Who bought Alaska Series dinghies at the SBS?

I am also going to upgrade to the Alaska Series. I am going to sell my Achillies LT-2. I have used it less than 10 times and it is in great shape. I paid $700 (boatshow price) in 2004. Asking $450. If interested, PM me. Robbi
 
Adeline, it looks like you are not putting the dinghy on the cabintop upside-down, as I will do mine to avoid capturing rainwater. Did you try it that way?

Warren
 
Wayne McCown":2a97co80 said:
How does one haul one of these dinghies. if the radar dome is mounted on the cabin top?
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As it happens, I faced that question because my TC255 came with the low-profile rocket launcher that would not allow a dinghy to fit underneath. Bryan at Anacortes Marine Electronics had the solution. He mounted my radome on a pedestal so it will look over, not through, the dinghy. I'm happy with that solution because now the rod holders are not too high up.

Warren
 
When we were younger and had better backs, we found that it was fairly easy to get a dinghy on a cabin top by each of us standing on one side of the inflatable, bringing the dinghy to a point where we could grab the side ropes with the bow line, and then just lifting up to put it on the roof. One hand on the grab rails of the C dory and one hand on the dinghy!
we have put dinghies upside down over the radar. Of course it depends on how high the radar is.


On larger boats we did have a trailer roller on the stern and winched a 360 lb Rib aboard with an electric winch daily for a number of years. It seems that one could make a pivoting rack over the cockpit which would attatch the boat to the middle of the rack when it was near the water in a pivoted back position and then use a block and tackle to bring the boat on up--probably resting the bow on the cabin top. Once could then make a sunshade for under the dinghy if necessary.
 
it looks like you are not putting the dinghy on the cabintop upside-down
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Hi Warren, Since I carried my cheap Sevylor upside down for years I naturally assumed that I would carry any replacement the same way, so as to shed water. And so I measured the distance(39 1/2") between the teak handrails on the roof and shopped for an inflatable that would place the oarlocks at or just outside of them(when Inverted). I wanted the unit to settle onto the tubes and not on the oarlocks. The LT-2 (early favorite), @ 38#, is a perfect fit for an upside down carry. IMG_3064_a.sized.jpgAnd so when I took Adeline over for her "fitting" I was assuming that any boat I selected would ride this way. The first boat I tried,the LEX 88, was a good fit, especially sitting backwards. Then I tried their LSI 88 Air-Floor and as I said, it settled down nicely onto the curved roof. However, these were heavier boats and I was(am) afraid that flipping them was an extra step that would complicate things and might result in roof damage from dragging oarlocks and d-rings. Also, if flipped, they could only be mounted bow forward as the transom must be astern the rear lip of the roof. Further, the thwart seat would have to be removed. And so I reconsidered my prior assumptions and came to realize that right-side up wouldn't be a problem because it eliminated potential gelcoat damage, and, since these boats have drain-plugs there's no pond effect. All along I had assumed I was limited to a short, light, boat that would only ride upside down. If I hadn't taken Adeline over and actually mounted some I never would have learned that larger, more capable boats were possible. I suggest that anyone considering one should go through this exercise.
 
If you just wanted one to get to shore, like the one Brock uses, you could leave it rolled up and attached to the swim step. Then unroll it and inflate it. A bigger, heavier one is going to be problematic with the radar and light up there.
 
I have yet to carry my inflatable on top of the boat. Just my personal preference. I do have tie down straps, just in case. I don't like not being able to use the handrails, I am not excited about the windage, and I don't want to have to rig another running light. I deflate and carry in the C-Dory. At night if it is not inflated, I put the bag on the forward deck, in the motorwell, or on top of the cabin. If I am at a dock, then it goes outside of the boat. I have used both the LT-2 and the West Marine Mini dinghy. Granted, both are small but inflate/deflate quickly.

If I start taking my dog with me, then it's a whole different deal. The dinghy will be on the roof. :dog Robbi
 
I checked out the Bambina photo album, but only came up with this:
6_23_02_009.jpg
with "unmentionable" at the aft

I'm thinkin rolling it up would be the way to go....Robbi, can you please let me know if yours is still for sale...it has a small board footing, right?

Caty
 
CatyMae n Steve":11bgcc6n said:
Anyone have any ideas how we'd haul one of these the way our anchor light/radar's rigged? Looks really cool....unless you want to haul a dinghy!
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I disremember who it is, but one of the TC255 owners here built a rack for the dinghy over the cockpit. Maybe someone will know where the photos are.

Warren
 
Brent and Dixie of Discovery built a 'pipe' rack half over cockpit, half over engines. I'm thinking a guy could build a heavy duty 'over cockpit' pipe frame and use that for cover and a dingy.

John
 
Rick Ross and I purchased the Tom Cat, aka "Amigo II" at last year's SBS. We keep it at Twin Bridges Marina in Anacortes, Wa.
We took the Amigo II to Ketchikan, Alaska last summer. Put approximately 150 hrs. on each Honda engine. The Tom Cat performed beautifully. Rick bought the Alaskan Series inflatable for his 22' C-Dory cruiser a few years ago before we became owners of the TC. (photos posted in the Amigo album.)
My son, Jim bought the marine division of "Gary King's Alaska Series", the import business that our family has been involved in for 30 some years. Jim had been the leader and been involved in the research and development of clothing fishing and marine. Jim's first love is white water boating. So buying and continuing developing his innovations with the inflatable was to be his destiny.
I would consider Jim as knowledgeable as anyone in the inflatable industry. His inflatable floor, the protection placed at the wearing points, martial and welding system used are years ahead of the industry.
I'm not involved in his business, just a proud father.
We use a 2 hp Honda and find it works well. Rick rows for exercise. Rick going with the tide on a 5mi/7mi adventure (Photo posted in album). I caught up with him several hours later. When taking the dinghy on these adventures, a GPS and handheld VHF radio is always carried.
Gary King
 
Welcome, Gary...looking forward to receiving the dinghy we bought from Jim at the SBS. He said you had a TC but did not say it was co-owned with Rick. Will keep an eye out for Amigo II in the San Juans.
 
We'll soon find out where we'll stash the dinghy...we bought Robbi's LT2 (hopefully we'll pick it up sometime this coming week) and I'm wondering if it'll fit inside the fishbag when not in use (and when the bag's not inhabited by creatures of the deep) :smilep

We're not true "cruisers" yet, but when we retire, there are some trips we want to take with that in mind (and fishing as a second activity, not primary...did I say that? ooof!) like the trip we want to make up the Columbia through the locks and we definitely want to hit the San Juans :wink:

Caty
 
CM&S - You ought to come up to the Poulsbo gizmo. I understand Robbi is delivering those dinghy things there.

Whatever you do, don't let Steve do any snorkeling in your neighborhood. Very dangerous.
 
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