Kayak AND a Dinghy? Completely subjective of course

[Navigator's Son]

Hello everyone.

I am a new member to the Ranger family, having received my R-25SC in March.

I've tried searching other posts about using a kayak and dinghy on the same boat, but almost every post I found seems to be a decision between which one to use. My question is slightly different. I have a dinghy with the 2.5 hp outboard, and I have an inflatable Sevylor 2 person kayak.

Purely from a "what's more fun to use" perspective - is there anyone else who has both a dinghy and a kayak on board - other than for the utility purpose/benefit a dinghy provides over a kayak, do you find yourself using the kayak more often than the dinghy?

I have used kayaks in the past, rented the hard shell and used the inflatable - to me they were both very easy to use and a lot of fun. I have never used a dinghy - right now I envision the main use for the dinghy would be only for rare occasions on anchor where I have to get the dogs to shore. I know the benefit of having an outboard (even if only 2.5 hp) on a dinghy versus using oars on a dinghy. But maybe there would be times it would be fun to just take a smaller vessel around a marina or cove and not ruin it with the sound of a motor.

For anyone that does have both on board, do you find you get more use from the kayak than the dinghy, or do you find it's just easy to stick with one over the other?

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Red Raven]

We have a factory RIB dinghy with a 6hp Yamaha on the swim grid as well as a 2 person Sevylor kayak that lives on top.

The dinghy is mostly used for practical reasons. Getting to shore when anchored, getting supplies, going on laundry or garbage runs. Depending on the distance to travel we either row or add the motor. It is a bit more work to add the motor as the 6 hp is somewhat of a beast! Also, for fun I like to take it myself for longer exploring trips and to just go fast. It will plane with one person.

The kayak is mostly for fun, exercise and variety. There often are little coves and channels with very shallow water that are just more appropriate for the kayak. It is faster to paddle than the dinghy is to row so we can go a bit further in the kayak and get closer to wildlife.

The usage is probably about 75/25 towards the dinghy just be cause it is a little easier to launch and has more space for carrying items and keeps everything drier. If I had to chose one I'd go with the dink but it would be entirely feasible to only use the kayak if there were a reason to go that way. We like the variety and options so we have both. Also if we have guests along we can split it up and use both.

I've seen plenty of other rangers with both.

Curt

 

[baz]

Concerning noise from a motor. An electric motor offers little noise and even small outboards are very very quiet these days from what I've seen/heard. So I would not worry about noise from a motor.

I consider a dingy to be the most beneficial due to it being a life saver in the event your boat were to be damaged and likely to sink. I had an unsinkable USCG Certified Portland Pudgy (holds 4 people and chose a bright yellow coloring for it) for my previous R-25 (Classic) and it gave me peace of mind. This dingy has an optional sailing kit which some have found very enjoyable as well. I powered the dingy with a Torqueedo electric motor that when its battery was fully charged would give me a range of close to 20 miles at low speed of a few knots. This was sufficient getting me/us to shore in the PNW cruising areas. The Portland Pudgy is double hulled and dogs cannot puncture the hull.

 

[NorCal]

We have both. We have 2 Hobie Inflatables and the Ranger Tug Dinghy. If there are 4 of you on the boat and you are going to go into to town and are on the hook we use the dinghy. The Kayaks are more for exercise fun and exploring. I would rank Dinghy #1 but kayaks are a lot of fun. We really like having both.

 

[Spinner]

I have both! I have a dinghy on the swimstep (Portland Pudgy, as of next week) and a Torqeedo electric motor. Up on top of the boat is a Hobie Mirage kayak. I previously had a RIB dinghy and a 2.5 hp Suzuki motor. As other posters have noted, the dinghy is more of a utility vessel; the kayak is for fun 🙂

I think a dinghy is always needed.... if I had more people on board, I would probably try to fit in a second kayak.

 

[S. Todd]

We have two inflatable kayaks and on a Hurley davit on the swim platform a Zodiac aero. We would only have the kayaks but for the 66 lb dog. She needs the tender or else we go swimming from the kayak, regardless of what we want to do. I need the exercise so I have no motor for the Zodiac, but if I was going to get one, it would be a Torqeedo.
The interesting thing we have found is that if we are at anchor and the Zodiac is floating the dogs prefer it for their napping. They can see their surroundings better from there and they find it more comfortable than the hard cockpit of the tug.

 

[Stewartlockwood]

I will add my 2 cents worth, as it is a bit different. While I only have the Ranger 21, I tow a square back canoe (with flotation foam running along the sides) when I go out for a few days and tie it up right up to the swim platform, resting on a float. It may look a bit odd, but, as my wife constantly reminds me I am more concerned about functionality than style. This setup allows me to back up at any time (slowly) on my own, without worrying about fowling the prop. While I have not tried it, possibly in really bad weather and heavier seas, it could be towed this way but with the bow of the canoe facing aft. Also, the canoe can take lots of gear and people when going to shore, and is great for poking around the shoreline. I have a 2 hp honda that is easy to lift off and on if necessary, that also acts as my kicker.

 

[Navigator's Son]

Thank you everyone for all your encouraging feedback. I had a hunch it wouldn't be a bad idea to carry/use both, but there's never any better answer than first hand experiences.

Now the fun part - My plan is to eventually get a hard shell kayak - the inflatable one served a need on my previous Bayliner 265 where I didn't have any place to conveniently store a fixed length kayak - on the R-25 I have the roof rack. Of course, for me this presents a fun little balancing act. I installed a bike rack on the starboard side, thinking most of the time that's the side I tie up to dock, lifting a bicycle on/off the boat with one arm while using the other to hold the hand rail wouldn't be too difficult, at least I'd have the dock. Makes sense to then put the kayak on the port side and just let it launch directly into the water from there.

I think I can easily manage getting the inflatable kayak on and off the rack - won't have to worry about it scratching or anything like that - but when it comes to a hard shell kayak, one man operation - I'm going to need something better.

I'm going to look into making my own collapsible davit - something that I can mount on the roof rack when needed - have it swing from port to starboard and allow me to raise or lower the bike or kayak without worry of failing overboard.

This is my inspiration, but not looking forward to lifting and lowering a 60lb crane either 😀 going to see if I can make something that I can assemble when needed and take apart and store when not in use.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3317194549 ... noapp=true

 

[Red Raven]

That is the same reason we use an inflatable kayak. Hard to get a solid one off without banging the boat. I think using a davit is a good plan though you may want consider something more suitable for the marine environment. You also could probably get by with something more light weight that uses a simple block and tackle. We also keep the kayak on the port side for the reason you state.

A popular alternative to the bike rake is a folding bike kept in the cave. That is our plan. Again the marine environment will be hard on your bike on top.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

A lot depends on your lifestyle and the local accommodations.

My grand-nephew has a Sevylor two-person inflatable kayak. I'd rather swim. I think it's faster and straighter tracking.

Are docks common at your cruising grounds? Hereabouts (Finger Lakes/Great Lakes) there are usually tie-ups available for a visit ashore for a meal or wine tasting.

THE ADMIRAL and I have sit-in Perception kayaks (mines 12.5' & hers is 10.5'). We find those suitable to our anchor and poke around gunkholes preferences. Most of my fishing is from the kayak. If you want to go out to supper ashore every night - go for a dinghy & outboard. Ours was a Zodiac Cadet & 2.5Hp, but it spent most of the time in the lazarette deflated. The kayaks got much more use.

In fact, we sold our 34 footer and kept the kayaks. ;-)

 

[stwendl]

Thank you everyone for all your encouraging feedback. I had a hunch it wouldn't be a bad idea to carry/use both, but there's never any better answer than first hand experiences.

Now the fun part - My plan is to eventually get a hard shell kayak - the inflatable one served a need on my previous Bayliner 265 where I didn't have any place to conveniently store a fixed length kayak - on the R-25 I have the roof rack. Of course, for me this presents a fun little balancing act. I installed a bike rack on the starboard side, thinking most of the time that's the side I tie up to dock, lifting a bicycle on/off the boat with one arm while using the other to hold the hand rail wouldn't be too difficult, at least I'd have the dock. Makes sense to then put the kayak on the port side and just let it launch directly into the water from there.

I think I can easily manage getting the inflatable kayak on and off the rack - won't have to worry about it scratching or anything like that - but when it comes to a hard shell kayak, one man operation - I'm going to need something better.

I'm going to look into making my own collapsible davit - something that I can mount on the roof rack when needed - have it swing from port to starboard and allow me to raise or lower the bike or kayak without worry of failing overboard.

This is my inspiration, but not looking forward to lifting and lowering a 60lb crane either 😀 going to see if I can make something that I can assemble when needed and take apart and store when not in use.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3317194549 ... noapp=true

I have been playing with the idea of building some form of folding arm from flat stock to be mounted on both rails on one side which folds out and by unfolding lift my kayak up and over so far that a short pulley would lower it in the water. The same arm when folded would also lock the dinghy on the rack, kind of like a clam shell profile. Just need to experiment with some solid works software for the movement. Would be helpful to be a mechanical engineer

 

[rackline]

New Ranger 29 owner this winter, so I can't verify that this is a good solution for getting your kayak on the roof rack. I have a 16' ocean kayak I'll be using to get to our mooring, so I need a way to easily get it on the roof by myself. I found two pairs of Yakima Hully Rollers on Craigslist. I'm planning on putting one pair on the rail on the transom, and the other pair on the aft bar of the roof rack. Hopefully it will allow me to pull the kayak across the swim platform, through the rollers on the transom and up onto the roof. https://www.yakima.com/catalogsearch/re ... y%20roller

 

[Red Raven]

Navigator's Son,

Sue Peterson fom Spinner has a roof davit for her rigid kayak. It is a Ranger Tugs Factory design. Sue has graciously allowed me to post photos below. They may come in handy in developing your design.

Ignore the incorrectly rotated thumbnails. Click on the images and the photos will be oriented correctly.

Curt

 

[Navigator's Son]

Curt - Thanks for the pictures! I certainly will use all the references I can

The issue with having an idea in your head versus being able to implement it comes down to what is readily available at the local hardware store. Lowe's and Home Depot simply aren't going to cut it.

I can make something that will lift/lower a bike or kayak (what are we talking about here ~ 50lbs or so?) - and I can make a sturdy enough base that can then be attached to the roof rack, or what I was looking at, the hand rails. I don't need something that needs to support the weight of a dinghy (hundreds of pounds).

The part that I am trying to keep as simple as possible - allowing the arm to pivot. Sure, I can purchase a reliable prefabricated davit/crane for just under $500 and call it a day. But something like that ends up weighing about 80 lbs means it's gonna be a one and done deal - get it up on the roof, and it's there forever. And where's the fun in that - I don't get to use all my fancy tools, nor justify going out and buying more tools to accomplish a DIY job either 😀

Maybe eventually that will be the way I go - but for now I'm in no hurry, and I'll shop around some of the better industrial focused hardware stores and see what I can create on my own.