dinghies

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Dinghies come in a wide variety of types, from the classic marine plywood rowboat to fiberglass, aluminum, composite, or even inflatable construction. Their common trait is their diminutive size, typically in the range of 6’-8’ in length. This allows them to be easily towed behind, or stored on, larger vessels. A dinghies minimal depth, or “draft”, also allows it to get into shallow waters larger vessels can’t reach.

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A dinghy makes the perfect tender, a workhorse vessel paired with a larger cruiser, motoryacht or houseboat used to ferry passengers and gear to and from shore when shallow waters or other conditions keep the larger vessel at bay. A dinghy’s job, however, doesn’t have to be all grunt work. They also make the perfect escape vehicle to explore local waters or islands, spend a few hours fishing, or in the case of an inflatable, keep in your vehicle or home to take advantage of opportunities to get out on the water. Some dinghies can also be outfitted with a sail, harnessing the power of the wind. Though not elaborate, these simple sails expand the dinghy’s potential, as well as its range. A sail-equipped dinghy is also a great first boat for introducing children to sailing.

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Compact, low-horsepower outboards are also an alternative. Quiet and small enough to store when not in use, an outboard can also be fully trimmed out of the water.

Simple sailing rigs or oars are also available.