Right a Capsized Dinghy

How to recover a dinghy after it's capsized. For clarity, mentions of the daggerboard here also apply for a centerboard where applicable. Once you realise that a capsize is imminent, it is very important that you uncleat the main sheet and jib sheet (where applicable).

Steps

Half inversion (boat on side)

1. Clear the danger zone between the hull and the boom.
2. Check the status of the rest of the crew, make sure they're not trapped, hurt or in any danger.
3. Swim round to the daggerboard/underside through the back of your boat. Hold on to the daggerboard to prevent the boat inverting further. (If you have a crew, then wait until they're also at the daggerboard area)
4. Ensure the daggerboard is fully extended.
5. All those around the daggerboard should hoist themselves upwards, trying to actually get on the daggerboard (Don't worry if you don't).
6. The boat will begin to lean towards you. Continue to hoist yourself upwards.
7. Finally, the boat will return to an upright position. Hold onto its side.
8. Pull yourself into the boat, then assist others.
9. When you're ready, sheet in, and you're ready to sail off.

Total inversion / "Turtle" (dinghy completely upside down)

This only occurs when the crew isn't able to pull on the daggerboard early enough after the capsize. The weight of the mast pulls the boat upside down.

1. Untangle yourself if you are caught on any rope.
2. Check the status of the rest of the crew, make sure they're not trapped.
3. Climb onto the underside (now on top. (If you have a crew, help them up).
4. Ensure the daggerboard is fully out (towards the underside, i.e you)
5. When everyone's untangled and near the daggerboard, everyone should lean to the windward side. Place your feet at the edge of the boat (as far out and down as possible)
6. As the boat begins to lean towards you, try to climb on top of the daggerboard.
7. Finally, the boat will return to an upright position. Hold onto its side.
8. Pull yourself into the boat, then assist others.
9. When you're ready, sheet in, and you're ready to sail off.

Dry capsizing

An advanced technique where you stay out the water after a capsize, and recover without getting wet. A quick recovery used frequently in dinghy racing.

1. Once you realize you will capsize, drop the main sheet, tiller etc and pull yourself over the top side of the boat (currently upwards as the boat will be on its side). If you are unable to make it over quickly enough, DO NOT CLING TO THE TOP SIDE OF A CAPSIZED DINGHY. This will force it on top of you and will probably mean you'll be trapped under a boat.
2. Sit on the side with one leg on the underside and the other in the hull (preferably facing forwards). Stay like this for as short a time as possible; it causes the boat to invert further.
3. Pull yourself over onto the underside (stand on the daggerboard).
4. When ready, step back on the daggerboard to begin to right the boat.
5. Once the boat begins to right itself due to its center of gravity, quickly pull yourself back over into the boat. Try to avoid touching the water.
6. Sail away.

Scoop capsize

Another advanced technique where one person sits inside the boat while it's on its side and the others recover the boat. Once the boat is vertical again, there is already someone in it to help the others aboard.

This can be dangerous if the boat turtles and you become trapped underneath. Don't try this unless you know exactly what you're doing. If there is ANY risk that the weight of those recovering the boat is not sufficient to guarantee that the boat will at least stay on its side, don't attempt this.

(The boat has to be on it's side to begin this procedure, and there must be at least two people in the boat - one of them must be capable of recovering the boat alone)

1. The person to be scooped (usually the lightest person) should swim round to the area between the boom and the hull.
2. The same person should then get as close to the hull as possible. Stay in a position where you can push off the hull with your legs, you may need to in case the boat is about to turtle on top of you. Hold onto the toe strap tightly.
3. Signal that you are ready for the recovery.
4. Those on the underside should recover as usual, pulling on the daggerboard.
5. The boat will return to a normal position. Hopefully, the person holding onto the toe straps hasn't let go and will now find him/herself (at least partially) inside the boat.
6. That person should get fully aboard by pulling themselves in by the toe straps.
7. The person already inside the boat should then help all other crew come aboard.

Strong Wind

• When recovering in strong winds, it is important that you only attempt to right the boat when the boat's daggerboard is on the Windward side, or else the boat will easily angle too far and capsize on top of you.

• The most simple technique to recover a dinghy if it has capsized to windward, as long as you're not in shallow waters is to let the boat turn completely upside down then recover to the windward side (you can go either way once its completely upside down).

Strong Wind - Mast to windward

There is however, an advanced way of recovering a half inverted dinghy in strong winds through use of a technique known as a "California roll" or "San Francisco roll". It is used when the mast is to windward of the hull, hence a probable immediate second capsize as soon as you right the boat to leeward. This should only be used when the mast is to windward of the hull.

1. Gradually begin to right the boat - cling onto the underside of the centerboard BEFORE the boat comes over by using leverage to your advantage - pulling yourself up nearer to the hull will stop the boat from coming over so quickly. Have your head nearer to the hull than your legs.
2. Once upon the daggerboard, cling on TIGHTLY and gradually move your body weight back until the boat begins to right itself due to the strong wind forcing the sail over.
3. Take a deep breath and hold on - do not let go of the daggerboard. The boat will flip through a full 180 degrees. You will now be on top of the daggerboard and can right the boat using standard procedures.

Note that this method is very advanced, and as a beginner, you shouldn't attempt it.

Tips

• If your boat is on its side and is about to turtle, jump on top of the sail and crawl away from the hull quickly. Generally however, the way to clear the boat is to move around to the stern (back).
• When standing on the daggerboard - You obviously don't want to recover too early (before any crew is ready), so control the angle of the boat using the leverage the daggerboard allows you. Moving closer to the underside makes the boat turn completely upside down (not instant). Moving away on the daggerboard will recover it to its correct angle gradually.
• If you're caught under the sail, you can usually push upwards above your head and you will create an airspace. Be aware though that the mast will want to come down and will try to force you under. However, in high performance boats, the sails can be made of plastics which will not allow you to use this technique as no air can be sucked through the sail.
• If another boat has capsized, keep clear of it.

Warnings

• As you go over, make sure you are not tangled on any ropes. You do not want to be caught under your boat.
• Wear your life jacket/PFD at all times
• Stay clear of the area between the hull and the boom, you could be forced under the boat.

References

See also

• Replace Your Mercruiser Spark Plug Wires
• Buoy an Anchor
• Paint the Bottom of a Boat
• Tack in a Dinghy
• Find a Private Boating Class
• Turn a Seaeagle 370 Into a Self Bailing Class III+ Whitewater Boat
• Use a Sextant
• Boat Green
• Christen a Boat
• Make a Solar‐Powered Boat

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