Yesterday, as we sat peacefully anchored in Trappe Creek, George worked on the plan to secure the dinghy on the arch for offshore sailing. The goal was to lift the dinghy up high to reduce the chances that a wave would fill the dinghy with water, and secure it with extra straps to keep it from moving in the heavier seas we find offshore. He also added safety lines that would hold the dinghy if the other lines/straps failed. It is a belt and suspenders plan with extra suspenders. We are both confident the plan will keep the dinghy secure and will be much easier than lashing the dinghy to the foredeck.
The dinghy used to hang low from the arch.
This is how we will secure it when sailing offshore. The dinghy is much higher and has more lines and straps securing it. George added stainless steel tubing against which the dinghy will be braced. The blocks allow the dinghy to be pulled up close to the arm of the arch after the swim platform is raised out of the way. The ratchet straps can be pulled nice and tight to keep the dinghy from moving. The safety lines are there in case the other lines/blocks/straps give way. George wants me to mention that the tails of the lines and straps will be straightened up when we are actually ready to go.
The dinghy is attached to the arm of the arch. We use the electric winch to pull the arm and the dinghy up.
We did identify a few issues while on our little shake down cruise. Yesterday afternoon the router for the Starlink stopped working after George attempted to update the firmware. This is a router we used to use in the condo that George installed when he converted the system to 12 volts. Fortunately, he had brought the Startink router and had asked the electricians to install a small inverter so we could run the system using 120 volts—belt and suspenders! Also, when he pulled up the new anchor this morning he had difficulty inserting the pin which secures the anchor to the bow roller. This anchor doesn’t line up with the pin quite as well as the last anchor. So George has added two new items to his to-do list. On the plus side, it will be much easier fixing these issues while we are still at home.
The dinghy used to hang low from the arch.
This is how we will secure it when sailing offshore. The dinghy is much higher and has more lines and straps securing it. George added stainless steel tubing against which the dinghy will be braced. The blocks allow the dinghy to be pulled up close to the arm of the arch after the swim platform is raised out of the way. The ratchet straps can be pulled nice and tight to keep the dinghy from moving. The safety lines are there in case the other lines/blocks/straps give way. George wants me to mention that the tails of the lines and straps will be straightened up when we are actually ready to go.
The dinghy is attached to the arm of the arch. We use the electric winch to pull the arm and the dinghy up.
Yes, much easier to fix when you’re not on the open seas. You must be getting very excited to start the journey!
ReplyDeleteYes, we have read about sailors having to secure their dinghy while at sea. We don’t want to be doing that! George is much more excited about leaving than I am. Six months away is a long time for me. I am sure I will be happy, though, once we get to the Bahamas.
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