Sunday, December 8, 2013

s/vYOLO Swabs Blog 0026 Day 194 The art of hoisting the dinghy.

s/vYOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog
Posting Date:  Saturday December 8, 2013  
Las Olas Marina, Ft Lauderdale, Fl.   Mooring 9
December 2, 2013 Monday
Blog Entry 0026 Sailing Seniors Adventure Day 194

Subject:  The  art of hoisting the dinghy:
 
·        Down the ladder to disconnect the gas container from the outboard, hoist it up and secure it on the deck. 
·        Back down the ladder to secure a guide line to the outboard motor, remove the outboard motor from the stern (back) of the dinghy, hoist it up over the railing, all the while preventing from spinning (which it does – hence the guide line don’t want the engine or propeller hitting Captain Steve in the head or worse scratching the boat; preventing it from tipping (which it does – hence the guide line, don’t want a problem with the gas and oil) and  hoist it over the railing and secure it to the stern railing.
·        Back down the ladder to the swim platform to remove the seat from the dinghy and hoist it up.  Since the dinghy will be  suspended from the stern of the boat by 2 cables when we travel, in order to keep it from swinging (and believe me, it does swing) the dinghy has to be tied in 8 places, 4 of which are from underneath the dinghy, VERY TIGHTLY!  So it is really difficult to tie 4 lines under the dinghy, in the dark, while leaning off the swim platform while one hand holding on to the guide line.

In daylight the entire process usually takes about 30 minutes – well it took us about 50 minutes because it was so dark under the dinghy.  So we decided to get up an hour early in the morning 4:30am instead of 5:30am to finish.  But the majority of the work was done.

Lesson learned – when preparing to travel – make sandwiches in advance!  Or open the galley up – it is easier to secure the galley than the dinghy in the dark or have swim platform lights installed Right, like that’s going to happen!

Oh please let this weather window stay open!  

Sea u later.  Subject:  Wishing on a Weather Window.

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