Begorrah
Veteran Member
I would get a RIB with a very small OB next time w/ Weaver davits. Don't want to sail.OB would be electric or propane powered.
I guess it all depends on each person. I enjoy rowing and sailing in a shippy little boat with a springy sheer and it doesn’t get old. Many small craft are actually quite stable, primary stability giving way to significant secondary stability. Because getting in out requires some finesse doesn’t mean it’s not stable.
Lin and Larry Pardey rowed their dinghy for their entire cruising career, much of it in a Fatty Knees. Different (paddle) strokes for different folks.
I am a big fan of the sturdee dory. I have the 10ft rowboat. See pics below. I have had myself and three others in it several times with no issue.
They have an 8foot that is 80lbs. Great little boats. Row very well.
I am a big fan of the sturdee dory. I have the 10ft rowboat. See pics below. I have had myself and three others in it several times with no issue.
They have an 8foot that is 80lbs. Great little boats. Row very well.
If you love to row you can’t go wrong with a Dyer. Another is a Jarvis Newman. Would be on my short list. Will take a SMALL motor as it’s designed to move at hull speed or less. Truly a classic.
https://ngboats.com/newman-skiffs
The 10 foot looks a lot like a sightly larger Dyer Dhow, which makes it a very attractive option. I'll have to do some digging tonight on pricing and availability.
For those talking about needing to go 4 miles by dinghy, I can always add an outboard later if that becomes a desire. But it's unlikely to be a real need, as I can always just move the big boat. And the big boat cruises at 17-18 kts, so I don't really need a fast dinghy (it would save some fuel, but I can cover distance just as fast before launching the dinghy). I'm also not cruising full time, so generally (especially if we don't have the dog with us), if the weather gets ugly we can either wait to go ashore or find somewhere to dock the boat rather than dinghying in.
I tow it at 15knots no problem (see pic) except In bigger confused seas where the the dink starts to jerk a little bit. When that occurs, I stow it on davits. (See pic) It has ample flotation and a harder/sharper degree chine than the dyers, so it is a little more stable. Also, the flotation chambers are great. You can pull the plug at the dock and it will only sink up to the flotation chambers.
I redid an old 12 foot dinghy, so might part with this one. Located in NYC. (New dinghy pic below with old evinrude)
I have wanted a 15' to 18' Whitehall for years. They look like a great rowing and sailing boat.
Has anyone been able to fit one onto a reasonable size mother ship?
I built a 9ft nester many, many moons ago. It was a Spindrift 9N from B and B Yacht Designs.
Full write up attached.