Hard, planing dinghy

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motarded421
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Joined: 4/20/18
Posts: 40
Hard, planing dinghy

Hi everyone,

My wife and I will be cruising the gulf coast of the US, and the Carribbean. I'm reluctant to go with an inflatable setup due to the UV deteroration down. It seems like it will be just one more thing to look after and maintain. 

I'm thinking a hard dinghy might be the better way to go but I want something that will get around the anchorage pretty quickly, and be a servicable platform to to scuba/snorkle from (I assume adding some sort of floatation tubes would be the way to go). I was looking at the walker bays but it doesn't seem like they can carry enough motor to get up on a plane with a couple of adults in it. 

To add an extra layer of complication I would like for the boat to have a sailing kit available. My son will be in the 3-7yr range while we're out bumming around, so it would be fun to teach him to sail in a small boat. If there isn't anything on the market that readily fits what I'm looking for I wouldn't be opposed to building one to fit my needs, but i'm striking out on finding plans. 

Any suggestions??

'86 Catalina 36
Work in progress!

knotdoneyet
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Joined: 7/27/12
Posts: 253

If only there was a boat that is all things. :)

The challenge with a hard dinghy is they tend to be unstable and heavy but durable, cheap and they tend to row well..  Walker Bay has one with an inflatable ring that tends to merge the worst of both rigid and inflatable.

Portabotes tend to be popular with their owners. 

Curious to see some thoughts from others.

 

2000 C36 MKII 1825

two-rocks
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Joined: 8/11/17
Posts: 74

Nothing fits, noithing will. You have to eliminate some requirements.
We have 2 dinghys - Our inflatable RIB will never sail, our sailing (and rowing) dinghy will never plane. 
If we had a bigger boat, we'd take both - as it is, we choose based on the cruising destination. For long term crusing a RIB is the only wat to go (IMO). You mention plaing with a couple adults - but don't forget the many more pounds of groceries and staples bering shuttled back and forth. Add some toys, inflatable SUP, kayak, etc, for fun and kids (big and small!)
 

motarded421
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Joined: 4/20/18
Posts: 40

I think a RIB may end up being the way to go, but dang I love the look of a hard dinghy. I'm going to keep poking around and see what I find. The Portabote looks like it might actually fit the bill for what I'm wanting, not sure how well they sail with the sail kit, but it looks like it'll do everything else I need it to do. 

'86 Catalina 36
Work in progress!

pkeyser's picture
pkeyser
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Joined: 5/18/13
Posts: 659

I dont't think this will plane, but check out the  8'6" "Portland Pudgy". I came across one today....sailing dinghy made with an unsinkable rotomolded hull (similar to some sea kayaks). The owner weighed about 170lbs and could step on the gunwhale without flipping it. Some interesting features as told by its owner. It can take a 2-3 HP longshaft outboard. It's self bailing (when sitting without a load). The centerboard has a handle, so if overturned you can reach up and right it. He claimed it would self bail when righting after a capsize.The sail, mast and oars stow internal to the double hull when used as a tender. An optional top turns it into a lifeboat. He said it weighs about 127 pounds. It can be hoisted with a davit system or towed.

http://www.portlandpudgy.com

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

motarded421
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Joined: 4/20/18
Posts: 40

I looked at those awhile back and while they looked interesting they don't really fit the bill for what I'm wanting. At this point I think a planing hard dinghy is what I'm looking for. The additional things are really just nice-to-haves. I'd like to be able to cover more ground than I'll be able to with a displacement dinghy, but don't want the potential for leaks that you have with a RIB.

I was considering building a planing dinghy from wood but I can't find any plans that really fit what I'm wanting. It seems like they are all row/sail dinghys with just enough ridgity to hold a 2-3hp engine. 

I'm keeping an eye out for a Porta Bote on the used market, hoping I can pick one up at a nice discount. Since I'm not in a hurry I have time to look around. 

'86 Catalina 36
Work in progress!

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