InstantForum 2017-1 FinalOCC Forumshttps://forum.oceancruisingclub.org/OCC ForumsFri, 17 Apr 2026 06:30:02 GMT20https://forum.oceancruisingclub.org/FindPost7054.aspxAdministrator: I could find no stream on dinghies, so I started this. Please move if wished.<br/>Hi all,<br/>It won’t happen often, but it is something to think about: if your dinghy is an inflatable and your engine will not start, at what wind speed will you be unable to go upwind rowing your inflatable? alone?, dragging a dead engine? with a passenger? With chop?.<br/>Often the good inflatables nowadays have big tubes which are wonderful for keeping dry when zooming around under engine, but make rowing in wind much more difficult.<br/>My memory is that I could make headway with effort up to 12-15kn alone and after that it was impossible. Two of us paddling side by side were not much better (and it was like a Laurel &amp; Hardy scene for those of us of a certain age). <br/>For those of us who are in remote areas, this can be an issue. At least once, in an increasing wind situation, I almost could not get back to the boat. This really caught my attention as, when things are getting boisterous and the wind is shifting, I want to be on Alchemy and not watching from shore.<br/>This is less of an issue if there are always other boats around who can give a lift.<br/>It is also less of an issue with my hard shell nesting rowing dinghy where I suspect I can row to wind in 30-40 kn.<br/>My best, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy<br/>Mon, 06 Jun 2022 22:46:00 GMTDick