Tips and advice - Dinghy insurance

Towergate Mardon has been providing boat insurance for over a quarter of a century, so we are well placed to advise on how to help reduce the risk of claims and provide tips for trouble free boating.

Here are some key tips:

General tips for Dinghy and Multi-hull

• Tell others where you are going
• Make regular checks on tides and weather. Conditions can change rapidly
• Carry buoyancy aids on your dinghy / multi-hull
• Notify someone of your expected return time when putting out to sea
• If possible and applicable store your dinghy in a secure building and avoid remote locations
• Mark your dinghy or multi-hull and trailer

Ropes and rigging tips for Dinghy and Multi-hull

Make regular checks on:

• Breakage of individual strands of wire including damage to wires where they exist the terminals
• Bent mast terminals at the mast end
• Any abrasion to the rigging as a result of sails or sheets
• Damaged to threads on rigging screws
• Ensure that tape is not covering stainless steel to avoid corrosion
• Change worn ropes especially at points of contact and friction
• Green ropes can be easily washed
• Replace worn splices especially those caused by stainless shackles
• Check for signs of any UV degradation especially if the core of the rope is exposed

Mast and Fittings tips for Dinghy and Multi-hull

• Check for any corrosion between stainless steel parts and alloy mast tubing especially areas of high load such as goose neck and kicker fittings, spinnaker and mast base and spreader roots
• Check for worn sheaves especially incorrect sheaves for rope or wire types, cracked edges and worn bushes. This is especially important for high speed fittings such as spinnaker halyard sheaves
• Mast spreaders should be held rigidly to the mast, angled upwards and clamped to the wire so they cannot move

Trailer Towing tips for Dinghy and Multi-hull

• Always check the condition of the trailer especially if the trailer is used in salt water. Always check that brakes and cables are not seized or kinked. Always check tyre pressures and conditions including the spare. Check the lighting board and connections. Check the condition and length of breakaway cables. Ensure that the jockey wheel works and can be secured
• Make sure the towing vehicle is powerful and heavy enough for the Dinghy/Multi-hull that is being towed. The total trailed weight should not excess 85% of the vehicle’s kerb weight
• Make sure you have clear vision beyond the Dinghy/Multi-hull, fit mirror extensions if required
• Ensure that the tow ball is lightly oiled
• Check the lights and brakes before setting off
• When loading the Dinghy/Multi-hull onto the trailer make sure that the weight distribution is right as this could lead to snaking problems. Make sure the Dinghy/Multi-hull is secured to the anchor points and check for lose items on the deck or cockpit
• Once on the journey stop and carry a check on the laod a few miles into the journey just to ensure that straps need tightening. The speed limit is 50 mph on singles roads and 60 mph on dual carriageways
• Fit a wheel clamp to your trailer whenever it is unattended
• Fit a hitch lock to your trailer as well as a wheel clamp

For more information on this dinghy insurance policy please go to the details and documents section.