Getting ashore from a small boat

[Bigplumbs]

So here is a problem that has bugged me for a while: I have a small sports cruiser (19foot Fletcher Sports Cruiser) which has an ok swim platform to get on and off from a tender.

If I tow my tender I cant go fast, The boat is just too large to beach and if I do it is high at the front so very hard to climb off.

The boat is too small inside to carry a proper blow up tender and I don't really want the extra weight onboard. The 3d ones are light but still quite large if you get one for 2 people. They are also quite expensive in my view (about £500) for something that will be used very infrequently

I often anchor in tidal rivers which are quite calmish but there is a reasonable tidal flow. I would generally be no further than about 50 m from the beach.

there are 2 of us to get ashore and I am quite large 6'2'' and 18 + stone. Her indoors is half my weight and small.

I thought about a blow up canoe but her indoors refused flat saying I would defiantly tip out of it. I was not so sure as the swim platform is quite good and low to the water

My solution is the Intex Seahawk 2 and for £50 I am giving it a go.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intex-Seahawk-Inflatable-Boat/dp/B01HH0VE3C

I have seen one and they are actually quite strong

Before all the sky is falling types jump in and say this is a death trap remember it will only be used in very calm conditions over short distances.

I wonder what others have used in these circumstances to get to and from shore

Dennis

 

[julians]

I use an inflatable sevylor 2 man kayak,does the job perfectly.

 

[Bigplumbs]

I use an inflatable sevylor 2 man kayak,does the job perfectly.

That was exactly the one I was looking at and her indoors reasoned she would not get in it cos I would tip out too easily.
I will give this intex boat a go if it is no good try a canoe.

All these solutions are quite cheap. I think the sevylor canoes are made of the same strength PVC. Which one in their line did you go for

Dennis

 

[Portofino]

Your plan A is fine .
There are plenty of similiar size boats in the SoF with the same predicament .
A cheap ( fiscal way ) £50 worth off E Bay is the best option .
Remember there's getting back in on the return from the beach sans any support .

2nd person in tips a canoe up .That can be laughed off in the warm Med , but in cold UK a further test of matrinomial harmony on top the whole boat thing .

dingy Is the way to go
It's light too - important for you .Get a two way electric pump -inflate and more importantly rapid deflate to pack

 

[Sandyman]

swim ?

 

[Oscar24]

I've just got myself a sego 1.8 round tail from force 4, I didn't want anything bigger as there's not much spare room on board my boat, tbh it's fine for two people. Ideal for one.
You need to remove the seat and sit on the floor otherwise you end up bashing your knees with the oars. Apart from that I like it. Quality seems ok

 

[ICTM]

With any small tender or canoe you just have to hope that there isn't some k@&b driving a small sports boat or jet ski close to already anchored boats or you will, at the very least,get very, very wet.......... ��

 

[gjgm]

Which rivers...water taxi? Or beach and stick it on an anchor and keep shoving it out a metre or two...i think the canoe idea will last 25m before all hell breaks lose !

 

[Bouba]

Put a boarding ladder on the bow, a strip of keelguard on the hull and beach her

 

[sarabande]

what about an inflatable catamaran ? Smaller stowage volume than a normal dinghy. Greater stability for the generously proportioned.


Lots of types here
https://www.alibaba.com/showroom/inflatable-catamaran.html


Or two small canoes lashed to a couple of seat planks, then you can ISUP with easy balance.

 

[Portofino]

Put a boarding ladder on the bow, a strip of keelguard on the hull and beach her

Tide ----- how will that work when the sea level is constantly changing many multiples greater than the draft of the boat ?

 

[wellf100]

I have the same problem on my open 17 footer. I was tempted by a seahawk so keen to hear how you get on. I ended up with a cheap used 1.8m round tail ecowave. Which is ok but still quite a faff and takes up a fair bit of space.

I might go with Bouba's suggestion on the bow ladder and keel guard. Especially after following his jiggle syphon recommendation for refueling in another thread which has proved to be miraculous! (Thanks Bouba!)

 

[Bouba]

Tide ----- how will that work when the sea level is constantly changing many multiples greater than the draft of the boat ?

Tim.......ing

 

[Portofino]

Tim.......ing

Ah --I see ,gotcha
You arrive -1hr LW go to the pub have a meal etc ,then return + 1hr LW and the boat should more or less be in the same spot on a rising water enabling escape easier .

Work it all round tide tables it's all coming flooding back excuse the pun --years sailing Channel Islands /Scillys .
You get" soft " tide wise in the Med .

 

[Bouba]

I have the same problem on my open 17 footer. I was tempted by a seahawk so keen to hear how you get on. I ended up with a cheap used 1.8m round tail ecowave. Which is ok but still quite a faff and takes up a fair bit of space.

I might go with Bouba's suggestion on the bow ladder and keel guard. Especially after following his jiggle syphon recommendation for refueling in another thread which has proved to be miraculous! (Thanks Bouba!)

While I deserve credit for all things, unfortunately the jiggle wasn't me:ambivalence:

 

[dpb]

Put a boarding ladder on the bow, a strip of keelguard on the hull and beach her

+1. did that for years on our 21fter.
Drop anchor as you beach then let that pull her off once ashore keeping a second rope to the shore to pull back in..

 

[Bigplumbs]

Thanks for the info folks but I still like the Seahawk 2 best. I have one coming and will report back. Those cats were zapcats and far to big to keep on my boat.

I also am a huge advocate for the Jiggle Syphon

 

[rwoofer]

I used one of these for several years. A little bit more robust than the seahawk.

https://www.athleteshop.co.uk/intex-excursion-4-inflatable-boat?as=athlete&kwd_id=20051-AGI-28160327349-ASI-319128114704-ASTSYBG5OO&gclid=Cj0KEQjw7pHLBRDqs-X8hZ3Mgp0BEiQAXIo9roapLkjbmgJ-X7OGQrNA7JKLQfmCgMcJ6dBC6KgNClEaArIV8P8HAQ

 

[QBhoy]

A while ago, I had a Sealine 218.
It was used 50/50 slow/fast, depending on the mood.
We either towed the wee 2m inflatable or if going on plane pulled it in over the transom. Just means there wasn't much room for sitting in the back. Not a problem with only 2. Just had to watch the interior.
More recently I have a modern speedboat.
We have taken the dinghy a few times on tow with a long rope with bowline knots at certain lengths. A few for slow close quarters towing and the full length for towing at up to around 20mph. Takes a fair bit of concern and concentration though and there is always the worry that the wind catches it....

 

[Bigplumbs]

Well the little seahawk 2 has arrived. Here are my comments:

1) General strength of material is good and no worries there
2) 3 chambers so if you get a puncture still something to hold on to
3) Size will be ok for 2 people but not much gear say one bag
4) Very light and when deflated will stow in a small locker fine - This is one of the main things for me
5) Pump ok but get an electric one to help when on confined space in you cockpit. I already had one
6) Oars ok but paddles seem a little flimsy. Easy to get better oars though. I will try these as they might be ok

I think this will serve my purpose well I hope

Dennis