In a message dated 5/19/02 9:49:19 PM, cwfowlkes@imt.net writes: << Some friends are cruising Desolation Sound in July and we may trail the M15 to Canada and join them. We will need some kind of dinghy for this trip. We have big dinghies but I think we want a minimal, small, 2-person, inflatable to use with the M15. Any advice on a dinghy for the M15? >> Charless, We have cruised our M15 in extensively in Desolation Sound, Princess Louisa, etc. We towed a West Marine FRU-260 Roll-up sport boat type dinghy (hard transom, slatted floor). This is an 8'-3" boat weighing about 50 pounds that can be stowed below if needed. I bought it for my larger boat, but it ended up working very well for the M15. We frequently hauled four people (we cruised, at times, with another M15). Our Honda 2hp (mother ship's main engine) would push it more than adequately, though we did this only once. We preferred oar power given that the boat rowed reasonably well (for an inflatable). Mine is vintage 1995, and at that time, West had 'Force 4' (a New Zealand company) make their inflatables. The current version is a little heavier, has a more blunt bow, and is made by Zodiac. They have since come out with an RU-200, which, at 6'-7", is probably of more appropriate scale to the M15 (though is only 2 passenger). Perhaps the latter would suit your needs. I would stay away from the pool-toy type inflatables for anything other than, well, pools! I would have loved to have one of the little Montgomery hard dinghies, but frankly, I found the inflatable the better choice both for the M15 and the type of conditions I encountered during Northwest cruising. Here is my reasoning: 1) I didn't want to/didn't think it is a good idea to tow the dinghy behind the M15 during rough, longer, open water crossings such as the Strait of Georgia. While not exactly compact when rolled, the RU-260 does fit below. 2) You are in the dinghy constantly in areas like Louisa and Desolation. You will find that most anchorages require a bow anchor and a stern tie line around a tree, rock, etc. on shore. You have to row this line to shore and back to the boat. Often the shore is a sheer cliff, and the stability of the inflatable was helpful in standing/reaching for attachment points. 3) In Desolation and points north, docks are virtually nonexistent You will go ashore for hikes, swims (freshwater lakes at Grace Harbour, Tenedos Bay, Roscoe Bay, Teakerne Arm, etc.), to empty your porta -potti (there are a few outhouses), and to get water. In some cases, you will need/want to anchor some distance from the shore landings. Furthermore, if you are gong to land for any period of time, you will need to carry your dinghy up to and/or down from above the high tide line. Tide ranges are BIG here, and you might find your dinghy long adrift if you leave it below high water mark. Conversely, if you land at high tide, you may be carrying your boat a considerable distance back to the water if you return at low tide. I was able to carry mine solo a reasonable distance to and from the water. Some say that hard dinghies are better suited to such rocky areas, but I found that I could disembark in ankle-deep water, and then carry the boat ashore. I would not be happy grinding a hard dinghy across the rocks anyway. 4) Because you will use the dinghy frequently, you will want it tied along side. I found that with the inflatable, I did not have to take any precautions to keep it from 'bumping' into the boat (it is, after all, a giant fender!). The stability of the inflatable makes for easier embarking/disembarking. 5) Stowage is easier once back home (they recommend that you stow partially inflated). Mine hangs in slings above the boat in the garage. The advantages of a hard dinghy are not lost on me (they row better, some have sailing rigs, no concerns about punctures, etc.); I only think that on the boat the size of an M15, a hard dinghy is best reserved for protected/calm waters. I have been in conditions where we would have had little choice but to cut the dinghy loose had we had a hard dinghy. You certainly could not fit one on deck! There is considerable debate as to whether Hypalon or PVC coated fabrics are better for inflatable dinghies. In general, Hypalon is probably the better material given its resistance to UV, but Hypalon boats are considerably more expensive. The Zodiac boats are PVC, and as long as you don't store them in the sun, or use them in tropical climates year-round, you will probably get years of trouble free service. I regularly slather mine with 303 Protectant as a precaution. Well, Larry Pardey would not agree with my choice, but then he probably would not like fiberglass lapstrakes either! (I actually have great respect for Larry and his choices). Hope this perspective is helpful. Perhaps we will run into you in Desolation. I am waiting to see if I will have time to squeeze in a trip. Hold onto that bow pulpit--I think you might want it someday!! Good Luck! Scott Grometer M15 #478, 'bebe'