Ultimate Dinghy Cradle

Ultimate Dinghy Cradle -- May 7, 2018  -- Since I sold my Tanzer 16 (now I crew and work on committee boat) I don't get down to the dinghy dock as often as I used to.  Imagine my surprise when I saw this "up-scale" launch/retrieve cradle created by a local Harpoon sailor, Kevin.  Kevin is a real craftsman and he believes that anything worth doing is worth over-doing.  I can't wait to see him launch and retrieve his 500-pound boat. It is about the same weight as the Tanzer 16.  The pictures can tell the rest of the story.  All the metal is aluminum or stainless steel.  Follow up:  I watched Kevin retrieve and launch the boat.  Single person operation--easy--safe--love it when a plan comes together.

Dinghy Dock--New Cradle Design Needed

Dinghy Dock--New Cradle Design Needed, September 5, 2017  I need a new cradle for the dinghy dock.  Last spring we added two rollers and it helped only a little.  The Tanzer is a heavy boat--450 pounds before you add:  the mast, the boom, the centerboard, the rudder, the outboard, the sails, the anchor, the paddle, the boat hook, the spinnaker pole, the sails, the life jackets, the beer--but of course beer goes out, but doesn't come back.

Seriously this is a lot of weight to haul up out of the water.  We can do it now because we have a two-speed winch and two fairly strong old guys.  I could never do it by myself--which makes it difficult to single-hand.  I would sure appreciate a better design if you have one to share.  The boat comes out on September 11 so I have all winter to work on it.

jim

Even the Harpoons are lighter than the Tanzer.