Good morning fellow NS’ers.
I purchased a NS 22 with tiller and outboard about 2 months ago. I’m looking forward to sailing to some anchorages in the Gulf Islands this spring / summer and want to be able to go ashore. Do any of you have recommendations for what size / type of dinghy I should consider? There’s no obvious place to stow a dinghy on the boat, so I guess it will have to be towed behind. I’d appreciate your helpful input.
Thanks,
The Portland pudgy is your best bet, small but very stable and can be used as a life boat. I am buying one real soon.
8 to 9 feet. Inflatable is easier to board and store. Hard dinghy rows better. Motors, I love my Honda 2 , weighs 35 lbs. There are electric options as well.
Towing harness, floating line is a must.
Thank you Mike and Ashley, Randy and Thor,
I appreciate all this good advice. The Pudgy looks amazing and I thank you for suggesting it. I’ll put it on my list of tenders to consider. I’m looking at an ad online for a used Quicksilver inflatable with a 2 hp motor. Like most of the decisions I’m making about the NS so far, a little more experience would be helpful. Mike, you ask some good questions. I think the sailing club where Rosy is moored has dinghy storage available. I’ll enquire. And how much use will it get? … Lots, I hope. But I’m new to this and time will tell.
I’m grateful to all of you for sharing your experience and ideas.
Elsie
NS 22 “Rosy Red”
Maple Bay, BC Canada
Elsie,
What are you going to be using your dinghy for? If you are single handing and just want to get to the beach an inflatable standup paddle board would work quite well. Small cheap and easy to store you might want to consider one. I have never seen a paddle board with two people on board although I have seen them with one person and a dog. There is also a folding dinghy called a Port Boat that some people rave about. https://porta-bote.com/
On YouTube there is a couple (Free Range Sailing) who have been using the port Boat for many years as they circumnavigate Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M40athlIT90&list=PLrfgH9ij9DeT1HJeuZI8KMWFEaytw3T6C&index=52&t=200s
Tim in STL
White O’morn NS26U #216
Harbor Point Yacht Club
West Alton, MO
Elsie,
If you go with an inflatable, quick summary of considerations:
Material: CSM (tradename Hypalon) is a slightly stiffer, much tougher, a bit heavier, more expensive material that will give longer life and take wear much better than PVC, the cheaper competing alternative. If you have to have it out in the sun a lot, definitely worth it.
Flooring/shape: cheapest are wood slat or plank floors, lightest are air floors (inflates just like the tubes, gets so hard that it feels solid), very sturdy but heavier are Rigid Inflatable Dinghies (a V-hull with tubes, aluminum for light and more expensive, fiberglass or other material for cheaper and heavier).
Flat bottoms are cheaper and lighter, but don’t row or motor as well. Air floor and RIDs track better for rowing and motoring.
Quicksilver, Mercury, West Marine, Achilles, Zodiac, and a bunch of other name brand dinghies are all decent. Some people have said good things about Bestways (which sells on-line and through Costco).
Most dinghies will hold air for a few weeks before needing to be topped off a bit. Spend money on a good pump; most have poor ergonomics and you can really get tired and/or hurt your back.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch 26U #233
Elsie,
Check out Defender.com for dinghies, there is a lot of information there. They also have a big sale coming up in March.
Hypalon is tougher and better in the sun than PVC but PVC is much easier to repair and lighter. Being as far north as you are the sun is not nearly as big a deal as it is in the tropics and there are protectants like 303 protectant to help them out.
I went through this process with my NS30 in the spring and went for a Zodiac Cadet 240 and a swim platform to carry it on. In my opinion towing a dinghy is torture. If you go the swim platform route you need to make sure the dinghy isn’t longer than the transom is wide because waves tugging at the dinghy aren’t good. If I didn’t do what I did I would have gone with a high pressure air floor because the dinghy can be deflated, rolled up and stored and it also will track well under power. A pure roll up is even easier to deal with out of the water but that’s the only advantage. One down side of the inflatable that didn’t occur to me is climbing over the tubes from the swim platform is a little awkward. I went with a Torpedo motor because of the weight and the fact that my wife would not have to deal with a pull starter. E-propulsion makes an electric motor but nobody had one when I needed it.
Good luck.
Bill Mortensen
NS30U Summer Song
Noank, CT
Hi Bill and thank you for all this good information. My NS is a 22 foot with an outboard motor mounted on the back. I’d love to have a swim platform but I just don’t think there’s a way to mount one, is there? I understand that towing the dinghy might not be ideal. I hope it’s not too torturous, because I fear it might be my only option. I’ve had the suggestion of a towing bridle and buoyant tow line, and will keep that in mind. Thanks for the information about Hypalon vs. PVC. I’ll go to Defender.com and have a look. Thanks again for helping me with the dinghy issue.
Elsie Sands
NS 22 Rosy Red
Maple Bay, BC
Elsie,
I’ve had many years of sailing small cruising sailboats, none really big enough to store a dingy on deck, and most too small to inflate a inflatable dingy on the boat. Being faced with the only practical option being to tow my dingy, I found what is for me the best compromise between towing and using it for transport, and that turned out to be a Walker Bay 8’ with the inflatable tubes. I opted for the Hypalon for the above mentioned reasons. The tubes are not in the water when towing so it tows as a rigid dingy, and the tubes provide the stability of a RIB, and of course is very unlikely to toss you in the water or capsize. It also has more space inside than most inflatables of the same size, and the tubes deflect the splashes so it is dry in most conditions. I purchased my used Walker Bay for $300.00 and the tubes for $1,000.00 which was at least $1,000.00 less than a decent 8’ RIB. I use a Honda 2hp because as stated previously, it is very lightweight and easy to handle, and because the Walker Bay is a displacement hull so the boat is not rated for much more power. This would work nicely for you unless you are looking for high speed or need to transport more than 3 people at a time.
Quick plug for the Honda. It weighs in at about 27 pounds so if you wish to detach it from the dingy when towing it is easy to handle. It is air cooled so there is no water pump to need repair, and the centrifugal clutch is great for a dingy as you don’t need to fool with a shifter when navigating in close quarters like a dingy dock or approaching your boat.
Ron Weber
N22 Magic Time
Punta Gorda Fl
Elsie,
I think you plan to sailing the Gulf Islands. No serious open water cruising. We sail in the Gulf Islands. Our first dinghy was slat floor 7.5 feet. suitable for one person only unless using an outboard. Limited room to row with a passenger.
Went to a 10’ Walker Bay with tubes. Big enough for 2 or 3. Did not row well if loaded. We have friends who have the 8’ with tubes and think it is great. For me, too heavy to manage easily.
Now have a Walker Bay airfloor 10’. A little too big. 8 -9 feet is better. Large tubes on an inflatable are nice. The hard bottoms are too heavy.
Towing will not be an issue. Everyone I know who does not have a large boat with davits or a swim platform tows. We always tow and have crossed the Georgia Stait in some nasty waves and winds. No problem. We are careful on the rocky shore but again no issue. If it is light enough it is easy to lift up on shore and launch.
If I was buying again I would get an airfloor model about 8 -9 feet. Walker Bay is OK but there are better brands. Ours have been pic and in our climate it is fine. With an inflatable and air floor it is easy to deflate and store if you will not be using it for some time.
Yes to a bridal and floating line.
Sherwood Marine Center in Saanich has a good selection and I think the chandlery in Nanaimo has as well.
Rob Powers
Respite 26C #50
Sidney BC
Hi Ron,
Thanks very much for this. I had not heard of Walker Bay dinghys, so thanks for filling me in. This looks like a practical solution. How tippy would this be when getting into it from the NS22? Some have said that an inflatable with a hard inflatable floor is easier to step into because not so tippy. What do you think?
I’ve just looked online and found one of these Walker Bay dinghys locally for $475 Cdn. It comes with a 20 pound thrust Stealth electric motor, oar, oar locks, battery, life jackets and fishing rods! It doesn’t. have the inflatable tubes. I wonder if that might fill the bill?
Thanks again,
Elsie Sands
NS 22 Rosy Red
Maple Bay, BC
Thanks very much Rob. Yes, I’m hoping to sail the Gulf Islands and really appreciate your advice about the dinghy. I’m relieved to hear you don’t consider it a problem to tow the dinghy. When you say “airfloor” do you mean an inflatable floor that’s pumped to be very hard or? I must go look at some of these dinghys, either in Saanich or Nanaimo, so I’ll have a better idea what people mean when they refer to the different options.
Thanks again,
Elsie
NS 22 Rosy Red
Maple Bay, BC
Hello Nonsuchers
allow me to throw in my $0.02 regarding the Walker bay 8 which I also have and like. It is tippy without the inflatable but you can get used to it. I also bought the sail kit so instead of rowing or an engine, she sails pretty well, but so far with just myself aboard. I bought the cheap inflatable, but I haven’t had good luck with it keeping the air in. Perhaps the hypalon has a better quality valve. All in all, I recommend the WB
Thanks, Jim. I appreciate your input. We seem to be coming to some kind of consensus on the WB. This forum is turning out to be a treasure for a newbie like myself. Thanks again. Elsie
Elsie,
With the inflatable tubes it is not tippy, and you can step on the tube if needed without risking flipping it over. That sounds like a pretty good deal at $475.00 Cdn, especially if the electric motor will work for you. I found the Walker Bay propelled through the water with much less throttle than the previous slatted floor inflatable I had. If you decide to go that route, I strongly recommend the extra cost of the Hypalon as opposed to the PVC. I’ve had a number of inflatables all of them being Hypalon except one. Never had a problem with the Hypalon but the PVC didn’t last long as it was easily punctured. A few years back when I purchased the tubes from Walker Bay there was a $300.00 dollar difference compared to the PVC. It is still going strong after five years and hasn’t given me any problem. AND if you pump it up early in the morning it will become even more firm in the heat of mid day.
One other good point about this solution is that the Walker Bay is practically indestructible as it is made of Polypropylene so if you drag it over the rocks or sea shells it will only scratch, and it’s UV resistant. So for a towing dingy that you don’t mind if it isn’t faster than your N22, I found it to be a excellent solution.
Best of luck whatever you decide, because your dingy quickly becomes an indispensable part of your boating experience.
Ron Weber
N22 Magic Time
Punta Gorda Fl
Hi Tim, Thanks for your input. I’ll be using the dinghy mainly to get myself to shore when I anchor off one of our lovely Gulf Islands. I live in an area where there are tons of little bays and coastal villages within a day or two sailing. I’m new to this, and I’m hoping to take some time this summer to explore the local bays. In an emergency, I guess it could also be a lifeboat. I’m in what some call their “golden age” (second childhood, lol) so I need something stable, practical, easy to handle. Maybe not a SUP though, or my phone, keys and wallet might accidentally go swimming, along with myself. If I get supplies while on shore, it might be tricky to get them back to the boat on a SUP. I can see that it would work for some people though. I appreciate your questions and your advice.
Elsie
NS 22 Rosy Red
Maple Bay, BC
Elsie (and others),
Just as a heads up since many people have brought it up – Walker Bay has gone high-end and gotten out of the business of producing the tenders so many have liked and are recommending to you. Their target customer owns a large power yacht.
The smallest they now sell is over 11 feet and weighs nearly 500 lbs.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch 26U #233
Bob,
I see that. I’m glad I have mine, there doesn’t seem to be anything else quite like it on the market.
Ron Weber
N22 Magic Time
Punta Gorda Fl
On an older boat I had a small AVON dinghy that folded up into a bag about 2’ cube. Inflated, it towed ok for a suction cup, it was easy to inflate in the cockpit and throw over board, carried 2 in (relative) comfort, we rowed around the Gulf Islands anchorages and to the store. It had an outboard bracket but we never felt the need for a motor (we weren’t in a hurry). Alas, Zodiac bought AVON and it has gone the way of Walker Bay or I would have one on Chancy. So I have another suggestion.
A few years ago I built a rowing boat from a kit from Chesapeake Light Craft. The kit was very accurate and only a few hand tools were needed, it was a pleasure to build and the result was stunning to look at and a pleasure to row. A great deal of care was needed to build it as well as a little bit of skill.
clcboats.com have an Eastport Pram that might just fit the bill if you are up for a building project. They have a version that is 6’ long carries 400lbs. And weighs 40lbs. I don’t think it takes an outboard but I bet it would row and tow better than an inflatable.
This is the Chester Yawl I built, a photo of it was on the back cover of their catalogue one year.
I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
All the best.
Mike Jennings.
NS005 Chancy.
Port Moody, BC.
Walker Bay may be gone but there are lots of used ones on the market. WB made essentially two types, a rigid plastic dinghy and inflatable dinghies with inflatable floors. You could buy inflatable tubes to put around the gunnels of the rigid dinghy that provided reserve flotation and added some stability. The rigid dinghy was very tough and did not mind bumping into things or being drag across the rocks. They had a small wheel on the bottom but it was too small to work on soft beaches. Unless you added some type of nonslip the bottom of the floor could be very slick when it got wet. If you step on the gunnel climbing into the boat it can flip over even if you have the tubes. Most inflatables with large tubes will not tip if you step on the tube climbing in. The WB rigid is heavy and you can’t make it smaller to transport it in a vehicle. I know many people who have them love them but I would not recommend one for you.
Like Rob, we tow our dinghy and at least so far it has not been a problem. It is an Avon (Avon is out of business now) inflatable with 17" tubes and an inflatable floor. It is 2.8 meters (9’ 3") long. It is rated for 3 people and an outboard or 1060 lbs. It has an inflatable keel and rows pretty well. The keel adds directional control. I also use a 3hp equivalent electric outboard. At 9’ it is likely bigger than you need. The manufacturer says it weighs 63 pounds. The Avon with the rollaway floor is lists at 90 pounds. My sense is that the full weight of my dinghy is more like 100 lbs not 63. It is made from Hypalon. Hypalon is better than PVC. It is more chemical and UV resistant however it weighs more and costs more. Unless you plan to leave the dinghy outside all year, a PVC on the Wet Coast where the sun only shines 10 days a year, a PVC will easily last 10 years or more. Up here Hypalon in a new dinghy just about doubles the price.
I suggest you hunt around for a good used or new inflatable PVC dinghy with an air inflate floor and keel. The tubes should be at least 15" but 17" or 18" would be better. I think in the 7’ to 8’.
On a related point, we do not climb into and out of the dinghy from the stern. We have a fender step that is hung from the base of the stanchions at the boarding gate using big carabiners. We tie the bow to the midship cleat and the stern to the stern cleat with the seat lined up with the gate. The towing line is marked so I can get the position right every time. The wind and current keep the dinghy against the hull and the lines keep it from kicking out as we step down into it. Because of the 17" tubes we are able to step from the fender step onto the tube and then onto the seat before stepping on to the floor. Even when my back is acting up, the height of each step is small enough that I can handle them. If you try to climb on at the stern the wind and current will try to take the dinghy away from the boat. As you climb up you have to go around the mainsheet. We find that more awkward then board from the side. I have attached a photo of La Reina with the fender step ready to go. The shot was taken early in the morning so the dinghy is not tied to the side. We let Infanta (the dinghy) ride off the stern at night so she is less likely to bump the hull and wake us. We only tie her to the side when boarding, disembarking or barbecuing.
Mark Powers
