[C320-list] Mainsheet Article /// Dinghy Storage Option

[danny jensen]

Rick,
Good idea about the hooks on the life lines forward! I can't believe I
didn't think of this.

I too use the dingy on the deck. I'm afraid of towing in high seas and I
frequently single hand. I bought Compact RIB 300-FX Achilies and it just
hangs over the anchor locker but I can raise the bow a a foot or 2 for
clearance. Also I need to deflate it a bit if I want to keep it between the
shrouds semi inflated. Then I just top it off. I scuba dive and cart up to
6 people on the dingy. Also I scuba dive and am sometimes in high sea
conditions and need a hard bottom RIB. The Compact rib folds up to a
smaller package if I want to to travel or store the dingy in compact mode.
I hoist with a halyard.

Here is a video of my setup. It is long but just fast forward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6JijNobMUM

Danny
#972

On Sat, Aug 19, 2017 at 7:02 AM, Rod Boer <rod.boer1 at verizon.net> wrote:

> Rich,
>
> Would you happen to have any photos of this solution.
>
> Rod Boer
> Odyssey, #688
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On
> Behalf Of Rick Sulewski
> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 12:54 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mainsheet Article /// Dinghy Storage Option
>
> Just my two cents about inflatable dinghy storage and what works for us up
> here on Lake Erie. When I first arranged to carry an inflatable on the
> foredeck of our former cruising sailboat (Seaward 25), I measured the
> length of the dinghy storage I could accommodate between the mast and the
> bow anchor tackle, etc. As it turned out, that dinghy length requirement
> was about the same for the C320 we later purchased. The trick is to have a
> dinghy length not greater than what will allow one to open the anchor
> locker and also have a dinghy width that fits between the rigging near the
> mast. As it turned out a 9 foot range dinghy was the largest inflatable
> that could be tucked upside down (bottom side up) on the foredeck secured
> to the mast.  To launch and retrieve the dinghy we decided to install
> removable hooks on the lifelines attached to the bow pulpit on the
> starboard side. That arrangement allows me to slide the dinghy into the
> water and easily retrieve it without having to host the dinghy over the
> lifelines. I installed two eyebolts in the transom of the dinghy and
> attached two 15 foot dock lines so all I need to do is to lower the forward
> starboard lifelines and then maneuver the dinghy at a 90 degree angle to
> the bow and pull up on the transom of the dinghy with the two dock lines
> attached to the transom. That approach brings the transom into my hands and
> then I just pull/slide the dinghy up onto the foredeck. I then use the
> opposite technique to launch the dinghy from the foredeck. To further
> secure the dinghy when retrieving the dinghy, I will often tie off the
> dinghy bow line to both sides of the lowered liflelines entryway (the lower
> section of the bow pulpit to the left of the dinghy bow and the stanchion
> to the right of the dinghy) to keep the dinghy bow from sliding to either
> side when lifting the dinghy transom toward the deck. I also elected to
> restrict my engine choices to lighter weight motors that I can easily lift
> with one arm from the dinghy with the other hand reaching for the stern
> pulpit when safely  securing the motor on the stern pulpit. Been using this
> approach for over 25 years. My 2015 Achilles LEX-96  Hypalon inflatable
> with a wooden floor is much lighter by over 25 pounds compared to the early
> 90's Hypalon Boat US dinghy I retired after 22 seasons. Why did we not go
> with Davits or other stern storage? Made my decision to foredeck storage as
> a result of discussions with other sailors who used davits and other stern
> located equipment for the reasons that included:  length of the dockage
> required, the dinghy blocks a  cockpit breeze while at the dock, the weight
> distribution aft, the davit tackle, the increased breeding area for spiders
> not to mention cleaning up after the birds , and the loss of access to the
> swim platform, especially when simply anchoring out without a need to
> launch the dinghy.
>
> For us, the stern mounted dinghy was not a desirable arrangement.
> Rick Sulewski
> My-Ria 95' 320 #277
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On
> Behalf Of rcliffordlee
> Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2017 4:29 PM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com TtS
> Subject: [C320-list] Mainsheet Article
>
> Just wondering if anyone had any innovative approaches to install
> mechanisms to carry an inflatable.  We have tried perching it on the swim
> deck and carrying on the foredeck while sailing and also when we are away
> but neither is great so we just tow it and leave it in the water to gather
> critters.  I would not want a full davit system that would overwhelm our
> 320, so am wondering about simple systems and something that would minimize
> cutting/drilling holes.  I think this may have already been addressed in
> earlier chats, but just wondering.
>
> Cliff Lee
> Comfort Zone (1995 - Hull 268)
>
>
> Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
>
>