Dinghy Choice & Dinghy & Motor Storage
Dinghy
The choice of hard shell or inflatable is essentially a matter of boating style, cruising conditions & skills and the technical merits of design, materials & required performance. We are summer cruisers & use the dinghy mainly at secluded anchorages – to get to shore or other boats or to gunkhole. We rarely make long excursions in the dingy or use it in rough weather.
1. Choice
Choice of a hard shell was – as I remember it based on the following. A hard shell is versatile, can be motored, rowed or sailed. They row surprisingly well. Rowing can be efficient for enjoyment or vigorous for the exercise - especially if fitted with appropriate oars - the largest oars that will fit inside the dinghy. I also especially enjoy sailing at quiet anchorage – the sprit sail rig, rudder & removable leeboard also fits inside the dinghy. Both the oars & sail rig can be stored on brackets under the side decks of the aft cockpit of the “Sports Cruiser”. The hard shell will take lots of abuse going ashore – it has wooden runners on the bottom for added protection, & it has enough flotation to make it unsinkable.
2. Dinghy StorageStorage of the dinghy is on the swim platform. It is comfortably out of the way for maneuvering to the dock or around other boats. When clipped to the swim platform the dinghy is a very stable platform for boarding & unboarding. We used Weaver Snap Davits (www.weaverindustries.com) to clip the dinghy to the swim platform & act as a pivot for swinging up. A line to an oarlock gives leverage & stand off brackets secure the dinghy in place. The dinghy weighs 95 lbs. & it does take a good pull to get it in place. When I feel I need the extra leverage I will rig a small block & tackle to the cabin canopy.
3. Outboard StorageStorage of the Outboard Storage is on a motor bracket on the transom of the Albin. The Albin came with an emergency 15 hp outboard motor. It mounts, when needed, on a swing up motor bracket on the transom. A gap was cut in the centre of the swim platform to give space for the 15 hp outboard. I mounted a small extension on the original motor mount & the dinghy’s Honda mow resides on the bracket – nestled inside the tipped up dinghy, between the built in seats. Fuel is stored in a can on the swim platform – thus all gasoline is kept outside.
4. Bias.I must admit to a bias – the “Puffin” was very much designed with its role in mind – Philip Bolger designed it for me as his “all out functional” dinghy. (See his book The Folding Schooner) The dinghy was also used by Fiona McCall & Paul Howard (See their book All in the Same Boat) & after hard use around the world it won there praise for stability, safety & endurance & “it rows like a dream”. I produced 5 of the “Puffins” & still have the molds – however the split mold & gravity defying lay up makes them uneconomic to produce again.
5. Design & Construction
For more information on the design & construction & handling of Puffin & it's sprit sail rig go to:
http://www.huffinpuffinprojects.blogspot.ca/2013/04/puffin-7-9-23m-fiberglass-yacht-tender.html
The choice of hard shell or inflatable is essentially a matter of boating style, cruising conditions & skills and the technical merits of design, materials & required performance. We are summer cruisers & use the dinghy mainly at secluded anchorages – to get to shore or other boats or to gunkhole. We rarely make long excursions in the dingy or use it in rough weather.
1. Choice
Choice of a hard shell was – as I remember it based on the following. A hard shell is versatile, can be motored, rowed or sailed. They row surprisingly well. Rowing can be efficient for enjoyment or vigorous for the exercise - especially if fitted with appropriate oars - the largest oars that will fit inside the dinghy. I also especially enjoy sailing at quiet anchorage – the sprit sail rig, rudder & removable leeboard also fits inside the dinghy. Both the oars & sail rig can be stored on brackets under the side decks of the aft cockpit of the “Sports Cruiser”. The hard shell will take lots of abuse going ashore – it has wooden runners on the bottom for added protection, & it has enough flotation to make it unsinkable.
2. Dinghy StorageStorage of the dinghy is on the swim platform. It is comfortably out of the way for maneuvering to the dock or around other boats. When clipped to the swim platform the dinghy is a very stable platform for boarding & unboarding. We used Weaver Snap Davits (www.weaverindustries.com) to clip the dinghy to the swim platform & act as a pivot for swinging up. A line to an oarlock gives leverage & stand off brackets secure the dinghy in place. The dinghy weighs 95 lbs. & it does take a good pull to get it in place. When I feel I need the extra leverage I will rig a small block & tackle to the cabin canopy.
3. Outboard StorageStorage of the Outboard Storage is on a motor bracket on the transom of the Albin. The Albin came with an emergency 15 hp outboard motor. It mounts, when needed, on a swing up motor bracket on the transom. A gap was cut in the centre of the swim platform to give space for the 15 hp outboard. I mounted a small extension on the original motor mount & the dinghy’s Honda mow resides on the bracket – nestled inside the tipped up dinghy, between the built in seats. Fuel is stored in a can on the swim platform – thus all gasoline is kept outside.
4. Bias.I must admit to a bias – the “Puffin” was very much designed with its role in mind – Philip Bolger designed it for me as his “all out functional” dinghy. (See his book The Folding Schooner) The dinghy was also used by Fiona McCall & Paul Howard (See their book All in the Same Boat) & after hard use around the world it won there praise for stability, safety & endurance & “it rows like a dream”. I produced 5 of the “Puffins” & still have the molds – however the split mold & gravity defying lay up makes them uneconomic to produce again.
5. Design & Construction
For more information on the design & construction & handling of Puffin & it's sprit sail rig go to:
http://www.huffinpuffinprojects.blogspot.ca/2013/04/puffin-7-9-23m-fiberglass-yacht-tender.html
posted by John Bain | 4:21 PM
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