Explorer by inflatable or tender

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pij27

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Explore by inflatable or tender

After strugglng to find moorings at affordable and available rates, I am exploring the option of using a small inflatable and outboard, or a rigid tender (nestaway type boat or similar) and using this to exporer estuaries and sailing around beaches etc. The idea is to be able to carry in the car, or on its roof and set up for a day's pottering.

Any one done this sort of thing before? Or have any advice what I should think about?
 
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Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

Why not look for a sailing dinghy? We used to sail over from Portsmouth.
As you're IoW based, there's a limit to where I'd want to go with just a small outboard to rely on.
Or I'd look for a kayak of some sort.
In fact I am keeping an eye on the ads for one...
 
Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

Some friends bought a Nest-a-Way boat specifically for this, but on the local rivers. It came in three sections and would fit in the back of an estate car. The narrow beam required to fit, made it a bit tippy and the makers do talk about this.
Anyway, they flipped it first time and it has hardly been out since.

I would get a light sailing dinghy, as above. I use a 15ft clinker ply sailing boat that I tow to where-ever I like and can get it rigged and launched in about 15mins. Perfectly sea worthy and can carry three crew.

Otherwise, a sea kayak. ^^
 
Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

pij27 said:
After strugglng to find moorings at affordable and available rates, I am exploring the option of using a small inflatable and outboard, or a rigid tender (nestaway type boat or similar) and using this to exporer estuaries and sailing around beaches etc. The idea is to be able to carry in the car, or on its roof and set up for a day's pottering.

Any one done this sort of thing before? Or have any advice what I should think about?
Click to expand...

My experience is an inflatable is best. Getting a rigid tender on and off a car roof can be a struggle for two people. Having more people just means you will need a heavier boat to accomodate them. Boats that nest inside a car can be too narrow as already mentioned. You obviously, wisely, are not considering a trailer which comes with its own additional problems/issues. My two recommendations are to get an electric inflation pump that will inflate to full pressure, cheep ones need to be finished with a foot/hand pump, and to have a pair of those fold-up wheels at the back to assist you on slips and beeches. I find that the simplest outfit will mean you use it more and explore more places. Have fun.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
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Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

If you want to sail, then a Mirror dinghy on a light trailer is a another option. They are available cheaply and a pair of oars can do away with the outboard.

The trailer can be put on the car roof rack, in the car park, when you launch -much less of a fag than getting the boat up there. A further bonus is that you can keep all of the rig and associated junk in the boat as you go.

A simple two wheeled dolly, used in the middle of the boat, will serve as a launching trolley and it can be stored onboard when you set sail.
 
Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

I would have thought a Mirror would be an excellent way of exploring Bembridge Harbour or the Medina . I am not so certain I would take it across to Chi Harbour by itself nowadays but have in younger days sailed back from there in a dingy. Of course with a large budget you could buy an inflatable dingy with a sail but probably twice the price of a Mirror . That said I am surprised if you you join one of the clubs in Bembridge you cannot find a mooring or if not there a cheap one on the Medina but I guess it depends on budget.
 
Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

I love the (no pun) flexibility of an inflatable.

They pack away to next-to-nothing for storage, won't usually sink, go well with the right engine and you can get 'em with sails now!! :encouragement:
 
Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

If you can bear to tow a small trailer, then a mirror or slightly bigger dinghy will get you into all the nooks and crannies of the Solent with ease and relative comfort. With a GRP dinghy you have the option of a roof tent for camping out, using a stove will be easier than on a flubber boat, but then again, you can always take a flask.
Good thing with a GRP dinghy is you can beach or ground out with little fear, so getting right up rivers and creeks is a low risk occupation.
It is easy to get out and push ;-)

It is easy to carry sail, oars, and an outboard. So what you may lose in having to tow a trailer, you gain in ease of use and durability on the water. Have a google for some of the John Glasspool books on "Open boat Cruising" and "Solent shores"

ADDED

A wayfarer dinghy is the most common for thid type of thing, but they come at a premium. We have a 12ft torch, cheap, stable, not fast but built tough. Love it, and it will never leave our collection.
 
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Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

Your question implies you have not got much into boating. The most difficult/ expensive thing to learn is your own preferences in boating. Only with experience do you know exactly what you and your family or friends want to do.
In taking a boat home you can vary from Kayak to large trailer sailor or trailer motor boat. We see large 26ft mobos on a 6 wheel trailer lumbering behind a big 4x4 or small truck to our local ramp. But I am guessing that is not what you imagine.
I think the step up to a boat with shelter of a small cabin even sleeping accommodation will be a huge increase in comfort and ability to enjoy boating in less than perfect weather. This obviously dictates a boat on a trailer which in turn requires a suitable launching place and a place to keep it at home. Plus of course a stout car to tow it with.
But like I said you need to know what you want and that is the difficult part. Spend little money on a tiny craft which might give some fun but you might tire of it easily. Spend more money on a bigger craft enjoy it more but then risk a lot more if you don't love it. olewill
 
Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

I used to have a Suzumar DS320 with aluminium floor panels and Suzuki DF6 single outboard. I chose this combo for being light with the outboard at just 25kg, inflatable for easy transport by car and the aluminium panels allowed it to carry 500kg weight plus provide rigidity

If I would use it more often, a DS390 with 15hp would make sense to get to planing speeds with 2-3 adults. Fun!
 
Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

Seems like there is two schools of thought, those who like small boat exploring and others who think that a bigger craft is the way to go. Like my opening said, the issue at present is cost and waiting lists for a mooring so looking for alternatives to enjoy time on the water and explore and enjoy day trips
 
Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

a small dinghy on a trailer will sell for what you buy it for,prices are very stable. They are a good stepping stone up to a bigger boat and once purchased cost nothing to use or own.
 
Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

If you have the ability to store a boat on a trailer, that's what I'd go for to get on the water now but, if you've got ambitions to sail a cruiser, get your name on a waiting list or several now. IIRC, several of the IOW harbours have moorings that are only available to local residents, so that should reduce the wait a bit.

A Mirror or similar would be economical to buy and run, easy to manage (launch & recover) single handed and is reasonably forgiving to sail. Something a bit larger with a boom tent would give the option of overnighting in good weather, but may be more challenging to launch and store.

Expect to spend time every year maintaining a wooden boat, especially an older one. GRP is far more forgiving of neglect, both yours and that of previous owners.
 
Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

pij27 said:
Seems like there is two schools of thought, those who like small boat exploring and others who think that a bigger craft is the way to go. Like my opening said, the issue at present is cost and waiting lists for a mooring so looking for alternatives to enjoy time on the water and explore and enjoy day trips
Click to expand...

Are you committed to a mooring on that side of the island as perhaps there might be some opportunities in Yarmouth to start from where you find a place to keep/ launch a small boat if the Medina doesn't attract ?
 
Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

I think we haven't really answered the OP's question. I doubt I can either, because if it must fit in the car, it won't be more than a beach-toy on the water.

You cannot lose if you buy a rather old, not too small, conventional low-performance glassfibre cruising dinghy.

Use and abuse, enjoy and neglect for five years, and it'll still be worth what you paid, to the next guy with the same fun and exploration in mind.

Little ones like the Gull and Mirror; midsize like the GP14 and Wanderer; big stuff like the Wayfarer (very hard work ashore, but ready for extended trips, afloat).

Most of these are already (or can easily be) set up for rowing and they can usually be adapted to hold an outboard which adds versatility.

Worth having an anchor and line (in a bucket)...maybe a small tarpaulin and bungees to throw over the boom as a temporary rain-shelter.

They're generally beamy with high freeboard, and have space for stuff like picnic baskets and drybags for towels and spare clothes.

They're brisk enough under sail not to be boring, but not so demanding that they alarm the inexperienced.

The flip side of all this, is that ex-racing dinghies tend to be conveniently lighter, and are incredibly cheap as soon as they're no longer able to win races. So there's still stacks of fun (and plenty of good cruising potential) in many conventional racers, as long as they're not extreme in shape or rig. Designs like the Kestrel and Albacore.

One more thing...arrange some means of reefing. The reason most newcomers to sailing are wary, is the sudden violent heeling motion of racing dinghies on gusty days. If you're not racing, a cut-down sail (or a reefable one) will still allow good progress without the scares.

Wish I could take my own advice. Had a Topper 30 years ago, often sailed from Bosham to Seaview...now, with a fine fast 17ft dinghy, I'm too nervous to cross the Solent. :rolleyes:
 
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Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/ has lots of advice
Get a one with inflatable keel as putting together the other type is a complete faff
A good foot pump will inflate it surprisingly quickly and get good quality big wheels not the little plastic ones
A 6hp 4 stroke at 25kg (reliable most important I would recommend buying new )is the most you want to be lifting and you could carry a small back up engine laid down in the front
A 3.6m will fit folded in a mid sized hatchback with the back seat folded
A hand held radio to call for help, an anchor , life jacket, paddles just to get out into water sufficient dept to use the engine,go out light conditions in sheltered water ( look up weather forecast and tides online), you can never have too much petrol and use the kill switch
Think about the water depth as it is easy to bash your prop , a hand held plotter adds to the fun
Launch on boatslips, launching from beach into surf not recommended
 
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Re: Explore by inflatable or tender

dancrane said:
Alternatively, use your senses, be smart (i.e. wary when there's the likelihood of peril) and don't end up in need of help.
Click to expand...

No matter how good you are, you can't guarantee that something won't go wrong, especially in a dinghy. I try to do what you say in my 24 footer, which is very unlikely to capsize, but I have two radios anyway.
 
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