Choosing the right equipment for your dinghy

Making sure you have quality equipment for your dinghy is an essential. You want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your vessel and staying safe while on the water, so going the extra mile to research top-quality suppliers is a must. To help you, we’ve put together a few tips to help you choose the best equipment for your dinghy, including hardware, ropes and rigging and safety equipment…

Dinghy ropes and rigging

Shopping for dinghy rope can be a little overwhelming as there’s so much choice, and there are different types of rope for the various different parts of your dinghy. When you’re deciding on the rope, check to see if extra grip fibres have been added for better grip and comfort when sailing. If you’re a keen competitor in dinghy races, there is specific rope you can buy for competing which are designed with Stirotex fibres to be extremely strong and more durable. For more information on the best ropes to buy for your dinghy, click here.

Dinghy safety equipment

Quality safety equipment is an investment. You’ll also need suitable clothing that is fully functional and keep you dry and warm whatever the weather. A neoprene wetsuit and sailing boots are two staple items when out dinghy sailing. You should also make sure you have sailing gloves and thermal headgear as well as any extra layers to keep you warm in cooler temperatures.

It’s vital to wear a buoyancy aid while out dinghy sailing. Make sure it has secure fastenings and supports your weight and is CE EN393 approved. 

Dinghy repair

Having dinghy repair equipment onboard your vessel will give you peace of mind should anything go wrong while you’re out on the water. Things to have in your dinghy repair kit include heavy duty tape, sail repair tape, non slip vinyl, chafe tape and sail repair waxed thread, spare line, folding knife and pliers.

Dinghy hardware

To help hold your ropes securely in place, you need to make sure you have good cleats. Look for a sailing chandlery that sell clam cleats: these let you easily adjust the line and help keep your dinghy safe and in working order. For hull and deck fittings, it’s best to check out customer reviews to see where you can buy the best quality items for a decent price.

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