If you want to get ashore dry from the anchored yacht, you need a dinghy. In addition to the pure transport function, it also serves - even without an engine - as a welcome plaything for the kids. As long as the tender is moored behind the yacht, there are hardly any problems. But where to put it when the journey continues? The tender, which has just been so practical, quickly becomes a stubborn and annoying accessory.
Sure, you can simply deflate an inflatable boat and stow it below deck. But first you have to get it on deck and dry it off. What's more, the fun starts all over again in the evening in the next bay: inflate it, hoist it overboard and screw on the engine.
Many skippers therefore either leave their rubber tender in the back box or tow it behind the yacht during the summer. Neither is necessarily the best solution. Of course, if you have a garage or davits, you're in the clear: just attach the slings, tie them up and the dinghy is out of the way.
But even without elaborate stern constructions or crane arms, an inflatable boat can be stored on the transom of most yachts. Whether upright or transverse depends on the conditions on board. Another option is to tie the tender to the foredeck - because the boat can also be stowed where there is enough space to set it up. But where to put it in the harbour? After all, it not only blocks the way ashore, but also blocks the forward hatch.
If the tender is to be towed, the right line length is important. If the dinghy is set unfavourably, it will become an anchor and unnecessarily slow down the painstakingly trimmed yacht. But it's not only when towing and stowing that you can make life easier for yourself, even lifting the dinghy on and off the boat is easier with a few tricks.
You can find out what these are in YACHT 12/2019, which is now available in newsagents. It can also be downloaded or ordered from the DK Shop.
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
