T&T: Dinghy Recommendations

[Faure, Marin]

>Why not ask the other people in your marina to let you try their
shoreboats, dinghies, skiffs etc.

This is probably the best advice you'll get on the this topic.
Virtually everything having to do with boating can be considered
"controversial" except for the notion that most boats should be designed
to remain on top of the water.  So while most opinions have a degree of
truth behind them, that's not to say that for opposing opinions one is
wrong and one is right.  There are too many variables in boating for
this.  Every marina will contain examples of virtually every kind of
dinghy or shoreboat.  And most boaters will be happy to expound on why
their choice was the best for them.  And I suspect a fair amount of
them, if asked and if they can spare the time, will be happy to let you
experience their dinghy even if it's just a quick row-round the basin.
But factors to consider when contemplating the purchase of a dinghy are:

What is the nature of the shoreline or docks where you will be going
ashore?
Do you want to go time-saving fast or money-saving slow?
What is the nature of the water you expect to be using the dinghy in?
Smooth, moderate waves, rough?
How much of a load--in weight and volume-- do you need to carry?
How much freeboard do you want or need when the dinghy is fully loaded?
How important is stability, both underway and getting in and out?
Do you intend to carry one or more pets in the dinghy?  If so, how easy
will it be for them to get in and out?
How and where do you want to carry the dinghy (and motor if you get one)
on your boat?
How heavy can the dinghy be, or how light does it have to be for where
you want to carry it?
How much manual work are you willing to do to launch and recover the
dinghy?
What is the most logical dinghy stowage, launch, and recovery system for
your boat and for you?
What is your boating climate like, and how will it affect the materials
the dinghy is made out of?
What kind of dinghies do you simply "like the looks of?"
How much are you willing to spend on a dinghy?

Answer those questions--- and there are probably more than I didn't
think of--- and you'll have your choices considerably narrowed down.
Then you can go out and start looking at, and testing, them.

______________________________
C. Marin Faure
GB36-403 "La Perouse"
Bellingham, Washington