Top tender tips

From boarding to sculling, hull type and maintenance, John Tylor shares some sensible advice about using small dinghies

- John Tylor

From getting on and off the yacht to collecting supplies, visiting friends or simply going fishing, tenders play an important role in a boat owner’s life. Here are some of the things I’ve learned over the years:

Board with care

On a mooring or at anchor, getting aboard a boat can be a challenge. One time, a friend of mine reached for the boarding ladder, and gave a slight push off from the dinghy. Naturally, the dinghy moved away from the yacht leaving my friend in an extremely undignified position before getting very wet. Another time my wife stepped onto the gunwale instead of the centre of the dinghy, ending up in the sea.

Perhaps the most dangerous mistake I witnessed was an ageing friend step into the dinghy forward of the seat wearing a backpack full of food and wine. The sudden movement caused the bow to slew and the dinghy tipped, dumping him into the water. The backpack floated, forcing his face down, making it difficult to get back on board. By the time we reached him the backpack was filling with water. Quick action by a nearby friend helped us rescue him and get him back aboard his yacht.

TIPS

• Secure the dinghy, or have someone hold it against the hull while you board

• Stand in the centre of the dinghy, not the gunwale

• Leave your backpack at your feet

Size matters