Who does NOT have a Dink?

[gsholz]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned dogs. We anchor out a lot but also have two pups. Their shore excursions start at 7am sharp and don't end until nightfall.

[caltexflanc]

Unless we were only going to be there a few hours overnight while in transit, we almost always launch the dinghy when in a marina so as to explore the surrounding area. Up in the PNW we love hiking and exploring the islands while on a mooring or anchored; I'd go batty (or battier, I should say) without a dink up there. Having a dinghy that lends itself to long excursions for exploring makes a big difference... not so much fun in a tiny tiller-steering pure inflatable (which are fun in their own right in fair weather and a nice destination on shore nearby).

When we sold our Hatteras, there was no way we were selling the Whaler too. That Crestliner looks very cool too!

[The Other Gary]

We would not be without our inflatable. When we cruise the 1000 Islands in the summer there are several Liquor Stores that have dinghy docks but no large boat docks.

[siestakey]

I have 2 depending on what type of cruising I am going on 1 avon with 4hp and a small livingston cat with a 15hp

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by gsholz

I'm surprised nobody mentioned dogs.

Post #14.



-Chris

[Group9]

Any boat I own that I cannot run up onto a beach, I carry a dinghy for it.

[FlyWright]

Originally Posted by dhays

We have a dinghy but most of the year we don’t ever use it. We are either going from one marina to another, or we are anchoring out for a weekend in some secluded spot and are spending the entire time on the boat.

On our yearly longer trips, we use the dink a lot, primarily to get to shore to run stern ties.

I've found that anchoring with friends without rafting also is better when each has a dink. I wouldn't mind a raft of 4 good friends in benign conditions, but sometimes the CA Delta raftups (friends of friends...you know the drill) can become a bit overwhelming in many ways.

Originally Posted by siestakey

I have 2 depending on what type of cruising I am going on 1 avon with 4hp and a small livingston cat with a 15hp

I like the way you think! I'm thinking of keeping my 9.5 Achilles with the Honda 2 for kid use and light duty. Might have a 14 yr old nephew joining me again this summer for a week. He'll have his own boat.

[k9medic]

Up until two weeks ago I had a pvc RIB dinghy. After three very rough years, a busted seam took care of that. I’m now looking for a new one.

We have also started to tow a larger boat when we go places but the dinghy is truly the SUV of the boat.

[Art]

Originally Posted by caltexflanc

Unless we were only going to be there a few hours overnight while in transit, we almost always launch the dinghy when in a marina so as to explore the surrounding area. Up in the PNW we love hiking and exploring the islands while on a mooring or anchored; I'd go batty (or battier, I should say) without a dink up there. Having a dinghy that lends itself to long excursions for exploring makes a big difference... not so much fun in a tiny tiller-steering pure inflatable (which are fun in their own right in fair weather and a nice destination on shore nearby).

When we sold our Hatteras, there was no way we were selling the Whaler too. That Crestliner looks very cool too!

Yup - We tried an 11' inflatable with 8 hp. Nissan. It was OK... but not so much so.

13'3" Boston Whaler with 40 hp. Johnson was for a long time my families tow behind of choice.

Extremely well built 15' V hull fiberglass Crestliner with 50 hp. Johnson we've used now for near a decade is more comfortable [mono V entry into waves = less pounding and cushioned, backed seats], much drier [windshield with manual wiper and full bimini] as well as a few mph faster [due to its relatively light weight, 10 hp. more engine, dual trim tabs and less bottom contact with water at WOT.

That said - Crestliner would not hold a candle to the Whaler in really rough conditions. I'd feel confident in a Whaler if need be in just about any weather and sea condition and also feel pretty darn sure that the boat and I would together survive to come out the other end. Would not want to do that so much in the Crestliner... although it does fine in general weather and seas.

Our Crestliner with engine is 1975 model. Got it from an old fisherman first owner who kept her in mint condition! We dry store it on trailer [that has seen better days] in a lot. Keep her always fully covered with new replacement cover always on hand [even best covers rip after a few years of sun] aboard her mother ship... our Tolly.

Small Whalers and Crestliners = Good Dinks!

[catalinajack]

Originally Posted by gsholz

I'm surprised nobody mentioned dogs. We anchor out a lot but also have two pups. Their shore excursions start at 7am sharp and don't end until nightfall.

You must love those dogs - a LOT.

Originally Posted by FlyWright

If you're only going to marina hop, there's probably no need for a dink. I would not consider a dink as a suitable replacement for a lifeboat, either. If you need a lifeboat, buy a lifeboat for the purpose...don't rely on the dink to be suitable in an emergency.

In my case, I started with a 5 year old used 9.5 ft wood floor soft-bottom Achilles with 15" tubes that I could roll up in a bag and store in the laz. Powered it with a 2 hp Honda that stored easily on the FB. Worked well for years but I soon got tired of inflating/deflating when it was time to move, so I started stowing it on the swimstep or bow...depending on how soon I'd need it next. With a covered slip, it worked well and the dink is still in good shape 10 years later.

In time, I got a 15 hp OB that runs great but is a bit oversized for the dink. I also recently picked up a dink float that sits nicely in my slip next to my bow. The 2HP Honda remains at the ready on the FB if needed.

Yesterday, I was walking through Costco and saw that they are again selling the Hydro-Force Mirovia 10'10" PVC dink for under $500 in the store ($599 online). This dink is also a soft bottom fold-up but it has 17 inch tubes, an aluminum floor and is rated for 15HP. Since my slip is covered (protecting the PVC from rain and excessive UV) and my new dink float will easily accommodate this size dink, I'll be picking up a 2nd dink today...just in time for some summer fun!

Originally Posted by dhays

We have a dinghy but most of the year we don’t ever use it. We are either going from one marina to another, or we are anchoring out for a weekend in some secluded spot and are spending the entire time on the boat.

On our yearly longer trips, we use the dink a lot, primarily to get to shore to run stern ties.

[siestakey]

I like the way you think! I'm thinking of keeping my 9.5 Achilles with the Honda 2 for kid use and light duty. Might have a 14 yr old nephew joining me again this summer for a week. He'll have his own boat.[/QUOTE]

When the grandkids are along ( only on very short trips) I would prefer to switch to the row boat but with many hours of training they have graduated to the Avon

[Ostriman]

I am going to use mine for short jaunts out of the slip to rigs docked for service here. It tends to ride bow way up. Sitting on side pod seems like a recipe for MOB. What do you folks do for seating? I have one fiberglass that works if I am rowing, but makes steering with motor hard.

[Shrew]

It depends on how you boat. (There is no WRONG way). If you spend all your time in marinas, then you might not want a dinghy. If you spend your time in moorings, you might be able to get away without one if you have launch service available. If you anchor, I would think you would need a dinghy.

We would lose our minds without the dinghy. It would be like having a summer house and no car. Most of our time on the boat is spent at anchor. It is how we visit our neighboring friends in the anchorage, get to the beach, get to shore (town), get ice, etc. We also like to explore in the dinghy. We go on dinghy rides for no reason other than its fun.

[rjwilliams11741]

Originally Posted by Ostriman

I am going to use mine for short jaunts out of the slip to rigs docked for service here. It tends to ride bow way up. Sitting on side pod seems like a recipe for MOB. What do you folks do for seating? I have one fiberglass that works if I am rowing, but makes steering with motor hard.

If it tends to run bow high you might trying putting the gas tank or at least some additional weight up front. We put a fin on the motor which also helped keep it on plane. Never, in over 40 years of boating, had a problem sitting on the side pod.

[Fletcher500]

Ding.

[FlyWright]

Originally Posted by Fletcher500

Ding.

That ain't no dink! Where do you mount the outboard?

[Steve91T]

Originally Posted by The Other Gary

We would not be without our inflatable. When we cruise the 1000 Islands in the summer there are several Liquor Stores that have dinghy docks but no large boat docks.

That alone would be reason enough to have a dink.

[MurrayM]

Ours is more schlong than dink.

[Steve91T]

This is ours. It’s a 3 person raft with a mount for an electric trolling motor. The battery is a small wheel chair deep cycle. It’ll go for hours at WOT, which is 3 MPH, which is honestly more than enough to run to a beach and back. I charge the battery once every few months.

The whole set up cost me less than $500 and I don’t have to deal with a heavy outboard and gas cans.

That being said, something like what Art has would be absolutely awesome.

[Benthic2]

Sometimes its hard to tell. Are you familiar with "Lola" that the Kinks sing about ?