Hard dinghy for rowing first, sailing second?

[svaletheia]

I've been giving some very serious thought to a hard dinghy for heavy use in a cruising world tour lifestyle, after having nightmares with the inflatable kind.  That said, I haven't found a lot of decent hard dinghies for sale used - probably a testimony to the love their owners have for them.

I've narrowed my search (for now) down to the following, in no particular order. 

Fatty Knees 8
Gig Harbor Nisqually 8
Trinka 8 - Most expensive
Dyer Midget
Puffin 8 - Least expensive

Does anybody here have any comments on these?  Some are (significantly) more expensive than others - is the price difference worth it?  I've done as much passive research as I can, I'd love some active input.  I don't want to pay for "shine" when I don't need it, but quality, durability, etc... is often worth it to me.

Thanks very much!

[Godot]

I haven't seen any of them.  I decided to build a dinghy myself.  I've got a 3/4s completed "Apple Pie" in the basement.  It's seven feet long, and a pretty simple and inexpensive build.  I don't know how well it is going to work (it might be too big to store on my foredeck, and who knows how it will row); but it looks pretty good.  I hope to get it in the water before things get too cold to try it out.  No sailing rig, though.

All this to say that if you are minimally handy and have a place to use as a workshop, there are plenty of build it yourself designs out there that might suit you.  Boat building isn't for everybody; but it does open up some options.

[JWalker]

I've got a nutshell pram....rows great, sails great....tuns heads wherever there are a mass of inflatables are parked.

[svaletheia]

Godot: I've definitely considered building one but lacking the place to use as a workshop I've had to put that idea to rest for the time.

JWalker: One of the ones I was thinking about building was the nutshell, actually.  Lovely little boat.  Have pictures of yours?

At this point, though, for practicality and flexibility I think I've settled on a Portland Pudgy, and am trying to get a group buy together for anyone else who wants one.  We've got a gaggle of folks out in my neck of the water who are all going to work on working out a deal together.  If there's any interest over here at SailFar we may see about including this forum in the Great Portland Pudgy Group Buy (as I just dubbed it). 

[Oldrig]

Althea,

I've been intrigued with the Portland Pudgy since I first saw a prototype at the Maine Boat Builders Show. The product has only gotten better since it entered production. But these little poly bathtubs are simply too costly for me.

If I were spending a lot of time offshore, and if I had a big enough boat to carry one on deck, I'd definitely be interested, especially after spending time on a life raft during Safety-at-Sea training for last year's cruise to Bermuda.

I'm kind of intrigued by "Stasha," a lightweight (skin-on-frame) dinghy designed by Benjy, the designer of the Origami folding dinghy. I'm not much of a woodworker, but I might buy the plans and actually try to build this one.

Here's a link to the plans:

www.duckworksmagazine.com/10/designs/stasha/index.htm

--Joe

[nowell]

Obviously, since Daniel is my co worker and friend, im in on the Pudgy buy. Hoping to get more down in our area, and I know we have a pretty good following here in the Gulf Coast area.

[Godot]

I *just* bought the Stasha plans a couple of weeks ago.  If the Apple Pie doesn't work out (and if I don't have to give up my basement too soon) I was thinking of that as a backup.  Very light weight, and nesting...what's not to love?  The building technique scares me a little because I haven't tried it yet.

[JWalker]

I do  ;D

We can fit two adults a small dog and $100 worth of grocery's rowing.

its the 7'8" version.

[Oldrig]

Adam,

You're ahead of me. I've been drooling over those plans, but haven't actually ordered them yet (I guess I was thinking I might ask Santa).

The instructions do look a bit intimidating, especially bending those ribs -- even though the website says you don't have to build a steam box.

I've also got space issues: My basement workshop is a mess and the barn isn't heated, so the epoxy wouldn't set right.

And, of course, I'm a total klutz.

Other than that . . .

Good luck. Maybe we could collaborate on the building and end up with two Stashas.

--Joe

[CapnK]

Long-time sailFar member Lynx/James has a Pudgy, which I have seen. They are Pudgy! At the same time, you can tell that there is a reason for the 'Pudgieness' - they are very obviously capable small craft...

Sailing Anarchy had an interesting write-up about them just the other day, look on the date of 11/16/10...

[JWalker]

Sooooooo.....Godot........



started that Stasha yet?   ;D


I'm curious about it!

[Godot]

Sooooooo.....Godot........



started that Stasha yet?   ;D


I'm curious about it!

Shoot.  I am so far behind on projects...

My Apple Pie Dinghy is still sitting half completed in the basement.  By the time I finish that simple dinghy it will be at least three years after I started it.  It looks like I have another six months of crazy work ahead of me, and then MAYBE I'll have time to do some of these projects.

First things first... getting Godot ready for the 2009 season (obviously I'm a bit behind).

[geneWj]

Well,I will not tell you how many miles I have under my keel, but probably more than anyone who posts on this board.
I have tried several dinghy's during my lifetime(age 74) When we decided to live aboard Teacher's Pet III and cruise again.  I knew what I wanted.  That was as big of a dinghy as I could handle by myself in a sturdy set of davits and if necessary put on deck between the pilothouse and the mast.
I chose to build a 14' nester dinghy, the bow was 7'6" and the stern fit inside of it.
I wanted something that was easy to row with two rowing stations, could comfortably carry a 7 or 8, 2 cyc. hp outboard and carry 4 people or 2 with 4- 5 gallon water containers plus 4 gas cans.  The other requirement was it had to handle landing on the beach through waves.   
We used it extensively in Mexico and beach landed in the Pacific swell and winds up to 15 knots.  The dinghy was simple to put together in the water.  Normally we carried it in the stern davits; however, several times with threatening weather, I
hoisted it on deck with the main boom and fastened it down upside down.
You do not want a dinghy swing in davits no matter how tight you fasten it down, the seas will tear the davits off the boat.
just a ole salts opinion
geneWj

[nemier]

Hi Gene,

You said,
"I chose to build a 14' nester dinghy"

Do you have pictures, plans, or a website to look at?