Flipping Tender!

[CaptainBob]

Why is it that my tender, when left with small outboard on, cleated by the painter to the back of my yacht, insists on flipping over when the wind picks up a bit - while all around me are other yachts with tenders with outboards on, not showing any signs of flipping?!?

I've tried having a line to front and back, and pulling it in tight to the transom against a fender - it flipped.

I've tried long and short painter direct to the tender's bow. It flipped.

It's such a pain!

Is it because my tender is an inflatable that's meant to have floor boards in it - but just has the rubber single skin (it's like walking on a water bed).

Thanks!

 

[Severnman]

Inflatables will flip with any wind, stow dont tow - and not with your outboard on!

 

[CaptainBob]

Hi thanks for that. Not talking about towing though - I'd definitely "stow not tow" when towing the tender. I'm talking about when I'm at anchor or on my swinging mooring.

 

[MoodySabre]

My inflatable has D rings on each side of the bow as well as one in the centre. I use a bridle to the side D rings but two separate ropes to the stern cleats would be even better. I try to avoid towing and wouldn't do so if it was rough. Ditto comment about outboard above.

 

[Salty John]

Too much weight on the transom, too light at the bows, insufficient rigidity. All allow the wind to get under the dinghy and flip it.
Your outboard may be too heavy for the dinghy. The floorboards would provide rigidity and weight to keep the bottom stuck to the water.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

The absence of the floor boards probably is the cause- they'd give a bit of wieght low down and rigidity too- without, the centre of gravity is prob. too high with the o/b wieght on the transom, and without the lateral and fore n aftstability/ bouyancy/resistance that the boards would give- over it goes.

thats why inflatable beach toys claim so many lives in an offshore wind/ tide.

Just seen Salty's post- i wos on the right track then /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Robin]

Inflatables flip, it is in their contract and will do so even at anchor to keep up their quota. However rigid transomed ones with the side tubes extending behind the transom are much better behaved and better still is with a floor (wood or inflatable) and keel. Donuts like the Avon Redcrest just love to flip.

Rule one with a donut is NEVER leave the outboard on and never tow it anyway, deflate and stow or half deflate and carry on deck.

Quality rigid transomed ones are probably OK at anchor but I still wouldn't leave the outboard on overnight and never in any wind.

 

[Dipper]

I think the 'round tail' versions are more prone to flipping as the engine tips the bows up and then the wind gets underneath. I don't know what you have.

I assume you got back to shore safely after your recent escapade?

 

[pyrojames]

I don't usually have a problem unless near gales, and then if I want to keep the motor on, I hang the dinghy anchor over the bows (Avon 281, 4hp Yami). A submerged bucket probably works equally well.

 

[flyingscampi]

Stick the missus in it and give her a cuppa once in a while to keep her happy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[davidpbo]

What is your towing attachment point. Single ring under bow ?

I was unhappy with single ring under and fitted 2 rings on top with bridle to the painter. Dinghy tows much flatter.

 

[Loginname]

SWMBO will flip if you try that!

 

[CaptainBob]

[ QUOTE ]
I think the 'round tail' versions are more prone to flipping as the engine tips the bows up and then the wind gets underneath. I don't know what you have.

I assume you got back to shore safely after your recent
escapade?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes thanks /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers for all the replies. I'd buy a better tender but this one still works and is worth zero in resale - so can't bring myself to spend unnecessarily. I'm from Yorkshire originally.

 

[onenyala]

In high wind conditions at anchor or on my mooring I part fill the dinghy with water. I havn't tried the same procedure towing.

 

[benlui]

Ive never had this issue on my 2.3m (cheap piece of S****) with 4hp outboard on the back, even when underway it never flips. But i think if your dinghy is meant to have floor boards, then they should be in to allow reactions as would have been seen during trial testing by the manufacturer. Best of luck with it