Had to replace my dinghy this week.

WayneH · **Posted:** 07 Jun 2023 13:53

While the repairs and retrofit were proceeding, we stored the roll up dinghy in the house. So we get to the point of checking out the dinghy and bring it to the marina. Inflate it, throw it in the water and tie up to the stern of the boat. One of our projects was to install a Forespar Nova Lift for the dinghy motor.

Pros: looks nice, works smoothly and the line is long enough to reach a jib winch.
Cons: With a bimini, you are severely limited as to placement. The least bad spot on our boat is right on the edge of the wood cap rail starboard side. We drilled pilot holes for the screws so that we wouldn't split the wood. There is no metal under the cap rail on a 1980 model.

So the Admiral gets in the dinghy to receive the motor during our trial of the Nova Lift and things really go smoothly for a first time with a new item. We return the motor to the stern rail (on the starboard side to offset the fuel tank) and move the dinghy to the bow of the boat to tie it off. We were looking at the weather and expecting rain so we pulled the drain plug and raised the bow up by tying it to the mothership cleats. Time for lunch.

When we return from lunch, the dinghy tubes are still holding air but the floor has come unglued and is laying in the water. When we bought the dinghy 9 years ago, it was in similar circumstances but $800 fixed that. So I start looking for a repair shop near me but the Admiral is looking at NEW boats. You know how this goes. I am the proud new owner of a WM PHP-310 inflatable.

Attachment:

File comment: We had already deflated the tubes by this picture.

IMG_20230605_181242131_HDR.jpg [ 3.36 MB | Viewed 0 times ]

Velera · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2006 09:38 **Posts:** 656

This is the time you recall the salesperson telling you that the dinghy had "lifetime, welded, seams". Sure.

puffcard · **Posted:** 09 Jun 2023 19:52

Can we see pic of motor lift, thinking we might need to get one.

We reglued a PVC inflatable floor, it lasted about 3 more years.

If going PVC the Saturn budget line with HP floor is a great value. We bought one to have a lightweight backup inflatable. At $499 they are a deal.

WayneH · **Posted:** 13 Jun 2023 14:25

Nova Lift Pictures. Several as the bimini cuts off the whole view.

Attachment:

File comment: From the cockpit

IMG_20230613_085451510_HDR.jpg [ 4.41 MB | Viewed 0 times ]

Attachment:

File comment: From the finger pier

IMG_20230613_090714723.jpg [ 2.32 MB | Viewed 0 times ]

Attachment:

File comment: Lift swung outboard to load the motor onto/off of the dinghy.

IMG_20230613_104141204_HDR.jpg [ 4.11 MB | Viewed 0 times ]

Attachment:

File comment: Static portion of the lift can be left here.

IMG_20230613_104629545_HDR.jpg [ 3.76 MB | Viewed 0 times ]

Attachment:

File comment: Swing section removed.

IMG_20230613_104654500_HDR.jpg [ 3.59 MB | Viewed 0 times ]

We mounted the base as far outboard as we could. The framework of the bimini eliminated the side deck for us. Predrilled pilot holes for the base to prevent cracking the wood. There is no metal under the wooden stern plate. You can remove the top section for travel as there is a piece of plastic inside the lower section to direct the line out thru the pulley. The admiral likes it because the old system meant manhandling the motor at the stern and getting marks on the boat. Frustrating

Now we have full control and just need to rotate the motor to line up to the dinghy stern or the motor mount on the rail. Don't pay attention to the humongous shackle on the motor sling. The supplied carabiner works with flat straps but the handle on top of our sling is wider than the carabiner will open. Upgrade coming. Pictures are sideways because I have one of those fancy laptops that rotates them whenever it wants to. PC hates me

Tartan37.com

Had to replace my dinghy this week.

Who is online