dinghy preference

[trailertrawlerkismet]

We have a Ranger 27 on order and have not thought about our options for a dinghy. We want to ask the Tugnuts group for their experiences, as it relates to what size and type of dinghy has worked best for a Ranger 27 or 25. We plan on anchoring 50% or more of the time and like the ability to explore areas within a couple of miles of our surroundings. Thanks in advance for your opinions, thoughts and comments.

 

[Levitation]

A dinghy is always a hassle... Everything from keeping clean, keeping it running, keeping it attached, keeping it afloat, and keeping it from being stolen, seems to take time, money, and effort...

As this impartial observer sees it the consensus is a 7-8 foot RIB with a 2-4 hp motor on a swing up davit on the swim platform, seems to be the least of all evils...

 

[NewMoon]

We have an Avon Redcrest, 9 feet long, 40 lb, all hypalon. It's 12 years old and still in fine shape, and we use it a lot.

For our 25'7" boat there's no practical way to carry it inflated without it getting in the way of sight lines, fishing, upper helm access, etc, so we put up with inflating it each time we use it. Takes about ten minutes with the excellent foot pump Avon supplies. When not in use it is rolled up, usually carried in our large cockpit.

We bought a pair of real oars to replace the little take-down ones that come with it - Sawyer 6.5 footers - they make rowing much more fun and efficient. It rows quite well with only one (plus dog) aboard, slower with two or more.

We also carry a Yamaha 2hp (22lb) which will push it at 3+ knots, and go five miles on a quart of gas. When not in use it's mounted on a wooden board attached to the ladder for going topside.

 

[thataway]

If you are going to be landing on beaches with sharp rocks or marine growth, then consider a light weight RIB--but longer than 7 feet--that is a pretty small RIB. I prefer an air floor, in at least 8'6"--and currently am using a 10 1/2 foot Air floor--this size boat can be rated for 10 hp, and thus will plane with two adults. Any smaller motor, or a hull form with slats or soft fabric will not plane. The reason you want more speed is to cover ground if you are going more than a mile or so. We have used the smaller, and softer boats for just taking dogs ashore etc. When we owned larger boats a 12 1/2' fiberglass RIB allowed either 15 or 25 hp and up to 4 people with dive gear to go many miles from the boat.

You want more than 2 hp--the reason is that with only 2 hp, there are times when you may not be able to push an inflatable into a strong wind. Consider that the wind can be calm when you leave the boat, but come up in minutes you have to get back to the boat.

If you are using a small dinghy, then consider a motor or 3.5 or so hp--there are some which are still light enough weight to be placed on the boat by hand--and yet have enough power to push the boat adequately. Hypalon is more durable than PVC--but if you deflate the dinghy and take care of it--PVC can last many years.

 

[baz]

Search forum for "Portland Pudgy". It's the best dinghy you will ever buy and will last a life time. -Barry

 

[Lobo]

I have a Livingston 7.5' dingy on Weaver Davits on the back of my 25'. You can see the twin on Harbor Rangers listing at Gig Harbor Yachts. I have the s/s stand-off arms to hold it vertically, but seldom use them -- generally only when refueling. I prefer to lay the dingy forward over the stern rails. This lowers the height by a foot giving better rear visibility, allows any sea water that might get in when going fast in heavy swells to roll out quicker -- and gentler. It can carry 3 people and a small outboard. I cleat the dingy down to two small cleats inside the rear cockpit that I added. I cut a couple of 6" pieces of kid's "noodles" as shock absorbers where the dingy meets the rails. Easy to pull it up, but if you find it heavy, a small sailing block on the dingy and 20' of line (tied to rear rail, through block back to you on the boat, reduces the effort by half. I like the stability when getting into and out of the dingy when it is hooked into the Weaver davits.