After graduating from the yachting school and having gained solid theoretical knowledge and practical sailing experience, you can plan your first yacht trip. What is required to make it as safe and comfortable as possible? In this article, we will try to consider the issues of organizational development of a yacht trip, namely, the use of a boat called "tuzik" or "dinghy" (from the English "dinghy").
Dingi can be used to:
Almost any yacht, at least for some time out to sea, must have a small motorized watercraft on board in order to be able to reach the shore when anchored in the bay. The selection of new and used inflatable boats and outboard motors is very large today, and lessors are trying to purchase them so that in the end the dinghy is practical and not too expensive for the yacht owner.
Many people think that the larger the "tuzik" and the more powerful the outboard motor, the better. But this is a common misconception, since in the process of using a dinghy, many questions arise related to its storage, transportation and use. And this leads to an increase in the cost of renting a yacht. The problems of choosing an inflatable boat for a yacht (goals pursued, weight, engine power, transom reliability, bottom type, etc.) fall on the shoulders of the owner of the vessel, but vacationers need to know how to use it correctly and what rules to follow.
Today, inflatable boats are already comparable to a full-fledged motor yacht, have excellent buoyancy and reach significant speeds. Of course, speed is achieved due to the low weight of the dinghy. As a rule, if the vessel is small (up to 80 feet long), a dinghy is selected, designed for two or three passengers and one helmsman. Larger yachts use larger and more powerful boats called ribs (RIBs) as dinghy. Unlike tusik, RIBs have a hard bottom, as well as built-in steering and are designed for the largest possible number of passengers.
Dinghy can be used in any weather, however, safety precautions should not be forgotten. We will consider the recommendations for the safe use of "tuzik" a little later, but now we will deal with the issue of its storage and transportation.
Dinghy transportation during the yacht's sailing can be done in three ways:
It is important to remember that the dinghy is always transported with the motor removed (to avoid damaging it or overturning the boat). When operating a dinghy, you must adhere to certain rules. So, after launching, you need to make sure that the compartments hold the air securely and the boat does not collect water. You also need to check the reliability of the attachment of the mooring line on both sides.
The outboard motor attaches securely to the transom and switches to operating position. After installing the outboard motor, the oars, fuel tank, scoop and rescue items are placed in the “tuzik”. And only then can you place passengers in the dinghy, having previously warned that the bottom of the boat may be wet and that you should wear suitable shoes, and also reliably hide objects that are afraid of water (for example, smartphones).
After the engine is started and warmed up, it is imperative to put on the key-check on the left hand - in the event of the boat overturning or the helmsman falling overboard, it will not allow it to move on by turning off the engine ignition.
After the trip for money comes to an end, the boat should be prepared for transportation - for this you need to turn off the engine, disembark all passengers and unload all things on board. The outboard motor is then removed and securely attached to the yacht's stern rail. The dinghy is lifted aboard using lifting equipment or tied with a mooring end from the stern (when transporting over short distances).
Since an inflatable boat is usually small and unstable, safety becomes a critical issue in its operation.
Basic safety tips for using the dinghy:
When planning travel itineraries on a rented yacht, it is necessary to take into account that a significant surcharge is assigned for being late, and the fuel tank must be fully filled upon delivery of the vessel. Typically, under the terms of the charter, the yacht must be returned by 8:00 am Saturday.
When planning your return, put things in order on the yacht, when you approach, inform about it by phone or radio - you will be met. Sometimes the approach to the berth can be greatly complicated by a strong crosswind, in this case, ask for help and an employee of the charter company will approach the yacht on a dinghy to bring it to the berth. Having received the inspection sheet, proceed with the delivery of the vessel, if there were any comments, you must inform the employee of the company about this.
If you are interested in renting or buying a yacht in any selected region - you can find out the required information and get qualified support by contacting 2yachts. Our specialists have the experience sufficient to freely navigate the yachting market and select the best offers for customers.