I was able to get out on the water with low-moderate winds and spend a few hours single handing this little dingy on Sunday. I was able to get around in a number of different points of sail and felt real good on the water. Out on the water was exactly what I have this boat to experience. When I decided I was done I took a couple passes past the dock to check on the wind and dial in my approach speed. The wind was usually coming from the (let’s call it) south and the dock setup is east to west. That is when the fun began. There was another sailboat on the leeward side of the dock so decided i would pull up with the light wind at my back and let the wind bring me slowly into the dock vs coming up short and having little space for issues next to the other boat. Being single handed I had to get from the boat to the dock with a line in my hand and let the tiller go. I was moving at a very slow pace and started to turn to bring my port side along the dock. It was all going well until I made my move from the stern to the bow and had to bring my 260lbs quickly around the mast on the starboard side. I wasn’t able to keep my weight close enough to center and over she went in a flash.
I was able to again test the homemade mast float (this time on water not sand) and it did keep me from going turtle, as the water near the dock is only 6ft or so and all mud on the bottom. I hung on the centerboard and she popped right up. The nearby sailor was nice enough to lend me a hand and took the line while I hoisted myself out of the water. It was an unfortunate ending that spoiled an otherwise great day on the water.
What else should I have done to be able to step off the boat and onto the dock without going around the mast. Should I have turned more to have the port side right against the dock and then tried to hop off from the cockpit? I am still not sure me stepping off from there would have been any more graceful. The only way I can keep from bringing this tender boat over when coming aboard is stepping onto the bow close to the centerline and then crawling around the mast into the cockpit. I don’t know if I could have done that fast enough the other direction. Any advice aside from bringing on crew or a tiller motor for docking? Unless you have better coaching I will go back to beaching myself each time I am ready to come in.
At least it was entertaining for those walking around the lake that day.
I was able to again test the homemade mast float (this time on water not sand) and it did keep me from going turtle, as the water near the dock is only 6ft or so and all mud on the bottom. I hung on the centerboard and she popped right up. The nearby sailor was nice enough to lend me a hand and took the line while I hoisted myself out of the water. It was an unfortunate ending that spoiled an otherwise great day on the water.
What else should I have done to be able to step off the boat and onto the dock without going around the mast. Should I have turned more to have the port side right against the dock and then tried to hop off from the cockpit? I am still not sure me stepping off from there would have been any more graceful. The only way I can keep from bringing this tender boat over when coming aboard is stepping onto the bow close to the centerline and then crawling around the mast into the cockpit. I don’t know if I could have done that fast enough the other direction. Any advice aside from bringing on crew or a tiller motor for docking? Unless you have better coaching I will go back to beaching myself each time I am ready to come in.
At least it was entertaining for those walking around the lake that day.