Dinghy
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- Cruisers need large dinghies. At sea, the dinghy should be stored in a place that limits potential harm to boat and crew. Ideally, you should haul your dinghy aboard and store it on deck when you put to sea, in a manner that will minimize the likelihood of waves tearing it off. (All in the Same Boat, p. 107)
- A major befit of an inflatable is that you can deflate it and store it, and many cruisers use them for this reason. Unfortunately, they often aren’t happy with them otherwise. They can “pop”, and they don’t last as long as hard dinghies, even though you can patch them well. The trend favors hard bottoms, which means you get a better ride but can’t fold and store them in a place. (All in the Same Boat, p. 107)
- The foredeak is no place for a dinghy, especially if it blocks the forward escape hatch. This means that the top of the cabin trunk should not be monopolized by mainsheet blocks, boom vangs, and go-fast equipment. (All in the Same Boat, p. 107)
- Offshore, dinghies cannot be towed behind the boat. Stowing dinghies on deck is safest, using thru-bolted padeyes with strong lashing over the upturned hull. On small boats, even a seven foot dinghy is too large to stow on deck. And even if it can be wedgeed somewhere, it could pose a danger to crew working on deck. Two part nesting dinghies are the answer….stow the two halves, one inside the other, upside down on the foredeck. Heavy lashing keep it in place. Slotted toe rails and deck pad eyes can be used for anchoring the lines. Try, as much as possible, to leave the side decks and foredeck unobstructed. (Upgrading the Cruising Sailboat, p. 184)
- ..the stowed dinghy should not obstruct any escape hatches, and will have to be lashed down so as not to foul line. (Cruising Handbook, p. 104)
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