T&T: Dinghy Recommendations

[Carl H. Martin]

I hate to see inflatables get a bad rap.  I'm on my second Avon.  Our boat 
is 11.5' & weighs 65 lbs with an inflatable floor & our Honda weighs less 
than 30lbs.  Although we typically tow it, & it tows well, it can be 
deflated & stowed in a small space quickly if necessary.  We had the first 
one 20 years & it was still serviceable when we let it go with our sailboat.

Hypalon fabric is very durable.  Ofcourse we keep it away from oysters. 
However, no dinghy is indestructable.  After 20 years they all can get 
pretty tired.  Aluminum corrodes & leaks, fiberglass cracks, fades, gets 
chalky & absorbs water, plastic gets brittle & cracks & wood... well wood 
may be the one material that can last forever although it rarely does.

Every boat, & dinghys are no exception, is a compromise.  Inflatables have 
been around so long that I think we forget what they have done for us.  They 
are very safe boats.  They don't sink, swamp or tip over.  You simply don't 
have to worry about getting the gunwale under water & in a small boat that's 
amazing!  They're so buoyant that you can fill them up with water & still 
motor to safety.  The fiberglass & aluminum versions are also buoyant but 
are very heavy & some have had structural issues.

In terms of innovation the Portland Pudgy is very interesting & deserves a 
look.  The Walker Bay Rigid Inflatable, a new version of the Pardy's dinghy 
from 20 years ago, looks like it takes some of the compromise out of the 
decision.  It should tow, row, sail & motor well & still have alot of the 
safety features of an inflatable.


Happy Cruising!
Carl Martin
Scout 30
Hudson Beach, FL