Use of Club Dinghies
When not required for training club dinghies may be used by members for sailing at Fortrose provided safety boat cover is available. Members wishing to use club dinghies must either:
The Tera, Topaz, and Wanderer dinghies must be fitted with masthead buoyancy unless specifically instructed otherwise by the Training Principal during training. For the Topaz and Teras these are the Crewsaver ‘sausage’ shaped floats, the Wanderers each have their own masthead buoyancy which fits in the head of the mainsail (Lake Tekapo has a polystyrene float, Minstrel has an inflatable float); there is also one large inflatable orange float. The use of the masthead buoyancy reduces the risk of damage to masts or sails that can occur during inversion.
After use the dinghies should be thoroughly hosed down with particular care taken to rinse metal fittings. Tera & Topaz ‘soft’ main sails should be kept clean and rolled from the head (Tera battens will need to be removed first and placed in the dinghy) then stored in the dinghies under the covers. All straps on the covers should be connected and the boat and trolley ties down securely to the ground wire/chain on the harbour wall. Tera & Topaz race sails (fully battened) should also be rolled from the head but with the battens left in place then put in to their numbered sail bag and stored in the sail store on the racks. Topaz jibs should be rolled from the head then stored in their bags in the sail store.
Any queries about use of the dinghies should be addressed the Training Principal and any issues with the dinghies must be raised with the Training Principal so that these can be rectified especially as some training courses rely on all of a class of dinghies being serviceable – please email [email protected].
Please note the strict requirements for direct adult supervision of children detailed on the Child Involvement page.
- have experience equivalent to RYA adult dinghy level 2 or Youth Training Scheme Stage 2
- or have been assessed as adequately competent by one of the club senior instructors or coaches
- or must be under the supervision of a club instructor or coach
The Tera, Topaz, and Wanderer dinghies must be fitted with masthead buoyancy unless specifically instructed otherwise by the Training Principal during training. For the Topaz and Teras these are the Crewsaver ‘sausage’ shaped floats, the Wanderers each have their own masthead buoyancy which fits in the head of the mainsail (Lake Tekapo has a polystyrene float, Minstrel has an inflatable float); there is also one large inflatable orange float. The use of the masthead buoyancy reduces the risk of damage to masts or sails that can occur during inversion.
After use the dinghies should be thoroughly hosed down with particular care taken to rinse metal fittings. Tera & Topaz ‘soft’ main sails should be kept clean and rolled from the head (Tera battens will need to be removed first and placed in the dinghy) then stored in the dinghies under the covers. All straps on the covers should be connected and the boat and trolley ties down securely to the ground wire/chain on the harbour wall. Tera & Topaz race sails (fully battened) should also be rolled from the head but with the battens left in place then put in to their numbered sail bag and stored in the sail store on the racks. Topaz jibs should be rolled from the head then stored in their bags in the sail store.
Any queries about use of the dinghies should be addressed the Training Principal and any issues with the dinghies must be raised with the Training Principal so that these can be rectified especially as some training courses rely on all of a class of dinghies being serviceable – please email [email protected].
Please note the strict requirements for direct adult supervision of children detailed on the Child Involvement page.