Last spring I built
a new dinghy for our cruising sloop Pleiades, a 9 ½’ Nutshell pram to replace the dog-eared and waterlogged Boston Whaler Squall that has been our workhorse for many years. The process inspired a careful reexamination of everything dinghy-related, from the selection of the design to the putty and paint. The sheer elegance, simplicity, and performance of the Nutshell pram set a high standard for each additional detail that I added once the hull was complete. For years I have gone
Rethinking the Dinghy Anchor
By Tony Allport SAMS, AMS
back and forth about the benefits of carrying a small anchor in my dinghy. Generally it seems like a prudent and seamanlike thing to do; but after carrying one around for a season or two it seems to be under foot most of the time, frequently fouled, and rarely needed; as well as being a temptation for thieves. The only place where a dinghy anchor is really needed is a beach consisting of only sand or gravel and small vegetation where there are no suitable logs, branches, roots, etc. to tie the bow line to. The only time a dinghy anchor is needed is when there is a rising tide and an offshore breeze threatening to float the dinghy and sweep it away while your back is turned. I have yet to feel a need to anchor my dinghy in deep water. It often happens when our
and fill it with whatever comes to hand, usually sand, gravel, or a number of rocks. This makeshift ballast conveniently gets left behind where I found it, when I leave. The bucket also doubles as an emergency bailer, dog water bowl, and is useful for holding shellfish or other objects collected on our excursions. A canvas bucket is just as effective as a small anchor when the need arises, it is considerably cheaper, and far more versatile. I suppose any sort of bucket or bag would work as well but a canvas bucket blends these desirable qualities of lightweight and easily stored, anchor duty, and all the other normal bucket functions with a salty air of distinction that only a canvas bucket confers on a vessel lucky enough to have one. I bought ours at a
secondhand marine supply
sailing group gets together for a potluck on some wind blown spit or sheltered cove and the wind and tide conspire against us while we are distracted by food, wine, and conversation, that one of the many beached dinghies goes adrift. I have found that a collapsible
canvas bucket is lightweight, easy to stow, and generally friendlier to have around than an anchor. When I am at a loss to secure the dinghy on a beach, I tie the bucket to the end of the bow line
store in Seattle called Second Wave, but a search online found an attractive offering from
Greenboatstuff.com and some others at army surplus outlets.
Tony Allport is a SAMS, accredited
marine surveyor. He lives on Anderson Island in southern Puget Sound and cruises extensively with his wife, Ann, and children Alden and Claire. Their boat, “Pleiades,” is a Swedish classic Albin Ballad. Visit
www.marinesurveyor.com/allport//
48° NORTH, APRIL 2011 PAGE 53
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