Dinghy
The Dinghy is a AB 9 meter with a 15ph engine. This was brand new July 2011
The dinghy is equipped with a cable lock. Please use it! You are not at a very large risk of having the dinghy stolen, however you are at a very large risk of some drunk untying the line and it drifting to sea. In Cane Garden Bay you must be extremely careful, due to tide and wave action it is very easy for the dinghy to get caught under the dock. Please tie up close to the end and set a stern anchor. The stern anchor basically just sits in the water about 20 ft behind the boat and will keep the boat in place. This anchor is located in the forward well on the dinghy.
Cleaning sand from the dinghy is quite easy. Slosh some water into the boat and get the sand to the stern then drive the dinghy until it gets up on a plane, then pull the plug, all the water will drain out.
We have found the best position for landing and launching people is to pull the dinghy up on the inside of the sugarscoop. This prevents the towing eye from hitting the gel coat. In order for this to work well, the dinghy must be kept in forward gear as you unload.
The boat is equipped with Davits, the dinghy is heavy! Tie the excess davit lines to the front and back of the dinghy to keep it from going from side to side when underway, occasionally you will have to retighten.
For towing the dinghy, raise the engine for less drag. Tow the boat on Starboard side so the painter does not get caught in the swim ladder.
To prevent fuel spillage in the dinghy it is best to leave the fuel vent on the fuel tank closed. However every so often it must be opened to allow air into the tank. Should you have a problem starting the engine, check to make sure the fuel line has not worked loose.
At night we strongly recommend carrying a flashlight in the boat. Not to see, but to be seen by other boats. A dive flashlight is best for this as it is waterproof. The flashlights on the boat are not waterproof.
Make sure you bring the dinghy close to the boat when anchoring, collecting a mooring ball or docking to avoid fouling the prop with the painter. Another source of lost dinghies is cut painters.
Please hoist the dinghy partially out of the water each night, this avoids noise when sleeping and it makes sure the dinghy is there when you wake up in the AM. It is best to pull the drain out when hoisted so with it rains you can rinse the sand out.
The dinghy is also equipped with a small fortress anchor, when going to the beach, it is better to just anchor the dinghy close rather than dragging it up the sand/rocks.