume with the Pudgy weight on the stern that more trim adjustment is required than without it… but really cannot quantify what this is in terms of trim plate positioning. I rarely use the trim tabs and when I do it's only when I'm running the boat at close to WOT to adjust the bow down a bit.

 

[Barry Cohen]

We decided to go with the Mercury Air Deck 240 with a 6-HP Mercury outboard. It has a an inflatable keel and floor. Ample room for 3 and supplies. We travel with a 1 gallon gas can that we use to re-fill the on-board 1 liter fuel reservoir. Last weekend, I pieced together a small folding grapnel anchor with 5 feet of chain and 50 feet of poly line. I keep it in a small Craftsman canvas tool bag along with a flashlight, whistle, signal mirror and patch kit.

We opted for the smallest one we could find (7'3"). The R-27 has a 8.5 foot beam and an even smaller profile at the swim platform. We did not want it sticking out past that. We also have the Weaver davit system with the Weaver leaver for the outboard. Even installed the Weaver hoist to take pressure of my aging back. Everything is working as hoped for.

 

[Osprey]

If you have the WB8 it is easy to add the RIB275 kit to the dinghy. This boosts the capacity to 3 persons, 411 lb and up to 4HP for the outboard. The WB8 with added RIB kit is very difficult to tip. A swimmer can pull themselves in over the side without causing a tip. The only downside that I find is that when the dinghy is mounted on the swim grid (Weaver davits) the view over the Ranger stern is very much blocked off. A dinghy which was less oval shaped would not block the view less.

 

[joempo]

Osprey,
We have the inflatable collars installed on our WB8. The issue we find is that the collars are not in contact with the water until someone attempts to enter the boat. Being a large person - 6'5" and 260+ and rather ungraceful when moving (O.K., all the time) - the initial instability is just enough for momentum to become a problem. Perhaps learning to crawl in and out...
Joe