Dinghy Hoist Tip

By Gus Trometer, White Orchid

We recently purchased a new Catalina MKII 34', and will be heading south Fall '98. She came standard with a Maxwell Windlass (rope only - gypsy modification for chain will be in by Spring). To hoist my dinghy aboard, I merely take the spinnaker halyard that is plenty long, run it forward rather than aft to the cockpit, through a snap shackle block attached to the furler base, and around the windlass drum. The windlass handles 200#s, so it will raise the dinghy easily. With this approach, you don't need to buy a "Dinghy Tow."