Made a new dinghy cover!

[Paul - SW Ontario]

Last year we invested in a new Highfield RIB. The factory cover near basically fell apart after one season.

Sooo...bring in some Sunbrella Marine, add a bit of good UV thread...finish off with some heat press vinyl insignia...

And whullah!...A durable, yet pretty outfit for our tender.

[P-Dogg]

Looking good! We have 10' Apex with a 15hp Yamaha. Adds a whole 'nother dimension to boating. Like bringing along a portable amusement ride.

[Paul - SW Ontario]

Looking good! We have 10' Apex with a 15hp Yamaha. Adds a whole 'nother dimension to boating. Like bringing along a portable amusement ride.

Exactly....we just replaced that old Merc 8 hp with a brand new Suzuki 20 hp battery less fuel injected 4 stroke.
Boat show special...6 year warranty.
Can't wait till spring.

[prowlersfish]

Nice Job

[WayWeGo]

Really nice work! I like all the details that take it from a simple cover to a masterpiece.

We have a 11 1/2' aluminum floor inflatable with a 20HP 2-stroke Merc that looks a lot like the one in the photos. What a blast to play with! We also have a 6hp Merc that will not plane with me in it, but it might just get on plane with one of my daughters by herself. That will be their motor until they get a little bit more skilled with it. The 20HP is a beast and could easily get out of control. I guess that is why I like it so much!

The downside of a large dinghy is bringing it along with us when we cruise. We have not taken it very far, so towing has been OK, but we need to figure out how to get it on the boat for longer trips. A smaller/lighter one would have been great, but we often have 4-5 adults and three dogs to schlep around and did not want to have to make multiple trips, especially since we are planning on longer trips in the dink.

What do you guys do to bring yours along? I know prowlersfish has his on the bow with a crane, but that is not what I would like to do. I have been looking at all the options that I can find (flip up, slide on, etc.), and none seem to be good for us for one reason or another.

[Jimmy]

I bought one of those cargo net units that strap the dinghy to the back of the boat. So far so good. If you have a large motor, that needs to be removed before you lift the boat out of the water. Cargo net cannot hold the motor and dinghy.

[El L Sea]

If we don't tow ours, one of us just drives ours behind in the lee of the big boat.

TenderFollow.jpg (132.91 KiB) Viewed 7455 times

[Paul - SW Ontario]

Our swim platform is big enough to carry it.
Currently designing a roller set up to pull it up and on the platform from the port side with very little effort.
Then with a few strategically placed lanyards and we will be good to go.

[Paul - SW Ontario]

The pic above is with our old Zodiac & 5 hp...

After a trial run for fit, the new Highfield & 20 hp will sit the same on the platform...except bow to starboard, and will stay there throughout the season at the marina slip. Like the idea of it being out of the water and locked to the Trojan while we are gone.

For the sake of curiosity, that photo was taken at the Famous Henry's Restaurant on Frying Pan Island (San Souci) in the 30,000 Islands Georgian Bay, Ontario.

[Paul - SW Ontario]

My other pride & joy deploys the dinghy in a different way!

[Barrie]

Super job on the cover! the details are awesome

[Paul - SW Ontario]

Super job on the cover! the details are awesome

Thanks...like you 're work, the details are what make the difference when the job is finished.