Help with dinghy?

Question

I recently built a 7' 10" wooden dinghy and need help with protecting the paint as well as some help with anchoring it (I have a 3.3 pound anchor, 25' of rope) because when I pull it up onto our dock, it scratches the heck out of the paint on the bottom. Just so you know the conditions it has to withstand, its on the mississippi sound (a.k.a. MS gulf coast).

Answer 1

If the PVC pipe secured offers too much friction, you can make an affordable, but effective roller with a piece of pvc pipe with a fixed metal pipe running through it as a axle.   My dad does this and it works really well.

As Dan said, the danforth is a good anchor choice for mud, silt and soft sand.    The length of rope you need depends on the depth of water.     For larger boats, a 7:1 ratio is recommended.     (7 feet of rode for every foot of water depth), but for casual day use, you can probably get by with a bit less.    It will help to add about 8 to 10 feet of anchor chain between the anchor and the rope  for a small boat like that 3/16 chain is probably fine.  (The chain helps keep the pull along the bottom, so the anchor doesn't come loose and also offers more protection from getting cut where there is the most rubbing on bottom objects)

Answer 2

For the anchor, get yourself a 7# Danforth hi-tensile and 50 feet of 5/8" rope. This will provide holding power in the sand and mud there.

Does your dinghy have strakes on the bottom? They will provide a surface to protect the bottom. It is much easier to touch up and will help when hauling it out of the water.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 3

Try a couple pieces of PVC pipe screwed to the dock, drag the boat up on those. Should have a lot more slide.