DINGHY RACING FOR BEGINNERS
Veterans and boating enthusiasts are no strangers to the various types of watercrafts used for both recreation and sport… Although we are all familiar with the more generic term, inflatable boat or rubber boat a “dinghy” might sound a bit unfamiliar and new for novices.
WHAT IS A DINGHY?
“Dinghy” is a term borrowed from the Bengali word, “dingi”, Urdu term, “dingi” and Hindi word, “diemgi”, which means “a small boat or little boat”. The use of dinghies has evolved through the years; and today, people are using these small rubber boats for recreation and water sports. A dinghy is now often referred to as a small, inflatable rubber boat operated either by rowing, sailing, or powered by a motor. A dinghy is also used as a tender by larger vessels, or utilized as a lifeboat.
Given its many uses, it is very important to make sure that you get your hands on a durable and well-designed dinghy to make the most out of your adventure trip! Newport Vessels’ dinghy boats use the highest quality Korean PVC fabrics and the most advanced heat welding technology, making these small, inflatable rubber boats reliable more than ever.
DINGHIES DO NOT TAKE UP MUCH STORAGE SPACE
Inflatable boats can be deflated, folded, and kept in a small space, while a solid hull dinghy can easily be stored on a trailer. They do not take too much storage capacity so you don’t have to spend extra for storage fees. These boats are car-toppable, are small enough when deflated to be carried in the trunk of a Mini Cooper, and they can be easily be transported on a small trailer towed by nearly any car, something that is simply not possible even with any reasonably-sized yacht.
WHAT IS DINGHY RACING?
Dinghy racing is one type of competitive sailing that is often regulated by sailing federations and yacht clubs. Dinghy racing can be setup in several different ways, an individual sport, a competition between two teams, or a tournament within a fleet of boats from different classes. Needless to say, every sailor who competes should be experienced in operating a dinghy, well-trained in making sure that the dinghy is all set to compete, and skilled in employing sailing strategies to stay ahead of the competition.
TWO TYPES OF DINGHY RACING
Sailing Dinghy is a widely popular water sport across the globe. Dinghy sailing is a type of recreational sport wherein participants are judged based on their technical and strategic skills - the five essentials of sailing: sail setting, the trim, foils, boat balance, and route choice, and more sailing techniques.
Motorized Dinghy Racing is a competitive sport using dinghies powered by an outboard motor. It is one of the most popular forms of dinghy sailing and it significantly enhances the dinghy sailors’ competence and mastery of the sport in general. Motorized dinghy racing has also paved the way for the innovations and improvements in the construction and design of modern sailing dinghies, including materials, sail plans and techniques.
DINGHY RACING IS SAFE AND HAS A GREAT COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE
Racing prioritizes safety with its several accredited training courses that you are required to take before you can race and compete. Plus, a regulatory authority exists in most countries worldwide to regulate racing, as well as administer and promote both leisure and competitive sailing.
Moreover, dinghy racing boasts a great community of like-minded people through sailing training courses and during dinghy race events. Being part of a community with shared challenges and experiences makes the sport all the more fascinating and rewarding. What’s good about this kind of sport is that it is open to everyone who has a passion for boat racing. As a matter of fact, persons with disabilities are welcome to join and participate. Also, dinghy racing is also starting to attract younger age groups to learn the sport and take part in the competitions.
WHY IS DINGHY RACING A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO OTHER BOAT RACING?
DINGHY RACING COSTS LESS
Boat racing can be an intimidating experience to beginners, especially when we’re thinking about the private yacht racing and premier boat racing. And we can’t deny it -- membership fees to these fancy yacht clubs are steep, not to mention the maintenance on a sailboat! We’ve all heard the joke “The two best days of a man’s life is the day he buys his boat, and the day he sells it.” Sailboats are incredibly costly to maintain, but that doesn’t mean you have to take out a second mortgage (or dip into your kids college fund) to enjoy the thrills of boat racing!
So if you’re looking for an equally remarkable experience that won’t hurt your wallet, then dinghy racing is a great boat racing alternative! The new improvements made in the design of dinghies are now more economical, making them easier to operate and maintain without compromising its quality. This means that buying a dinghy (plus its operating and maintenance costs) is way cheaper than investing in other types of boats!
If you are seeking a starter boat to get comfortable with before investing in a trailer, the Newport Vessel Dana is a great inflatable boat that offers excellent value for money, and you can still get it a very reasonable price even with a small outboard motor attached to it! Inflatable boats are not often used in racing series, but they can offer an excellent first step into the world of boating.
HOW TO GET STARTED WITH DINGHY RACING?
Getting started with dinghy racing is easy, but can also be contingent on your proximity to the coast. As mentioned previously, you have to undergo training courses and learn everything you need to know before getting out on the water.
PICK A TYPE OF RACING: MOTORIZED OR SAILING
Sailing is a hugely versatile sport and there are a lot of options when it comes to boats and the type of racing to enjoy. First thing to do is to choose what type of racing that suits you - motorized dinghy racing or dinghy sailing.
CHECK YOUR AREA FOR CLUBS
Explore your area for nearby clubs and search for a community or network that shares the same passion for sailing. Don’t forget to check for boats that have decent-sized fleets for instant source of friends, advisers, as well as tips and support!
GO TO A FEW EVENTS AND PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING CLASSES
Attend and engage in sailing events and activities to gain more information on upcoming popular training classes, seminars, deals and discounts, and to get insights and good advice on handling, operating, maintaining, and how to prepare your dinghy for competition.
TALK TO COMPETITORS AND EVENT ORGANIZERS
Look out for future matches within your area. Socialize and discuss with competitors and event organizers and share helpful information, tips and techniques. Start an interesting conversation with sailors, who will surely be more than pleased to meet you. Have your goals and plans clearly mapped out before approaching someone, share their enthusiasm, and ask fundamental questions that can be beneficial to the both of you as potential teammates.
DECIDE WHETHER RACING IS FOR YOU
At this point, you can now ask yourself - is racing for me? In addition to your time and your skills, also take account of the costs of dinghies, rentals, maintenance, and entry fees, to mention a few. Always bear in mind that no matter what type or level of competition you engage in, dinghy racing is a fun sport and doing it with a team makes it all the more enjoyable. Dinghy racing is more than just technical skills and expertise in the sport - you learn values like patience, discipline, sense of responsibility, teamwork, and more, all of which make an exceptional sailor.
CAN YOU WIN MONEY IN DINGHY RACING?
Yes, once you have the skills, the confidence and the determination, you are now ready to join dinghy racing matches, go professional, and win world titles, trophies, and cash prizes through local and international dinghy racing competitions and championships. The more skilled you are, the more fee you can demand. Aside from being popular, you can also earn extra for being a good sailor, like designing and building boats, making sails, or being a captain of your own ship!
