Dinghy storage

[Blue Soul]

Hi, everyone! I am buying a 2021 RT R-27 OB LE. Has anyone been able to store a dingy on the cockpit canopy while underway? Where should I look for a more robust aft canopy?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Pandion]

Here is our standard configuration for our '21 R27OB. We've traveled for three years and thousands of miles with our 10-foot Takacat on the factory bimini.

 

[Blue Soul]

Wow! So the factory bimini is adequate to support a dinghy underway? That's great news! how much does your dinghy weigh? Does it have an motor? Thank you!

 

[Pandion]

So the factory bimini is adequate to support a dinghy underway?

That would depend on a lot of factors, but in our case, it works for us.

The Takacat dinghy weighs around 70 pounds. Getting it up there couldn't be described as easy but I have a process that makes it pretty straight-forward. I stand the dinghy on end on the swim step and let it lean forward to rest on the back of the bimini frame. From there, I can straddle the outboard and push the dinghy up over the bimini. I've been intending to install a couple of rails over the canvas to keep the dinghy from abrading the canvas but haven't seen much wear so far. The dinghy is stored upside-down and without the motor attached. Launching is just a matter of pushing it off.

Our rear stanchions that support the bimini frame are not the standard configuration; ours are detachable and we can remove them, so they're likely less stable than the standard permanent factory stanchions. We had this modification made at the factory to give us more room for fishing. The bimini frame (without the dinghy) will easily support itself without the rear stanchions. When the dinghy is on top and I remove the rear stanchions, I install a support on the ski pole that holds up the back of the bimini frame.

 

[Hamster]

On my recent trip, I put the tubes (strapped together) of my Takacat on the roof rails and stored the floor and frame in the cockpit. Lifting only the tubes is relatively easy.

 

[JZimmer]

That would depend on a lot of factors, but in our case, it works for us.

The Takacat dinghy weighs around 70 pounds. Getting it up there couldn't be described as easy but I have a process that makes it pretty straight-forward. I stand the dinghy on end on the swim step and let it lean forward to rest on the back of the bimini frame. From there, I can straddle the outboard and push the dinghy up over the bimini. I've been intending to install a couple of rails over the canvas to keep the dinghy from abrading the canvas but haven't seen much wear so far. The dinghy is stored upside-down and without the motor attached. Launching is just a matter of pushing it off.

Our rear stanchions that support the bimini frame are not the standard configuration; ours are detachable and we can remove them, so they're likely less stable than the standard permanent factory stanchions. We had this modification made at the factory to give us more room for fishing. The bimini frame (without the dinghy) will easily support itself without the rear stanchions. When the dinghy is on top and I remove the rear stanchions, I install a support on the ski pole that holds up the back of the bimini frame.

Have you ever trailered with your Takacat on top of the Bimini?

 

[Pandion]

Have you ever trailered with your Takacat on top of the Bimini?

Yes, but only for short distances at in-town speeds.

The Takacat lives on the bimini continuously when we're in the water and does fine on-plane at 30-40 mph. Note that we store it upside down and it's more aerodynamic that way. We've never put it up there any other way so I'm not sure how much more wind resistance it would have if right-side up.

 

[JZimmer]

Yes, but only for short distances at in-town speeds.

The Takacat lives on the bimini continuously when we're in the water and does fine on-plane at 30-40 mph. Note that we store it upside down and it's more aerodynamic that way. We've never put it up there any other way so I'm not sure how much more wind resistance it would have if right-side up.

I will report back if we trailer it at highway speeds that way. All I see in my head is that guy we have all followed with a mattress tied to the top of their car.

 

[fidalgoisland]

Hi, everyone! I am buying a 2021 RT R-27 OB LE. Has anyone been able to store a dingy on the cockpit canopy while underway? Where should I look for a more robust aft canopy?

Thanks in advance for your help!

On our 2022 R-27OB I made a separate rack above the Bimini top to hold our dinghy. I reinforced the existing Bimini frame where it attaches to the boat. Our dinghy weighs approx 60 pounds. So far it has worked very well and the frame can be used for other storage when not holding the dinghy. I can send additional pictures if you are interested.

 

[DMcClintic]

On our 2022 R-27OB I made a separate rack above the Bimini top to hold our dinghy. I reinforced the existing Bimini frame where it attaches to the boat. Our dinghy weighs approx 60 pounds. So far it has worked very well and the frame can be used for other storage when not holding the dinghy. I can send additional pictures if you are interested.

View attachment 25218View attachment 25219

 

[DMcClintic]

Hi Dennis & Nancy - we are purchasing the exact boat in August from the original owner. I am extremely interested in re-creating exactly what you’ve done. We live in AZ, the boat is in Wisconsin, so I’m trying see if I can order the parts in advance so we can. I’d be interested in any drawings, parts order or help you could give me. Please let me know. Thanks - Dave (6@2-885-5194)

 

[fidalgoisland]

Hi Dennis & Nancy - we are purchasing the exact boat in August from the original owner. I am extremely interested in re-creating exactly what you’ve done. We live in AZ, the boat is in Wisconsin, so I’m trying see if I can order the parts in advance so we can. I’d be interested in any drawings, parts order or help you could give me. Please let me know. Thanks - Dave (6@2-885-5194)

Hi Dave, I will give you a call. Dennis