Every cruiser needs a dinghy. Which one is best for you?
Listen in as Nica Waters explains the two very different dinghies they’ve cruised with . . . and why they are looking for still a different dinghy for their next cruise.
Links to items mentioned:
Handheld depth sounder (on Amazon): https://amzn.to/2JOVTXt
Wooden Boat magazine: https://www.woodenboat.com
Prefer to read? See Nica’s blog post: Dinghies
Sponsor: Marmara Imports. Turkish towels and other fine hand-loomed, fair trade textiles from Turkey. Soft and luxurious, yet tiny to store and fast drying. View their selection at marmaraimports.com and use the code TAKE10 at checkout through June 30 for a $10.00 discount on any bath size product (39" x 70").
Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig
Dorothy says
I was expecting at least a mention of rigid dinghies. We sold the inflatable dinghy that came with our trawler after speaking to a seasoned cruiser who said: “Your biggest concern with any boat is to keep the water out. When you own an inflatable dinghy, not only do you have to worry about keeping the water out, you have to worry about keeping the air in!”. We researched rigid dinghies and chose a WM Water Tender, which is fairly light, and very stable. We’re happy with our purchase.
Captain Mark Covington says
We also have a trawler. We tried an 11′ Boston Whaler when we first bought our boat. It was too heavy for the wife and I to get off the dingy dock into the water. Much research later, we decided on the West Marine rigid double fiberglass bottom rib. We are in our late 60’s and the flat bottom ready makes this rib stable and smooth rtiding in a chop. We found our Yamaha 15 h.p. motor was well performing even though the boat was rated for a 25 h.p. My wife made a custom canvas cover which keeps it in top condition. Very happy with our choice.