Tender for Compac 19

[Jackrabbit]

While the Compac 19 only draws 2 feet, there are many cruising grounds in my neck of the woods where the shorelines are steep and  rimmed with granite, so trying to get ashore with the mothership would be a risky proposition.  I have used a small Sevylor-type inflatable, but they do not propel well and are not much fun to use for gunkholing around an anchorage.  To augment the pleasure of cruising I am considering building a small towable tender, something like a Nutshell Pram or a Welsford Sherpa (for which I have plans).  These boats are about 9' LOA and weigh under 100 lbs.  While I realize that towing such a load would exact a price in terms of speed, I feel the advantage of being able to go ashore and play around a little may make the enterprise worthwhile.  Does anybody have experience towing a pram-style dinghy behind a Compac 19?  I'd like to hear about your experiences and impressions.

Burton
S.V. "Restless"

[Vipersdad]

http://koti.kapsi.fi/hvartial/dinghy1/simboii.htm

Check out the Portuguese Dinghy.  Mike Greene built one and it seemed to work well for him.  I have one ready to paint after I finish sanding the bottom and putting on my last coat of tape and resin.

If you do a search and click on images you will see many different paint schemes and modifications.

V.

[Vipersdad]

You can't have too many clamps.

V.

[Jackrabbit]

Cool little boat.  Thanks.

[Finbar Beagle]

Jackrabbit,

I sometimes tow a sit on top kayak. I have an ocean big yak, that is around 8ft and toes nice.  The paddle breaks in two and I have little end handles that make these my back up for paddling my cp 19-2, (it is not easy...)

If for than 1 person, I tow the 12ft ocean Malibu 2 person. Both kayaks will leave you bottoms wet, so useful for summer paddling to beach, especially for kids to burn off energy.

I know this is off base for you dscussion, but it works for me.

Regards,
Brian, finbar beagle's dad

[Potcake boy]

Jackrabbit

I too took along a SOT kayak behind my 19. The SOT kayaks are easy to board from your stern ladder (one foot on the bottom rung and swing the other over), and you don't have to worry about them filling with water. Mine was a 12' Hurricane, which weighed only 35 # so it was easy to tow and easy to handle. A lot faster than a rowing dink as well.