USVI-On-Line

After getting some advice from Muhaha, I thought I'd take it a step further and ask you wonderful folks.
We're doing a Dinghy Day this May, and Mu recommended bringing down a rope ladder for reentry into the dinghy.
Can anyone concur? Any experience regarding a rope ladder & a dinghy?
For anyone unaware, I'm in mediocre shape, but still foresee a huge not so dignified wrestling match between myself & the dinghy as far as getting back in. I'm more concerned for My Sweet Amy. After a motorcycle accident in the mid nineties, she has no right hip and her right leg is @ 4 inches shorter than her left.
Just trying to iron out any wrinkles before we get there.
Thanks for any insight, and always
Smiles-
MJ

I was VERY interested in your question Jim, as I am older and round. From what I've read as soon as you step on the last rung of the rope ladder it goes under the dinghy. I'm still looking for an easier way to get in - maybe then we'll join you on dinghy day - Bill & I are there 5/7 - 5/21. If not - let me know what day you'll be out there and I'll be sure to avert my eyes whenever I see a dinghy going by.

A rope ladder may not be needed, but it may provide some benefit. When you step on the ladder and grab the top it seems your feet would go under the pontoon.

The dinghy from Calypso has handles on the top of the pontoon. From the stern you can grab a handle and pull yourself in (with an assist from the engine). The pontoon is low and it was real easy to get in - 4 of us had no problems. Like a ladder, it may be just as easy to drop a rope over the side. You can give Sweet Amy a push into the boat, or pull her up after you.

There's a mooring ball on the west side of Henley Cay. This is a beautiful must-see dive.

Thanks for the info so far. It'd just be hard pushing someone out of the water,- wouldn't I just be pushing myself under?
jaq w-
Let's try to make this happen! Keep in touch ,less than 3 months to go!
Smiles-
MJ

Good points on the rope ladder, I hadn't thought of it going under the pontoon. We brought a rope with a loop and that's what happened with my wife, she really struggled with it. I elected to grab the handles and start flipping my fins to propel me upwards, I imagine I kinda looked like Shamu beaching himself for his trainer but it worked

Mahojim,What you are planning to visit on the day you rent a dingy? Parafins

Found this on a boating site..

"We also drop a loop of line down from the hand grip line that runs along the side of our inflatable. We leave this quite large so we can step into it wearing our fins. It helps us to have a line to hoist ourselves up that is tied to the opposite gunnel from our entry, but this requires a very stable dinghy or you could flip."

I think maybe if the other person held onto the other side to stabilize it until the first person was in - it might help.

I'm going to email my uncle (he has a couple boats - the rat was suppose to have the Opal in STJ this year - but it's still in dry dock) and see what he suggests.

I'm gonna' pull the trigger on a ropeladder. Just found one locally. I'm also thinking about getting a rope,tie one end to the bottom rung of the ladder, and the other end to a handle on the opposite side of the dinghy. That might help so's the ladder doesn't just flow under the boat. Gonna' try to rent a dinghy with a center console, so it should be fairly stable, I think. I know. I'm WAY overthinking this...
We're hoping to hit Salomon,Honeymoon,Henley, Gibney, Jumbie,Maho and out to Whistling Cay. Waterlemon isn't out of the question, but we'll see how it goes. No real laid out plans as of yet, we've never done this before & have no idea how much time it'll all involve.
I can't wait!
Smiles-
MJ

The center console has a major drawback - you cannot beach them. Most of the beaches with the exception of Henley and Waterlemon, will allow dinghy beaching. This would negate the need for someone to climb in and out of the dinghy and Amy can easily board the dinghy in a foot of water while you push off. But, to my knowledge Low Key and Calypso will not allow center consoles to beach as they are too heavy.

Wow! Good to know, thanks! The ones without the center console are a wee bit cheaper, too...
Lots to consider...I love it!
Smiles-
MJ

Whassup Mahojim!

My wife and I normally do the dinghy thing We have not been on the cover of "Muscle and Fitness"....too many Presidente's! I use my fins to propel me into the dinghy...not real graceful, but works. Then I use my superior upper body strength to pull my wife in the boat. I would highly recommend the center console boats from Calypso over the tiller-steer boats.

I'll keep that in mind, too, Paul, thanks!
Smiles-
MJ

Muhaha wrote:The center console has a major drawback - you cannot beach them.

How are you able to beach any dinghy? Where do you beach them? Wouldn't you "drive" over coral?

Each beach has a set of green and red buoys. You enter the beach between these. They always lead to a sandy area, so no coral.

Muhaha wrote:Each beach has a set of green and red buoys. You enter the beach between these. They always lead to a sandy area, so no coral.

So between these buoys, either there is coral and the water is deep enough for you to go over it, or the water is shallow but there is no coral. Right?