The best dinghy is the largest one your boat can comfortably carry or tow, with enough capacity for your usual passengers and cargo, a hull and material suited to where you boat, and a horsepower rating that matches how fast you want to go, all within your budget.
A dinghy is a small boat, often called a tender, that serves a larger recreational boat. You use it to go ashore, visit other boats in an anchorage, run errands for groceries or fuel, and reach shallow water your main boat can't. Because the right choice depends on how you'll use it, start by working through the five factors below.
What Should You Consider When Selecting a Dinghy?
1. Size: Capacity vs. Weight and Storage
The old adage says to buy the biggest dinghy your boat can carry, and there's good reason. A larger dinghy holds more people and cargo, making cruising and living aboard easier.
Bigger isn't always better, though. If you often boat alone or have a smaller primary vessel, weigh capacity against weight and storability. Ask yourself:
- How will you stow it? Will you lift it aboard yourself, carry it on davits, or tow it?
- Who will handle it? Will you be the only one hauling it up the beach?
- What does towing cost you? Towing a large dinghy behind your boat can reduce speed and fuel efficiency.
Read Next: Explore Dinghy Brands
2. Construction and Materials: Rigid, Inflatable or RIB
How a dinghy is built affects its weight, ride, durability and storage.
Rigid dinghies are made of wood, fiberglass or rotomolded plastic. They usually have an integrated keel, so they track better when rowed. They tend to be heavier and harder to store than inflatables.
Inflatable dinghies can be rolled up and stowed in a locker when not in use, which makes them popular on smaller boats.
Rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) pair inflatable collars (tubes) with a fiberglass or aluminum floor. Compared with hard dinghies, RIBs generally:
- Won't scratch or dent your larger boat when tied alongside
- May be lighter, depending on floor construction
- Are usually more stable and more buoyant
RIB floors come in single- or double-skinned versions. A double floor is quieter and more comfortable underway, but it's heavier.
Hypalon vs. PVC
RIB tubes are typically made from one of two fabrics:
- PVC-coated polyurethane cloth: a common, more affordable option.
- Hypalon: a neoprene-coated nylon that resists UV degradation better and may be easier to repair with a patch kit after a puncture. It costs more but may last longer if you boat in the tropics or year-round.
Either material lasts longer when you cover the dinghy while it's not in use.
3. Design and Features
A basic tender, especially a RIB, has a bow, sides (gunwales or tubes), a thwart for added seating, and a transom board with a drain. That's enough for a simple shuttle to shore.
If you plan extended shore exploration, fishing, diving, or distance cruising, consider a model with a dedicated driver's console and more plush seating. These dinghies are larger and heavier, and some include lockable bow storage for valuables when you leave the dinghy unattended at a restaurant dock or beach.
Features worth checking:
- Handholds or a fixed line along the tubes for dragging the dinghy ashore and holding on in rough water
- A strong D-ring at the bow (better than a soft attachment point if you tow often or far)
- Floor-mounted lift points, helpful for davits but potential toe stubbers otherwise
- Extras such as integrated running lights, a VHF radio and a built-in fuel tank
4. Horsepower Rating: Match the Outboard to the Dinghy
Every dinghy has a maximum rated horsepower for its outboard, and you should never exceed it. A motor that's too large can overpower the dinghy's structure and create a safety hazard.
Choose power based on how you'll use the boat:
- Visiting boats in the anchorage: a small gas, propane or electric outboard is enough for slow cruising on a compact dinghy.
- Getting on plane when loaded: you'll need a larger outboard.
- Pulling kids on water toys: plan for a bigger engine, which means a bigger dinghy.
5. Affordability: Know Your Budget
Size, materials, features and horsepower all affect price. The better equipped the dinghy, the more it costs, and a larger dinghy usually calls for a larger, pricier outboard. It's easy for a tender to approach the cost of the boat it serves, so set a budget before you shop.
Quick Checklist Before You Buy
- How many people and how much cargo will you carry most often?
- Will you lift, davit-mount or tow the dinghy?
- Will you beach it, dock it, or both?
- Is the climate harsh on fabric (strong sun, year-round use)?
- What is the dinghy's maximum rated horsepower, and does it fit your plans?
- Will kids use it? A smaller, simpler, less powerful dinghy may be the better fit.
Once you know how, where and with whom you'll use your dinghy, you're ready to compare models. Explore dinghy brands or read our guide to choosing the right boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What size dinghy do I need?
A: Choose the largest dinghy your boat can safely carry or tow that still suits your needs. Count your typical passengers and cargo first, then check how you'll store it (davits, deck or tow) and whether you can handle its weight on a beach landing. If you boat alone or have a smaller boat, a more compact dinghy is often the better choice.
Q: Is an inflatable, rigid or RIB dinghy better?
A: It depends on how you'll use and store it. Rigid dinghies track well under oars but are heavier and harder to stow. Inflatables roll up for easy storage. RIBs combine inflatable tubes with a hard floor, so they're generally stable and buoyant and won't scratch your larger boat when tied alongside.
Q: What size outboard can I put on my dinghy?
A: Use a motor at or below the maximum horsepower rating for your dinghy, and never exceed it. A small gas, propane or electric outboard works for slow trips around an anchorage, while getting on plane with a load or towing water toys calls for a larger engine and a larger dinghy rated to handle it.
Originally published in July 2022. Updated in October 2026.
