new to inflatable dinghy - how to store in front of mast?

[csimmerling]

I have a small (7.5') inflatable that I was planning to store just ahead of the mast, covering the Vberth hatch. Any suggestions on best practices to tie it down? or will this always be a problem and I should store it elsewhere?
thanks!

[tvorgitch]

I had a slightly larger dinghy tied to my foredeck and when raising the mail, the dinghy cover got caught in the main halyard block and I could not raise or lower the main. I was able to use a spare block and a rolling hitch to take the tension off the line, but it was not a fun experience. I also found the dinghy would interfere with the headsail. I realized an inflatable is also deflectable so I just stored it in the v-berth. It should not take long to inflate a small dinghy and it sure is nice having it out of the way.

[Jim Hardesty]

I have an 8 foot Zodiac cadet with an air floor.   I've stored inflated in front of the mast, deflated in it's bag in front of the mast and towed.  I like towing, very little drag and it's always ready.  Only problem is with very tight docking.  Have a MKll and raise the bow of the inflatable on the swim step and can get into all but the tightest places.  My second choice is deflated in the bag in front of the mast.  Tie to the mast and forward shrouds.   
Leaving for Mackinaw next week and will probably tow.
Jim

[Noah]

I have an old Avon Rover hypalon rollup aluminum slat floor 9' 2" that fits on my foredeck. I tie it around/under the teak handrails. One thing to consider is your comfort level with blocking the forward "escape/ventilation" hatch.

[Ron Hill]

csim : Have carried a 8' Rib on the fordeck for years!!  I tie a 7/16" Dacron braided line from a turnbuckle(center) under the teak hand hold thru an eye on the aft dink transom (thru twice) under the other teak hand hold to the center of the opposite turnbuckle. 

I'd strongly recommend a dink cover to keep it out of the HOT UV rays.  Also when anchored you can use an extra halyard attached to the dink bow so it can be raised allowing you to open the Vberth hatch.

A few thoughts

[Jim Hardesty]

I tie a 1/2" Dacron braided line from a turnbuckle(center) under the teak hand hold thru an eye on the aft dink transom (thru twice) under the other teak hand hold to the center of the opposite turnbuckle.

I've seen shackles used to replace pins at turnbuckle/chainplate.  Then used for tying things.  Does look useful.  If I were to do that would get shackles with holes in pins to mouse it.
Just something I saw that stuck in the back of my mind.
Jim

[scgunner]

Over the years I've tried just about every way I could think of to store the dinghy and I finally settled on the foredeck upside down with a dinghy cover that matches the rest of the covers. It's a 10' RIB Caribe and I use a fender under the transom to keep it from banging against the deck I also clip the painter to the deck rail but other than that I don't use any type of tie downs.

To launch I just flip it over the side and to recover it I use the main halyard to bring it aboard both operations can be performed by one man. No problems when sailing although you do have to make sure the jib sheets don't catch under the dinghy but not a big deal. Also with the dinghy on deck I can still raise the forward hatch about 6" to 8" for ventilation.

[Noah]

Kevin— you use the main halyard not the spinnaker or jib halyard? The main halyard exists the mast aft and would have an odd lead around mast to pick-up a dinghy on and off the foredeck??? I use my spinnaker halyard and a West Marine lifting bridle. I also use my anchor windlass capstan to tail the halyard.

[Jim Hardesty]

I also use my anchor windlass capstan to tail the halyard.

Like that Idea     Will try it next time I get a chance.  Maybe some pipe insulation or pool noodles on transom to keep off deck.
Jim

[scgunner]

Noah,

I don't have a spinnaker halyard and I have a furling jib which puts the jib halyard at the sail top which makes its use for me impractical. The main halyard can be easily lead forward between the shrouds and the mast and attached to the dinghy painter then using the main winch haul the dinghy aboard.

While the bridle method looks like a good idea, for me since I'm usually alone when performing this operation I like to keep things simple by minimizing equipment and steps. From the time I lead the dinghy around to the side of the boat until it's secure on the deck is about five minutes.

[Ron Hill]

Guys : Like Noah I also use the spinnaker halyard.  I don't use the seat in the dink so my bridle always lies on the floor of the dink at the ready - not in the way at all!!  At Anchor (or on a mooring) I always lift the dink out of the water (to prevent slime and duck poop).  I found out over the years that slime will start to build on the third/fourth day in the water.  I have a flat fender that is tied to a stanchion base so the dink is not touching the boat's hull.  If it rains I take my "anchor washer" (which is a bulge pump that I let overboard)  and put it in the dink to pump it out.  I seldom leave the motor on the dink unless we are on a mooring (and  know we are going into town the next day, but I have lifted the dink up out of the water with the motor attached).

When lifting the dink I use the tow line to pull the dink forward so it is closer to the bow than mid-ships.  Also the tow line keeps the dink secure & from rocking back and forth.  Works great!!   

A few thoughts

[Ron Hill]

Kevin : Beside my spinnaker halyard, I took an old (usable) halyard and strung it thru the extra port side opening on the mast, up thru and over the extra (unused) port side forward sheave -  so I have a extra jib halyard that I use as a safety line when going to the top of the Mast.  You could do the same to lift your dink!! 

A thought

[Noah]

Kevin-IMO, adding another Jib halyard forward is a much better solution than "forcing" your aft leading main halyard to guide/chafe across the masthead sheave and around the mast—to hoist in a direction it was not designed for.

[Stu Jackson]

Kevin-IMO, adding another Jib halyard forward is a much better solution than "forcing" your aft leading main halyard to guide/chafe across the masthead sheave and around the mast—to hoist in a direction it was not designed for.

I agree.  My PO "left me with" a spare jib halyard, which I keep cleated on the mast and tied off on one of the port shrouds.  I also cleat off my normal jib halyard because with roller furling there is no need to run it back.  A jib halyard makes sense for dropping something on the foredeck.  IIRC, at one point in ancient history I was known to simply grab the dinghy painter and yank it over the lifelines.

We have a 10-2 air floor.  We've kept it inflated and inverted on deck as well as deflated and rolled up just forward of the mast.   There's plenty of room up there.

[dfloeter]

We store a 9.5' AB aluminum dink on the fore deck with a cushion under the stern protecting the deck and the mast.   Using the spinnaker halyard to hoist I also hang a ratchet block from the pulpit and lead the painter through and back to pull the boat forward in front of the shrouds.  While my wife cranks on the mast winch I can ease it over the lifelines and down to the deck to flip over.   I can do it solo but prefer help.  The AB seems a lot heavier that advertised! Our old air floor 9' dink could be pulled up over the lifelines without a halyard.  I love the hard bottom but miss the portability of the roll up.