[Public-List] Dinghy for A-30

[Bill Woodford via Public-List]

US11 is on a mooring and currently I have two dinks for her.  I picked up a
small 7-8' fiberglass tender from Craigslist that rows reasonably well and
tows very well.  Even though this boat is capable of holding three adults,
I would not put three adults in it unless we wanted to swim.  If I am going
to the boat myself, I use this dink.  It is solid yet  I can lift and move
it myself.

I also have a large 12' inflatable with a 15 hp engine.  On race nights, we
use this dink to get the crew to the boat.

I have towed both for an overnight cruise.  I do not like towing the
inflatable and will not tow it with the outboard still attached to the
dink.  Feels like I am dragging an anchor.
The fiberglass tender tows well but its load carrying capacity is limited.

My suggestions:

Borrow a dink for a weekend and haul it with you and see if it meets your
needs.

Identify how you are going to be using the tender and buy/build accordingly.

Half the fun is looking.

Woody




On Wed, Jul 23, 2014 at 9:30 AM, Greg Bover via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> >>>Ahoy Mates!  I would like to hear about the dinghies you have chosen and
> why. Also whether you tow or stow on deck, and any thoughts on ones to
> avoid. Thanks in advance! - Abel C Mann<<<
>
> I built a Bolger Nymph (about 7’- 9”) from a book I got out of the public
> library, Dynamite Payson’s Build the Instant Boats. Stitch and glue ¼”
> plywood, about 40 hours work, a nice winter project. I upgraded the trim
> from pine to mahogany and it still only weighs 65 pounds, so it car tops
> easily. It tows and rows extremely well, I’ve never felt the need to put it
> on deck. Carries three adults no problem and can be rigged with a
> spritsail.
> It has a longitudinal thwart so it can be rowed by persons of very
> different
> heights. I recently borrowed the wider version, Rubens Nymph, and found it
> heavy and not at all as nimble. I wouldn’t go near those unrowable
> inflatables.
> I introduced a little camber to the tops of the transoms just to give it a
> little more eye appeal. It was on top of my car outside the local marine
> supply when Phil Bolger himself walked in and asked who had built it. When
> I
> sheepishly admitted I had he congratulated me on a nice job, not at all put
> out by my modifications.
>
> Greg Bover
> A-30 #114
> LINNET
> Gloucester
>
>
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