Dinghy in the anchorage

[Sailm8]

Just returned from 3 or 4 nights out. While enjoying sundown I noticed several dinghies motoring around with the driver standing up. In one hand the driver has the painter from the bow like a ski rope, and in the other a tiler extension. I could not see if or how the kill switch was connected. Is there some advantage to this other than "I look cool" or is this just the same guys with the loud radio at the stop light or no muffler on his motor cycle? Seems like there is no obvious advantage except maybe avoiding a wet dinghy bottom.

 

[Joe]

I think it's more a convenient way to handle the dinghy, easier to balance and easier to see, and be seen. So it's probably safer too. I first became aware of this technique when my friends returned from cruising the Bahamas ten years ago and showed me video......... everyone there drove their dinghies that way.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...56&familyName=Outboard+Motor+Extension+Handle

 

[Rick486]

Just returned from 3 or 4 nights out. While enjoying sundown I noticed several dinghies motoring around with the driver standing up. In one hand the driver has the painter from the bow like a ski rope, and in the other a tiler extension. I could not see if or how the kill switch was connected. Is there some advantage to this other than "I look cool" or is this just the same guys with the loud radio at the stop light or no muffler on his motor cycle? Seems like there is no obvious advantage except maybe avoiding a wet dinghy bottom.

I do this often if the inflatable is wet from dew or rain, but I most assuredly have the kill switch gizmo on my wrist.

 

[jibes138]

getting your weight forward helps get the boat to plane but i always thought it looked dangerous as your CG is a lot higher so you are much more apt to be thrown from the boat if you hit a big wake. You may have for and aft stability holding onto the rope but lateral stability will suffer.

 

[Rick I]

Standing up you can take the shock of all the bouncing more easily. Don't forget the pvc pipe tiller extension.

 

[zeehag]

the rough water anchorage here in la cruz has about half the dinghie folks standing--i have to row, so makes standing a lil tough....cant go as fast, either--have yet to plane the damn thing--been trying.

 

[Gunni]

I'm going to post this picture one more time...it may keep me warm and fuzzy all winter long! Thanks Rick.

[/quote]

 

[Benny17441]

Standing up provides a higher center of gravity which negatively affects stability. Being able to ride standing up requires a good sense of balance and athletic reflexes perhaps beyond the capabilities of some elder folks. The boat designers put seats on the inflatables for a reason. I can only surmise they do it because they can and the "cool" factor is a primary motivation. The other reasons given like better visibility or wet seats are mere justifications. If you want less bounce go slower and a dry towel can quickly take care of a wet seat but if you want to make a challenge of the ride or show off by all means stand up.

 

[heritage]

When we were cruising in the Caribbean we had an aluminium bottomed Avon role-up dingy. We never left the seat in it because it took up too much space, so we either stood up or sat on the tubes. With the winds typically blowing 10-15k, the ride to shore in the dingy was very wet. My wife would always stand up and hold on to a rope bridal to stay dry. Her term for seawater soaked wet shorts after they have dried, was "dingy butt". It's like walking with tin foil shorts on, not too comfortable or attractive.

If the wind was on the beam, then we both stood up to avoid a soaking. I found that I could steer the dingy without touching the tiller by shifting my weight from side to side.

 

[bechelt]

the rough water anchorage here in la cruz has about half the dinghie folks standing--i have to row, so makes standing a lil tough....cant go as fast, either--have yet to plane the damn thing--been trying.

Me too .

T.

 

[zeehag]

geez. when the wind is on my beam, i can am blown a tad sideways, then i can row into wind...always fun...hard to use puter on shore in windy weather...


yeah yeah yeah...pelican case--have one---weighs more than my dinghy.....

 

[Rick I]

The boat designers put seats on the inflatables for a reason. I can only surmise they do it because they can and the "cool" factor is a primary motivation. The other reasons given like better visibility or wet seats are mere justifications. If you want less bounce go slower and a dry towel can quickly take care of a wet seat but if you want to make a challenge of the ride or show off by all means stand up.

Sit on the seat and hit a wave and the seat will break, even if you're not too heavy. I threw the two halves of the seat off my AB RIB away. It's not the cool factor, it's actually a lot safer when going fast, and we usually go fast. You can see better and anticipate the next wave. We go miles and miles in our dink when cruising, it's not just for getting to your boat on a mooring.

Here's another "standing up" pic.

 

[NotCook]

Rick, in that last picture it doesn't look like your dink is up on a plane either...

 

[Rick I]

Rick, in that last picture it doesn't look like your dink is up on a plane either...

Getting it up!!

 

[NotCook]

The weather is there, wish you were beautiful!

 

[Stu Jackson]

There's also the idea of using the extender (PVC on ours) and just leaning forward without standing up.

 

[Ray Bowles]

Living on the boat and cruisin' was big kids playing. Standing in the dink is just because we can. Enough said.
Ray

 

[MrBill_FLL]

if you are motoring, the rocking action is 'mostly' front to back. standing up and holding on to the painter,is more stable and actually safer, assuming you have sea legs.

on a larger skiff (18-25') I often would hold on to a bow line for stability. its also easier on the guts.

-I thought you were going to say they were running lights out at night.... which is legal but unsafe. (one white all around light only, required)