dinghy on 21 ec

[Two killicks]

Hello fellow RT fan!

Just bought a 7 1/2 feet Zodiac dinghy for our tug (21ec.) I am still wondering how we are going to manage the location of the dinghy while underway. On the aft platform, we have the guard rail aft, and want to keep it, so the platform is only available to put the dinghy sideway. anyone doing this as well?

What I am wondering is if we choose to tow the zodiac, how far back should we let it sit and where do you tie up the line? do you tie it on the trailer hook on either side?

The zodiac weight 50 pounds, I wonder if we could put it on top of camper shelter top if I have 2 horizontal bar set up to hold it in place?

Any experience with this on your 21 ec, any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[Capt’nKarl]

[/url][/img]Pat,
We have a 8 foot inflatable for our 21. I leave it deflated and secured to the swim platform while traveling. When we stop I pull it into the cockpit to inflate it and then tie it up to a stern cleat. Underway, I pull it partway up on the swim platform and secure it. From my experience it doesn't interfere with comfort or boat handling. I've tried towing it behind the boat but couldn't find a "sweet spot" that made it ride smoothly. Pulling it up on the swim platform fully inflated works fine and it's ready on a moments notice.

Cheers!

Karl and Sara
Maneo

 

[Two killicks]

I think that we'll do the same thing, are you using the foot pump that come with the boat or you got a 12v electric pump?

 

[johnniethek]

I just tow mine using a regular harness...it might lower my mileage a tad, but not a big deal since I'm not out to break any speed records.

I have friends who remove the railing on the stern and then just pull their dingy onto the engine cover. It works for them, but makes the cockpit a little to cluttered for my tastes.

 

[Two killicks]

I was doing a research on the net and found a dinghy sling davit, it seems real nice I wonder if anyone have bought one for their tug? In the U.S., here is the compagny that make it.
http://www.harbormenmarine.com/index_files/Page673.htm

Any thoughts?

 

[brhodes]

Our friend the PortNut installed a dingy pulley system himself; you can see photos on his website. We used to haul the smallest inflatable over the stern, but have replaced that with a two person inflatable kayak. The Innova Swing. It is so versatile and stable that we can virtually stand in it to enter off the side.

 

[Capt’nKarl]

Good morning Pat,

I have a 12 volt blower that plugs into the lighter in the cockpit. It works great!. Takes about 5 minutes to inflate the 3 compartments. A lot easier than the foot pump although I keep it handy tucked away under the Vee-berth just in case.

Cheers!
Karl

 

[Two killicks]

Good morning Pat,

I have a 12 volt blower that plugs into the lighter in the cockpit. It works great!. Takes about 5 minutes to inflate the 3 compartments. A lot easier than the foot pump although I keep it handy tucked away under the Vee-berth just in case.

Cheers!
Karl

Karl,
Can you reverse the pump and remove the air as well? If so, I would try to find one as well and pump it or store it withing 5 minutes, instead of having to put the zodiac on the swimm platform on a davit...

 

[Connerkip]

Does the Innova keep you dry when used just for tendering. Sounds like a good option I'd be interested in. Also do you lash it to the roof when motoring, how?

 

[brhodes]

We made a "spray skirt" lid out of heavy coated nylon and sewed velcro around the "lip"; use this half-folded back to keep dry. The kayak sits fairly high in the water and we only get wet if it is raining or rough seas. It has been a great tender and quiet gunk-holing boat. At first we used foam kayak "roof racks" and tie downs to carry it up top (we have a cockpit enclosure so there is support for the length of the boat) but now we simply pull the inflated boat over the stern and tie it off. When we arrive, we just toss it out and secure it alongside.