Dinghy & Tender

Your second boat — the one that matters most in port

The dinghy connects you to the world when you're at anchor. Get the choice wrong and you'll regret it every time you row to the beach. Get it right and you'll barely think about it.

Beginner

Choosing a Dinghy for Cruising: Inflatable vs. Rigid vs. RIB

The three types explained honestly — what each costs you in money, stowage, and performance — with sizing guidance and brand recommendations for cruising couples.

  • Inflatable
  • Hard dinghy
  • RIB
  • Sizing
  • Brands
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Beginner

Dinghy Outboards: Choosing and Maintaining a Small Engine

Two-stroke vs. four-stroke, the right horsepower for your dinghy, brand reliability overseas, theft prevention, and fuel planning.

  • Two-stroke
  • Four-stroke
  • Horsepower
  • Reliability
  • Theft
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Intermediate

Dinghy Safety: Staying Safe on the Tender

Why more offshore sailors die in dinghy accidents than offshore — the night-return risk, lifejacket reality, capacity limits, and what to do when it goes wrong.

  • Lifejackets
  • Capacity
  • Night use
  • Painter
  • Man overboard
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Intermediate

Storing a Dinghy at Sea: Davits, Deck Stow, and Towing

The three methods — davits, deck stow, and towing — with honest trade-offs for each, plus brand guidance for davit systems and mounting requirements.

  • Davits
  • Deck stow
  • Towing
  • Offshore
  • Installation
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