What is in your dinghy?

[Jack Long]

What do you carry in your dinghy? What do you do to secure it when you will be away from it?

[lannen]

What is in my dinghy? ~sigh~ Everything... Quite simply everything... and I've learned to keep my mouth shut about it too.

When we get in the dinghy, the Admiral starts handing stuff down, and I keep quiet and put it in the little boat. She starts arranging things and I sit quietly until I'm told we can depart.

This process has been perfected over the years to where I no longer have to listen to, "I told you so, you should have let me bring the..."

Got a cut, we have band-aids, C.G. lurking about... we can pass inspection. Drop something over the side? That's okay, we have a mask and probably the Spare Air mini scuba tank. Hey look, clams! We have the collection bag. Thirsty? Have a drink. Lost at sea? The cell phone and VHF is in the dry box. Taking on water, she has a pump. Put on more suncreen, need a screwdriver? What about a peanut butter sandwich in case you get hungry in 10 minutes... Ouch, bug bite... here let me rub this on you...

Bless the Admiral and her system. It seems to work as long as I keep quiet!

I can't think of anything we don't have with us...

[imagine2frolic]

Bailer, flashlight, anchor & rode, oars, life vests, handheld vhf, always a bottle of water. On the way back to the boat???????? beer & food

[defjef]

4 flotation cushions
pump
8' ss chain
3 pad locks: motor one for each end of chain
nav light (suction type)
spare lines
towing bridle
oars
dinghy towel to wipe off wetness

Anything else comes on and off depending on where we are going.

[Chuck Baier]

carry flares plus basic tools for the outboard plus the other stuff mentioned here and put most in a waterproof box.

[Jack Long]

Do you bolt the box to the floorboards or something?

Waterproof = splash resistant or airtight?

[Chuck Baier]

Originally Posted by Jack Long

Do you bolt the box to the floorboards or something?

Waterproof = splash resistant or airtight?

I don't and it needs to be watertight.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by lannen

What is in my dinghy? ~sigh~ Everything... Quite simply everything... and I've learned to keep my mouth shut about it too.

When we get in the dinghy, the Admiral starts handing stuff down, and I keep quiet and put it in the little boat. She starts arranging things and I sit quietly until I'm told we can depart.

This process has been perfected over the years to where I no longer have to listen to, "I told you so, you should have let me bring the..."

Got a cut, we have band-aids, C.G. lurking about... we can pass inspection. Drop something over the side? That's okay, we have a mask and probably the Spare Air mini scuba tank. Hey look, clams! We have the collection bag. Thirsty? Have a drink. Lost at sea? The cell phone and VHF is in the dry box. Taking on water, she has a pump. Put on more suncreen, need a screwdriver? What about a peanut butter sandwich in case you get hungry in 10 minutes... Ouch, bug bite... here let me rub this on you...

Bless the Admiral and her system. It seems to work as long as I keep quiet!

I can't think of anything we don't have with us...

LOLOLOLOLOL
Until now I didn't know my wife had a twin.

[Jack Long]

Sorry to resurface this one but I was hoping for more data points than just Chuck (although you are awesome Chuck!)

Do you do anything for the security of your dinghy kit? Mount the box to the floor and lock it? Chain it to the outboard?

I grew up in neighborhoods where you either locked and hid something- or it walked away. Maybe I am worried about nothing?

[imagine2frolic]

Jack,

I don't know what neighborhood you grew up in, but most neighborhoods are all the same to some degree. No use in tempting the less fortunate, or just plain theives. Doesn't matter which takes your stuff. It's still gone

[svDragonfly]

Don't forget the gas tank... it's amazing how far an outboard can get AWAY from the mothership with only the fuel in it's lines. Not that we've experienced that first hand...

[Chuck Baier]

Originally Posted by Jack Long

Sorry to resurface this one but I was hoping for more data points than just Chuck (although you are awesome Chuck!)

Do you do anything for the security of your dinghy kit? Mount the box to the floor and lock it? Chain it to the outboard?

I grew up in neighborhoods where you either locked and hid something- or it walked away. Maybe I am worried about nothing?

We usually try to find containers that we can run a cable through and lock it to the dinghy via pad eye or something. The cable does not need to be large and this includes the fuel tank. We always lock the dinghy to the boat or dock using at least 3/8 chain, even when on the davits. In addition the outboard is also chained down using the same chain.

[starfish62]

Originally Posted by Chuck Baier

We usually try to find containers that we can run a cable through and lock it to the dinghy via pad eye or something. The cable does not need to be large and this includes the fuel tank. We always lock the dinghy to the boat or dock using at least 3/8 chain, even when on the davits. In addition the outboard is also chained down using the same chain.

What he said. Those "Kryptonite" sealed braided cables are very good. We've had one for 6 years and it hasn't rusted, yet. (Probably just screwed myself there.) You can take it through the pad eye up front, through the fuel tank, then through the grip on the outboard and have all secured on the boat with one lock. Much better than chain.

[Chuck Baier]

Well, we have found the cables to not really be better than chain no matter who makes them. A thief with enough time and a pair of wire cutters can snip one strand at a time until the cable is cut. With substantial chain you need to carry a large bolt cutter and walking around with that pretty much alerts everyone to your intent. Wire cutters fit in your pocket.

[sandy daugherty]

I'm looking out the dining room window at the dinghy parked in the driveway below. I has 2 outboard motor top covers, 40' of moldy old anchor line, another [deflated] dinghy, the broken frame of a box caster roller, two seasons of dirt, leaves, and debris, and several hardy tendrils of ivy. Why? Because its too heavy to haul around in the Bay!