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DSK wrote:

Denis Marier wrote:

I do not like to handle an outboard engine. Some of my friend have 9.9
outboard engine stowed on the stern rail. Some leave it mounted on their
inflatable dinghies. To carry gasoline on board defeats the purpose of have
an inboard diesel engine.

Agreed, but many people seem to feel that outboard mix & spare cans of gas are no
greater hazard than propane. The hassle & mess & smell are what convince me that
I do not want an outboard powered dink.

Andre Venter wrote:
I don't think that there is a "best dinghy" for the simple reason that we
all have different ideas about cruising. I like small and spartan, you might
like big & fancy. My perfect dinghy is a simple 9 ft pram with a 3hp motor
small, easy to row and ugly enough not to be a thiefs first choice.

Jere Lull wrote:
I forget whether I got "in" on this conversation, so apologize if I'm
repeating, but I'm a real fan of the PortaBote.

It sounds like a great solution, especially to the limited space issue. I don't
have any experience with them other than watching others, but the flexy hull
would make me a bit nervous. Plus (please don't take this personally) I don't
like their looks.

See above - you do not WANT to have a nice looking dinghy. You want a
funny looking dinghy - a MEMORABLY funny looking dinghy. A dinghy
that makes you cringe to know that anyone would associate you with it.
A dinghy that everyone who as seen it once will remember forever.

The flexy bottom of the portabote is far preferable to me to the
inflatable - I just don't like inflatable - even the nice big ones.
We have an inflatable (a Nissan I think), but I far and away prefer
the portabote even though we have to assemble the portabote and the
dinghy is right there on davits.
Over the years we've had & used almost every other sort of dinghy, and while I
really liked using a canoe, it is not really an optimum working tender for long
term cruising. Given the expense of a new boat, the tippiness & heaviness of a
Walker Bay (plus I still don't like thier looks either), I have designed my own
dinghy and will have it built. It will be 95% as stable as an inflatable, will
row better than anything short of a racing shell, will have classic good looks
(by which I mean it will favorably remind the most persnickety afficianado of an
old-time Whitehall or wherry, and simply beautiful to anybody else), and it's
weight will be 25 lbs or less. It won't be cheap, but it won't cost as much as a
new hi-end inflatable & it's engine.

I'm kind of bemused that other people aren't doing the same thing, given the
amount of time & money that goes into cruising dinghies.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King


grandma Rosalie