Rowing a sailing dinghy

[Gerald A. Gotts]

Hey guys and gals, 

     I just traded my rowing/motoring dinghy for a sailing dinghy.  It is a hard dink  very similar in design to a Fatty Knees from what I've seen.  Anyway, yesterday I decided to row said dinghy.  It was very windy with some decent size waves down here in Fl.  While I was rowing into the waves I was getting completely soaked.  I didn't put the centerboard in as I wasn't sailing.  Do I need to use the centerboard even while rowing or motoring ?  If I put the board in while rowing and the board pops up for some reason I could be in a world of hurtin as I sit almost over the board.  Know what I mean ?

I suppose I could make a "short " centerboard for use while rowing right  ?  Kind of a plug,maybe 6" long.

Thanks,Jerry

[CharlieJ]

I would build a plug. For two reasons- first being keeping your behind dry while rowing.

The second is that should you tow the boat that CB slot can become a geyser and fill the boat with water. In the case of towing it, you might even need some bungee hold downs to keep water pressure from popping it out. I've seen that happen.

If it were me, I'd make it long enough to go flush to the boat bottom

[AdriftAtSea]

And making it long enough to be flush with the bottom will reduce the likelihood of it popping out a bit and reduce the drag of towing the dinghy by closing off the daggerboard slot.

BTW, this is a daggerboard, not a centerboard by the sounds of it.  Dagger boards go into a slot or case vertically, like a dagger in a sheath. Centerboards pivot, and are generally not easily removable.

[Bubba the Pirate]

Centerboards pivot, and are generally not easily removable.

Ahh, yes.   I had to repair a centerboard on a Chrysler Mutineer.   It was later worth it, but not any fun during the process. 

Todd  <---- soon to be known as Bubba. 

[Gerald A. Gotts]

Thanks everyone. I suppose I do have a dagger board as it is a solid piece of teak that slides vertically into a narrow trunk built into the center of the dinghy.  BTW, Since posting this question I have since found that sailing my " new " dinghy is a lot more fun than rowing and I get less wet.  Thanks for the info. however as I like the rowing for the exercise.

BTW how are things in Bay City ?  I understand you got a bit of that white stuff this past weekend.  I live in Florida now but I am from Mio,Mi. 

Cheers,
Jerry