Exploring in cold country with the dinghy introduces an additional set of risks which call for extra emergency preparation. We’re usually off by ourselves, and it is doubtful that anyone would miss us or hear a call for help. So we need to be prepared for a wider range of risk factors than in warmer climes.

We’re often in thin water with the dinghy and for years have wanted some form of depthfinder. We finally purchased a Lowrance combination depth sounder and GPS plotter. For less than $600 we’ve picked up a lot of function. We find ourselves doing anchorage survey work for the big boat with this system.

This set has a built-in GPS antenna, and a transom-mounted depth transducer (which surprisingly works very well). It is connected with an easily removed plug to the outboard starting battery. Power consumption is minimal, so if you don’t have electric start on your outboard, a small battery would take care of this for many hours. We’ve got a matching 12-volt plug on the flying bridge of the big boat, so we can move this plotter to retrace the dinghy track on Wind Horse. One of the things we like about the Lowrance unit is its ability to save data to a digital camera-style memory card, which can later be downloaded to the PC, or stored for further use on the Lowrance unit itself.

We carry a couple of these small “dry sacks” for spares and emergency gear.

Amongst the gear carried is this Orion flares kit. It is contained in a supposedly waterproof container with an O-ring seal. However, we’ve learned the hard way that at best this container is spray-proof, so its contents now live in the dry sack.

Spares, tools, and other emergency gear are carried in zip lock bags. These bags are more for sorting things than to keeping them dry. The zippers tend to leak on occasion, and the bags are easily punctured.

In this grouping is a portable VHF, a mini 406 EPIRB, and a small, dry cell powered GPS. There is also a laser signaling light and a flashlight. Spare batteries are carried in their own sealed bag. We do not leave batteries in the flashlight or GPS, as they might go bad over time and leak.

For the outboard we carry a set of spark plugs, an extra wrist strap for the engine, a spare starter cord, and prop (not shown). We also have a couple of cotter keys in case we should lose the one which locks the prop nut.

Tools include a sharp knife, a set of metric Allen keys, pliers, a crescent wrench large enough to do the prop nut and spark plugs, and a multi-screwdriver with two sizes of Phillips and flat blades. The spark plugs have already had their gaps set.

We make it a habit to always have one full tank of gas plus at least a partial second. This gives us a back-up if we run out or get some water in the primary tank.

There is a small anchor with 20′ (6m) of chain and 200′ (60m) of 1/4″ (6mm) polypropylene line. Of course oars are carried.

Next season we intend to add another dry sack with warm clothing, shelter tarp, ax and fire-lighting equipment. If we get stuck somewhere and have to spend a day or two, we need a system of staying warm and dry.