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YOU'RE DRAGGING: WHAT DO YOU DO?
I WANT TO CHARTER A SAILBOAT
BAREBOATING vs. A CREWED SAILING VACATION
LITTLE THINGS MAKE A DIFFERENCE: PART 1
THE WILDLIFE IN THE SEA OF CORTEZ
KEEPING COOL DURING THE SUMMER AND WHY AWNINGS SHOULD BE WHITE
DINGHIES AND MOTORS, THE BIG DECISION
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Of all the decisions to make before starting your cruise, the question of
what type of dinghy and motor to bring on your boat will be one of the most
difficult ones you'll make. Since we sailed to Mexico in 1984, we have
gone through numerous dinghies and motors. We had to bring an inflatable
and 2hp motor in the beginning, because we sailed down on a 22-foot
Falmouth Cutter, and just didn't have the room for anything else. This will
be one of the deciding factors in your choice. What can fit on my boat and
what can I handle? The best advice I can give you is to bring the largest dinghy and motor that you can handle and fit on your boat. It's not only a matter of comfort, but safety. There are small hoists you can install to help lift the motor, or you can always use the main halyard. Let's say that you decide you want to go snorkeling at a reef a couple of miles away from your anchorage. You're on your way back to the boat and the wind picks up, the seas build a little, and you're in your little eight-foot inflatable with a 2hp motor. Now it's blowing 30 knots, there are two-three foot wind waves, you're not making any headway and you are cold and wet. This is a very dangerous situation. If your motor quit and you didn't have a hand-held radio to call for help, you would be in extreme danger. You should always carry a few essential safety items in the dinghy: a hand-held radio in a water-proof pouch, a small anchor and enough line to anchor, a spool of heavy fishing line (200 lb. test can come in very handy in an emergency), drinking water, some flares, flashlight, bailer, a small tool kit and a few spares for the motor (spark plugs, spare starter line, shear pins). The motor on my dink broke down one day, and I was able to call a friend of mine in a nearby anchorage. I could see him as he came out to get me, but even with my giving him instructions on the radio, I had to shoot off a flare so he could find me! Whenever you are going to leave your boat, and will be returning at night, always leave the anchor light on. In a dark anchorage (no moon, overcast) you won't be able to find your boat. It's also helpful to keep track of your boat if it should drag. I have seen this happen more than once. Several times there was party on the beach, and later when a couple went to find their boat, it was gone...out to sea! It's also a good idea to put an anchor out for your dinghy when you are going to be ashore for a long time. If you don't have an anchor, tie the painter around a large rock. If the tide comes in, the dinghy will still be there when you return. For our situation I've found that a hard dinghy works best. They hold up better and are easier to maintain, especially when cleaning the bottom. We all know that they row better also. As far as motors go, nowadays they are all very reliable. We have been using Evinrudes mostly, because parts and service are easy to get here in Mexico. The new generation of outboards are lighter and more powerful. Again, get the most powerful one you can. When you're carrying water, supplies and friends, it's a big asset. Trying to make it back to an anchorage in building wind and seas, it's an absolute necessity.
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