We have an inflatable dinghy that is our transportation from
the boat to shore and vise versa. We use
it nearly everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. And because we are anchored more often than
not, it is definitely considered a lifeline.
When the sea breeze is blowing, the ride can become wet and even cold
but the kids like it that way. The faster the better and the bigger the waves, even better.
Riding in the dinghy is great fun and everyone wants a turn
to drive. The girls are learning the
rules of the road, how to start the motor, steer, switch the fuel tanks, pump
the gas and tie up to the boat or dock.
The younger the child, the more difficult the steering
lesson. Maggie can steer from point A to
point B with no problem. However, the
fine art of letting the approaching boat know your intended coarse is a bit sketchy. She likes to head right for them as if to
play chicken. Kate needs some bigger
muscles to pull the crank cord hard enough to start the motor. Sometimes she gets it and sometimes she
doesn’t. She has a need for speed and loves to drive FAST! When Olivia is steering, you’d better not be in a hurry because she
weaves back and forth. Our path often
looks like a drunken sailor is on board.
The more crowded the anchorage, the more dinghies there are
motoring to and from. Block Island was
by far the busiest dinghy traffic we have experienced so far. Craig equated it to a pond full of energized
water bugs on steroids. We
went ashore to go into town one afternoon and the dinghies were lined up
both sides of the dock and 2 dinghies deep.
We had to crawl into someone else’s dinghy to get to the dock! It is quite entertaining, makes for good people watching if you are a spectator on the dock. We have found that everyone is a
good sport and courteous about it.
Lookin' good Kate
Wet and wild ride!
Dinghy Dock in Block Island
Sometimes the dinghy ride is good for catching up on your sleep
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