[Rhodes22-list] Dinghy Selection

[Mary Lou Troy]

Hi Jay,
What will you use the dinghy for? Ferrying people back and forth to 
shore or exploring an anchorage? Carrying stuff besides two people. 
How much distance or "rough water" are you contemplating? the answers 
to all of those questions would affect the choice of a dinghy.

For years we used one of the cheap inflatable boats from Sevylor (not 
their cheapest - I believe it was a Caravelle II, 3 person. I say was 
because we haven't inflated it for several years but after 10 years 
of very intermittent use, it was still hold air. It stored in a 
larger Rubbermaid container under the seats in the cockpit. Very 
convenient. Easy to inflate and deflate.

It was pretty tricky climbing over the stern rail, down the swim 
ladder and into the boat. The space between the swim ladder and the 
rudder was just enough to hold the dinghy in place so you could climb 
in. We got pretty good after it after a few wet boardings.

We have inflatable one person kayaks. They are West Marine Advance 
Element Scouts.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=686619&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50596&subdeptNum=50620&classNum=50622#.UFsFWFFvFc4
(You'll probably have to cut and paste that URL)
Because of the aluminum frame in the bow and stern they paddle more 
like hard kayaks, tracking pretty well. They may also take up a bit 
more space when folded up than some of the other inflatable kayaks. 
Advanced Elements makes two person kayaks as well but I don't think 
West sells them. http://www.advancedelements.com/

We have had people with Sea Eagle kayaks stop and ask us about ours 
saying that theirs don't track very well. Sea Eagle makes a wider 
variety of inflatable boats not just kayaks.

That said we haven't tried to climb from the boat down into the 
kayaks yet. I suspect it would be trickier. While the kayaks are very 
stable for paddling getting them close enough to the stern ladder for 
climbing aboard might be tricky.

Best of luck. Let us know what you decide on and how it works out.

Best,
Mary Lou
1991 R22 Fretless
Rock Hall, MD

At 05:34 PM 9/19/2012, you wrote:
>I am writing to ask the group for some advice and guidance on selecting the
>right dinghy for my new Rhodes. The options are basically tow-behind or
>inflatable. I have plenty of experience with a tow-behind. I do not want to
>deal with transport, maintenance, storage, engine and all the other hassles
>that accompany what is essentially a second boat.
>
>I have been considering a two person inflatable, stowable kayak. One that
>keeps the center of gravity below water level like a traditional kayak and
>not the recently popular sit-on-top I see so much of. A kayak needs no
>engine, can handle distance easily and is relatively safe in rough water.
>The intended use would be to keep it stowed and inflate it only as needed.
>
>It would be great to hear from someone who has successfully used one on
>their Rhodes and can provide some advice on making the right selection in
>make and model.
>
>Thanks in advance for the help.
>
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