Guide to Choosing a Dinghy for Your Boat

Why Own a Dinghy?

Ensuring you remain safe on the water is a prime reason for carrying a dinghy along on your Chesapeake Bay cruises. Having it in tow is one of the best ways to make sure you don’t wind up like Tom Hanks on a desert island waiting to get rescued.

Another great reason to travel with a dinghy is tied to accessibility. Occasionally, you will need to gain access to an onshore destination too shallow for your boat. Drop anchor and head to shore in a dinghy to visit a bay beach, island or town.

What Type of Dinghy is Best?
There are a couple of options when it comes to buying a dinghy. Solid types have rigid fiberglass bodies. These small boats will take up a good amount of room on your boat to take with you. However, they have great maneuverability in the water. The second type of dinghy is an inflatable. These made out of fabrics coated with a waterproof substance. You would not necessarily need to keep it inflated until you were ready to use it.

Another feature that you’ll want to look into when purchasing a dinghy is whether a motor is appropriate. Without mechanical power, you will need to row your dinghy to shore. If you’re in good health and don’t anticipate going far out in the bay, a motor might not be a necessity. On the other hand, if you’re planning to take your boat far afield, you might want to opt for a motor to ensure you get to shore quickly.

The Best Time to Buy a Dinghy
Manufacturers typically start to discount boating gear in September and October. A fall boat show during this time will have some end of the year bargains. It’s also an excellent time to find a used dinghy at a low price from someone ready to sell it at a bargain price.

Winter is boat show season. Many feel wintertime is the best time to buy. Boat shows are very convenient since several manufacturers are present in one location. This will help you compare dinghies without having to search far and wide.

Once you’ve purchased your dinghy, be sure to check with the Marina Office. We offer dinghy storage for when it’s not in use. Give us a call.