Operations on the Dinghy Park

Checking

Remove the boat cover and check for the following:-

   any obvious damage to hull or deck
all 5 drain plugs are fitted
the side seats are secure
damaged or missing rigging pins and split rings on the Forestay and Stemhead
damaged or missing rigging pins and split rings on the Shrouds and Chainplate hull fittings
both sails (main and jib), Rudder, Tiller, 4 Battens, Fenders, Paddle and a Bailer are all in the boat.
all ropes and sheets are in good condition and free of knots and tangles
the Burgee is securely fitted and free to rotate in the wind
Please report any damage or deficiencies to the Club Bosun,  and log same in the book in the Clubhouse.  -  Prompt action with this matter would be appreciated.

Draining

At the bow of the boat free the Painter from the Trolley handle, then move to the Stern and push the Transom down to see if there is any water present which needs to be drained.
To drain:-
1. Remove the two inner drain plugs, place these near the Transom as they can easily disappear under the floorboards, never to be seen again!!
2. Next loosen the two Transom drain plugs and either allow them to hang free of the boat or remove them completely.  Keep Hold of them
3. Sit on the transom to push the rear of the boat down and allow the water to run out of the open drain holes

When complete replace and hand tighten all drain plugs.

Sails

4.   Check that the sail retaining split pin (at the Gooseneck end) is through the Boom fitting and the mainsail Luff Cringle. (this can easily fall out when the Clew Outhaul is eased when the boat is packed away).   
5.   Moving to the mainsheet end of the Boom (at the Transom), tighten the Clew Outhaul.  Tie the rope with at least two knots and tidy the loose end away so that it cannot foul the mainsheet pulley.
6 Loosen the Kicking Strap fully to allow the Boom to rise above the Gooseneck when you hoist the mainsail.
7 Next lift the Boom end whilst exerting a little pressure toward the Mast. This is to extend the Mainsheet so this does not stop the mainsail from being hoisted fully, it also checks that the Kicking Strap is sufficiently slackened off and that there are no twists in the mainsheet pulley system. You can now pull the Boom out of the Gooseneck and carefully lay it down in the cockpit.
8.   Slide the 4 Battens into the mainsail making sure that the ends are secure in their Leach pockets.
9.   Release the main Halyard (red rope) from the Cleat and unhook it from the ring on the front of the Mast, look up and make sure the halyard comes cleanly out of the masthead sheave down to the Boom and is not fouled by the Forestay or Crosstrees - keep tight hold of it, particularly if it is windy, otherwise it will blow up into the air out of reach.

Follow the mainsail Luff wire from the Gooseneck end of the mainsail to the head to check that there is no twist in the sail, then attach the Halyard Snap Shackle to the head. The Snap Shackle should be in vertical line with the Halyard.

WARNING

Do not trial hoist the mainsail on the dinghy park

the boat could blow off of the trailer

 

10 Unfurl the Jib and check its condition, if all okay find the Tack Cringle (this will be found at the corner of the sail where the sailmakers label is situated) and with the wire Luff of the sail in line with the Forestay the sail can be attached to the Stemhead with the vacant Inner Rigging Pin.

 

WARNING

do not on any account remove the forestay (front most) wire from the stemhead fitting

 this will result in the mast and rig falling down.

 

11.   Release the Jib Halyard (white or blue rope) from the Mast Cleat and from the ring on the front of the Mast.

Again look up to make sure the Halyard is falling cleanly down from its sheave in the Mast and is not wrapped around the Forestay or Crosstrees.

From the Tack Cringle/Stemhead fitting follow the Luff wire up to the head (sharp pointy bit) of the sail - this will ensure the sail will not have a twist when hoisted.  The head of the sail can now be attached to the Jib Halyard Snap Shackle and if the wind is light, you can carry out a trial hoist.

12. With the Jib flying you can check and position the Jib sheets, pass one of the sheets between the Mast and the Shroud and feed from the outside into the Fairlead on the seat and pull through toward the Jam Cleat.

Complete by tying a figure of 8 knot on the end of the sheet.

Repeat this operation on the other side.

13.   Lower the Jib and tidy the sheets in the cockpit

The Dinghy should now be ready to launch.

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