Rigid Tender / Dingy

[dewent]

I fancy the idea of using a rigid tender that could double up as a sailing dingy. Can anyone recommend anything suitable? I am a little concerned about the weight of a rigid and getting it back on the foredeck after use. The ideal solution would be safe enough for youngsters to use in a sheltered anchorage as a sail boat, bouyant if capsized and able to be rowed or used with an outboard.

 

[FWB]

I have the rowing version of the Eastport Pram, sailing version available
http://www.fyneboatkits.co.uk/kits/sailing/eastport-pram/
Also the Elterwater Pram to consider
http://www.fyneboatkits.co.uk/kits/sailing/elterwater-pram/
I can easily lift mine on deck by myself.
They are sold as kits but I got them to build mine.

 

[srm]

Not a sailing dinghy, but I use a Pioner 8 dinghy - double skin polyethelene. Very stable, I can stand in the boat against the side without it tipping. Only problem is its a bit heavy at 54kg. It could probably be converted for sailing with clip on lee board etc.

We lift it on and off the coach roof forward of the mast with a four part tackle that is hoisted to the right height with the spinnaker halyard. This is a lot easier to control than using the halyard on a winch. There are bow and stern lines on the dinghy that double as a lifting bridle when hooked into the tackle. By attaching them to the stem and outside of the transom the dinghy can be turned over when lifted off the deck. With a little organisation its easy to launch and recover single handed. You will need chocks and lashings to secure it at sea - I use webbing straps with a buckle for tightening across the bow with the transom secured by fixed eyes and drop through pins (much quicker than lashings and don't work loose in a seaway).
Rather than carry it up beaches etc. we have a folding grapnel anchor and long line. The anchor is usually taken above the high water line and dinghy left afloat.
Also, we have left the dinghy outboard ashore for the last few years - simply launch the dinghy and row. Last summer we were rowing back against the wind across Loch Aline; a couple on a yacht coming into the Loch saw us set out and decided we would need assistance, but by the time they motored up to us and explained their kind mission of mercy we were near enough back at our own boat.

 

[Slow_boat]

Full Circle has a fantastic little tender that sails, motors and rows. It looks a bit like a rib but is rigid. I can't remember the make, something like 'West Quay' They're pricey but as I'm thinking of some sort of hard-bottomed tender I may take a look for a second hand one to hang off the stern.

 

[FWB]

Full Circle has a fantastic little tender that sails, motors and rows. It looks a bit like a rib but is rigid. I can't remember the make, something like 'West Quay' They're pricey but as I'm thinking of some sort of hard-bottomed tender I may take a look for a second hand one to hang off the stern.

You may be thinking of a Walker Bay.
They are very good but heavy. The OP mentioned getting a dinghy onto his foredeck, It would be a challenge with a WB.
My Eastport pram is a doddle to lift on deck.

 

[Slow_boat]

I like the look of the Eastport pram but wonder if it may be a little small for two not-so-small adults and a load of kit.

As for hoisting it on deck, I have used the spinnaker pole as a crane before now. It works surprisingly well. Just lower the pole to a bridle from the dinghy, clip on and use the pole uphaul to a winch on the mast to get her up. Not so easy single handed if the halyards are led back to the cockpit, I would imagine.

 

[Flossdog]

What about a Nestaway? I would love one if I could justify the price.
http://www.nestawayboats.com/

 

[Slow_boat]

I like the look of the Eastport pram but wonder if it may be a little small for two not-so-small adults and a load of kit.

As for hoisting it on deck, I have used the spinnaker pole as a crane before now. It works surprisingly well. Just lower the pole to a bridle from the dinghy, clip on and use the pole uphaul to a winch on the mast to get her up. Not so easy single handed if the halyards are led back to the cockpit, I would imagine.

 

[FWB]

If you want a light tender that you can sail then the Eastport is ideal. If you want a serious tender then it may not suit.
All boats are a compromise.

 

[VicS]

I fancy the idea of using a rigid tender that could double up as a sailing dingy. Can anyone recommend anything suitable? I am a little concerned about the weight of a rigid and getting it back on the foredeck after use. The ideal solution would be safe enough for youngsters to use in a sheltered anchorage as a sail boat, bouyant if capsized and able to be rowed or used with an outboard.

Get a couple of sheets of exterior ply and a few hardwood offcuts and knock up something like this.
I always intended to add a sailing rig. The transom has a pad inside for the lower rudder fixings and the deck is supported to take a mast .. never quite got round to the CB case though.
It's light enough to lift single handed onto a car roof rack.

It's inspired by a Jack Sprat by Jack Holt. Another design around at about the same time was the "Bumble bee" IIRC which was intended as a sailing dinghy. Former PBO editor George Taylor built one for his daughter ca 1977. Look back at your old PBOs for the details

PBO recently published a design .... PBO Pup ??