New R29 Owner looking for dinghy options

[Lola45]

I am about to close on a 2011 R29 and I'm trying to figure out the logistics of getting it home. I'm a bit stuck on the dinghy thing. I have a portland pudgy and I see them on weaver davits on the swim platform but it looks vulnerable to a quartering wave landing in the dinghy and likely doing some damage. I talked with customer service and they suggest to not have the dinghy on davits when it gets rough. What does everyone else do?

On a slightly different tack...does towing a dinghy in normal conditions work pretty well? Would you set up a bridal on the 2 stern cleats to tow? Thanks!

 

[harry ames]

My experience with dinghy towing doesn't include a fiberglass dinghy...at least, I think the pudgy is a solid for boat. My dinghy is a cheap inflatable that has a couple of upsides: A. I got it cheap, but it does the job. B. I can deflate it and strap it to the roof of the boat so that it isn't an issue with water and wind conditions. The downside is that if I try to tow it in significant winds, it wants to fly. If I tow it in confused water it bounces all over the place. In any case, it or your pudgy won't be towable at anything faster than hull speed. I'm confident that the rear cleats with a simple bridle are plenty to tow my inflatable. A heavier dinghy like your pudgy? Maybe not, depends on water and wind and waves.

My classic R21 only has hull speed as an option, so I kind of like the idea of deflating my dinghy and stowing it aboard to leave me free to focus on getting to safe harbor without worrying about what is happening behind me.

I like to keep the dinghy inflated and towed whenever possible, but weather and wind and waves determine that. I've gotten long winded as usual, but I'd look hard at an inflatable that gives you any option, inflated or deflated and stowed.

 

[Irish Mist]

I have been able to remove the motor and put the dingy standing upright on the swim platform Stern down bow up. I tie the bow to the roof racks, and tie the bottom to the "D" rings on the swim platform. It does restrict your rear vision somewhat. Mine is an inflatable 8 ft 6 inch dingy with a plywood bottom. An inflatable bottom would be even lighter and easier to move around.

 

[HappyPlace]

If you don't want to be removing the outboard every time you need the dinghy, try this davit system:
http://www.dinghycaddy.com/

We have only had it for a short time, but thus far are pleased with the ease of operation and sturdiness of the system.