Entry 1 Tie up to leave room, not just to be secure
A dinghy tied with long, loose lines takes up far more space at a crowded landing than one tied snugly, and in a tight dinghy dock that extra swing room can be the difference between five more dinghies fitting or not.
Entry 2 Don't stack on top of someone leaving soon
Rafting a dinghy outside another one makes sense when space is tight, but it's worth a quick check or question about whether the inside dinghy is leaving soon — stacking on someone about to depart creates an unnecessary shuffle.
Entry 3 Keep the landing itself clear
Gear, trash, or anything left sitting on a shared dinghy landing becomes someone else's obstacle within minutes at a busy spot. Loading and unloading promptly, then clearing the immediate landing area, keeps it usable for the next arrival.
Entry 4 Questions people ask
Is it normal to raft dinghies several deep at a busy landing?
Yes, this is common practice at crowded anchorages — just check with nearby dinghies about departure timing first.
What should I do if my dinghy is boxed in when I want to leave?
Politely ask nearby dinghy owners to help shuffle boats, which is a routine and expected request at a busy landing.