Hello,

I want to acquire a lightweight dinghy and outboard for use on the UK
south coast (in Dorset). We have a cottage up a small cliff from the
beach, so I'd like to be able to carry the stuff up and down the cliff
path. It's not steep, but it a little uneven, rocky and brambley!

I'm thinking of something about 3m in length, as we have two children
(small at the moment, but they'll grow!), so big enough for four is
the requirement.

We've owned a mirror dinghy in the past, but it's a little heavy for
lugging back up the path. I'm thinking either plastic, aluminium, or
inflatable would be easier. Being able to row, sail and motor it
would be an advantage too.

I've looked at:
- Walker Bay boats (a bit small & unstable without the tube?)
- QuickSilver inflatables (downside is you can't sail them)
- Wetline inflatables (are these any good?)
- Tinker inflatables (they seem a bit heavy).
Are there any others I should consider?

Regarding outboards, we've had a Mariner 2HP in the past but I found
it a little weedy. I was looking at a Mercury 6HP 4-stroke. But...
- are 4-strokes a bit of a liability regarding oil leaks?
- what is the effect of using a more powerful engine than the boat is
rated for? I think Walker Bays are rated up to 4HP - what would a 6HP
do to it?
I'd like to be able to trawl at mackerel-fishing-pace as well as go at
higher speeds to visit neigbouring bays ets.

Thanks for all your advice.

Simon.

Simon Langford wrote:

Hello,

I want to acquire a lightweight dinghy and outboard for use on the UK
south coast (in Dorset). We have a cottage up a small cliff from the
beach, so I'd like to be able to carry the stuff up and down the cliff
path. It's not steep, but it a little uneven, rocky and brambley!

I'm thinking of something about 3m in length, as we have two children
(small at the moment, but they'll grow!), so big enough for four is
the requirement.

We've owned a mirror dinghy in the past, but it's a little heavy for
lugging back up the path. I'm thinking either plastic, aluminium, or
inflatable would be easier. Being able to row, sail and motor it
would be an advantage too.

I've looked at:
- Walker Bay boats (a bit small & unstable without the tube?)
- QuickSilver inflatables (downside is you can't sail them)
- Wetline inflatables (are these any good?)
- Tinker inflatables (they seem a bit heavy).
Are there any others I should consider?

Regarding outboards, we've had a Mariner 2HP in the past but I found
it a little weedy. I was looking at a Mercury 6HP 4-stroke. But...
- are 4-strokes a bit of a liability regarding oil leaks?
- what is the effect of using a more powerful engine than the boat is
rated for? I think Walker Bays are rated up to 4HP - what would a 6HP
do to it?
I'd like to be able to trawl at mackerel-fishing-pace as well as go at
higher speeds to visit neigbouring bays ets.

What kind of shape are you in and how steep is the trail? I have a 4HP
Tohatsu and a trail up from the water and my goal is to never ever have
to carry it up the trail. Hellacious hard work! It's heavy. So, plan on
making two trips, first of all, one for the dinghy, one for the motor.

A 2HP would be more the thing for frequent hauling.

Stephen

I'm thinking of something about 3m in length, as we have two children
(small at the moment, but they'll grow!), so big enough for four is
the requirement.

Intex Seahawk Sport 400. 2.97m long inflatable, which isn't too far from 3m.
Two sets of rowlocks, takes up to 3.5hp outboard (with optional transom). I
wouldn't like to sail it! 4 people will require the outboard, as you won't
have space to swing the oars. It is rated to 300kg and is reasonably bulky
for one person to carry, but possible (I know!)

Goes for about 100 quid new on eBay buy it now (without transom or motor),
or 300 quid in the shops. Ensure it has the "Sport" bit, as there is a non
sport version which isn't as good.

Christian.

"Simon Langford" wrote in message
om...
Hello,

I want to acquire a lightweight dinghy and outboard for use on the UK
south coast (in Dorset). We have a cottage up a small cliff from the
beach, so I'd like to be able to carry the stuff up and down the cliff
path. It's not steep, but it a little uneven, rocky and brambley!

http://www.avoninflatables.co.uk/ are your only option if your looking for
something to last a lifetime or something powerful enough to waterski/tube
behind.

Simon Langford wrote:

I want to acquire a lightweight dinghy and outboard for use on the UK
south coast (in Dorset). We have a cottage up a small cliff from the
beach, so I'd like to be able to carry the stuff up and down the cliff
path. It's not steep, but it a little uneven, rocky and brambley!

I'm thinking of something about 3m in length, as we have two children
(small at the moment, but they'll grow!), so big enough for four is
the requirement.

We've owned a mirror dinghy in the past, but it's a little heavy for
lugging back up the path. I'm thinking either plastic, aluminium, or
inflatable would be easier. Being able to row, sail and motor it
would be an advantage too.

I've looked at:
- Walker Bay boats (a bit small & unstable without the tube?)
- QuickSilver inflatables (downside is you can't sail them)
- Wetline inflatables (are these any good?)
- Tinker inflatables (they seem a bit heavy).
Are there any others I should consider?

It's basically a tradeoff between rowability and stability. The Walker Bay has
a rounder bottom, with less wetted area. It's deeper and more directionally
stable. Inflatables are flat bottomed and draggy. They'll plane with enough
power, but don't steer well at low speeds or row well. Very stable, though.

Regarding outboards, we've had a Mariner 2HP in the past but I found
it a little weedy. I was looking at a Mercury 6HP 4-stroke. But...
- are 4-strokes a bit of a liability regarding oil leaks?

I suppose they can spill if you tip them upside down. But small 4-stroke
outboards are designed to be laid on their sides, etc., because this is how they
are normally treated. In general, they're *a lot* less messy than 2-strokes.
More reliable too.

- what is the effect of using a more powerful engine than the boat is
rated for? I think Walker Bays are rated up to 4HP - what would a 6HP
do to it?

Probably not much -- I can't imagine it being able to plane with 6HP. A small
hardbottom inflatable might, with 1-1.5 persons aboard.

I'd like to be able to trawl at mackerel-fishing-pace as well as go at
higher speeds to visit neigbouring bays ets.

You'll probably need more power for higher speeds.

I can definately vouch for the basic, 2HP, 4-stroke, newer Honda. I use one a
lot and I love it -- simple, reliable, and lightweight -- only 28 LB. I can't
imagine lugging a 60-80 LB outboard up and down a trail all the time, which is
what a larger one would weigh.

Matt O.

In article ,
(Simon Langford) wrote:

Hello,

I want to acquire a lightweight dinghy and outboard for use on the UK
south coast (in Dorset). We have a cottage up a small cliff from the
beach, so I'd like to be able to carry the stuff up and down the cliff
path. It's not steep, but it a little uneven, rocky and brambley!

I'm thinking of something about 3m in length, as we have two children
(small at the moment, but they'll grow!), so big enough for four is
the requirement.

We've owned a mirror dinghy in the past, but it's a little heavy for
lugging back up the path. I'm thinking either plastic, aluminium, or
inflatable would be easier. Being able to row, sail and motor it
would be an advantage too.

I've looked at:
- Walker Bay boats (a bit small & unstable without the tube?)
- QuickSilver inflatables (downside is you can't sail them)
- Wetline inflatables (are these any good?)
- Tinker inflatables (they seem a bit heavy).
Are there any others I should consider?

Regarding outboards, we've had a Mariner 2HP in the past but I found
it a little weedy. I was looking at a Mercury 6HP 4-stroke. But...
- are 4-strokes a bit of a liability regarding oil leaks?
- what is the effect of using a more powerful engine than the boat is
rated for? I think Walker Bays are rated up to 4HP - what would a 6HP
do to it?
I'd like to be able to trawl at mackerel-fishing-pace as well as go at
higher speeds to visit neigbouring bays ets.

Thanks for all your advice.

Simon.

Porta boat do a search on Google ...

--
Got a Minute? Check out my webpage 3D art etc.- http://www.toad.net/~crm/

(Simon Langford) wrote in message . com...


I've looked at:
- Walker Bay boats (a bit small & unstable without the tube?)
- QuickSilver inflatables (downside is you can't sail them)
- Wetline inflatables (are these any good?)
- Tinker inflatables (they seem a bit heavy).
Are there any others I should consider?


Hi Simon,

It's the old story of compromises - just as there is no single car
that will meet all the needs of the average family (I want an
Espace-sized vehicle with Lotus performance that I can park easily!),
there's no boat that will do all these things.

Within the parameters you set, it seems to me that you really won't
get much in the way of sailing performance - certainly not with more
than one or two occupants.

But the thing that I would be most wary of is using a small light boat
of the type you describe to visit neighbouring bays - a small
inflatable four-up is likely to be at risk if you are in a swell or
waves on the open sea. Four in something smaller than a Mirror is not
ideal for this kind of use. Presumably there is no way that you can
store/moor at sea level rather than at the top of the cliff?

Tim.

no spam please

On 9 Jun 2004 02:04:40 -0700, (Tim
Synge) wrote:
It's the old story of compromises - just as there is no single car
that will meet all the needs of the average family (I want an
Espace-sized vehicle with Lotus performance that I can park easily!),
there's no boat that will do all these things.

================================================== ====

I agree. There is no one boat that will do all that you ask, even if
the cliff navigation issue is removed. If you have a launching ramp
near you, probably the best bet is a rigid bottom inflatable that you
can keep on a trailer. In calm weather you could pull it up on the
beach in front of your house or anchor it in shallow water. An
inflatable of about 4 meters in length with a 15 hp outboard will give
you reasonable performance and sea worthiness, weighing less than 140
Kg. Easy to trailer, easy to launch. and with good planing
performance.

(Tim Synge) wrote in message . com...

Hi Simon,

It's the old story of compromises - just as there is no single car
that will meet all the needs of the average family (I want an
Espace-sized vehicle with Lotus performance that I can park easily!),
there's no boat that will do all these things.

Within the parameters you set, it seems to me that you really won't
get much in the way of sailing performance - certainly not with more
than one or two occupants.

But the thing that I would be most wary of is using a small light boat
of the type you describe to visit neighbouring bays - a small
inflatable four-up is likely to be at risk if you are in a swell or
waves on the open sea. Four in something smaller than a Mirror is not
ideal for this kind of use. Presumably there is no way that you can
store/moor at sea level rather than at the top of the cliff?

Sensible comments indeed. I used to have a 16' Fletcher Arrowsport
with 80HP on the back which was moored just off the coast within the
shelter of an offshore reef, but the water-skiing days are gone.

I'm looking for something much smaller scale, mostly for messing
around in and teaching the children some basic sailing. Fantastic
sailing performance is not important really, and I certainly wouldn't
expect to be able to sail with more than 2-up. It'd be nice to get
four in when rowing or motoring though.

You're right that small boats and big swells don't mix of course, but
the idea would be to get something that could be used to round local
headlands if/when the sea was sufficiently calm.

Maybe I'll stick with the old Mirror, though she needs a little TLC.
I'm still interested to know what size outboard a Mirror's rated for,
and what the effects of using more power on the back would be.

Thanks,

Simon.

Simon Langford wrote:

Maybe I'll stick with the old Mirror, though she needs a little TLC.

Seems the best idea to me for what you want to do, except that obviously you
won't be able to get it up the cliff (not easily, anyway). If there's some
way you can keep the boat on the beach it becomes ideal - I'd much rather
leave a slightly knackered Mirror lying about than a new dinghy I'd just
bought.

Pete