tophatyachts.com

Looking for advice on a new tender. We are getting tired of patching up our inflatable RIB. Need something that I can lift onto car roof, clamp a 4hp motor onto and pull onto the deck of our TopHat Mk2 for coastal cruising. Considering building something but the planned build seems a bit heavy. What works best for you? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

I brought a $800 inflatable from WW (now around $1300) which lasted two and a half trips to the Whitsundays plus a few other trips over seven years.

Found inflatable best as can be packed away on deck for those long passages. You do need wheels for an inflatable.

Some do use hard dingy's but as to what name I'm not sure. Shaun can probably answer that.

I have an Aquila, from a local company in Warriewood NSW. It's quite OK and I've had it about 5 years. Runs fine with the 3hp Johnson, but it's a bit iffy to row, as the oars hit your knees if you cant get them out of the way. Cheap enough for what you get and there's a couple of choices of slat deck or inflateable v bottom. I keep it inflated in the garage, and put it on the roof when we sail. The few times I've travelled up the coast, it goes on the foredeck fully inflated and it gets chucked over when we arrive. All can be done single handed, if you're reasonably fit. We don't use the motor very often when travelling. Towing it while sailing, with the motor on the dinghy is a much slower process. I'd say a lightweight glass dinghy would two much better if you left the outboard attached.

That's what I do Mike but from experience I never tow my dinghy and NEVER EVER tow it with the motor on.

Oh and I throw away the wooden seat and sit on the sides, kneeling when on that rare occasion I have to row.

Thanks for your insights.

Kneeling while rowing is awful, I'm good for about 5 minutes in that setup before I start swearing and have to stretch my legs.

I have an inflatable now, no wheels required as it carries easily on a shoulder between car and wharf and on fore deck when at sea. So many leaks and constant patching has me frustrated. I'd love a slightly smaller, lighter, rigid tender that could stow on deck and be easily lifted onto the car top roof rack for transport.

Might need to build something like the http://www.plyboat.com/tweak.html or similar.

Let me know if you have a better solution please.

Cheers

That works, I built one similar in size but overbuilt it, too heavy and it was very slippery when getting into from Seaka's deck.

Make sure you can use a 2.5hp outboard on it because if you go cruising you will need an outboard.

There is no doubt about it the best hard dinghy for a top hat is the Montgomery 6-8 that was made by Alan Nebauer but need to contact him to see if he still makes them. Sits nicely on the foredeck, on car roof racks or back of a station wagon, stable ,solid tows well etc. had one on Marinka when I sold it. Cheers Peter

Ok Peter,

Had to contact Alan re his book and have just spoke to him and he said that he hasn't done one for a while but yes he can build you one.

Make contact through E-mail: info@dinghies-daysailers.com

As far as price is concerned I have no idea.

As a bye, I'll be speaking to him again this afternoon and will ask about that inner forestay.

Phillip wrote:That's what I do Mike but from experience I never tow my dinghy and NEVER EVER tow it with the motor on.

Oh and I throw away the wooden seat and sit on the sides, kneeling when on that rare occasion I have to row.

Indeed, I only ever tow when in Pittwater, and not for very far, AND only if we think we'll need it when we get to the lunch stop. If we're only out for a day, I usually leave the dinghy on the mooring. Once outside Barrenjoey, it's on the deck..... or left behind.

As for rowing, I can't kneel and row either.....

With some dinghies/tenders asking s/h prices close-to or in excess of some T/H yacht price...is that because it is an investment in NOT buying a 'black hole.'..?