We are setting sail next Saturday on a 48' Moorings cat with 10 people starving for salt water and great sailing. We are considering having two dingys since 10 people in a dink is a crowd, and making two trips to shore or the reefs at every stop is a pain. I figure, while underway, we can tow one and keep the other on the davit. Any comments/suggestions?

Sounds like a good plan. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

We had a 50"mono and took two dinghys. Towed both. The boat was a great sailing vessel and the tow did not really impede our fun at all. Worked great and we were glad to have the extra flexibility. We had only 6 aboard but my hubby loves to wander off and fish and we did not want anyone to feel marooned.

Always love the flexibility of two dinks. There's a good thread here that discusses the importance of bringing it up alongside your vessel in close quarters and some options for rigging when towing behind a cat.
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...part=1&vc=1

Enjoy!

Mu daughter spent three weeks on a Moorings 4600 with 13 kids and 3 crew with Lifeworks. Towed a dinghy and had one on davits. They managed not to wrap a painter around a prop.

Cheers, RickG

I think it's a great idea!
On a related note, we've upgraded to a larger and faster dinghy and that works well too.

Did same thing with 4800 last June with 7 adults and 4 kids. Nice flexibility for different groups who want to do different things or at different times.

Skip the davits. Just tow both. But, as others have pointed out, one crew member should be assigned to each dinghy to bring it up to the boat prior to maneuvering. All good!

Also heading out Saturday on 3900 with 6 adults. No pirate grandkids this trip. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />

Got 12 going on a 4800 this Thursday. For those that have used Moorings or Sunsail, did you have to reserve one ahead of time or just ask for a 2nd dink at the time you arrived? Seems like a good idea with a large group and only a little bit of hassle. Any idea of cost of having a 2nd dink?

Great idea! Thanks <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

WHEELS UP IN 24 HOURS!! My crew is so ready. Anyone know the average cost of extra dinghy? I'm going to inquire when i arrive.

Harley

A twenty or two slipped to the right guy at the dingy dock might be enough!
G

It was a couple of hundred dollars for the second dinghy for 7 days in June 2014. Did reserve in advance, and include in contract. Both dinghy's were with the boat when we boarded.

I also checked on a large RIB from Island Time. Much more expensive than the 2 dink approach.

One thing to mention about getting two dinghys. With the exception of the Moorings most dinghys belong to a specific boat and are owned by the boat owner. They are not supposed to be moved to other boats. They companies might keep a spare dinghy they will let you have as a second but if not you will have to rent from a third party.
The Moorings owns all their Dinghys not the boat owners and keeps them in a pool to be distributed as boats go out on charter. They will rent you a second one if you want. The 12 footer will however handle 10 adults. If you really want the hassle of two ask for 10 footers.
G

Thanks aarpskier and GeorgeC1 for the info. As is not atypical, what I thought was a good idea, my wife saw as increased work for her without enough benefit so we are probably going to stick with one as per usual.

I don't know why she cares as my oldest daughter is better at driving the dinghy than she is and typically handles the dinghy captain role. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Chalking it up in the category of not worth arguing over.

But the info is always appreciated.Will keep an eye out for you aarpskier as we are wheels up in 48 hours now out of Moorings as well. Curious as to how you will like the 3900.

I would never question an Admiral, but let me make a last pitch.

There are two types of charterers: those whose dinghy engines have failed, and those whose dingy engines are going to fail. In addition to convenience (more options), time-saving (no double trips), more freeboard (increased safety and drier bums), two dinks provide redundancy (less stress). You know your trip is not going to be interrupted by a complete lack of boat-to-shore transportation.

I don't know the ages of your crew, but our dinghy mates were the 8 and 12 year old boys in the photo below.



Each was assigned one of the dinghys, with the tasks of making sure it was drawn up and cleated off at appropriate times, tilting the outboard up and down, drying the gunwales, tying it off to a tree or rock on shore, etc.

Just sayin' I think you would find the advantages far outweighing any downside. Whatever, have a great time!

Last trip we had 8 adults and were a little worried about not having enough Dingy space.

We got a 2-person kayak as a supplement to our dingy, which worked fine.

Remember that a small dingy with a 10hp engine will typically plane with only one person in it, so the return trip to get more people is usually pretty quick!

Also - there are those that are slower to get ready to go ashore than others, so we found the group sort of naturally divided itself into two.

You make a good argument but as the Admiral reminded me and Twanger mentioned, we have a double kayak and 2 SUPs for crew to use if they want to get to shore bad enough. Lol

On a side note, was checking the weather and it doesn't look so good this weekend and next week. Have never had a bad week in the BVI but they don't have a picture of a sun on any day we are there. Hoping they have missed that forecast a little bit or we are in for a lot of rain based on the meteorologists. Not how I envisioned introducing a new crew to a sailing charter.

It seems that my list of "not worth arguing over," is much shorter than my wife's list.

3 or 4 cabin version? The owners side is awesome if you are on the 3 cabin. Great boat, just a little tight in the galley.

I think that is true of most husband's lists as compared to their wives dayhiker. However, I do feel it is much easier to argue when we are on the boat with a Painkiller in hand so I plan to wait and strike later.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Argue.gif" alt="" /> -----> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> -----> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

Matt

Three cabins (less cost). The other two couples have graciously offered my wife and me the "owner's cabin" as compensation for my work in putting the trip and itinerary together.

This is a 20th anniversary tour, commemorating our initial BVI cruise together in 1995. We have since sailed together every couple of years, always with The Moorings (first monos, then cats) working our way down to Grenada (Martinique / Sint Maartin / St. Vincent / St. Lucia x3 / Canouan x2 / Bequia x2 / Mustique x2 / Tobago Cays x2 / Mayreau / Union). This is their first time back to the BVI since 1995.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />

Have fun! You'll love the owners cabin.