Towing, Rowing, and Stowing
Tender, dinghy, dink—call it what you will. The small boat that carries people, gear, and supplies to and from a larger one performs a basic but vital function. That function is so basic, in fact, that these boats are often an afterthought—cobbled-together beaters or toy-like affairs obtained only for their ability to float a load. There are, however, factors other than mere buoyancy to consider when selecting a dinghy. Some careful attention to these factors can turn a potentially mundane or frustrating experience into a rewarding one.
What makes a good dinghy? There’s no single answer, for the ideal varies depending upon the size and type of the mothership, the shoreside situation, and the recreational inclinations of the owners. Will you carry the boat on deck, or tow it? Will you go from a beach or from a dinghy dock? Do you want to spend hours in your dinghy exploring your destination once you arrive?
A well designed dinghy, such as this Shellback properly outfitted with rubrail and oar leathers, is a satisfying rowboat with a capacity similar to a standard inflatable. (Boat built by Ballentine’s Boat Shop).
I’ve distilled the basic characteristics of a dinghy into three features which, conveniently, rhyme: rowability, towability, and stowability.