It might come as a surprise to most, but I am not a qualified dinghy driver. In fact, when we had our smaller 8 hp outboard I only tried to start it a few times and got frustrated when it would not start as easily for me as it did for Matt (lack of strength, style, something). So, when we got the 25 hp outboard, I had resigned to never driving. I mean, really, it’s hard to pull start that sucker (yes, I know men everywhere are laughing out loud).
I had only ventured out on my own once before and that was when I had to go into customs while Matt drove Sugar Shack in circles because there was no room in Cruz Bay, St. John. It was a very short distance, the motor was already warm and primed and I did not have to do much other than drive straight. So, here we are many months later and I still have not taken Sweet N Low out on my own.
Until the day came when I really wanted to get off the boat and Matt was up to his eyeballs in grease and boat projects. I asked him to drop me off and in his infinite wisdom he said it would be better if I just took the dink. Jeeeeesh! Lots of wining and pouting, I prepared to take the dinghy on my own. Pumped the little ball (fuel primer bulb), pulled out the choke, took my fighting stance and pulled with all my heart. Little rumble, pushed the choke back in, pulled again, and again and low and behold it started to rumble!
I love the sound of the 25hp outboard! After releasing the painter, I started to drift away from the boat, which was good as I did not want to have to put it in reverse-baby steps. Slowly I circled around and headed toward the dock – downwind is fine, going with the waves and current. I turned around and Matt waived happily and joyful to have the boat to himself.
The 25 ponies take off.
Little worried about my approach to the dinghy dock as there were tons of dinghies there. Great. I thought, well, I will go in with balls blazin and wedge myself between a small dink and a medium one, forward motion, head to the bow to maneuver between the dinks and WACK-STOP. The two short dinks on my left were short tied meaning they were not going anywhere! If you are boater, you know that you should always tie your dinghy with a long painter to make room for other dinghies coming in – either they are newbies or just not very nice. Bummer. Circle back and try again.
This time I put it in gear, headed between two other dinks and just as Sweet N Low hit the transom of the medium one, I lept forward with our painter, jumped onto the other dinghy and crawled onto the dock! Success. I’m sure it was a site to behold as I am in a skort and had arms and legs all over the place. Tied off, jumped back in my dink to get the lock, my shoes, and the key, then secured her to the dock, and headed to the bus stop! I am feeling pretty darn proud of myself!
I was heading into town to see Wonder Woman and I am feeling like I should be wearing her costume. Ok, maybe a bit of an exaggeration! The movie was spectacular! I was feeling the girl power all over me as I headed back to the boat.
If you squint, hold the photo far away & go back 30 years it looks like me in my dreams.
The ride back is always a wet one as you are going into the wind and waves so I took it slow and easy and arrived just as Sugar Shack turned giving me the perfect landing!
Focus-don’t hit the big boat.
Why Didn’t I learn to drive the dinghy before?
- Matt normally drives, even with cars
- It can be confusing moving the steering in the opposite direction
- A bit afraid of drowning