I have a YAM280 inflatable dinghy which is excellent for getting to and from the mooring but I am sure it will be too large to store on board for trips away. I prefer not to tow a dinghy if I can avoid it.

Has anyone found a small inflatable which is easy to keep onboard?

David Pocock

Parker 235/52 Arawa

I use a roundtail dinghy because they fold away a lot smaller and are lighter...

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Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

I've just bought a Honda inflatable for my new 235, which as you know is on a swinging mooring at Tobermory. I intend to use this as a tender to access the boat and tow it if required, and so I chose the aluminium floor option (T35AE)to give it some weight - I think it would be too heavy to bring on board.

Anyway, my point is that I researched all the inflatables and was really impressed by Honda, so it maybe worth a look? Ironically I didn't choose their engine (preferring the Tohatsu) but their inflatables are excellent - GRP seat and transom, large tubes etc. Might be worth giving them a look?

David Pocock

Parker 235/52 Arawa

Most of the dinghies around this price all come from the same factory..

My last one was a Tohatsu but you can tell that this wetline is made at the same place.

I also have a honda 2.5hp 4 stroke with a padded bag which is stored forward as well, the dinghy and engine work well together.

As I said before I use the roundtall because to folds a lot smaller..

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David Pocock

Parker 235/52 Arawa

I can't even fit through the hatch...but my wife can...but she doesn't float very well and won't take an outboard on her back..

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Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

http://freespace.virgin..../sailing_solent_2005.jpg 

When do you pick it up ???

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Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

I cannot believe how easy it was to raise the mast (2 people and 30 mins taking things carefully) but if I had not done it straight away I would probably have forgotten the tips given (and had to read the manual!). It was far too windy to fit the sails and anyway I will need to get back to Bill to check how much tension is needed on the jib because as I have it set up it seems a little slack.

Launching into a local harbour over shale was a doddle. Manoeuvring the boat across a very windy harbour was quite traumatic and the conclusion I drew was that in such conditions it is necessary to have the keel down to give better control. I had not done that because the tide was still coming into the harbour and the water was only 18in deep. Too much eagerness on my part.

Moored on a pontoon the boat has already gained much favourable comment with the most common being how attractive she looks (blue suits her very well) and how well the internal space is used. In a few weeks time when the weather gets a little better and I have loaded her up I will move Arawa a mile along the coast to a swinging mooring in front of my house.

All my extras were fitted very well, and first impressions are hugely positive.

And I can see why Paul laughed at me thinking I might get a dinghy through the forward hatch. It is not as large as I remembered!

Unfortunately, on the Sunday I had to return to London towing my old Hunter 490 so I had no more time to play. But next weekend…..

David Pocock

Parker 235/52 Arawa

You make me feel a bit of a charlatan - I've had mine 2 months and still never been on the water! There again, I only have a swinging mooring and no pontoon option, so in current conditions I've been wise to wait!

Glad your journey was easier than ours, though I agree the 235 tows really well. Spring will soon be here, so we'll all be sailing![8D]

Congratulations on your new boat. I feel sure you will be equally happy with its sailing ability once you get it on the water.

You are right about maneuvering on and of the trailer without the keel down. It is tricky in calm conditions but in winds its a mission impossible.

I have found that leaving the keel down about 300mm gives just enough grip if its not to windy. I motor up to the trailer until I gently nudge the rubber roller on the back of the trailer. At this point the trailer winch is clipped on to the front of the boat. The small amount of keel is soon raised and the boat is pulled on. It needs at least two people, one on board and one at the front of the trailer.

Happy sailing.

Graham Ebb

235/25 Blue Jazz

I lift the keel to the second strop and put the pin in. I back the car and trailer down until the front centre roller is submerged.

I attach the winch and winch it until the bow rises up onto the roller. I have a stern line to windward brought forward and use this if needed to straighten up, but find that the docking arms do the job. Once straight winch it up to the stopper...pull out then winch it a bit further...then let the tension off the winch.

I have launched and recovered 10 times so far...4 times by myself..

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Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

Yes, I agree that the system will wok for slipways that have a pontoon at the side. The difficulty is when you have to motor your boat onto the trailer without any pontoons. Ideally you need the keel up to get on the trailer but this leaves the boat with out any grip in the water as you try to aim for the trailer. The slightest cross wind or tide and you end up anywhere! It's a bit unnerving not having control. In these situations you need to leave a bit of keel down until you are partly on the trailer and have a line on to the boat.

The best option is avoid open and exposed slipways. I have launched and recovered at Hamble Point Marina with a tide running and cross winds. Fortunately we were prepared and had four people on hand and long stern lines to shore. It was hard work but we made it. I now launch in Chichester Marina when we visit the Solent area, where there is a pontoon adjacent, no tide and sheltered by trees. No point making things harder than necessary!

Graham Ebb

235/25 Blue Jazz

David Pocock

Parker 235/52 Arawa

Stephen Godber

235/51 "Exodus"

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Parker 235/ 40 Lady Penelope...

Having some sense of caution, I used another Tohatsu engine that I had previously tested. As it happens, this engine started second pull after being laid up all winter.

David Pocock

Parker 235/52 Arawa

I have found that you can quickly lower about a foot of keel once the boat is coming of the trailer. This will be enough to grip the water for a start. Of course you do need a certain amount of sea room to do this, but this much keel can be lowered in a few seconds if prepared in advance.

Hope this helps.

Graham

235/25 Blue Jazz