So pretty... but so small.

[Tuesday]

Whilst shopping in an antique store years ago I bought a small wooden boat.

It just a skosh under 8ft tip to tail. Has that "handmade by someone's grandfather" look about it. Shiny and glossy bristol, but I have had her in a corner in my living room in my land residence for years now.

It has all brass hardware and a small brass plate for motor mount on transom. Flat bottom with great look to her... but shes only 8ft.
Inside floor and joints have been glassed in. A confident little boat. But just so pretty I have just kept her as decoration. Always gets a ton of comments about how well made it looks.

So here is my question...

She would match so perfectly on my top deck in back. Matches my brightwork just beautifully. I do have a hoist and everyone is telling me to use her in service.
I stick mainly around the SF bay and inland waterways. So waters are generally calm between boat and marina.

But would YOU use a wooden 8ft for a dinghy?

Im curious what others think about such a small fish in service.

 

[windled]

I used to live aboard a smallish boat, a Bayfield 25 sailboat and built an 8' stitch and glue plywood dinghy and it was perfect. I went small and light so I could lift it myself up and onto the bow. I tied it down on the bow and could get by it to go forward to drop sails and anchor.


It had a sweet 2hp Yanmar outboard, nice brass oar lockers, etc. and worked very well for me alone. It was a bit small when I had my lady along with me, but still worked.


It was small. I loved rowing it. I am now actually looking at a Puffin 10' rowing/sailing dinghy for my tender so I can row or sail to shore.

 

[psneeld]

First..if it is glassed inside...I am suspect of the boat in general for use of anything but decoration.

Glass on a boat that is supposed to be there great...if added for some unknown reason...especially to the inside....I would like to know why.

Constant wetting and drying of the hull usually isn't good for "after the fact" glass work.

Secondly..if she is water worthy, an 8 foot rowing dingy is great...but most 8 foot boats intended for looks and or rowing make pretty lousy utility tenders for cruising.

If it is only you and the dingy is more for entertainment than work...and water worthy yhen sounds like a pretty addition to your boat....otherwise it would not be my kind of dingy.

Unless like some here that have 2 dingies...then sounds great...just watch that glasswork.

 

[Tuesday]

Ill post some pics of it when I get home but the boat is essentially in new construction condition. No wear or even scratches on her. The glass I suspect is just for reinforcement and sake of cleaning interior after use.

And yes. Sorry for confusion to readers. The boat IS a plywood boat.

Looks like someone just built her last week. But its prob 25 years old.

My thoughts were that I should keep her in a perm mounted cradel with smart little canvas snap cover and just use it as a sort of chest locker for fenders and such. But from ground view she would look the part. Gear lockers are always an eyesore to me.

 

[psneeld]

Ill post some pics of it when I get home but the boat is essentially in new construction condition. No wear or even scratches on her. The glass I suspect is just for reinforcement and sake of cleaning interior after use.

And yes. Sorry for confusion to readers. The boat IS a plywood boat.

Looks like someone just built her last week. But its prob 25 years old.

My thoughts were that I should keep her in a perm mounted cradel with smart little canvas snap cover and just use it as a sort of chest locker for fenders and such. But from ground view she would look the part. Gear lockers are always an eyesore to me.

Great idea on the locker!!!

 

[Al]

We currently have a 6 foot Sportyak on our stern. It is big enough? We use is as a shore boat when at anchor. I at 190# my wife at a bit over 100#.
It has served us well as we await the opportunity to purchase a 8-9 foot RIB at a Craigslist price.
The Sportyak is more than an a ornament that is for sure.
Al-

 

[Al]

Yes, the Horizon shown in our photo has been removed.

 

[bayview]

small ply boats were sold some years ago as decorations. IIRC they were all flat bottom.

 

[HopCar]

Heck, just throw the thing in the water and try it. Pictures please.

 

[psneeld]

Heck, just throw the thing in the water and try it. Pictures please.

Easy to say for a guy who SELLS dingies......

 

[BruceK]

Maybe not the most practical dinghy, and I sense you`d hate to see it look anything but showroom, but I`m with Hopcar, try it in the water, at least once, satisfy your curiosity, find the right occasion to show it off.

 

[dhmeissner]

Heck, just throw the thing in the water and try it. Pictures please.

 

[Pack Mule]

Pictures please I want to see it .

 

[dimer2]

Pictures please I want to see it .

I agree, pictures, before you throw it in....you know, just in case....

 

[janice142]

I agree, pictures, before you throw it in....you know, just in case....

You know, I think this might be a time when a video of the experiment were critical for post-mortem analysis. I want to watch it happen.

Who knows? It might be just fine. And if not, is America's Funniest Videos still on TV?