The new dinghy (dink) arrived before the weekend as expected after we made the purchase at the Annapolis boat show. We were so busy that we only got around to unpacking her now.
Well, how does a dinghy arrive from the manufacturer? Fully inflated and ready to go you would think. Not so!!! Here’s a photo of what she looks like when ready to go:
All pretty and inflated, just raring to go!
And this is what she lookied like prior to pumping her up:
Now, there’s a big difference between the two and you can’t see it. It’s about a thousand strokes of the hand pump needed to inflate it to 0.25 bar (or 3.6 psi as we now have to use US measurements). Well it should be about a 1000 strokes but if you don’t ensure that the valve is closed before you start pumping, then it will cost you another 600 strokes after all the air rushes out after disconnecting the pump. And how do I know this? Well, figure it out!
Finally, this is what she looked like after being dropped off by the shipping company.
I had to borrow a sabre saw to cut all the wooden crating away – without damaging the dink in the process, Then we had to cart all the pieces of wood and dump it in the dumpster. Then Mary and I together lifted the 135lb dink onto the trolley to take down to Amanzi.
And all the while, one of the marina’s staff members stood by and watched!!! Not even an inkling of a thought to help with anything! Although, to be fair, he did organise me the sabre saw.
Sorry, Lance but I find the whole episode really funny. Mind you better not say to much as the deck hands will no doubt have to handle the dingy.