Dinghy Rental

[PJV356]

Any input on dinghy rental would be great (pro or con). It looks like it would be fun and you could get to place you can't get by jeep.

Just wanted to know others experiences and is it worth it?

Thanks and check the ticker.

[loria]

totally worth it. we rented from calypso (they have center console inflatables with 50 hp engines on the back) i think it cost about 190 plus gas (and a damage deposit). really a FUN day--we went out with the Chicaogans (2 dinghy's) and it was a total blast!!

[khud]

We rented a 14 foot dinghy from Noah's Little Arks and cruised the beaches of the North Shore. We also stopped to snorkel at Henley Cay. It was alot of fun. We did the full day and it was just enough time to do what we wanted. The only problem I ran into was getting back in the dinghy from the water. Hubby had no such difficulties so he pulled the dinghy into the beach and I was able to do it. The 14 footer was a bit large for just the 2 of us and we wished that the smaller one had been available.

[Pianogrl]

Absolutely worth it!! We also rented from Calypso cause they had center console dinghys. GREAT day; went to Waterlemon first then worked our way back.

Definately a "must do"! Enjoy!

[augie]

How many people will the Calypso dinghies carry?

Thinking about doing this in July, when we'll have our son with us...

[jdw]

Are you limited to what beaches you can visit? For instance, can you go to Salomon in a dinghy?

[Pia]

You can go to any beach that have the red and green entry markers and you MUST enter the beach area between them (you will be given a map) and go slow. If there are no markers you have to use a mooring ball. Salomon does have entry markers.

Pia

[Ty311USVI]

Good Morning All, Side question: would any of you rent a dinghy with a 1 year old? We'll be there in 3 weeks and have wanted to try this out. Thanks!

[loria]

Good Morning All, Side question: would any of you rent a dinghy with a 1 year old? We'll be there in 3 weeks and have wanted to try this out. Thanks!

Well, I would, but alot of people question my parenting
the things you have to ask youself: are you super comfortable in boats in general and --if he/she is walking (and i am assuming he/she is) this is going to be really a test of how long he/she will sit still in someone's lap--the boats bounce around like crazy in chop so you need to hang on tight to your child. the low sides of the inflatables make it REALLY easy to go over the side and the tight space soemtimes wobbly-ness , sometimes slipperyness make getting around (even in a still boat) for a beginning toddler pretty difficult (think hitting heads on the corner of the console or getting into the gas tank or falling on any thing might make for a serious bummer of a day --particulalry if you are all the way down by leinster and have to make it back in a hurry)

That aside , if you have a chill kid it might work--I would do only a half day in the morning (out on the water + sun makes it a pretty bruising day for anyone)--I am not sure since my kids are older now but do they have age restrictions for kids?
I could take my 27 month old and my 3 month old out in our skiff (3 month old in a sling seat on the deck 2.5 yr old on a seat with life jacket) to get back and forth to the grocery store (about a 10 minute crossing) But i think that after maybe 30 minutes in the boat my 2.5 year old would begin to get antsy--and she was quite good on boats for her age (or so I am told). If you decide to do it, do have a bail plan--
IE: drop wife an kid at X place and bring back the boat and go get them with the car)
p.s looks like we'll be ont eh island at the same time--you planning on joining folks at the Beach bar on the 23rd? (i'd bring my kids there too--told you I was a totally unfit parent--but no kids this trip!)

[rpplano]

Augie, the Calypso center console model has plenty of power and rides well out on the open water. We had 4 adults, an ice chest, snorkel gear and picnic lunch on board. Plenty of room for all of this. I highly recommend it. It also had both anchors which can really help out in some situations.

[augie]

Augie, the Calypso center console model has plenty of power and rides well out on the open water. We had 4 adults, an ice chest, snorkel gear and picnic lunch on board. Plenty of room for all of this. I highly recommend it. It also had both anchors which can really help out in some situations.

Thanks - sounds like it would definitely work for us.

See you in the fall?

[Pianogrl]

augie....y'all are gonna be there again in Oct/Nov?? Just found out yesterday we are too!! Will have to get with y'all!
BB on Oct. 31st???

[augie]

augie....y'all are gonna be there again in Oct/Nov?? Just found out yesterday we are too!! Will have to get with y'all!
BB on Oct. 31st???

Yes we are!

Definitely will be at the Beach Bar for the forum Halloween gathering!

Looking forward to seeing y'all again!

[PJV356]

Thanks for the input.

One other question, is half a day long enough?

Thanks

[loria]

Thanks for the input.

One other question, is half a day long enough?

Thanks

I'd do the whole day--we were amazed at how fast it went by!!!