Stupid Question About Dinghies

[Alalala]

So, this is probably a stupid question, but it's really got me stumped:

Say you're long-term cruising in a medium/large boat - maybe 75'. When you reach a place you want to stop for a day or so, you drop the hook and dinghy to the shore, right? But then, what do you do with the dinghy while you shop/go eat/whatever?

[mrwuffles]

Some places have public dinghy docks to tie up to or a beach you can drag you boat up to.

[Alalala]

Some places have public dinghy docks to tie up to or a beach you can drag you boat up to.

A public dinghy dock sounds like a good idea... but a beach? Then what? Just leave it on the beach?

[xort]

You can lock it to a tree in some places; other places, yea just leave it.

[sailaway21]

Stencil "Stolen from: your name and address" across the thwart.

[Faster]

There's usually a place to lock it (have a long and a short cable/chain available).. in other locations it may be safe to simply leave it, esp if you're not long gone or far away.

Here in BC there's rarely a reason to worry about the tender ashore.. everyone else already has their own.

In the Caribbean there are some places that have well-organized "boat boys" who will arrange for someone to keep an eye on your tender for a nominal fee. We've found that (in reputable areas) the cost is minimal.. $5 E.C. or so.. and you're seen to be contributing to the local economy.Often using a boat boy's services in general provides you some protection. Other areas like Cariaccou, for example, simply seem to have no crime culture whatsoever.

Clearly identifying your tender is a good idea too. One other thing.. outboards seem to be the target of most such thefts - fairly anonymous items and easy to move - it's a good idea to make your motor look unique or otherwise beat up and unattractive. In Mexico recently some tenders were stolen, to be "found and returned" for a fee some days later - sans motors... somebody had a bit of a racket going on.

[sailingdog]

Locking the outboard to the boat and locking the boat up are both really, really good ideas. I prefer the Stazo outboard motor lock. Very heavy stainless steel construction. Looks like this:



Available from sailorsolutions.com where i got the photo.

[sailaway21]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Locking the outboard to the boat and locking the boat up are both really, really good ideas. I prefer the Stazo outboard motor lock. Very heavy stainless steel construction. Looks like this:



Available from sailorsolutions.com where i got the photo.

I just put a padlock between the two dogs on the outboard but SD's lock looks nicer, and more expensive!

[sailingdog]

Unfortunately, the dogs on the outboard don't always cooperate with being able to throw a padlock on them. The padlocks also tend to rust up and become impossible to unlock. And I can cut through a padlock in a few minutes with a wide assortment of things... leaving the outboard free to walk...where this lock is a good deal harder to deal with.

Originally Posted by sailaway21

I just put a padlock between the two dogs on the outboard but SD's lock looks nicer, and more expensive!

[DiverDerek]

I've heard both for and against having your boat name on your dingy...... the against suggested it told people you weren't currently on your boat.

any opinions on this?

Derek