Do you cover your dinghy while sailing?

[jackhart]

Hi folks, I posted the same question on the O'Day site, however it doesn't see as much use.
Do you cover your dinghy when sailing? I'm talking about an 8 foot dinghy.

 

[dLj]

I've never covered mine. But on passage, I store it upside down on my foredeck.

dj

 

[dmax]

Never seen one covered while sailing - good to cover it when not being used though. Sun is what kills inflatables.

 

[jssailem]

The type of dinghy is relevant.
I have a nine-foot inflatable. When sailing for more than 5 hours, it is deflated, folded up, and either sits (under a cover) strapped on deck or stowed in the cabin. If moving short distances in nice weather, it is towed from anchorage to anchorage. If going into a Marina, I'll hoist the dinghy on the foredeck, flip it over and secure it. If it will be on the foredeck for more than a couple of hours, I'll throw a tarp over it. The dinghy is 15 years old and still in good shape.

If you have a fiberglass or wood dinghy, it is more often found on boats' foredecks or dangling in davits off the stern when not being towed.
I suspect that covers are used less on non-inflatables as they are better at resisting UV damage.

 

[twodzusfittings]

I have a Sun PRU-3 from West Marine. I keep it inflated and upside down on the foredeck. I keep it covered with a SEAL SKIN Brand cover and use tie downs to keep it in place. The only negative I have found is that when it rains, the water collects in the folds at the transom as the two pointy tubes are either side of the mast. After a while the water starts to stink, if it's not emptied frequently. It's a gray cover. Originally when it was advertised and listed in their sizes and colors it also came in Pacific Blue. Unfortunately that was in error and the small dinghy covers are only in gray. Shame as it would have looked cool with all the rest of my Sunbrella Canvas is Pacific Blue. But the actual product is great and outstanding quality.