[Rhodes22-list] sailing dinghy

[Bill Effros]

Brad,

My motorized dinghy was just an afterthought.  I had a $99 trolling motor in the basement, and a small -- the smallest size in WM -- 12 volt battery in the sunporch.  Putting them together I was surprised they did so well.  My boat is 1/2 mile from where I launch my dinghy.  I steer the dinghy by leaning -- it will go in the direction opposite the lean -- for amusement.  The amount of electricity used is insignificant.  The trip takes maybe 5 minutes.  At first I was recharging the battery after every use.  Then I realized that was completely unnecessary.  I don't use it that often, because I prefer to row.  I charge the battery at the beginning of the season and leave it at that.  If the battery seems to be running low I will probably recharge from the batteries on board -- with 2 batteries on a Rhodes you have much more electricity than you need.

Bill Effros


----- Original Message ----- 
From: brad haslett 
To: The Rhodes 22 mail list 
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2003 10:17 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] sailing dinghy


Bill,

Walker Bay just came out with a RIB/hard dinghy combo
(its on their website) that looks attractive.  The
main attraction is the additional stability.  Like all
things nautical, dinghy choice involves compromise. 
The dinks that sail well (Optimist, Mirror) don't make
the best tenders and I doubt the Fatty Knees/Walker
Bay/prams that row/motor well sail all that easily. 
Question:  what size trolling motor/battery combo do
you have and how many hours of service do you get
between charges?

Brad
--- Bill Effros <bill at effros.com> wrote:
> Brad,
> 
> I've been using the 8 ft. Walker Bay for the past 3
> years, and it is a good value for the money.  I paid
> $400 for mine, brand new.  I think they cost a
> little more now.
> 
> I'm on a mooring and like to row out to it.  The
> Walker Bay rows OK, not as well as purpose built
> rowing dinghies, much better than inflatables. 
> >From a Rhodes it's a piece of cake to get into and
> out of the dinghy--I do it all the time--in the
> dark--in small craft warnings.
> 
> I put a small electric motor on it out of curiosity,
> and it has no trouble pushing along 2 adults and the
> boat.  Both the electric motor and battery easily
> store inside an R-22 lazarette.
> 
> I've towed the dinghy behind the R-22--no problem. 
> The dinghy has positive flotation.
> 
> The sailing option looks like a lot of trouble for a
> little bit of fun.  
> 
> The 8 ft. size fits easily in the back of a pick-up,
> is easy for 1 person to lift on dry land, has a
> little wheel in the skeg that allows one person to
> move it around on land.  As a single-hander I have
> been very happy with it.
> 
> The 10 ft. size would be useful for moving more
> stuff or people.  The 8 ft. is difficult to row with
> 2 people on board.
> 
> Bill Effros
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: brad haslett 
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org 
> Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2003 10:53 AM
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] sailing dinghy
> 
> 
> I'm in the market for a dink (for the S2, not the
> R-22) and have pretty much decided on a hard plastic
> model like the Walker Bay or Fatty Knees.  Does
> anyone
> on the list have any experience with either of these
> and especially with adding the sail kit.  Honda has
> a
> new 2hp air-cooled 4-cycle engine available at 28
> pounds.  About an  8 to 10 foot dink that will move
> with 2hp and possibly a light wind is what "I think"
> I
> want.
> 
> Brad Haslett
> 
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