The tender trap
WE use it every day, we love and hate them but we cannot be without them. From getting on and off the yacht, to collecting supplies, visiting friends or simply going fishing the humble dinghy is a simple means of transport.
Access to and from our yachts is generally pretty straight forward when we are in a marina or alongside a wharf, but on a mooring or out at anchor, this can be more of a challenge. I have had the privilege of watching many competent users of the dinghy, as well as the ubiquitous YouTube. But I have also seen several variations of how not to do it; all, fortunately, with a safe ending. No, I have not emulated all their mistakes: yet.
Allow me to give just three examples of some of the common mistakes I have seen. A friend decided it would be easier to reach the boarding ladder, against instruction I should add, by giving a slight push off from the dinghy. The dinghy followed Newton’s first law of motion by naturally moving away from the yacht leaving friend in an extremely undignified position before getting very wet.
Another time, 'Mrs. Admiral' decided stepping into the centre of the dinghy was too far and, again against advice, stepped onto the gunnel instead: same wet result. Of course this time I had to collect all the floating objects, then right and empty the dinghy.
A friend was heading to shore for happy hour, he had the food and wine in a backpack and, for some reason
