Dinghy preparation tips from insurance4dinghies.com

With the sailing season now underway, dinghy insurance provider insurance4dinghies has put together some tips to help dinghy owners keep their craft in top condition.

Although many owners may have already prepared their craft for the start of the season, insurance4dighies believes its advice will serve as useful reference tool.

1. Rigging

   Although there’s no formal requirement to undertake rigging checks, it’s worthwhile doing so. Look out for signs of corrosion on the blocks, pulleys, shackles, hooks, clamcleats etc , plus replace any sheets, control lines, halyards and wires that look worn or frayed.

   Try not to put rigging away soaking wet and regularly pay attention to blocks. Look out for slow-running sheaves, shackle elongation, extreme rust, metal stretching and stress cracks in the metal or plastic cheeks. Cleaning your block thoroughly will prevent most problems. Avoid leaving blocks damp with saltwater. Lubricants such as Teflon or dry silicone are good at keeping dirt out of the mechanical workings.

   Consider what the dinghy will be used for and change the rigging accordingly – for example, the demands of sea racing differ to lake cruising. If a dinghy is raced hard, the standing rigging may need changing after two seasons (level of wear will dictate).

2. Sails

   Do they have any tears or nicks? Because of the lightweight nature of Spinnaker sails they easily tear and a small hole can become a larger problem if ignored. Check thoroughly and patch if necessary.

3. Hull

   Are there any scratches, grazes or dents? It could make the difference between the boat being watertight or not. Repair where required and also put the rudder and centre-plate through their paces.

4. On the move

   Are you reliant on your trailer getting you from A to B? Despite their importance, trailers are often overlooked during a pre-season check. Are the bearings lubricated with waterproof grease? Does the ball-hitch work (locks down the tow bar) and is the breakaway cable in place (keeping the trailer attached to the vehicle if the ball-hitch fails)? Trailers have been known to detach themselves from their vehicles leaving dinghies careering across lanes of oncoming traffic.

5. Keep a spare on the trailer, boat or vehicle

   Trailer tyres carry less weight so will be less robust than conventional vehicle tyres. If you know the tyre’s blown, change it straight away – otherwise you could end up paying for more than a new tyre.

6. Launching

   Trailers are used to launch certain classes of dinghy so be aware of the corrosive effect of salt water. If your trailer is immersed, clean thoroughly as soon as you can.

7. Craft security

   If you’re planning to transport your dinghy, invest in some decent tie down straps with tension buckles. Scraps of rope and bailing twine are not sufficient and will not be accepted as evidence of due care and attention if you have to make a claim.

8. Be in the know - from a training and insurance perspective

   If you’re new to dinghy racing, you will need training. Reputable insurers expect you to show you’ve reached a certain level of competence, either gained through years of experience, or following completion of a RYA course. And don’t forget, if you are racing, national and international regattas require proof of insurance.

Insurance4dinghies is part of Towergate Mardon, one of the UK’s leading boat insurance providers. Managing Director, Nigel Mills, comments: “For many, seasonal preparation is second-nature, however it’s always useful to have a checklist.”

For more dinghy information, visit www.insurance4dinghies.co.uk and for risk management and insurance advice, phone 0800 515629.