purple_stars wrote:
thanks everyone for all the responses about finding a fiberglass dingy,
a lot of good ideas in there. i will do just as you all say and keep
looking, check the docks, try some more classifieds, and keep watching
ebay.

while i was reading about all of this i also read a little about cedar
strip boats and how they are made. i wish i had that kind of time,
they are beautiful wooden boats and the instructions on making them
seem clear enough. but it looks like it would take a small part of
forever to make one, so i wouldn't bother, i actually want to get out
of port not sit around making dingies, no matter how beautiful they
are. also i think i would worry about such a beautiful boat, which
defeats the purpose too ... that is why i wanted to focus on cheap
fiberglass dingys, so i could row it to shore and leave it tied to a
tree and who cares if someone nicks it, i can get another one. if i
put so much work into one of those cedar strip boats i'd want an armed
guard on shore to protect it haha, it would take some of the fun out of
cruising. i want to cruise and see exciting places, not participate in
a cruise boat fashion show.


Why fiberglass then? What about the plastic versions... such as
'Walker Bay'. You could drag those over rough surfaces...matter of
fact, they come with a wheel under the transom for moving around on dry
land.

Don White wrote in news:QU2Ff.24448$VV4.173364
@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca:

Why fiberglass then? What about the plastic versions... such as
'Walker Bay'. You could drag those over rough surfaces...matter of
fact, they come with a wheel under the transom for moving around on dry
land.



All this sounds good until the damned thing is running you down surfing in
simplest of waves. Let's quit screwing around and get a Porta-Bote...folds
flat against the handrail, haul it up a halyard vertically up the mast
while you screw the seats into it, then push it over the handrail and pay
out the halyard, stern first. 5hp will plane it with 250#
aboard!...amazing.

http://www.porta-bote.com/

Look down the page to see it stowed on a sailboat.

I understand that they have a good product, but that is the most gawd awful
web site going. It does not instill much confidence.

"Larry" wrote in message
...
Don White wrote in news:QU2Ff.24448$VV4.173364
@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca:

Why fiberglass then? What about the plastic versions... such as
'Walker Bay'. You could drag those over rough surfaces...matter of
fact, they come with a wheel under the transom for moving around on dry
land.



All this sounds good until the damned thing is running you down surfing in
simplest of waves. Let's quit screwing around and get a
Porta-Bote...folds
flat against the handrail, haul it up a halyard vertically up the mast
while you screw the seats into it, then push it over the handrail and pay
out the halyard, stern first. 5hp will plane it with 250#
aboard!...amazing.

http://www.porta-bote.com/

Look down the page to see it stowed on a sailboat.

See it stored on a sailboat! Ah, but where is the rest of it stored?
Seats, transom, stem, etc
See the man easily carry it under his arm! Again, where is the rest of it?
See the spec sheet that shows the weight of a 10' is only 68 lbs! Oops,
that is the HULL weight! Again, what happened to the seats, etc?
Don't get me wrong. The portabote is a decent unit, especially when
compared pricewise to a good hypalon raft or whatever. I just don't like the
way they promote it.
Speaking of dinghies. Wouldn't a sailing hypalon like a Tinker also double
as a liferaft? Expensive sure, unless compared to buying a dinghy AND a
liferaft.
Gordon

"Larry" wrote in message
...
Don White wrote in news:QU2Ff.24448$VV4.173364
@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca:

Why fiberglass then? What about the plastic versions... such as
'Walker Bay'. You could drag those over rough surfaces...matter of
fact, they come with a wheel under the transom for moving around on dry
land.



All this sounds good until the damned thing is running you down surfing in
simplest of waves. Let's quit screwing around and get a
Porta-Bote...folds
flat against the handrail, haul it up a halyard vertically up the mast
while you screw the seats into it, then push it over the handrail and pay
out the halyard, stern first. 5hp will plane it with 250#
aboard!...amazing.

http://www.porta-bote.com/

Look down the page to see it stowed on a sailboat.

Gordon wrote:
See it stored on a sailboat! Ah, but where is the rest of it stored?
Seats, transom, stem, etc
See the man easily carry it under his arm! Again, where is the rest of it?
See the spec sheet that shows the weight of a 10' is only 68 lbs! Oops,
that is the HULL weight! Again, what happened to the seats, etc?
Don't get me wrong. The portabote is a decent unit, especially when
compared pricewise to a good hypalon raft or whatever. I just don't like the
way they promote it.
Speaking of dinghies. Wouldn't a sailing hypalon like a Tinker also double
as a liferaft? Expensive sure, unless compared to buying a dinghy AND a
liferaft.
Gordon

Good points Gordon. I think the challenge is finding a dinghy that fits
on your boat properly, looks good and is practical. You can only have
two of the three unless you have a large boat.

I like these:
http://www.whitehallrow.net/row_boats.php

I have a spirit (14') onboard Oriole (102') and a minto (9' with sail
etc) I tow behind my own boat (33') when cruising in the San Juan and
Gulf Islands. I have never brought the minto aboard. When I am
crossing the Straits (Juan de Fuca or Georgia) I pick my times or leave
the minto at home. I have an inflatable stored below. I am thinking of
towing a kayak occasionally instead of the minto and I wonder how that
would be.

Gaz

Larry wrote:
Don White wrote in news:QU2Ff.24448$VV4.173364
@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca:


Why fiberglass then? What about the plastic versions... such as
'Walker Bay'. You could drag those over rough surfaces...matter of
fact, they come with a wheel under the transom for moving around on dry
land.




All this sounds good until the damned thing is running you down surfing in
simplest of waves. Let's quit screwing around and get a Porta-Bote...folds
flat against the handrail, haul it up a halyard vertically up the mast
while you screw the seats into it, then push it over the handrail and pay
out the halyard, stern first. 5hp will plane it with 250#
aboard!...amazing.

http://www.porta-bote.com/

Look down the page to see it stowed on a sailboat.


One problem...
they are big time 'ugly'...
Don't look so bad folded.. but when in operating shape...yech!

Larry wrote:
Don White wrote in news:QU2Ff.24448$VV4.173364
@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca:


Why fiberglass then? What about the plastic versions... such as
'Walker Bay'. You could drag those over rough surfaces...matter of
fact, they come with a wheel under the transom for moving around on dry
land.




All this sounds good until the damned thing is running you down surfing in
simplest of waves. Let's quit screwing around and get a Porta-Bote...folds
flat against the handrail, haul it up a halyard vertically up the mast
while you screw the seats into it, then push it over the handrail and pay
out the halyard, stern first. 5hp will plane it with 250#
aboard!...amazing.

http://www.porta-bote.com/

Look down the page to see it stowed on a sailboat.

PortBotes, like fat chicks and scooters, lots of fun as long as your
friends don't see you.

Gary wrote in news:6UdFf.434633$2k.239881@pd7tw1no:

PortBotes, like fat chicks and scooters, lots of fun as long as your
friends don't see you.



We're not running a mobile whorehouse! The object is to get to shore safe,
dry, and back with all the groceries and boat parts.

Didn't know a stupid dingy was a chick magnet. I got the Watertender 9.4
and it certainly hasn't increased my mating opportunities one iota!...(c;

Your mating opportunities may vary...see store for details.