Keeping the Dinghy dry

[Russell Egge]

Since we only sail on weekends and are on a mooring, there is nothing worse than showing up Friday night to find 2-3" of water in the dinghy. Ever after a long pumpout (and wet feet) the floor is wet and the boss doen't like putting the stuff to be hauled out on a wet floor. We have a AB RIB with a small well in the floor below the outboard. It seems that I have seen others use an automatic bilge pump and battery to keep the dinghy drythroughout the week. Anyone tried this? If so any tips on how to set it up, including battery size, and materials used.Another weekend, another project.RREggeS/V Allie Kat

 

[Rich Stidger]

Why not a cover?

I would use a couple of bows to be sure the water sheds off.Rich

 

[J Langdon]

Cover with support

We always tow ours when out of slip...I invested in a cover to protect from UV, and rain filling it while underway or at anchor ($120 or so). To prevent rain buildup on the cover, I bought a fiberglass batten, cut in two to proper length, duct taped the ends, and "bowed" them inside fore and aft to hold the cover up...a simple fix, works like a charm.

 

[Debra Blatnik]

Turn the dingy over

Is it in the water, or on dry land? Either way turn it over...

 

[Bill lockridge]

If your set on a pump

This is easy if your set on a pump and not one of the other cheaper and less prone to problem answers already given.1. small pump with integrated float switch (i.e. 500 gpm rule...etc.)2. 12 volt battery cheap car battery3. proper gauge wire as recommended by pump long enough to go from highest point in dinghy to lowest point in dinghy while at rest4. terminals for connecting wire to battery5. terminals to complete connection to pump6. proper size discharge hose for pump that you bought for this project long enough to go from pump discharge overboard but not long enough to go into the water on outboard of dinghy7. secure pump to thin plywood long and wide enough to give stability but not height (i.e. 1/4" thick marine grade plywood 1'x2') whatever dinghy handle8. put battery in highest point of boat and pump assembly in lowest 9. secure discharge hose overboard so pressure does not dislodge it and or the pump assembly while you are away10. for more peace of mind by inexpensive battery box and tie it down to the dinghy while you are away alsowhile you are gone float switch will activate pump when needed and when you return just remove battery box and pump assembly from boat and put battery on trickle charger while you sail or every so often check it with multimeter and take it home when it needs charge. Also you can buy a seperate float switch and pump and put both on the plywood. This will leave a little water in the boat but not enough to irk the boss. Good luck it isn't difficult to do but for me less hassle is to cover boat with batttens and or turn it over and secure it to my cabin top.