How to Board a Dinghy

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Getting onto the boat may not be as easy as it sounds; watch where you're putting your weight.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Point the bow into the wind, and completely release the main sheet to avoid filling the sail with wind and tipping the boat.
Step 2

Bring the boat alongside a dock, or wade out into water deep enough to keep the boat from grounding once your weight's in it.
Step 3

Board from a beach by placing your hands on either gunwale and stepping into the center of the cockpit.
Step 4

Board a flat-hulled boat (one without a cockpit) by sitting as close to the center line of the boat as possible and rotating your legs onto the boat.
Step 5

Board a dinghy whose bow is attached to a dock by grabbing the mast and stepping onto the foredeck.
Step 6

Keep your knees flexed, and move quickly into the cockpit.

Tips & Warnings

Any shifting of weight on a sailing dinghy changes the boat's angle. A boat at rest will never remain at rest when the weight of a person is suddenly placed on it. Be prepared.
Avoid concentrating weight anywhere along the outside of the gunwales.

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