How to Recover a Capsized Dinghy

Rough waters are all in a day's work while sailing and can leave your dinghy on its side or upside down. If you find yourself in the water with a capsized dinghy, you'll need to get it upright and you might not have help from another crew.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Recover a Half-Inverted Dinghy

1. Swim to the daggerboard and underside of the boat and grab a hold of the daggerboard to keep the dinghy from inverting any farther. Your crew should also swim to this side of the dinghy.

2. Climb on top of the daggerboard with the rest of your crew after making sure the daggerboard is fully out.

3. Pull the dinghy toward you as your climb on top of the daggerboard. Make sure no one is caught in any lines. The boat should be rotating toward you as you climb.

4. Hold onto the dinghy's side once it's upright. Pull yourself into the boat.

Recover a Fully-Inverted Dinghy

5. Hoist yourself on top of the underside of the dinghy with the rest of your crew.

6. Ensure the daggerboard is fully out and no one in the crew is tangled in any lines.

7. Lean toward the windward side of the dinghy with the rest of your crew. Plant your feet as close to the edge of the boat as possible.

8. Climb on top of the daggerboard as the boat rotates toward you.

9. Hold onto the dinghy's side once it's in an upright position. Climb in.

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