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Dinghy ChoicesThe choice of a yacht tender is very important when you are living on the hook. There are a number of different kinds of dinghies to choose from, and there is also the choice of oar or outboard propulsion.
Inflatable BoatsInflatable boats have some advantages. Look for multiple air chambers and Hypalon coating. There are differences in how the coating is impregnated into the the cloth of the inflatable tube, ideally it will cover both sides of the cloth and will have a neoprene liner. Another important factor is the method of constructing the seams, the strongest seams are where the fabric is overlapped with seam tape over the joint. The quality of the air pump supplied with the inflatable boat is also important. Rigid inflatable dinghies offer the advantage of a stiffer floor, and increased performance. Inflatable kayaks may be adequate as a dinghy for minimalist cruisers. Inflatable boats are relatively easy to store and do not mar the finish of the boat when they come in contact with the hull. They are naturally bouyant.Inflatable dinghies require maintenance and protection from UV radiation. A canvas cover is a good idea. Chafe and abrasion are a danger to the inflatable tubing. Punctures are a constant danger. Fouling can be difficult to remove. Inflatable boats are difficult to row, so you must use an outboard. The weight of the dinghy is very important because it will be stored on deck and must be lifted out of the water frequently. Dinghies are used a lot while cruising. If you want an inflatable dinghy that lasts a long time, you will have to buy one of the high quality dinghies, which are not cheap. Dinghies are occasionally lost while towing or stolen, which makes the decision to invest in an inflatable dinghy more difficult. Hard DinghiesHard dinghies can be fiberglass, wood, or molded plastic. With the right design, you can have a sailing dinghy that rows well, and not need an outboard motor. However, a good rowing and sailing dinghy is usually too long to be stored on the average cruising sailboat. The solution is a nesting dinghy, a two part dinghy which is fastened together into a single boat. You may have to build a nesting dinghy yourself, they can be difficult to find.You will have to measure the space available on your boat for dinghy storage before selecting a hard dinghy. Nesting dinghies can be used to solve the storage problem. They also reduce the amount of weight of the individual pieces that must be handled while lifting the boat aboard. Both nesting and hard dinghies need to be stored on chocks to hold them in place, with through-bolted eyes for lashing them down. A folding dinghy, such as the Portabote, is made up of four panels that fold down into the shape and size of a surfboard. It rows well, and can be used with an outboard. It can be set up as a sailing dinghy, although there don't seem to be many owners that sail the boat. This type of boat is relatively inexpensive, and may be the best all round choice for a cruising dinghy. Each type of dinghy has its own positive and negative aspects. In the end it is really a question of your own preferences and intended uses for a dinghy. |
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