Outfitting the Tender - Page 2

**Shrew** · 03-14-2018, 08:37 AM

We have one of these:

https://www.defender.com/product.jsp...271&id=3907943

We have a soft-bottom dinghy, so we don't beach it. We anchor it all the time. It's great at the beach. Anchor in waist deep water and use the dinghy like a giant coffee table. No need to move the cooler or pick up your junk when you're done.

FF · 03-14-2018, 09:36 AM

" Anchor in waist deep water and use the dinghy like a giant coffee table"

BRRRR in early or late season cruising.

Waterford · 03-14-2018, 11:30 AM

I carry this stuff in a waterproof bag in my dinghy at all times:

handheld strobelight
Flashlight / Compass / Whistle
Glowstick
handheld VHF

sm duct tape
Swiss Army knife, whistle on lanyard
2 x mylar blankets
Storm matches

Hand wipes
sm TP, kleenex
Green bag pooper

sm first aid kit

2 x 12oz water

2 x Power Bar

30wt sunscreen

Plus:
sm anchor
100' line
anchor buddy
spare prop, nut, wrench
extra fuel

###

caltexflanc · 03-14-2018, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceK

Over our way,across "The Ditch"(aka the Tasman Sea), this is an "Anchor Buddy". Anchor Buddy - anchor weights made in New Zealand A proven anchor sentinel / kellet anchoring system.

Ironically, I used one of those for awhile as the stern anchor for our tender. A friend gave it to me for use with our secondary anchor on the big boat. I finally wised up and bought a cheap little Danforth style anchor for the stern anchor which works much better and doesn't hurt as much when I drop it on my foot.
Tested the anchor kellet once on the secondary set up just for drill. Traded it to a sailor friend for a bottle of scotch.

Drake · 03-14-2018, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterford

I carry this stuff in a waterproof bag in my dinghy at all times:

handheld strobelight
Flashlight / Compass / Whistle
Glowstick
handheld VHF

sm duct tape
Swiss Army knife, whistle on lanyard
2 x mylar blankets
Storm matches

Hand wipes
sm TP, kleenex
Green bag pooper

sm first aid kit

2 x 12oz water

2 x Power Bar

30wt sunscreen

Plus:
sm anchor
100' line
anchor buddy
spare prop, nut, wrench
extra fuel

###

Wow!! And I thought we were over-equipped.

**Shrew** · 03-15-2018, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterford

I carry this stuff in a waterproof bag in my dinghy at all times:

handheld strobelight
Flashlight / Compass / Whistle
Glowstick
handheld VHF

sm duct tape
Swiss Army knife, whistle on lanyard
2 x mylar blankets
Storm matches

Hand wipes
sm TP, kleenex
Green bag pooper

sm first aid kit

2 x 12oz water

2 x Power Bar

30wt sunscreen

Plus:
sm anchor
100' line
anchor buddy
spare prop, nut, wrench
extra fuel

###

"Storm matches" as if you're going to be marooned? However, I don't see a white all-around light or running lights?

Waterford · 03-15-2018, 10:28 AM

We travel in remote areas of British Columbia and use the dinghy to travel among islands and inlets. We've been in some locations where we've had a few days without seeing another boat. So, yes, I want to be prepared for an overnight should weather, current or breakdown leave us someplace we'd rather not be. Your dinghy bag should reflect the "worst case" based on the kind of use you give your dinghy.

twistedtree · 03-15-2018, 01:55 PM

Even if it's not required, I treat ours like any other boat and equip it with the basic safety gear like PFDs, nav lights, signaling devices, anchor, oars, etc.

I'm not sure anyone mentioned a boarding ladder, which is actually quite important. Jump in for a swim, and you might be quite surprised by the results. There are models available that hang over the tubes on a rib.

Above and beyond we have a small chart plotter and fish finder which is helpful when you go off exploring, or want to check depths in an area.

I used to carry a handheld VHF, but had no good place to keep it when underway, and couldn't hear it very well with the motor running, so I installed a simple fixed mount VHF.

We recently added an anchor buddy with a second small anchor. Great for beach or other tidal landings if you dink weighs more than maybe 200 lbs. Ours is 700 lbs with gear, and there is no way you can drag it back to water. But much of this depends on the size and weight of the dink.

JeremiahM · 03-15-2018, 04:53 PM

Our new to us dinghy came with the below boarding ladder. We are looking forward to trying it out.

Armstrong Nautical Products RIB Boarding Ladders

Model not included.

caltexflanc · 03-15-2018, 07:07 PM

The issue with boarding ladders is making sure you can deploy it when you are in water too deep to stand in. Something permanently attached to the transom is my preference.

Finally Fun Again · 03-16-2018, 05:13 AM

Always have anchor and line - as well as CHAIN and PADLOCK - depending upon where we are. (Had dink stolen out from under us in Spanish Virgins - chain cut!). Always have hand held VHF and FLARES and plenty of fuel. Flares are required in dinks in Key West, FL (but not rest of FL). Terrible things can happen quickly on the water...be prepared.

k9medic · 03-16-2018, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finally Fun Again

Flares are required in dinks in Key West, FL (but not rest of FL). .

I didn't see this as a city ordinance when boating in city waters and FL statute doesn't require this as you mentioned.

What was the reference you were given?

k9medic · 03-16-2018, 07:07 AM

We keep stuff on the dinghy to a bare minimum mostly due to storage issues. Life jackets and some oars are all that we have. 99% of the time we are within a 1/2 mile from shore so I'm not too concerned although we have done some longer trips between islands in the Bahamas

psneeld · 03-16-2018, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9medic

I didn't see this as a city ordinance when boating in city waters and FL statute doesn't require this as you mentioned.

What was the reference you were given?

required bythe USCG if operating at night, even manually propelled.

day signals not required if under 16 or manually propelled.

has nothing to do with Key West or Florida in general.

once opetating in wates less than 2 miles wide, no vessels are required.

sorry for sideways pic, only way it would fit and be readable.

k9medic · 03-16-2018, 08:48 AM

I'm familiar with that regulation but was wondering why it was posted as "Flares are required in dinks in Key West, FL (but not rest of FL)"

Perhaps since it's an island?

psneeld · 03-16-2018, 10:36 AM

Yep, and they are required all over Florida if required by the Federal regulation.

There is no blanket statewide "no requirement."

Finally Fun Again · 03-16-2018, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9medic

I didn't see this as a city ordinance when boating in city waters and FL statute doesn't require this as you mentioned.

What was the reference you were given?

Our reference are the police in the police boat who pulled us over coming out of the area around the Coast Guard station... apparently a routine 'check us out'. We gave them everything they ask for, (registration, etc.) until the question came to flares. We are from FL -- never heard of flares required either. We were told they are required in dinks in Key West. Just as we were about to get cited, some Yahoos nearly ran us all over in their dink. The cops took off after the drunks and we got no citation! But we left the encounter saying, "gee, flares on board are a GREAT idea and why had we not thought of that!!"