Hi Gary, I am totally against anything that is inflatable - or that has to be inflated first before it can be used in a case of emergency. My experience: We were going from Rotterdam to Paris via inland waterways. Our Norwegian power boat was brand new. In the Dutch canal we were in, with a bow to stern stream of loaded barges going in both directions our boat suddenly stopped moving and ended up crosswise in the canal blocking traffic in both directions. Our diesel engine was running but the propeller wasn't turning. Now what.....? I jumped into my hard 9' Dutch dinghy, tied a painter to the motor boat got out the dinghy's oars and rowed like mad to get to the side of the canal and let traffic flow again. For my prompt action in getting the commercial traffic moving , I received some friendly toots from the barge Captains that had seen what had happened. I called the SABB engine dealer in Rotterdam and explained the problem. An hour later he was there; toolbox in hand; inspected the engine and found that a set screw had loosened disconnecting the propeller shaft from the engine. After tightening the set screw, and safety-wiring it in place, we continued on our trip with nary a problem during the time we owned the boat. In such a situation do you really want to inflate your dinghy before it can be used? I don't. I want a hard dinghy that is instantly usable if I loose something overboard; or to row out a second anchor at 2 AM when it is blowing 20 knots. Connie On 11/30/2018 1:19 PM, Gary Oberbeck via montgomery_boats wrote:
I would look for a clean used M-5-8* . Had one we used way back in the day - oars and a 2 horse -(2 hp not my idea). You are cruising right?? {;>) *titanium hens teeth are about as plentiful! Some boats use inflatable kayaks with good reports. Take Care, Have fUn, Go Sailing! Come on down to Lake Pleasant in Feb. - there is a fleet of 15's scheduled to show up!GO
-----Original Message----- From: Rusty Knorr via montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> To: montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thu, Nov 29, 2018 7:17 pm Subject: M_Boats: Tender
Just curious what the M-15 sailors here are using for a tender. In Puget Sound your really need one because anchorages are rugged and rocky and beaching is a challenge or impossible. Please share your thoughts, experiences, opinions, etc. M-17’s need not apply! (Unless you also have an M-15. 😜)
Rusty
www.rustyknorr.weebly.com