carrying hard dinghy on a NS26

[Howard C. Wright]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the group. A couple of months ago, I purchased a 1985 Nonsuch 26 classic and am now keeping it in Friday Harbor, WA.

Initially, we were going to use it for day sailing, but cruising options in this part of the country is really nice, so we needed a dinghy for the boat. I really like to row, so we will get a light-weight hard dinghy.

Finding a place to keep it is problematic. Having a hard dinghy on the cabin top really limits visibility, so we're leaning towards putting davits on the boat, and I wondered if any of you have installed davits on your 26' Nonsuch.

Appreciate any feedback.

Howard Wright

Nonsuch 26

Merrythought

Friday Harbor, WA

[John Alexander Stewart]

Hi Howard;

Have a hard dinghy, but (due to reduced sailing due to COVID, and distance to water) have not used it yet with our NS26C.

Thoughts, though:

1) Not a lot of space on cabin top for a dinghy, and it'll cover the forward hatch which means it can't be used as an emergency exit;

2) We did install a swim platform, and think the hard dinghy can be rolled up on it, and strapped down.

3) Look at the Porta-Bote ones, they are $$$ but can be rowed, and folded and possibly lashed to stanchions on one side of the cabin.

I know Mike Bianka here has a 8' Porta-Bote, and maybe others have as well. Mike has a great blog - biankablog.blogspot.com - you'll find somewhere on there stuff about his porta-bote.

Let us know what you decide.

John Stewart

NS26C 046

Kingston ON.

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[Tom Schoenhofer North Star 26C#28 Penetang]

If you sail with the dinghy in the davits it blocks your view aft. If you sail towing the dinghy I may have a solution.

Of course you need a swim platform for this solution but the platform makes it much easier and safer for very young or very old people to get in and out of the water and the dinghy and kayaks etc. This argument has been covered in other threads many times.

After 12 years I can't believe I don't have a better photo of the dinghy on the swim platform.

This one rows well , can hold 4 adults with gear. It also has a sail but needs a good breeze to get going. It is 10 feet long and 4.5 feet wide. I think this is the maximum size you would want to put on a 26 before you have other problems.

https://bateau.com/studyplans/V10_study.php?prod=V10

Lifting it up on the swim platform is easy because I built hangers that clip onto the swim platform on its starboard side then I just have to lift half the weight with a line to the opposite side and ties to the pushpit. A 60 second job.

Since our boys are adults now and no longer sail with us a smaller dinghy would work however we like rowing and for rowing something narrower and longer would be better. A narrower boat might require outriggers for the oars but will be easier to row- longer would be too wide for the transom at the dock. I don't know what to do yet.

The two swim platform hooks visible. They are sitting on their life jackets BTW. On my to do list was to make cushions but ......

Tom

26C #28, North Star

V10, Dubhe

Penetang

[Thor Powell Mariner's Cat V 26C Brentwood Bay BC]

I carried an Eastport Pram on deck. Fited perfectly under the sail and weighed 45 lbs . Rowed like fury. 

https://www.clcboats.com/modules/catalog/boat.php?category_qn=wooden-sailboat-kits&subcat_qn=eastport-pram&code=eastport-pram-rowing-sailing-kit

[Mark Powers]

When selecting a dinghy to carry across the stern on a swim platform, you need to consider light and shape. With the wrong shape or length the ends of the dinghy can dig into the water as the boat heels. Here is a shot of a dinghy across the back of a 324. It is not digging in but it is close.

Mark Powers

La Reina 26C

Vancouver, B.C.

[David Darmstadter]

Hi Howard,

I have an NS26 and installed davits for my hard dinghy this spring. The dinghy is an 8 foot Puffin. Got them from the guys up in Canada who did all the SS for the Nonsuch originally. I’m doing this from my phone so I don’t have their name right in front of me. I’m sure someone here can give you their contact info. Sailed the boat from Annapolis to Boothbay Harbor, ME this summer and every worked well. I highly recommend it.

David Darmstadter

Jade - NS26U #198

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 2, 2020, at 1:04 PM, Thor Powell Mariner's Cat V 26C Brentwood Bay BC <thor....@gmail.com> wrote:

I carried an Eastport Pram on deck. Fited perfectly under the sail and weighed 45 lbs . Rowed like fury. 

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[Tom Schoenhofer North Star 26C#28 Penetang]

This Eastport Pram would be the perfect size to carry on the platform as well.

The 26 transom is 7'6" wide at the top and this dinghy is 7'9" long.

Tom

26C #28

Penetang

[Thor Powell Mariner's Cat V 26C Brentwood Bay BC]

I have a picture of it on deck I will find it and post...

[Howard C. Wright]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your suggestion -

I would love to get an Eastport Pram, but there doesn't seem to be an already built version of it (unless I can find one used somewhere, and I'm looking), and I don't have the time or inclination to build one (although it could be a long winter and I do have a garage).  If you have a picture of your boat on the top of the cabin, I'd love to see that. Did you build it?

Howard

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[Howard C. Wright]

Hi John,

Thanks for your reply. 

I've looked into porta-boats, but they seem really hard to assemble, especially on the confined deck and super round cabin top of our NS26. Plus, we would be towing it a lot, and they apparently are not good at being towed.

How hard was it to install the swim platform?

Howard Wright

NS26 Merrythought

Friday Harbor, WA

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[Thor Powell Mariner's Cat V 26C Brentwood Bay BC]

Building the pram....  If you buy the kit figure 7 days to build it.  Plus time to paint it.  The kit is the way to go as you can't buy the wood at that price as it takes 1 and half sheets and lumber is sold in full sheets. Its stitch and glue... a drill, pliers and a small  hand plane, a good orbital sander, . lots of tape and patience. he trick is to do a very neat job of the glassing and filleting vs sanding your way to success.  I gave mine to my daughter :)

If you build it plug the center board casing with some foam to tow it otherwise she will take water through it. I used pipe foam and jammed it in worked fine. 

Buy a set of 6.5 foot Barkley Sound oars.

Thor

[Howard C. Wright]

Thanks - it could very well be a winter project.

Regarding equipment: don't you need lots of clamps too?

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[Howard C. Wright]

Thanks so much everyone for your suggestions. I'm on the lookout for a used 8' dinghy somewhere, and I'm talking to Kato Marine about getting some light-weight davits...but I'm also looking at possibly putting in a swim platform. I still have to figure out how to get access to the stern from inside - I'm a big guy and haven't figured out how to wiggle into some of the areas of the cockpit.

Regarding hard dinghies: has anyone ever purchased a Walker Bay 8? And is there someone or a company that builds Eastport prams?

Thanks!

Howard Wright

NS26C  Merrythought

Friday Harbor, WA

[Bob Neches (Solar Wind, N26C #143)]

Howard,

Based on a quick web search, it looks like Eastport Prams are kit boats that people build for themselves.  I've seen them for a long time offered at Chesapeake Light Craft (https://www.clcboats.com/modules/catalog/boat.php?category_qn=wooden-sailboat-kits&subcat_qn=eastport-pram&code=eastport-nesting-dinghy), but other companies seem to offer them as well.  If you're not interested in DIY, you could probably find a local craftsperson to do it for you.

I used to have a Walker Bay on a previous boat, long enough ago that I can't remember if it was an 8 or a 10.  It was a really great little boat.  It both rowed and sailed just as advertised -- in addition to being pretty bulletproof.  

I'm not big on hard dinghies, personally, because you can get a lot more carrying capacity and/or a lot less weight with an inflatable or a RIB.  However, if you're going for a hard dinghy, a Walker Bay's well worth considering. 

I'm a big fan of no-fuss things that do their job, and the Walker Bay dinghies definitely qualify.  If there were room in my life for more things, I'd get one again.

-- Bob

   Solar Wind

   Nonsuch 26C #143

[Howard C. Wright]

Thanks for your input!

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[John Alexander Stewart]

Howard;

The swim platform. Attached should be some photos of it during the process of, and installed. 

I can get myself into the starboard locker on my NS26C, I can't be wearing glasses, though - I don't fit then. You'll need a helper anyway, one person to hold bolts outside, one to tighten inside. 

I had to do the install quickly; from snow melting to launch, with a 4 hour round trip drive, was quick. About 2 days, maybe only 1 - have to check my records. You can see I strapped it up, leveled it with a level based on the cockpit floor (more in a sec), drilled the holes, and (with help) put bolts in, with Butyl tape on. The extra step - later on in the summer, I just removed the original swim platform bits, put the bolts back in, then measured and drilled so that the step top was half way from the platform top to the coaming around the top of the transom. 

I really like it. Now, two issues:

1) As I leveled it with the cockpit floor, I think the cockpit floor slopes slightly to stern, as that's where the drains are. One day I was looking at the platform, and thought "it's tilting very slightly to the stern". 

2) bolts hitting the internal bracing. Top brackets, holes interfered with the internal bracing, so really only 2 of 3 bolts on each bracket is backed kind-of properly inside. 

It was on the list to properly finish this year; unfortunately, with COVID-19, launch was not until July, so short season, not a lot of time taken off to work on her. 2021 I'll fibreglass in a flying buttress to the internal bracing. Saying that, while it is definitely off limits when on the hard, it's as solid as a rock when I've bounced on it when in the water. 

Hopefully the attached pics are high enough resolution to see, if not, ask for the originals.

[John Alexander Stewart]

kind of a typo "later on in the summer, I just removed the original swim platform bits" should read "later on in the summer, I just removed the original swim ladder bits" 

You can see the original bolt heads just below the step, but when on the water, you (or, at least I) do not even notice them.

Sorry about the correction;

[Thor Powell Mariner's Cat V 26C Brentwood Bay BC]

I used plastic clamps ...dollar store.  You can make them out of plastic pipe as well.  As I recall i needed them for the gunnel only.  Lots of utube on the idea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXVYW5vrbAYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXVYW5vrbAY

[Howard Wright]

Great idea!

On Oct 4, 2020, at 9:45 AM, Thor Powell Mariner's Cat V 26C Brentwood Bay BC <thor....@gmail.com> wrote:

I used plastic clamps ...dollar store.  You can make them out of plastic pipe as well.  As I recall i needed them for the gunnel only.  Lots of utube on the idea

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[Tom Schoenhofer North Star 26C#28 Penetang]

Swim platform hooks.

On Whiskers they appear to be pointing down. On my swim platform they are sticking out horizontally. I'm not sure but I believe these welded on rings on the platform were an option.

Our 10 foot dinghy is definitely too long and low to be on the platform while travelling unless it is very calm. But if it was shorter and mounted a little higher it wouldn't drag in the waves.

Swim platform attachment. Looks to be in about the same place as Howards but slightly different position for the mounts. This could be because all Nonsuches are slightly different from the factory and you have to adapt when installing.

I had my small wife go down the hatch and hold the nuts while tightening these bolts.... this last line is wishful thinking, there is no way this would happen in real life.

Tom 

26C #28 North Star

Penetang

[Tom Schoenhofer North Star 26C#28 Penetang]

Sorry just a poor photo on the cabin top. Screen capture when we were double reefed on a lousy day.

Yes I built this a few years before we bought the Nonsuch. 

Rule of thumb - if you are scratch building a boat from plans, whatever the designer or the plan seller says regarding build time, cost and weight, double it.

Tom

V10 Dinghy Dubhe

Penetang

[Thor Powell Mariner's Cat V 26C Brentwood Bay BC]

Here is my 26 with the hard Eastport on deck. 

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[Mike BIANKA]

I've never had a problem folding and unfolding the Portaboat on board my 30u  even by myself. The newest model makes it easier since it also has an integral transom built in. Though I tend to keep it unfolded these days. I also found that rather overturning the dingy having it right side up allows for better sight forward than having it overturned on deck. I plan to add some chocks to support the boat in that position.

[Paul Miller]

Have you considered a skin on frame boat? I’m about to build a couple of these for a friend and I. They are 8’ long and weigh 28 lbs.

Paul M

NS30U #211, Sandpiper 

Cowichan Bay, B.C.

[Howard C. Wright]

Sounds like a great little boat - is it from Duck Works?

https://www.duckworks.com/product-p/dg-piankatank.htm

Not sure how the bottom would hold up though in cruising situations, but I like the weight of it.

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[Paul Miller]

No, it’s from Geodesic Aerolite Boats. The plans and all the non wood materials (fabrics, adhesives, etc) are $175. There isn’t much wood. 

https://www.gaboats.com/boats/blackfly8.html

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--

Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper

Cowichan Bay B.C.

[Howard Wright]

Thanks for the info. Very interesting.

Howard Wright

NS26C Merrythought 

Friday Harbor WA

On Oct 6, 2020, at 10:13 AM, Paul Miller <sandpip...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Tom Schoenhofer North Star 26C#28 Penetang]

Ouch Paul.

I'm just about to skin my Geodesic Snowshoe 12 Kayak. I would not build one of these again. Too many fiddly bits and fragile (there are about 250 little glue joints).

It was designed in 1985 but I believe there are many new similar designs now with fewer ribs and frames and no Kevlar strings that would be easier and faster to build. 

I chose this design many years ago but only now had time to build it due to COVID. It is light(so far mine weighs 12.5 lbs), and by my measurements it would fit inside the 26 when I'm not at the boat.

Just my opinion Paul, others may differ.

Tom

26C #28 North Star

V10 dinghy Dubhe

Snowshoe 12 Merak

[Paul Miller]

I hear you but I used to build wooden boats for a living so I think I can handle it. We have the kits. Like you we’ve had them for a while. It looks pretty simple to me but I may be wrong.

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[Paul Miller]

Nice looking frame BTW.

On Tue, Oct 6, 2020 at 1:46 PM Tom Schoenhofer North Star 26C#28 Penetang <tschoe...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Tom Schoenhofer North Star 26C#28 Penetang]

It is easy and fairly simple, just fiddly. My big worry was steam bending the ash ribs which turned out to be quick and no problem at all and even fun.
Tom

[Paul Miller]

Ha ha, I’ve got that one covered. Steaming ribs is my stock in trade so to speak.

I was about 25 in the pic. I’m the one in the plaid shirt. 😂

The ribs in the Black Fly are a little smaller too.

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[David Darmstadter]

Here are the pictures of my Puffin hard dinghy in its davits on my NS26. Made by Stainless Steel Outfitters in Canada. https://stainlessoutfitters.com

David Darmstadter

NS26U #198 Jade, Boothbay Harbor, ME 

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<IMG_3463.jpeg><8B091A40-2FBD-457A-8BC5-65CAE904D314.jpeg>

[Howard C. Wright]

I like your set-up and I'm leaning towards getting davits, as I like getting the boat high enough off the water. I've been looking at Kato Marine, but it looks like SS Outfitters might do the trick. I'll call them tomorrow. I assume they already have patterns for NS26. How hard was it to get access to the base pads on the deck from down below? Did you install?  How heavy is your Puffin?  Nice dinghy!

Howard Wright

NS26 Merrythought

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

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[David Darmstadter]

Howard,

I’m sure that Stainless Steel outfitters can set you up. They have been making davits for the Nonsuch boats for a long time. Access to the backing plates was not easy. A bit of a contortionist act but that’s going to be the case with almost any system you set up. The puffin weighs 80lbs. Good luck!

David

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 7, 2020, at 8:11 PM, Howard C. Wright <siwas...@gmail.com> wrote:



I like your set-up and I'm leaning towards getting davits, as I like getting the boat high enough off the water. I've been looking at Kato Marine, but it looks like SS Outfitters might do the trick. I'll call them tomorrow. I assume they already have patterns for NS26. How hard was it to get access to the base pads on the deck from down below? Did you install?  How heavy is your Puffin?  Nice dinghy!

Howard Wright

NS26 Merrythought

Friday Harbor, WA 98250

On Wed, Oct 7, 2020 at 7:55 AM David Darmstadter <ddarms...@gmail.com> wrote:

Here are the pictures of my Puffin hard dinghy in its davits on my NS26. Made by Stainless Steel Outfitters in Canada. https://stainlessoutfitters.com

<IMG_4573.jpeg>

<IMG_4574.jpeg>

<IMG_4575.jpeg>

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