WHAT IS DINGHY CRUISING?

As a relatively new member of the DCA I have read the quarterly bulletins with great interest, and especially the 'Great Capsize Debate.' I have been moved by your last editorial to put pen to paper (or perhaps more accurately - fingers to word processor!) after reading your heartfelt question 'Should I give up dinghy cruising because I am not confident that I could recover the boat and get back aboard?'

It seems to me that the essence of Dinghy Cruising is that people take boats which were originally designed for day sailing and use them for extended voyages in open water, and for sleeping overnight. In other words, stretching the boundaries of what can be achieved in dinghies. This is a challenging pursuit which may involve a greater degree of risk than day sailing close to the shore, racing under the protection of safety boats, or voyaging in a purpose designed cruiser. But should we dinghy cruise in constant fear of a possible capsize? And should we give up all together because of that fear? I think not.

It would be a pity if we joined the modern trend towards being so over safety-conscious as to remove all the fun and excitement from our sailing. Ann and I have sailed in cruising yachts of various designs for over 30 years without serious incident, often in boats which could sink if swamped. Some were powerful enough to stand up to more wind than we could, and others had to be sailed only in more modest winds. With each, our voyages had to be matched to both the capabilities of the boat, and to our own skills. To me, dinghy cruising is the same. We need to make (and be prepared to modify) our passage plans, recognising that we are pushing our boats beyond what they were designed to do, and taking into account our own limitations of strength, stamina, and experience. The fact that Ann and I have survived long enough to join the DCA may have needed a little luck, but is largely because we have always tried to avoid putting our boats through conditions in which they might be overwhelmed. Three very significant factors have been weather awareness, the ability to reduce sail quickly, and a readiness to turn back if necessary.

Cruising magazines are packed with articles about man overboard drill because that - rather than capsizing - is their greatest worry. People spend considerable time and money preparing and equipping themselves to meet this (extremely rare) possibility but they do not give up cruising altogether! In the same way, I believe that dinghy cruising enthusiasts should give much thought to the real risks of capsize. However, avoidance will always be better than cure. Like any prudent sailor, we need to be constantly aware of the weather, wind against tide, sand banks etc. We need to practice gybing, and rough weather boat handling. In suitable boats we can even practice capsizing and recovery under carefully controlled conditions, and with plenty of expert rescuers at hand.

Cruising as we do now in Rebell, a boat which is rather like an overgrown dinghy, we shall be even more careful to plan future passages for survival rather than bravado!

Brian and Ann Main