We are pondering the ideal tender and tender storage arrangement for our Northerner 28 (same as a Compass 28 from the deck point of view). We like to get ashore easily and prefer rowing to an outboard.How have you solved this problem?

Has anybody tried davits on a 28? Have you found the ideal little inflatable or rigid tender to fit on a small foredeck?We are not in our dotage yet, but anything that avoids heavy lifting would be great for various back, shoulder, knee injuries!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

.Cheers

Bristolfashion

I made some ss davits for a 26 ft trailer sailer that held an 8ft inflatable in line with rather than across the cockpit, if you can get davits to fit they make life so much easier lifting or launching the dinghy only takes seconds, hauling it up and tying down on deck is a pain , plus the dinghy is always in the way, and towing a dinghy has its own problems , once it gets rough it can cause real problems.A light weight rowing dinghy shouldn,t be a problem to hang past the back of a 28ft boat.

I seen these davits on a compass 28 this week ....I assume the guy puts his Dink on the foredeck when doing big passages. I toyed around on my last yacht with a hinged pivot from the transom for my R.I.B but it was awkward to set up and gave the idea away and used the foredeck or towed it.
previous to that I had a flat bottom Zodak and would hoist it up the transom using a purchase on the backstay. That worked the best for ease of use.

Rowing ????

That's hard work in an inflatable and in some cases impossible.
The pressure put on an inflatable by rowing will eventually tear off the rowlock system.

Can't go far by rowing either

Get a 2.5HP outboard, you will never regret it.

The davits below are removable

another way to swing a cat
The one below is heavy duty could be made much lighter plus it will not make the boat longer when your getting measured up for a marine birth and the carry weight would be supported lower



On a 28 foot boat Id either deflate the dinghy ( buy a 12 volt compressor)when going out side into open ocean or make a two piece ply dinghy and store it forward on deck till your in safe waters then use your davits

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Bristolfashion said..
We are pondering the ideal tender and tender storage arrangement for our Northerner 28 (same as a Compass 28 from the deck point of view). We like to get ashore easily and prefer rowing to an outboard.How have you solved this problem?

Has anybody tried davits on a 28? Have you found the ideal little inflatable or rigid tender to fit on a small foredeck?We are not in our dotage yet, but anything that avoids heavy lifting would be great for various back, shoulder, knee injuries!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

.Cheers

Bristolfashion

The stern on a Northerner 28 is way to small and low for davits. Normal inflatable would be too heavy and bulky to store anywhere but un inflated on the cabin top. I would suggest an inflatable canoe. I have one myself but it's still too big and heavy to store really.

Due to the pinched stern on out boat, it is not really feasible to hang our 2.4m inflatable on the stern. Although we did have it tied up once on the rear ladder, which worked OK except for the wear marks, even with padding on everything. Towing actually worked quite well, even in a couple of metre swell, but the concern was the constant tugging on the tow hooks.

Lately we have been putting the dinghy on the foredeck, which works, but there is not much room if we need to go forward. We have now invested in a small 12v air pump (in addition to the foot pump), with a power outlet mounted near the forward hatch in the v-berth. We will try deflating and inflating on our trip to Port Stephens this Christmas.

I agree with those who say a Northerner/C28 is too small for davits. Another downside is that the dink would not be very far above the water, and thus prone to filling and most likely breaking something in rough weather. Plus you lose the use of the boarding ladder, which is a prime safety (and convenience) feature.

On my C28, I use a 2.3m Bombard inflatable which I deflate and stow lashed to eye bolts on the cabin top just forward of the dodger. It rolls up to about 400 diameter x 800 long. I use a 2hp Yamaha on it (at 9kg the lightest o/b available), which I stow on the pushpit. It's pretty easy to drop it onto the dink with a lanyard without straining myself.

It depends on where and in what conditions you are going to sail, but I think a reliable o/b is almost essential given the difficulty of rowing a small inflatable into any sort of wind. I learnt that once when mine stopped, and for a while I was on the way to NZ (until I remembered to open the fuel cock!) Now I always approach the shore directly upwind of where I'm anchored, and return the same way so that I can easily head for the boat if the engine quits.

I use one of those cheap 12V wet/dry vacs sold at Whitworths and elsewhere to inflate it in a minute or so, but also always carry a foot pump.

I did look at how I might put a hard dinghy on my boat, but it would then be almost impossible to anything do useful on the foredeck, like drop the foresail or access the anchor well. And there just isn't enough room between the dodger and mast.

Looks like an inflatable or a bigger boat are your only realistic options!

Cheers, Graeme

Thanks for replies so far. The Seabreeze "brains trust" is way better than me scratching my head on my own.

Hi Bristol

Is there room on the cabin to or is the main sheet or vang in the way

If so can you swing the boom across and lift it out of the water and up onto the boat off that

Regards Don

Oh, had not thought of that. Will have a go when the wind drops. Cheers

There's a 28 ft compass with davits & dinghy in the marina, looks good. I will try to get a photo tomorrow.

Maybe a bit expensive but an 8' Portabote could be lashed to the rails.It would also double as a wind-break if you put it on the weather side.

Cheers John

nestawayboats.com/shop/


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3-3M-Inflatable-Catamaran-Inflatable-Boat-Inflatable-Dinghy-Mini-Cat-Boat-Gray/162020610150?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140106155344%26meid%3D6ab98d8d42154019915ca4ee71b1cffd%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D161968119974

How about these put together in 60 seconds!

quickboats.com/

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southace said..
How about these put together in 60 seconds!

quickboats.com/

quickboats.com/our-boats/technical-specifications/
There's some great ideas around but weight seem to be the problem. and design also
I sold my zodiac 2.4 with the ply floor as trying to assemble it on board would be a pain. So when the time comes next year I think I may buy a takeakat style tender with a air floor and buy a high volume 12 volt compressor

Here is the tender on the 28 in my marina.




Beware of air floors. They are a device designed and built by the devil to test the patience of otherwise peaceful sailors.

^^^ would of been heaps better if he moved the attachment points in the dinghy aft a foot, or as far as he could go.
Dinghy would sit much better and less likely to wipe the outboard off on a pile when maneuvering.

Like everything on a boat, the initial answer to "how do I..." is another question: "What are you going to do with your boat?"

So I'd say that set-up would be great in sheltered waters, but a huge liability out there in the rough stuff.

Cheers, Graeme

I have a manitou32 not much room on deck up front, but my 7 foot snub nose fits ok. I pull it up with a spare halyard using the winch on the mast. If I'm not going to use the dinghy for a while I take the inflatable with a 2 stage air pump. Takes about 5 mins to inflate. It stows much easier. A mercury 3.3 hp goes on both lowered with a safety strap tied off to the rail.

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PhoenixStar said... Beware of air floors. They are a device designed and built by the devil to test the patience of otherwise peaceful sailors.

My wife would agree with you. She does not trust the dinghy we have...
I don't mind it, though rowing it in any sort of wind does try my patience

Looking for a new tender at the moment too and already got the davits in place but looking to keep the weight around 30kg. Agree with the above comments about the air floors but the aluminium or slat floors seem to add a fair bit of weight. These Surfsea inflatables seem to be a few hundred bucks cheaper than anything else I can find at the moment, has anyone out there used one? Are they any good compared to the more expensive ones?

maxipro.com.au/online/surfsea-gt230-a-2-3m-inflatable-boat-with-air-floor.html

You get what you pay for. Cheap normally means glued seams and limited life span in the sun.
My new inflatable came with an air floor, but I replaced it with the aluminium floor from the old dinghy. More weight, but far more stable when getting in or out. Fitted some wheels to help getting it up the ramp.

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Futurecruiser said..
Looking for a new tender at the moment too and already got the davits in place but looking to keep the weight around 30kg. Agree with the above comments about the air floors but the aluminium or slat floors seem to add a fair bit of weight. These Surfsea inflatables seem to be a few hundred bucks cheaper than anything else I can find at the moment, has anyone out there used one? Are they any good compared to the more expensive ones?

maxipro.com.au/online/surfsea-gt230-a-2-3m-inflatable-boat-with-air-floor.html

Ill throw another spanner in the works , does anyone know the difference between the Decitec pvc and Denierpvc.
These cheaper brands with only 3 year warranty seem to be using either, the Denier is 1.2mm compared to Decitec 0.9mm

www.ebay.com.au/itm/3-m-Affordable-Heavy-duty-Sport-Fishing-Dive-Rescue-Inflatable-Boat-Tender-NW-/301272562211?hash=item46253e7a23:g:wlQAAOSwbqpT5W1W

Was at the sail expo at pittwater yesterday were they had a few on display of quality ones , only question i asked was about warranty , the welded only had 3 year warranty and the glued 10 years , was always under the impression welded was best.

the ole "where to put a dinghy " conundrum...
a few years back in pittwater when id really only just started sailing i used to tow my inflatable with my paddle board tied to the dinghy, everywhere.
1 day while crossing from pearl beach and about half way across broken bay i got caught in a 50+knot squall while towing this stuff under motor. which the fetch abeam in BB and going against the wind in a bluebird with a 6hp tohatsu, i was struggling to move forward. Turned my head around and the dinghy and 10 foot paddle board were flying all over the place and tangling around the OB. The paddle board had come off the dinghy but was still partially tied. I made the decision to let them go. $2500 worth of gear - worth more than my bluebird and all brand new.
there were MOB's all over pittwater and carnage every where. It was a really lovely sunny day with 0 wind until that and it came outta nowhere from the south west. Was just a puff of deep black cloud in the sky moving quick.

ANYWAY, since then ive never really towed dinghys anymore let alone carry them around. I bought an inflatable kayak and this was wonderful for 18 months. stowed to nothing, really bouyant, fit in lockers or on cabin top. About 3.5 metres long and can fit 3 people.
Has a fin and paddles quick. Its awesome to just lie in as well tied to the back of the boat. Was $270 from clarks rubber. Probably better ones out there. Like anything inflatable theyre prone to punctures that you keep patching.
I stuffed it at Xmas filling it with a deep cycle batteries and other stuff down south(Ramona knows as he kindly rowed me to my boat afterwards!) It just had enough and blew. Dont over fill them!

Now that im planning to sail further in a few months im left with the choice of what dinghy. Ive got a great fibreglass dinghy. weighs 30kg and actually fits on the foredeck allowing room to access the anchor locker. It rows very easily and is sturdy. It allows some room to access the foredeck if need be and im happy to know the jib sheets or my large jib dont foul on it either.
It has always been primarily my mooring dinghy to and from, but last week i met sir g out in the harbour and tested it on deck. It worked. Def a bit cumbersome compared to any inflatable but also sturdy and a good rower.

I was always going to infest in a nice quality inflatable and an OB for the north trip, but as the departure date looms closer, some things are getting removed from the priority list. Not just because of money but also because of ease of use, practicality etc. THeres a reason some people just use fibreglass or solid dinks over inflatables.

Tonight rowing ashore in my dinghy i remembered how hard it was to row the inflatable around.. at that point i decided, nup no inflatable. Id go another Kayak, but seeing as the dinghys coming i will get an inflatable paddle board as well.

I guess my point is davits or towing could be risky unless in benign conditions. Also the weight factor over the stern. If you read any good sailing literature, weight on the ends is a no no. a compass 28 wouldnt be that heavy and i think the weight astern would unbalance the boat too much. Im not even a fan of the 30kg on foredeck but at least that weight is fairly low with the heaviest side of the dinghy almost amidships. You can feel that the boat doesnt mind this but put that weight on the back and it might not be so good.

I decided on a tiny, 1.65 metre tender. Got it new for a song. Sturdy, takes 2 and fits on the foredeck with space to get either side. Weighs about 15kg and easy to pull on deck with the halyards.

Oh, and it gives everyone else a laugh 'cos it's so tiny! .

Here's Anna messing around before I got the proper oars and rowlocks. Plus a coupleof sensible pics. The fender is just there to hold it of the ventilator on the coach roof.

Cheers

Bristol

So, Bristol, what is it and where did you get it????

This is my tender for inland waters on an 28 Adams:

It works perfectly, tested in up to 35 knot winds tied on and it keeps me fit. Carry fuel jerries, batteries, supplies on it, no worries. High winds no problem, it slices the waves like a knife.

Ocean passages with a deflated inflatable down below.

Could not carry anything on the deck because the cutter rig takes the space.

I would not tow anything behind my yacht, not even for a short trip.


Btw, l am looking for a 2 to 3 hp motor for the inflatable! Any offers?

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saintpeter said..
So, Bristol, what is it and where did you get it????

I bought it in mona vale, nsw. Sadly is was from a guy that had been making a range if fibre glass tenders for marinas etc to sell but was shutting up shop. I don't think there are any more.

We had tried to buy one before through a marina but just got a lecture from the guy there about how he didn't make any money on them and that he couldn't be bothered to sell one -despite advertising them on the website! He wanted $700 and we got it for $300 from the maker.

Cheers

Bristle

I had an idea to make a 3 part plywood nesting dinghy so that the bits exactly fit into my v-Beth and pilot berths. I was going to start with one of John Welfords designs, adappt. For short trips it would sit on the deck, but could be stowed inside for crossings. It's about no 31 on my list of important things to do.

A

I used to have a Devilcat 2.2m twin hull dinghy with my 25 footer. It fitted on my foredeck- just. Great dinghy. I always managed to row to my boat, even in a 30 knot southerly. With a 2hp 4 stroke, it was completely unstoppable in any weather.

I wouldn't have anything different. After about 15 years, I had to replace it after it's bottom was gradually worn away from the wash of Sydney ferries. The monohull dinghy I replaced it with was very disappointing in comparison.

There is a 1.8m Devilcat, which may be more suitable for a foredeck.

http://www.devilcatboats.com.au/content/devilcat-boat-range