Knowing what to do when a dinghy capsizes is an important part of learning to sail and being self sufficient when afloat.
It is always worth capsizing a new dinghy in a controlled environment to ensure you are happy, able and confident to right the boat again. Depending on the style of boat, your skill level and the conditions you sail in will mean that the number of recoveries you may do in the season will vary.
Righting a double handed boat
Dinghies can capsize in many different ways. The most common way a dinghy capsizes is by heeling to leeward. This type of capsize is relatively slow and gentle.
- Your buoyancy aid will keep you afloat so the first thing to remember is NOT TO PANIC; let yourself fall into the water between the hull and the boom.
- Work your way to the stern of the boat where the helm and the crew meet and check that they are both ok. Check that the rudder is secure on its fastenings.
- The helmsman takes the mainsheet as a safety line so that he is always attached to the boat and swims around to the centreboard. He checks that the centreboard is fully down.
- Once at the centreboard the crew swims back into the boat to the jib sheets and throws the top jib sheet over to the helm, (if there are righting lines on the underside of the gunwale, otherwise this isn’t necessary).
- Once the helm has the jib sheet and is at the centreboard, he can let go of the mainsheet. He then climbs on to the centreboard from the back edge. The crew floats in the water holding on to either the toe straps or the thwart (without putting any weight on the boat).
- The helmsman now stands with his feet near the hull and leans back on the jib sheet with a straight back. The mast and sails will slowly start to rise out of the water as the boat comes upright. The crew should be scooped aboard and can then help the helm back aboard.
Single handed
Single handers are usually easier to right as they are lighter.
- Let yourself fall into the water between the hull and the boom.
- Get hold of the mainsheet and swim around the back of the boat to the daggerboard, checking the rudder as you go, (always try and swim under the mainsheet by lifting it over your head, this is so you don’t get your feet or buoyancy aid caught up on it).
- To right the boat, pull on the daggerboard or if you have to climb on to it the boat will often come up quite quickly.
- Once up right climb back in and regain control and sail away.
