Tender

[Cobra25]

We need a light tender for trogging back and forth to the boat across the estuary, where it gets a bit choppy at times. I thought I would make one about nine feet long from marine ply. Any ideas please where to get the plans for a make a sturdy, stable dinghy in a weekend? TIA

 

[boatmike]

A bit demanding in a weekend ! Perhaps you work hard......
Why not buy a second hand one and do it up? Lots about.....

 

[ShipsWoofy]

If you were prepared to drop to 7" 9' then the PBO pup might suit, regularly advertised plans in the PBO. You would also have the fun of a small sailing dinghy as well as a tender.

Just a thought....

 

[PaulS]

A good place to start may be Here

And, yes, it should be possible to throw one together in a weekend using stitch and glue method.

Paul

 

[Ardenfour]

try UK Epoxy Resins website...

 

[Soong]

I have used these guys' plans for ply jobbies and found them excellent:-

http://www.selway-fisher.com/Dinghies.htm

Soong.

 

[Bladerunner]

If you were in Scotland this might be just the thing !

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F60227/

 

[William_H]

Plywood can be light and strong but if you are to leave it chained up on the shore fibreglass will last longer but is heavier. weight will be important if you lug drag the boat a long way to the water on your own. So size becomes a difficult decision big is better for handling rough water while small is lighter. You might want to tailor the boat size a shape to fit on the deck of your boat.
I suggest you do a transom bow. I have built a couple of Sabot dinghies 8ft out of ply that are easy to row single handed but not so good with 3 people. if you select a sail boat design then they have a lovely underwater shape provided they are not overloaded. You can vary the dimensions a lot to suit yourself ie more free board or overall larger or smaller. Ultimmately build out of plywood if you wish but the best deal is a secondhand F/G dinghy. regards olewill

 

[Sheerline]

While refurbishing my old fibreglass dinghy, I have been using several friends' dinghies. Geez there are some awful ones! Some are very unstable, some have no directional stability under way, some are floppy and spongey plastic etc. I have realised how good mine is! Design is very important - particularly firm bilges aft for stability, a small skeg to keep it tracking straight-ish and a bit of strength is better in the long run. Mine is 20 years old and will soon be good for another 20.

 

[Cobra25]

Thanks to eveybody

 

[Cobra25]

Thanks to everybody