The
Dinghy
Cruising
Association

Aims and Philosophy

The Dinghy Cruising Association was formed in 1955 to encourage all forms of small boat sailing other than racing. The membership comprises people from all walks of life, sharing the same love of messing about in boats.

Some members have extensive passage sailing experience, in boats that they have developed over some years. Some, however, are just potterers who enjoy a sail out to an island, or round to that secluded bay for a swim.

Whichever camp an individual belongs to, the DCA can help by providing a structure within which members can obtain advice, make contacts, or just marvel at the daring of those who make the more adventurous cruises. Many people will never get to sail their dinghy across the Irish Sea or the English Channel like some of our members. Even fewer will sail their tiny craft from Scotland to Iceland as Frank Dye did, or from Falmouth Massacheusets to Falmouth England like Bob Manry, but we can all get a huge amount of pleasure from our dinghies provided we respect the seas and lakes and keep safe.

In 1945, A.G. Earl wrote:

Safe handling of a dinghy in bad weather calls for skill, endurance, good judgement and nerve; while cruising in a dinghy gives one a variety of new interests, since it requires a knowledge of weather lore, tides, pilotage, and many other branches of seamanship. In addition, cruising provides one with a complete change, under healthy conditions and varying scenery, from the conventional routine of life.

Many will say that cruising in a dinghy is dangerous, and it undoubtedly is if a novice starts a difficult cruise by himself. Although the chances are he will survive, if he meets bad conditions he will not have the experience necessary to deal with the situation, and trouble may follow. But if on the other hand the novice only tackles a passage where he is fairly sure he can cope with the conditions he is likely to meet, and gradually undertakes more ambitious cruises as he gains experience, then the sport is probably safer than many daily practices.

A.G.Earl in Dinghy Cruising - published in 1945 by Peter Davies Ltd, London - now sadly out of print.

A most important function of the DCA is to stimulate development of dinghies for cruising and to distribute the information and experience gained to others through a quarterly bulletin to all members. No matter what sort of dinghy you have, you may be sure that someone in the DCA has, or has had a similar boat. They will be only too pleased to offer advice on improving its rig or hull for comfort or seaworthiness. An up-to-date membership and boat list is circulated annually so that members may contact others for exchange of information. Many members write articles based on their experiences which are published in the bulletin for this express purpose. The DCA also publishes a UK launching site guide for members and runs a postal library.

The DCA believes that a dinghy can mean more than just racing, and that the right boat can be sailed without stress. Regular rallies and day cruises are held in the UK on a regional basis throughout the summer, which many members enjoy. The rallies are held in some secluded creek, on an inland lake or sheltered beach. Often a pub is within walking distance where one can sit and yarn about boats and cruising. Whatever the type of rally, it offers the chance to relax with like minded people, to share experience and to escape to a world which, although not always peaceful, is very, very different.