Dinghy origami

A small but very useful discovery this evening. I stow my small inflatable dinghy in the big cockpit locker. It is a tight squeeze. With the outboard fuel tank in there on top it is a very tight squeeze. There was an ominous creak as I forced the lid down, hoping the pressure would force a bit more air out. Then I had a thought. There seemed to be space around the dinghy that it just wouldn't go into. I have always rolled it up as tightly as I can, usually standing on the roll to compress it (not easy afloat). I decided to try a change of tactics. I pulled the dinghy out, unrolled it, jambed the transom end in and up the back of the locker, and then folded the rest of the dinghy down on top of it. It works. The dinghy really fills all the space up in the back of the locker and there is plenty of room at the front for the fuel tank. I could fit a few fenders in now if I want, and the lid just drops down shut. So don't roll your dinghy, practice the ancient Gloucestershire art of dinghy folding.