A Dabbie can be subjected to a lot of elements that can contribute to wear and tear over time. Thus, make the necessary steps to take care of your Dabbie after sailing in order to maintain its good performance every time you go onboard.
There are several things to do as far as proper care and maintenance is concerned. Here are some guidelines on how to take good care of your Dabbie:
Once the Dabbie is ashore, rinse it thoroughly with fresh water.
After washing the Rudder, Centerboard, and/or Daggerboard, store them in their respective bags.
Make regular inspections so that damages or problems (if any) will be attended to before they become worse.
Make sure to run repairs on parts that need to be fixed.
In stowing the Sails, make sure to wash them thoroughly and let them dry before putting them in the sail bag for protection.
Here are the steps in storing your Sail:
o Lay the Mainsail out on a clean, flat surface.
o Fold the top over onto the body of the Sail. Roll the Sail carefully and make sure that the roll is at right angles with the Leech.
o After rolling the entire Sail, put it in a sail bag.
You can use a trolley to store your Dabbie. Tie the boat securely on the trolley. Fit the boat cover over the top and make sure that it is fastened firmly. Secure it under the Hull, Bow, as well as the sidedecks. To prevent your Dabbie from being blown over, tie the Dabbie down to securing points on the ground.
Put your Dabbie in an area where it can be safe and secure. Dabbies can be left at Dinghy parks in many Sailing Clubs.
These are some tips on how to take care of your Dabbie and keep its good working condition. Regular checks and inspection on the components of your Dabbie can help ensure its good performance every time you go sailing.