TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Dinghy Dock Ettiquette

Sail Magazine Feb 2016 edition (pg 14) has an article on dinghy dock etiquette > it lists leaving your outboard prop down and using a long painter. I have added a few other things:
-- keep your approach speed under 20 mph as you make final contact against the dock
-- no yelling "make a hole" as you approach a crowded dinghy dock (unless you have the biggest dinghy)
-- no throwing up in anyone else's dinghy
-- no tying "granny knots" on the cleat above my painter
-- you must leave in the same dinghy you came in
-- no untying and pushing off to leave until after you have started your engine (keep hearing my famous words, "Oh crap!")

Maybe you can list some more --

Stow your anchor to minimize damage when doing the 2am face plant boarding technique.

Learn how and when to use a stern anchor, teach your crew. Chances are if you never learn to use a stern anchor properly you will be clueless to recognize when others have deployed one. That can lead to the ruin of everyone's evening. The first sign(to you) may be your own outboard jumping off the transom of your dinghy into the sea.

If there is a dock ladder you do not tie to it or block the path of others trying to use it.

The further you get away from the BVI the more you will see of both.

You should only use a stern anchor at a crowded dock if the wind is blowing you onto or sideways to the dock.

hmm from what I've observed in the BVI this rule is:

-- you must leave in the same(or at least similar)dinghy you came in

One thought. Don't tie up so close to the dock. If you are going into a crowded dock let 5 or 10 feet of slack. This will allow others to get up to the dock to disembark and then they can push their dinghy out and free up space for others. 5 - 10 feet can more than double the capacity of crowded docks. When you return grab your painter line and pull your dink in board and get underway.

Just a thought.

If the wind is blowing you onto or sideways to the dock it's a sign you've had about the right amount of rum.

stern anchor? Ron, when was the last time you were actually in the BVI?

-- Should the skipper manage to fall into the water while attempting to clamber from the dingy to the dock, it is considered impolite for scurvy crew members to point and laugh hysterically. Proper seamanlike demeanor is called for in this situation. Also beer.

-- Having water in the bottom of your dingy makes it both unsafe and uncomfortable for use. Always bail excess water into an adjacent dingy before departing the dock.

-- Approaching and departing dingy docks should always be accompanied by the loud singing of sea chanties, drinking songs, or college fight songs if a fight is what you're looking for.

-- If crowded conditions have forced later arrivals to raft up to your dingy, upon your departure it is only good manners to lash their flashlight pointing skyward and turned on in order to help them locate their dingy as it drifts out of the harbor in the dark.

-- As most dingy docks are relatively narrow, always remember to leave all sandy flip-flops, damp beach towels, empty beer cans, life jackets, and excess docking line in a neat pile in the center of the dock, thus reducing the risk of any of the items being accidentally kicked into the water by other less considerate seamen transiting the area.

HAHAHAHAHA!!! ROFLMAO!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Almost forgot:

-- If there are no empty cleats available directly in front of your dingy, loop your painter around the nearest occupied cleat until completely covered in line, then for safety, extend your line to the opposite side of the dock and secure to the nearest available cleat. If no cleats are available there either, lace your dock line (a spare jib sheet may be added here if necessary for additional length) zigzagging from side to side and proceeding down the dock until an empty cleat is found. Remember, dingy security is paramount. Apparently.

hahaha!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Nicely done Flotsam!

Still rude. And BTW, he lives there, year round. For a long time.

[list] [list] What's the difference between a stern and a nice anchor?

Well, he must have long arms because he sure posts a lot from Pennsylvania. Even his Facebook page says he lives in Philly, and his previous name here was PA Ron.

Yeah, facebook, the final arbiter.

He's lived in the BVI for over 15 years. I believe he still owns a home in PA, and does sometimes go there, for various reasons. But his principal residence has been the BVI since 1999. So what if he was "PARon"; I'm "casailor53", but haven't lived in California since 1965.

Just play nice!

The stern anchor is much less lenient & carefree. I haven't met a stern anchor in the BVI yet... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Tonguea.gif" alt="" />

really, what is your definition of rude? No one uses a stern anchor at a dinghy dock, great way to foul someones prop. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Caneel Bay STJ dock requires a stern anchor

Docks with protruding nails, or in high swells or facing a strong onshore breeze or even docks built high enough to slide under may all be prudent places for stern anchored dinghies.
Many down island docks on busy waterfronts will have a predominance of stern anchored dinghies.

Very Well Said!

Now read ALL the words...

"Learn how and when to use a stern anchor, teach your crew. Chances are if you never learn to use a stern anchor properly you will be clueless to recognize when others have deployed one. That can lead to the ruin of everyone's evening. The first sign(to you) may be your own outboard jumping off the transom of your dinghy into the sea."


Ignorance and poor etiquette are the primary reason we do not see more stern anchors in the BVI.

This is probably more a reminder than etiquette. When using the grill and you bring your dinghy to the opposite side of the boat, remember that its there before starting the engine to charge the batteries. The raw water discharge will fill the dinghy and when you are ready to hit the bar later that evening its a real buzz kill to have to bail the water....just sayin.

I think casailor53 is really PA Ron aka Stormjib.

Stern anchors... OK, let's do this.

-- If upon approaching the dinghy dock it becomes apparent that a stern anchor may be warranted, there are several issues of importance to keep in mind to prevent your dingy from becoming an embarrassing menace to other craft:

First, even though deployed in this case as a secondary securing device, the proper size and type of anchor are not to be ignored. Most dingy anchors provided with charter boats are woefully inadequate for the task (cost savings?), so "trading up" may be required. Fortunately this is never difficult near a mooring field as there will be a good supply of large CQR or Rocna anchors conveniently located on any moored yacht's bow. Select and detach an appropriately sized model (55 lbs or larger is preferable), being careful to leave behind a thoughtful receipt such as a folded up dollar bill or better yet a piece of women's underwear.

Second consideration is diameter and material of the anchor line. Here again most charter companies fail miserably to provide sufficiently. Given the virtual certainty of your anchor line being run over by every other dingy approaching the dock, you'll need to use chain instead of the typical thin poly line provided. 1/2" to 3/8" galvanized should be considered minimum. Again, if none is provided, the yacht supplying the anchor can in all likelihood prove of further assistance in this regard as well.

Finally, as always, proper scope is critical, perhaps even more so in stern anchoring situations given the aforementioned certainty of attempted fouling by fellow seamen. 7 to 1 is considered minimum, with full points awarded for any length achieved in excess of this standard.

OMG, most dinghy docks are so packed, you can barely squeeze your dinghy in.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> You should write a column for one of the sailing magazines. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'd love to actually, the problem is the publishers won't even accept a manuscript if you've never had anything published by them in the past. In other words, you can't be published if you've never been published. (I've done a lot of technical writing, but that's a whole 'nother segment of the industry.) This, in my opinion anyway, is why everything you read in travel and sailing magazines sounds like it's all been written by the same 6 people. It has been.

Anybody out there know anybody? I could use a retirement career! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Like running aground that happens to the best of us. Always walk 360 and inspect what you expect before ever starting the engine, even if you think you are never going to put it in gear. Face plants happen on clutches and throttles too. Teach all the crew to never secure the dinghy without being aware and avoiding all the overboard discharges. Bilge, AC cooling water, exhaust generator and main(s) plus the fuel vent overflow.

Flotsam I have always thought someone should revive the old Yaahting magazine with an online version...are you familiar with it? It's like the Onion of Sailing mags but was actually printed at one time!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaahting

http://www.flyingcloudyachts.net/pdf/persian-gulf.pdf

I have never seen a dinghy dock in the BVIs that is not a mess. That's the way it is. Kristine's recent post about docking etiquette shows a lot about the seamanship of many BVI charterers. If you can't dock your big boat why should we expect you know anything about tieing up your dinghy.

Wait, those are all DINGHY docks? I guess that explains all the people screaming at me when I pull the charter boat in for happy hour.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />

I never thought anyone but me appreciated Yaahting magazine. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I think my youth wasted on Mad Magazine was the gateway. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

LOL they are so hard to find!!! Glenn you are a good writer too!! someone needs to bring it back I'll help sell ads, that was my job in a former life

I have always figured it is completely acceptable to pull up on the outside of the flotilla of dinghies and climb through the mass until you reach the dock, securing your painter once there. I certainly have no issue if others do the same to me. Am I overstepping here?

Literally? Yes. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Figuratively? I don't think so, how else can you get ashore? I've found that most people will help you open up a spot if it's really crowded & hold your line while you scramble onto the dock any way available. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Here's my thoughts on dinghy etiquette, after having lived and sailed in the BVI for 40 years:
- Approach the dock at a good clip, at least 10K. That will ensure that you 'bust through' any other dinghys in your way.
- Have all of your passengers stand up and reach for the dock at the same time. That makes for a fun landing.
- Raise your engine, because that will prevent any sea growth that might occur during the two hours that you are ashore. Nevermind that it will scratch the crap out of neighboring dinghys.
- Have your least capable crew member secure the painter in whatever fashion that he/she chooses - it's good practice for the novice. NEVER check his work - that would be bad form.
- When disembarking, have everyone stand at once and move quickly towards the dock. That again ensures an entertaining beginning to the evening. You know...lots to laugh about.
- Make sure that you have LOTS of flashlights, and shine them in random directions. That helps with night vision.
- When returning to the dinghy, try to make sure that there are at least three people standing up and 'helping' others board. Again, that makes for fun conversation later.
- Have the most drunk person drive the dinghy, because he will probably go slowly.
- Assume that you are the only boat on the water so late at night, and go as fast as you can. That will minimize your risk.
- If heading into a stiff breeze, situate the fatties forward to hold down the bow, and go really fast. It will be a bit wet, but heck, they always complain.
- If you can't find your yacht, NEVER admit it! Its a sign of weakness. Just keep driving around with confidence. You will find it eventually.
- When approaching your yacht, follow the same procedures - approach at a good clip, have everyone stand and reach out, etc. It will again spark good conversation at night-cap time.

I haven't been around for a while but I could not resist this one. Many years ago we went to buccaneer days on Catalina island. The night of the party, think cat fight Foxy's on Oct 31, we knew what was about to unfold. At party time I dropped the crew off and dingy'd back to the boat. On that night they have a 'taxi' service that brought me to the party. There was over 200 dingys at the dock, I am not kidding. After we had consumed the appropriate amount of alcohol it was time to leave. While we waited for the water taxi we had the most enjoyable time watching what we now call dingy diving. The appropriately intoxicated buccaneers would go over one dingy, fall in the water, under the next dingy, repeat. We were so amused we let the first taxi run fill up and leave so we could see how this dingy diving game was played. The water taxi that night was one of the best decisions of my life. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

We need to get sailing again <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

You guys have been spending way to much time at the WillyT!
G