Dinghy Decisions!
For anything more than a day sail dinghies, a yacht tender is a necessity! So when deciding on a suitable tender especially from a womens point of view what should be considered before making a decision?
What types of dinghies are available and maintenance? What type of a dinghy is suitable as a yacht tender? Considerations for women sailors, weight, easy handling! Ease of handling the motor for the dinghy! Storage and safety issues! Accessories to make things easy handling your tender!
Types of dinghies available: Inflatable yacht tenders and Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) provide superior stability and load-carrying capacity over rigid dinghies. Hard dinghies can be built of plywood, fiberglass or aluminum. Each material has its own characteristics consider the fact too that hard dinghies are rarely as stable as inflatable dinghies.
Inflatables:If the dinghy is an inflatable or RIB then there is often a greater risk of theft, this should be considered or like me make it a less desirable target. I let a good bit of air out of my inflatable and never leave it with the motor on it or oars when not in use. So far so good!! Advantages The size range of inflatables is great for women. The smallest can weigh around 12kg light easy to handle. Disadvantages Often lack any form of stiffening in the bottom. Can only transport one or two people with minimal stores. Light construction and will not withstand much punishment. Inflatables will sail in a strong wind and are usually hard to control. Maintenance is relatively easy if not too damaged.
Fiberglass:
This is by far the most popular construction method for hard dinghies. Advantages Low maintenance. Easy to repair. Disadvantages Can result in a heavy dinghy. If swamped the dinghy will sink unless fitted with buoyancy tanks.
Aluminum:Aluminum dinghies are less common but have many desirable characteristics. Advantages Strong method of construction. Results in a light dinghy. Good load carrying capacity. Disadvantages Difficult to repair. Difficult to row, especially in a chop or strong breeze. If swamped the dinghy will sink unless fitted with buoyancy tanks. Can make gashes and scratches on the sides of your yacht.
Safety Considerations:Issues that should be taken into consideration are the stability, buoyancy and seaworthiness which will be of prime concern when it comes to considering safety.Your yacht tender should be able to support the weight of the passengers and stores if swamped. Hard dinghies should have built-in buoyancy tanks, while inflatable tenders should be constructed with multiple tubes to ensure their buoyancy even if one of the tubes is punctured.
Storage of your Dinghy:
How and where they are stowed depends to some extent on the type of tender. Each type has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and the final choice must be a balance of all your needs.
Inflatable dinghies can be deflated and then rolled up and stored out of the way, which is handy, but a pain when you want to use them on a regular bases. All types of dinghies can be stowed on davits if the vessel is large enough to accommodate them. The convenience of this arrangement is hard to beat, as it is a simple matter to launch and retrieve the tender. Dinghies can also be stored on the foredeck this can be one of the safest places, it keeps it out of the way and it doesnt interfere with the helmsmans vision. The other option when cruising is to tow it great in relatively calm weather and day light hours.
Accessories to make it Easy:
The tender should be able to be moved up and down the shore or beach with minimal effort. This can be enhanced by wheels on the transom. The tender can then be lifted at the bow and moved like a wheelbarrow. This wheel arrangement works well on firm ground but not so great on soft sand or mud.
A pulley system at the stern of your boat where you can attach a shackle to a rope and harness, to lower and pull up your motor into position on your tender or onto your yacht. This makes for easier handling! And a simple one a good old plastic box container where you can put all the bits and pieces in it that you want to keep dry. Decisions .Decisions . Weigh up all the pros and cons!! And then love me tender!!
Sorted out what dinghy suits you ... back to yacht ownership!
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