Nesting pram dinghy

ITH said:
Any forumites using these nesting dinghies as yacht tenders? http://www.nestawayboats.com/LaunchRetrieval-Yachts(2486652).htm

Would appreciate the opinions of anyone with practical experience; pros and cons compared with inflatables.
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Little different from any comparison between a hard dinghy and an inflatable with the exception that it is easier to store on deck on a smaller boat - and it is mega expensive compared with an inflatable. So, it will row better, might feel a bit nicer to use and aesthetically better (if you like that sort of thing!) and probably tow better. Arguably not as versatile as an inflatable and probably more durable than the cheaper PVC inflatables.
 
Tranona said:
Little different from any comparison between a hard dinghy and an inflatable with the exception that it is easier to store on deck on a smaller boat - and it is mega expensive compared with an inflatable. So, it will row better, might feel a bit nicer to use and aesthetically better (if you like that sort of thing!) and probably tow better. Arguably not as versatile as an inflatable and probably more durable than the cheaper PVC inflatables.
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Thanks for your input; I take it that you haven't used one as a tender yourself? I'm aware of the price disparity, but the ease of storage interests me, as well as its relative stability. Boarding an inflatable from the yacht and exiting it at a quay pose real problems for us, thanks both to the size of the tubes and 'tempus fugit' - in the shape of artificial knees and replacement hips. I have a 35' Nauticat, complete with baby stay, which makes storing an inflatable awkward.
 
Not sure any rigid dinghy will be better for use as you are describing. I used to build clinker ply pram dinghies of similar size for use as tenders. My experience is much less stable than an inflatable for boarding as you have to plant your weight in the middle of the floor or risk going for a swim. Suggest you try using a rigid dinghy first to see whether you can cope with the relative lack of static stability. Obviously the nesting bit helps with the stowage on deck, but you still have to lift two heavy bits of gear and put it together if you want to use it.

There isn't any easy answer - just a question of getting the least worst compromise!
 
Pluses other than the storage factor, they row reasonably well, can be made to sail,easy to keep looking smart, are long lasting and even major damage is easy to repair.

Minuses it is really hard to get back into one from the water, don't inspire confidence in people unfamiliar with small boats, knock the hell out of your topsides and have been known take on water to the point of sinking in a moderate chop. [ Flotation tube required in anything but very sheltered waters IMHO ]

It is very rare to see a long term cruiser with one.
 
Tranona said:
Not sure any rigid dinghy will be better for use as you are describing. I used to build clinker ply pram dinghies of similar size for use as tenders. My experience is much less stable than an inflatable for boarding as you have to plant your weight in the middle of the floor or risk going for a swim. Suggest you try using a rigid dinghy first to see whether you can cope with the relative lack of static stability. Obviously the nesting bit helps with the stowage on deck, but you still have to lift two heavy bits of gear and put it together if you want to use it.

There isn't any easy answer - just a question of getting the least worst compromise!
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Appreciate your point on stability; I had thought that it might be less of a 'stretch' to plant a foot in the middle of a solid dinghy rather than across the fairly substantial diameter tubes of our inflatable. But as you suggest, I'll enlist the help of a dinghy owner to give it a try.
 
I'd agree totally with Tranona about the much lower stability of a hard compared to an inflatable.
Next door to me is a Norwegian Extra Master - he has both a hard dinghy and an inflatable - the hard dinghy "is just for the kids to play about in, useless as a tender.."
You'll probably find your least bad compromise is a large tube, inflatable floor and keel dinghy. Why the two latter - it gets the thwart higher and the whole thing more stable. I know the problems you face because I'm 78 and have quite severe arthritis.
 
charles_reed said:
I'd agree totally with Tranona about the much lower stability of a hard compared to an inflatable.
Next door to me is a Norwegian Extra Master - he has both a hard dinghy and an inflatable - the hard dinghy "is just for the kids to play about in, useless as a tender.."
You'll probably find your least bad compromise is a large tube, inflatable floor and keel dinghy. Why the two latter - it gets the thwart higher and the whole thing more stable. I know the problems you face because I'm 78 and have quite severe arthritis.
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Thank you Charles. Your 'least bad compromise' is in fact what I currently have: a 2.5m Honwave with large tubes and a high pressure inflatable floor and keel. As you say, it is indeed super stable, dry and easy to row. It's just mounting and getting off the beast that we find problematic.

Still, watching our attempts at least gives modest amusement to onlookers: last summer we brought the house down at Fiskhardo when we reached the quayside (packed with happy diners), and in getting off turned the damn thing upside down - depositing me on the seabed with a sea urchin embedded in my rear end. Ho hum. :o

Like you, arthritis has struck, with one replacement metal knee and another due shortly. It's the lack of flexibility that is the problem not the pain/discomfort - which yields easily enough to good malt scotch and Ibuprofen. However at a youthful 73 I still have five years to catch you up so I'll keep looking for solutions. Cheers.
 
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ITH

Andy of yacht Pipit: http://www.yachtpipit.com/ is a cruising nestaway user and certainly was a big fan. I recall recent mention on their blog of a planned reversion to an inflatable, the reasoning I think you will find in the narrative. Might be worth making contact via their blog for a full report.

Rob
 
Robih said:
ITH

Andy of yacht Pipit: http://www.yachtpipit.com/ is a cruising nestaway user and certainly was a big fan. I recall recent mention on their blog of a planned reversion to an inflatable, the reasoning I think you will find in the narrative. Might be worth making contact via their blog for a full report.

Rob
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Many thanks Rob, I'll contact them directly.
 
ITH said:
Many thanks Rob, I'll contact them directly.
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I've been on the boat for a while and so am catching up.

My ideal would be to have both (as an ideal I wouln't have to worry about stowage). I would love the 9' clinker stem dinghy because what I really enjoy doing is finding an attractive anchorage and then pottering around under sail.

http://www.nestawayboats.com/9ft-Clinker-Stem-Dinghy(2102822).htm

I would also have the inflatable for normal tender activities.
 
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Stability (or lack of it) of a rigid dinghy depends on the hull form and to a lesser extent weight, so I suggest that you try one before deciding.
Having a strong aversion to the noise, unreliability and smell of outboards we prefer to row. Our tender is a Pioner Mini 8. Stable enough for me to stand on the deck against the side of the hull or sit on the gunwhale so easy to step in to, but at 54Kg its heavy. Double skin gives permanent buoyancy and it does not deflate when you need it or degrade in the sun. It stows on the coachroof forward of the mast and is lifted on and off with a 4 part tackle on the spinaker halyard.
For all its apparent disadvantages I had someone try to buy it a few days ago. (I'm now in the Azores).
 
srm said:
Stability (or lack of it) of a rigid dinghy depends on the hull form and to a lesser extent weight, so I suggest that you try one before deciding.
Having a strong aversion to the noise, unreliability and smell of outboards we prefer to row. Our tender is a Pioner Mini 8. Stable enough for me to stand on the deck against the side of the hull or sit on the gunwhale so easy to step in to, but at 54Kg its heavy. Double skin gives permanent buoyancy and it does not deflate when you need it or degrade in the sun. It stows on the coachroof forward of the mast and is lifted on and off with a 4 part tackle on the spinaker halyard.
For all its apparent disadvantages I had someone try to buy it a few days ago. (I'm now in the Azores).
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Thanks for the advice SRM: we do intend to try rigid designs before making our mind up.
 
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