How can I lash inflatable dinghy to the foredeck for a passage without chafe?

[Nora.W]

I’m trying to figure out the best way to secure my inflatable dinghy on the foredeck of my 32-foot sailboat for a coastal passage. I’ve got it deflated and folded, but I’m not totally confident in my lashing method with just the standard deck cleats, worrying about chafe or a wave catching it.

[Mia.S]

I’ve hauled an inflatable tender up there a few times and learned the hard way to spread the load. I lay a wide strap under the folded hull and run two separate lines to fore and aft cleats, with a soft chafe sleeve where the lines cross the deck fittings. A touch of padding under the strap helps keep the deck from denting, and I keep just a bit of slack so a surge doesn’t slam it closed. It’s not glamorous, but it doesn’t walk around in chop.

[Jerry5]

Bridle approach helped a bit until I started getting chafe on the lifelines in squalls. I moved to softer sleeves and tweaked the lines so they don’t rub the toe rail. Still, in big waves I worry about the whole thing lifting and the lines popping free. It felt better once I split the load to two points rather than a single strap.

[Luke66]

Sometimes I wonder if I am chasing the wrong problem. The foredeck feels like a bad place for a heavy, bouncing load. Is this really the bottleneck, or am I misreading the risk?

[Stella85]

Next season I would try a true two point bridle with a dedicated painter that goes to a cleat midship instead of looping around a winch or rail. I would use a short spring line to take the edge off gusts and a padded cover over the bow so spray doesnt slap it. Not perfect, but it feels more robust than a single wrap on one point. dinghy