Dave's Dinghys. Any thoughts?

They certainly look OK but have no personal knowledge of them. Mine is similar, not simulated clinker but beamy & deep. Has an unusual vertical & recessed face to the fore & aft buoyancy chambers but no idea who made/makes them. I've seen several around the East Coast. Whatever you get make sure you add a woode strip + brass rubbing strip to the keel, also add wooden strips + brass rubbing strip to the side runners. The dinghy can then be safely dragged over the shingle/sand without wearing out the GRP.
 
They look very good. I like the full bilge and deep freeboard.
My pram dinghy was very similar, but not anything like as well finished and a strake lower on the gunwhale.
The 16ft bass boat looks a good boat too, but probably a bit heavy for beach launching on your own. (oops, and a bit more pricey)
 
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Dinghies

Here in Oz the new dinghy market is almost totally dominated by Aluminium dinghies. Most common are the 12ft size which really need an outboard. But you see also down to 8ft Pram dinghies for rowing tender.
The reason is that they are tough but very light. (and ugly of course)
I have a 10ft Al dinghy which is lighter than the previous 8ft GFP. it really makes a difference when you are carrying it. olewill
 
Here in Oz the new dinghy market is almost totally dominated by Aluminium dinghies. Most common are the 12ft size which really need an outboard. But you see also down to 8ft Pram dinghies for rowing tender.
The reason is that they are tough but very light. (and ugly of course)
I have a 10ft Al dinghy which is lighter than the previous 8ft GFP. it really makes a difference when you are carrying it. olewill

I've often wondered why "tinnies" are almost universal in Australia but seldom seen in uk or Europe.
The chances are that in UK anything aluminium will be nicked for it's scrap value.
 
The chances are that in UK anything aluminium will be nicked for it's scrap value.

True - I've even started seeing fibreglass road signs, with labels on the back pointing out that they have no scrap value.

Don't Oz men like their tin sheds as well?

Here in the Mother Country wood still is best :D

Well, my workshop is a "tin" shed, and I'm quite happy with it. It's best to line the roof with sheets of polystyrene to prevent condensation, but that's not hard. Four years now, and no problem with dampness, tools rusting, etc which are the issues generally attributed to metal sheds.

Pete
 
The first thing I looked for - and didn't find - was the weight. Given that they have no stiffening structure they are going to be either floppy or heavy. If floppy, walk away. If heavy, work out if that is going to be a problem.

Apart from that they look nice workmanlike boats.
 
My tender was almost identical. The thwart gave a lot of rigidity as do the bouyancy chambers. In the case of the simulated clinker moulding, that gives enormous strength (on my Seahawk it was the first 18ft grp boat on which I couldn't flex the topsides).

tenderonbeach.jpg
 
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