R23 dinghy

olygirl

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2017
Messages
59
Fluid Motion Model
C-30 S
Vessel Name
Cool Mint 2
We just received our new R23 and purchased a 7'6" dinghy which we managed, with a good deal of effort, to get up on top of the boat. Unfortunately, this is not possible for us when on a mooring buoy as there is no room to really maneuver so we are looking for a way to get the dinghy up there more easily. Thinking about installing some kind of rollers on crossbars so that one person could pull from one side while the other pushes the dinghy from the other. Has anyone out there done this??? If so, can you tell me how? Or if anyone has another idea we are certainly open to hearing them!
 
If you have really committed to the 7'-6" dinghy this is going to be a real challenge for you both and even more so if you're solo. I'm assuming unloading the dinghy was without issues and that your real challenge is for loading the dinghy back onboard and up onto the cross bars, right ? You have the mast and VHF antenna to be careful about in addition, and I assume the dinghy over shadows the solar panel if you have one.

I struggled with the dinghy issue for my new 2018 R-27/OB which has more cabin real estate than the R-23, and even so could not come up with a dinghy solution that I could easily handle solo. Being able to unload and pull back onboard a 7'-6" on up to 10'-6" dinghy by myself was simply a problem I could find no answer to.

I've ended up purchasing a 12'-6" Sea Eagle 365ft FastTrack inflatable Kayak. It weighs a mere 22 lbs and I will be able to unload it and retrieve it to place back onto the cabin crossbars by myself. I will have a pair of Kayak carrier roof racks to secure the FastTrack to and hold it down with straps. This FastTrack can hold 2+1 people. The 12'-6" will fit from the windshield eyebrow to the rear cabin wall and off to the side of my solar panel. I will only have the FastTrack on the boat when I can safely say I'll be needing if for a lengthy cruise for days on end. For local trips I'll not have the FastTrack on the boat and will have it deflated and stored ashore in my car at the marina.

To pull the FastTrack back onboard when solo, I'll bring it first over the bow rails and onto the foredeck (should be easy as it weighs 22 lbs), and then maneuver it up onto the cabin roof and the Kayak carrier racks and then strap it down to secure it safely. I may also run a line from the FastTrack's bow to the forward most bow rail stanchion to avoid any chance of air pressure bending and pushing the FastTrack's forward section upwards when speeding along at WOT.

I wish you luck figuring out how to resolve your issue on the R-23.

Sorry for not being helpful. 🙁
 
I found a system called the Dinghy sling davit system. A swim platform and existing cleats are all you need.
I have no connection to this company harbormenmarine.com. I have one on order for my backwater boat 7.5' dinghy.

Stuart
 
Automaticman865":2xhuinep said:
I found a system called the Dinghy sling davit system. A swim platform and existing cleats are all you need.
...snip...
Stuart

The R-23 has an outboard engine so this means it's nigh impossible to mount a dinghy on/off the rear platform along with the engine being there.
 
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