Before departure, raise the dinghy out of the water and ensure:
All extra lines are secure before starting the engines. Loose lines pose a risk of prop wraps.
Always tie brace lines tight before underway so the dinghy does not damage itself or the boat by swinging back and forth.
The dinghy is not insured when underway or overnight, if not secured in the davits.
No person or child is permitted into a dinghy when suspended in davits!! The fittings will fail and cause serious injury to you or crew.
Always check fittings before lifting dinghy to ensure secure.
Dinghies Towed
If you slow down suddenly, turn, or go astern while you have the dinghy on a long tow-line, you will come into contact with the dinghy and the dinghy tow rope will foul the propeller shaft. The damage can be significant and can spoil your holiday. The dinghy must be tied alongside or short astern when manoeuvring, anchoring or coming into any marina or anchorage. So the dinghy cannot be caught under the transom or the rope caught on the prop/s when manoeuvring.
Slow down before bringing the dinghy alongside. The dinghy can only be towed alongside or short if going slowly in calm water, otherwise it will capsise.
Ensure the remainder of the tow rope is not allowed to trail in the water.
When attaching the dinghy tow rope to a cleat, make sure it is properly secured (looped through the cleat).
Appoint one crew member to be completely responsible for the dinghy during main vessel manoeuvres.
When underway the dinghy tow rope must be at full length to prevent the dinghy from being capsised by the seas or wind.
Ensure that you are travelling at a slow controlled speed while letting out the dinghy tow rope. Serious injury to fingers or hands will be caused by attempting to let a dinghy out while under sail or cruising at high speeds.
The dinghy is not insured overnight, if not tied alongside with a bow and stern line.
Dinghy Operation Cautions
Beware of the dinghys’ metal leading edge damaging the transoms when embarking or disembarking your boat. Best practice is to bring the dinghy alongside or in between the hulls on catamarans. When using the dinghy:
Ensure all equipment in the dinghy is secured.
Be careful that your outboard does not come into contact with the bottom, sand or coral when manoeuvring around shallow areas.
When going ashore, extra caution is needed to avoid damage from shallow coral or barnacle covered rocks.
Ensure when leaving your dinghy it will stay well clear of any dangers. (Damage caused by barnacle cuts or fishing hooks will hole the dinghy and it will have to return to base for repairs).
Do not leave the dinghy tied to any non-floating docks as the high tidal movements will damage the dinghy. Do not tie the dinghy to jetties at:
South Molle
Daydream Island
Long Island
Hook Island Observatory
Dinghy Outboard Tips
Always start the motor when the leg and propeller are submerged and ensure the motor is in neutral.
When selecting a gear always have the motor idling at the lowest revs.
Tilt your engine before you approach shallow water (different engines have different procedures do not force).
Every dinghy has an emergency kill switch connected to a lanyard. Have the driver wear the lanyard around their wrist.
