Dinghy suggestions

[colinm]

Hi all, I'm new to this place and new to Cutwater. We are taking delivery of our 26' next month and getting very excited. One thing we haven't decided on yet is a dinghy option. I'm almost certain I want a hard bottom skiff but wanted to see what other Cutwater owners have tried and what you like or don't like. I'm particularly interested in any advice on storage and launching/retrieval options.

Thanks
Colin

 

[baz]

I have a nice looking and well equipped USCG certified 4-person Portland Pudgy for sale if you have an interest. It includes an electric Long Shaft Torqeedo motor. It's unsinkable. 😉

 

[elan]

This may not help but we have decided to mount two kayaks on top using "J" hooks. We bought the boat used and took of the weaver davit system. Depends on your use of boat, we just need the kayaks to take us to shore to explore.

 

[colinm]

Thanks both of you. Barry I sent you a PM about the Pudgy.

 

[Aurora_WA]

Hi Colin,

As a fellow Cutwater 26 owner, welcome to the site! We have the "standard" Ranger Tugs rigid inflatable (RIB) on a davit on the swim step of our Cutwater 26. I like this RIB, but I do have a word of caution for this, or any other, dinghy: Putting a dinghy on a davit on the swim step shifts a lot of weight to the rear of the boat. This can negatively affect you speed and your fuel economy.

I have a couple of suggestions (after living with the boat for 1 year):

• ● Try to pick a lighter dinghy, like a completely inflatable
  ● Try to mount it as far forward as possible (I've seen some Sea Sport boats which carry the dinghy on top of the cabin, though I don't know if this is an option)
  ● Remove the dinghy when you know you won't use in (day trips when you won't be going ashore, overnight trip where you'll be in a slip, etc.)

I can't stress enough what an amazing boat the Cutwater 26 is (great fuel economy, good top speed for a "cruising" boat, and an overall amazing deal). However, it is a smaller boat, which means we must live within the constraints that forces upon us.

On a side note, I have a Torqeedo, and it is definitely a great thing to have instead of a heavy outboard which requires gas.

Let me know if you have any other questions,
Nick

 

[colinm]

Thanks for the advice Nick - make a lot of sense that adding 100+ lbs to the stern will affect performance. I would think the trim tabs might be able to compensate for some of that though. During our sea trial with Andrew I found that you can adjust the "posture" of the boat quite significantly with the tabs.

Regarding the RIB - I guess I have this love for the classic hard hull dinghy look but if that comes at the expense of performance then I might just have to rethink that!

Thanks again - we're really looking forward to taking delivery in mid-December - can hardly wait!
Colin

 

[captstu]

We have a Walker Bay 8. It has a full Sailing rig and full flotation. Supported by Weaver davits on the swim platform. Weighs under 70 pounds. Sometimes has a three horsepower engine. We usually sail or row easy boat to row. Indestructible indestructible