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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Using a Canoe as a Dinghy

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B.Jones
1st Mate

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39 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/23/2010 : 10:10:33

Has anyone used a canoe as a dinghy for the 25? I sail in the TN River. If I do go to the coast I would want something else but for now I would like to use a canoe. If you have, what size and what type worked best?
Thanks,
Bruce
Bella Sera (3538)
'83 TR/FK

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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2017 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2010 : 11:43:17

Bruce, I use a dinghy but I sail in the ocean. I see no reason why a canoe would not work in your area as long as the conditions are right. Do you have any concerns as you know your waters better than us.
Steve A

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B.Jones
1st Mate

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Response Posted - 09/23/2010 : 12:31:49

Steve, no concerns but have not seen any canoes used as such. I will be anchoring in a wildlife area for several nights 2 weeks from now and could use a canoe to get back and forth to shore and also for exploring away from the "mother ship". Several members of our club have kayaks that they paddle around in when no wind. But not used as a dinghy. I am partial to canoes.
Bruce

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Patrice C25
1st Mate

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78 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2010 : 13:36:54

It might just be tricky to get in and out of the canoe from the boat.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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Response Posted - 09/23/2010 : 14:51:54

Bruce, knowing others use similar, I again see no reason why not use it. But as Patrice states, it might be tricky getting in and out, especially at nite or after a couple of drinks. Make sure others feel comfortable doing that as well. You might want to do some practice tests before leaving for your trip.
Using my dinghy, it took me several practice runs to find exactly the best place how to get on and off. I made modifications even after that. I have a C250 and do a stern tie up and enter and exit thru the swim ladder. However a canoe is much longer and you will probably have to do a side tie up. Going to and from might be a feat in itself. If the admiral is going, you dont want her to fall in water, right?

Unless you never want her to go sailing with you again. Good luck.
Steve A

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5353 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2010 : 19:22:50

I towed a 13 foot kayak once as a dink. It was a huge pain in the butt.
First it slowed down the boat. You'd think that an empty kayak would skim across the water, but it dragged.
Second, it looked ridiculous. I normally don't care how things look, but folks literally stared at me and the boat as if we had been transported in from Mars.

Instead, if I plan on using a kayak, I lash it to the bow pulpit and along the lifelines. It doesn't interfere with the jib.

What size is your canoe? 16 foot, 12 foot? The shorter the better, unless you have more than two people, or you have a lot of junk (tents, camping gear, supplies).

I have considered purchasing a 2 person inflatable that I can stow until I need it. You have to factor in a half an hour to inflate it. Hmmmm

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2010 : 20:49:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 ...I have considered purchasing a 2 person inflatable that I can stow until I need it. You have to factor in a half an hour to inflate it...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Nah. I never timed it, but I believe it takes me no more than a third of to imflate my 8.5' Achilles. The best thing about the inflatable is stability getting on and off, even in some chop. This can be a safety issue for crew and passengers.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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5353 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2010 : 06:19:19

Electric air pump, or foot powered?

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2010 : 07:27:11

Foot.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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Response Posted - 09/24/2010 : 09:09:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Nah. I never timed it, but I believe it takes me no more than a third of to imflate my 8.5' Achilles.
[/quote]
Dave, with the foot pump, is that a third of a day?

Steve A

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B.Jones
1st Mate

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39 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2010 : 10:14:49

Thanks everyone. A lot of good points and things to ponder. I was thinking about a 14 footer. Now I am leaning against using the canoe. The thought of the Admiral falling in the river will end my happy days on the water. I used to have an inflatable (I think Solace???) but it would not hold air and was more trouble then it was worth. I have looked at the Walker Bay 8' but didn't want to pay that much for something. Guess I will take this trip up the river "dinghyless". Sounds kind of painful.
Bruce

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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Response Posted - 09/24/2010 : 11:54:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by B.Jones
 Now I am leaning against using the canoe. The thought of the Admiral falling in the river will end my happy days on the water.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Bruce, smart man!

Steve A

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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2015 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2010 : 12:21:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> The best thing about the inflatable is stability getting on and off, even in some chop. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I couldn't get over how stable my 8' Quicksilver inflatable was the first time I got in it.

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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4018 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2010 : 12:45:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I couldn't get over how stable my 8' Quicksilver inflatable was the first time I got in it.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I agree. I have the same. Not to big,Not to small.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2010 : 12:57:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Dave, with the foot pump, is that a third of a day?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Nope--I left out the word "that" (referring to Bruce Ross's half hour). Using a foot pump, it takes me closer to 10 minutes than to half an hour going at 60-80 "steps" a minute. (I don't have a high-pressure floor.) In half an hour, I pump it up in the cockpit, launch it, mount the little Honda 2, and am on my way. I've been looking at 12V pumps, though...

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/24/2010 13:00:13

piseas
Former Treasurer

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Response Posted - 09/24/2010 : 13:12:12

Dave, I found one of those Coleman rechargeable air pumps at one of my "un"favorate low cost store. Its noisy but works. I still top off with my hand/foot pump.
Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 09/24/2010 13:16:54

Frank Law
Navigator

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USA
159 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2010 : 19:49:23

I have been using a 15 ' canoe to get to the boat which is on a mooring. We've been doing this for 10+ years , mostly with 3people on board. We have never had a man overboard or any bad boarding. I'm 72 and the admiral is over 65, grandkids now 8 and 11. For the most part we just scramble up and over the side of the boat, sometimes using the ladder. Our mooring is in a protected creek with no real wave action.
We have never towed the canoe or any other dink.

Frank Law
About Time
#3519 1983 sr,, swk

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BJones
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2010 : 20:05:13

Wow Frank. You give me hope. I was planning on taking the canoe with me on the boat into the wildlife area. I guess I could just haul it up and tie to the lifelines or tie it on deck.
Bruce

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