TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands One dingy or two?

Our up-coming charter is a party of 9 adults (well, one 16 yr. old) on a 514PC through Moorings. We were concerned about a single 11 ft dingy; couple of years ago we did 8 adults in a single dingy, and while doable, it was tight and didn't allow any flexibility. I thought I had read somewhere on this board (searched but couldn't find it) that if you ask at the marina, Moorings will let you take a second dingy free gratis. I asked the Moorings travel coordinator, and he said $35/day. Anyone have any experience with this?

At the speeds a powercat can go I don't think they want the dinghy towed. They have 12 foot dinghies that will carry 9. You can ask at the base. I would go crazy looking back all the time at anything over 9 knots checking if I still had the dinghy.
G

Moorings charges $35 for a 2nd dinghy. They don't have bigger dinghies. (not to contradict George, but that's what I was told. If your mileage is different let me know because I would have a bone to pick with my booking agent.)

They will arrange logistics of a larger dinghy from Island Time if you pay directly. http://www.islandtimeltd.com/
I think it was $200/day for the week for a 15' center console.

Also, they don't allow anything bigger than the standard dinghy on the davits due to the load.

One good practice is to get one of the crew who likes to do a little work to take ownership of all aspects of the dinghy and make a couple of trips at some stops. There is really no need for the entire group to always stick together. An early group can always head in and hold the bar down for the slower moving part of the group. If you do have two and even when we have one. We try to have designated crew to always man the painter(s) each time the boat is underway. That individual leadership will also be tasked with ice and cooler management along with getting the trash off the boat. That role starts at checkout to make sure you have a outboard that is easy to start and you fully understand anything unique about the outboard in dinghy. In your case what is the best way to tow it at speed.

So while there is a slight bit more work to do with a second dinghy (shortening line, lengthening line, moving from one pontoon to another, keeping away from hot grill, etc.) I personally believe that 2 dinghies for that large of a group is not a bad idea.

We have towed dinghies of varying sizes in the past usually with a crew of 8 or more and have generally been pleased.

The two dinghies will offer you much more flexibility moving crew around, and certainly offer a more comfortable ride to/from shore, especially if you are planning to have dinner ashore, or eliminate a second trip.

Also, with 2 dinghies, no one must wait around for a ride.

I say do it, and ask what the recommended max towing speed is...

I am 99% sure the larger dinghy at the Moorings is a 12 footer. I don't think anyone even makes a 11 footer. The smaller one is 10 feet. They still had some in June. I always ask for the smaller one with 3 couples or less. It planes much better with the small outboards they use.
G

Not meaning to dispute what anyone has posted (I appreciate all of your inputs), but here is the exact reply from one of the Moorings reps.

'We only have the standard 11 ft. 9hp hardbottoms. For larger groups some guests rent an extra one for $35/day to tow behind as one will be on electric davits.'

I am leaning towards getting the second one, regardless of length.

It is your charter. It is your crew, it is yours to decide.

Having a second dinghy means more flexibility in planning and decision making. With a large party, it means choices in where to go, when to go, what to do, and not everyone has to go and do the same thing or be " stuck" on the boat at a mooring. Or all need to be ready at the same time for the dinner run. Or whether 2 or three can go do re-provisioning/shopping/sightseeing while others go elsewhere. Just HAVING the flexibility and options makes a big difference with a large party. Your decision, your experience. Over 9 people, that 35 bucks a day is less than 4 dollars per person per day.

Your charter, your party, your vacation. It's kinda like extra towels and sheets and pillowcases and TP. Not totally necessary, but nice to have.

We had 8 large adults on our last trip.
We always broke the trip to shore up into two runs, and this was not really a hardship.
There's always a few who are ready early, and they can go early. The stragglers get the second trip.
Renting a 2-person kayak and a paddle-board also takes some of the demand off the dingy.

For $35 per day I would take a second dingy. We have towed two dinghies with no problem on a mono. Dinking around the anchorages is the most fun! If you are limited to one dinghy it puts a damper on how long you can do that for and makes one person the chauffeur instead of being able to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Thanks everyone. We're going for the second dingy. Might be a long haul to Anegada though...