Dinghies: It doesn't always have to be an inflatable boat - alternatives and accessories

Many yacht owners opt for the classic dinghy: an inflatable boat with oars, possibly with a small outboard motor. It is robust and familiar, but often heavy, bulky and not particularly space-saving. But if you take a closer look in the harbour, you soon realise that there are many clever alternatives today that are lighter, more compact or simply more versatile. And the requirements for a dinghy are as varied as the crews themselves. Sometimes it's just about a short shore leave from the anchorage, sometimes it's about supplying fresh produce, sometimes it's about short exploratory tours along the coast. Those who travel a lot may also be thinking about an emergency boat, while others are looking for a mobile bathing raft or simply something that takes up as little space as possible in everyday life on board.

More on the subject of dinghies:

• Dinghy test: 10 inflatable boats compared
• Dinghy guide: 9 tips for better dinghy handling
• Test: Crivit SUP for 199 euros from Lidl as an alternative to a dinghy

Although classic inflatable boats offer plenty of buoyancy and space, they also need storage space, mean handling and often require a bracket at the stern or on the foredeck. Those who don't have or don't want this are increasingly turning to more flexible solutions. Lightweight products such as inflatable stand-up paddle boards, compact inflatable boats or foldable kayaks can now be packed surprisingly small, often weigh less than ten kilos and easily fit in the back box. This makes the dinghy not only space-saving, but also spontaneously usable - inflate, paddle off, done.

Versatile solutions for every need

Many of these alternatives have surprisingly good handling characteristics and are sufficient for one person. Larger models also offer space for two people and light luggage. And they often have an additional benefit: They are sports equipment, leisure platforms or simply toys for big and small children alike. But it's not just about paddling. Many inflatable boats or SUPs can be retrofitted with motors, and some can even sail. And anyone who regularly sets up and takes down will quickly appreciate a good air pump - be it electric, battery-powered or classic with a double stroke.

Accessories such as folding seats, waterproof bags or small anchors also turn a minimalist solution into an amazingly versatile piece of on-board equipment. Of course, no lightweight boat can replace a fully-fledged RIB with a fixed hull, cargo area and seating for the whole crew. But not every crew needs that. Those who think flexibly and concentrate on the essentials will find alternatives for many purposes that are easier to handle, cheaper to buy and often even more versatile in everyday life on board. The skipper should therefore consider what he needs the dinghy for. If he doesn't want to paddle and attach a petrol outboard motor, then it must either be an inflatable dinghy or a real boat. If the crew wants to be more active, then perhaps the SUP or the packraft. So the classic dinghy is increasingly getting smart company. But older ideas such as the banana boat are also alternatives worth considering.

Sailing dinghy

The DinghyGo is almost a conventional inflatable boat, but offers the advantage that it can be sailed. And it does this very well: thanks to an Opti centreboard, it also makes rapid progress in windy conditions. The highlight is that the DinghyGo can also be used as a normal dinghy with oars or an outboard motor. But it is really fun under sail. It is available in the Orca 280, 325 and 375 versions. The dimensions refer to the hull length. The smallest version has a sail area of 4.8 square metres and is available for 3,933 euros. The Orca 375 costs 5,015 euros. More information: dinghygo.de

Inflatable kayaks

Kayak from Tribord

The Tribord kayak (Decathlon's own brand) can be stowed away very compactly and offers space for two people and plenty of payload. Thanks to the high-pressure floor, it is stable in the water and paddles effortlessly. This makes even short trips through the anchorage bay fun. Thanks to its three fins, it can be manoeuvred very well in a straight line and can also be towed easily. The two-seater made of PVC is very stable and the material can even withstand dog claws. Dimensions: 365 x 103 centimetres, load capacity 195 kilos. Price: 299.99 euros >> available here.

Itiwit Strenfit X500

The kayak comes in a large rucksack bag, which is ideal for travelling short distances in a practical and energy-saving way. On longer journeys, however, the bundle with the narrow, unpadded shoulder straps is a real test for your back and shoulders. Measuring 94 x 50 x 27 centimetres, the packed boat can be easily stowed in most back boxes. The 3.80 metre long sea kayak can be set up in less than ten minutes, even on the foredeck. It may have to be laid a little over the railing. It is important to remember how the rubber sausage is folded so that it can be easily stowed in the pack sack again later.

With an optional double-stroke hand pump, the five air chambers are quickly inflated and the boat is extremely rigid thanks to the drop-stitch construction, which is also used for inflatable SUPs. Once the seat and adjustable footrests have been fitted, the kayak is ready for use.

The best way to get on and off is via the bathing platform or the bathing ladder. The handling is quite stable and speed can be built up quickly. However, the kayak does not have a foot-operated rudder blade or the option of attaching fins, which makes it difficult to steer straight ahead, especially in windy conditions and currents, or to turn. Experienced paddlers can compensate for this shortcoming by anchoring, a technique used to tilt the boat onto its side. Once you have mastered this, there is nothing to stop you having fun and landing on the beach is also no problem. The maximum load of the agile single-seater including driver is 125 kilograms. Equipment can be carried under the luggage net at the front and in a splash-proof storage compartment at the rear. The rubber speedster is robustly built. Price: 690 euros (without paddle, pump and spraydeck). Also available as a two-seater (1,240 euros). More information: Decathlon.co.uk

SUP: The sports equipment as dinghy

Stand-up paddling has long been more than just a trend on the lake - it has established itself as a real all-rounder on the water. SUP boards are designed for maximum mobility: inflatable, easy to transport and ready to use. Depending on the model, they weigh between eight and twelve kilos and can be shrunk down to a handy pack size that fits easily into a backpack or rucksack. Ideal for anyone who wants to get out on the water spontaneously. The highlight: the SUP is not only a means of transport, but is also suitable as sports equipment and is fun to move around on.

Packraft: white water for the rucksack

There is another way: packrafts are ultra-light, compact and surprisingly versatile. Originally developed for trekking tours in remote regions, they are increasingly being used by cruising sailors. The basic principle is simple: a packraft is an inflatable lightweight boat that can be folded down to the size of a rucksack. Ideal for those who have little storage space on board. The sporting goods giant Decathlon also has some on offer. The smaller models (>> e.g. available here) weigh only around two kilograms and can be inflated in just a few minutes. They are ideal for short distances from the anchorage to land or short paddling trips.

With simple equipment and a limited load capacity, they are intended more for occasional users - practical if you just want to get to the shore easily. Larger models with a spraydeck offer a little more comfort, providing protected storage space. These boats weigh around four kilos and are therefore heavier, but also much more versatile - for example for extended coastal tours, river hikes or even light white water. In everyday life on board, packrafts are particularly impressive due to their flexibility: they hardly take up any space, are quickly ready for use and can be stowed away just as quickly after use. Of course, a fixed-hull tender with a motor is more powerful and offers more comfort on long journeys or with a lot of luggage. But if you are looking for a lightweight, mobile solution for short journeys, a packraft is an amazingly practical option. The small boats have even proved their worth with photo teams - for example as a floating platform for taking pictures on the water.

Fixed hull boats: A real boat as a dinghy

Another alternative to the classic inflatable boat is a real boat - ultra-light, stable and elegant. The German company ASTender specialises in high-quality dinghies made from modern composite materials such as carbon and glass fibre. The boats combine the robustness of a rigid hull with the low weight and easy handling that are otherwise more familiar from inflatable boats. The smallest model measures 2.82 metres in length and 1.59 metres in width - enough for up to four people or a payload of 365 kilograms.

The maximum motorisation is 10 hp. The largest model is almost four metres long, 1.83 metres wide and can carry up to seven people or 550 kilograms. With up to 60 hp engine power, even water sports activities such as wakeboarding or water skiing are possible. However, the boats cannot be folded compactly - so if you want to take an ASTender with you, you need a stern garage, davits or at least enough space on deck. This is not a problem on larger yachts, but on a dinghy cruiser it will be tight.

As the carbon boats are customised, they are priced in the upper segment of this market overview. However, they can be almost completely personalised in terms of design and equipment - from the colour to the layout and equipment details to match the yacht. Conclusion: A high-quality and fully-fledged dinghy. More information: ast-yachts.com

Inflatable boat: all-time favourite

Classic among the dinghies

Inflatable boats have always been a classic among small watercraft and are an integral part of many yachts. Their inflatable air chambers make them light, compact and practically unsinkable - perfect characteristics for a quick trip ashore or as a flexible transport solution on board. But not all inflatable boats are the same; the floor in particular makes a big difference when it comes to handling, stability and possible uses. In addition to the floor, the material of the air chambers is also important: PVC is cheap and lightweight, while high-quality Hypalon or neoprene provides better protection against UV rays, abrasion and chemicals and lasts longer.

Lightweight variant

The EZ-Raft dinghy combines minimal storage space requirements with fast operational readiness. To achieve this, the manufacturer has opted for Dacron fabric instead of PVC or Hypalon. It serves as a sheathing for the thin plastic buoyancy bodies. The mirror is also smaller and lighter. Advantages: 11 kilograms in weight instead of the average 24 kilograms for comparably sized inflatable boats. But the design also had disadvantages: The design made no provision for a cockpit; people simply sat on top of the centre tube. In addition, the small transom did not hold a heavy outboard motor. The four-stroke engine with five hp pushed the design to its limits. However, it worked with a light electric drive.

Now, with the Q models, the manufacturer has a completely new design on offer that is still extremely light and has a small pack size. The dinghies now have a cockpit, almost like conventional dinghies. This is achieved with an additional tube: between the large outer air chambers there are now two smaller ones that form the floor and create space for additional cargo. The transom also has more space and can therefore possibly handle more torque from more powerful drives. According to the manufacturer, these can now weigh 30 instead of 20 kilograms. The Q models of the EZ-Raft are available in five sizes from 2.40 to 3.60 metres in length. The price starts at 1,090 euros for the smallest version. For comparison: the T250 we tested costs 890 euros. This means that for 200 euros more, you now get the new design with more storage space. More information: ezraft.com

Inflatable catamaran

Grabner from Austria offers a wide range of inflatable dinghies. The Happy Cat has a large fan base and is suitable for use as a fun boat and dinghy. The focus here is on sailing fun. Many additional accessories make it a versatile platform for transport, relaxation and fun on the water.

Thanks to the inflatable hulls, the Cat can be packed to save space. This means it can be safely stored on larger boats. Two 185 x 30 x 30 centimetre bags, each weighing just under 30 kilograms, can be transformed into a beach cat in just a few minutes. The floats are designed with a wave piercer bow. The Happy Cat is available in four versions: Neo, Evolution, Hurricane and Star Carbon. The new version also has inflatable hulls, but the construction in between is made of carbon fibre instead of aluminium. This should not only benefit sailing performance, but also make it easier to take on water or right the boat after capsizing. However, these advantages are only of interest if the boat is to be sailed.

The Happy Cat can also be ordered without a sail and with a bimini instead. Powered by an outboard motor, it then offers plenty of space under the awning. The cat offers enough space for up to four sailors, but can also be driven single-handed. There are also folding wheels that make it easier to slip. This makes the Happy Cat a means of transport that also offers the potential for short trips around the bay. Prices range from 7,990 euros for the Neo to 16,990 euros for the carbon fibre version. More information: grabner.co

Inflatable bathing platform

Decathlon has the floating hammock from Hana-Outdoors in its range. The circular floating body with a diameter of 250 centimetres carries up to six people, who sit in the water thanks to the central net. The party pool can be inflated in just a few minutes. The floating ring is made of 0.7 millimetre thick PVC with thermo-welded seams for increased durability. The central nylon net stretches tightly between the air chambers and provides a stable lying surface. Two D-rings allow it to be attached to boats or pontoons, while two carrying handles make it easy to transport. The central net allows you to cool down comfortably without being completely immersed in the water. Price: 250 euros. More information: Decathlon.co.uk

Accessories for the dinghy: More propulsion, more comfort

Sit on it!

SUP riding is fun - but standing for hours on end can really put a strain on your legs. If you prefer a more comfortable ride, equip your board with a Folding seat after. The seats with backrests are simply attached to the deck using loops or clips and turn the standing board into a sit-on-top kayak in no time at all. Some models even come with extras such as small bags, holders or water bottle holders.

Air, air, air

Nothing works without air - whether it's a packraft, SUP or inflatable boat: the right pump is always on board. If you want to save space, go for the classic Double stroke hand pump. They are compact, robust and add volume to the boat surprisingly quickly with a few powerful pulls. This is perfectly adequate for smaller boats or occasional use. It becomes more comfortable with electric air pumps. They do the work at the touch of a button and inflate SUPs or dinghies to the desired pressure in just a few minutes - often even with automatic switch-off. They can be operated directly from the on-board battery or the 12-volt connection.

Temo 450 electric outboard motor

The Temo 450 is a compact, lightweight electric outboard motor with 450 watts of power, designed primarily for small inflatable boats, packrafts and SUPs. Weighing around 5 kilograms, it is easy to install and transport. The motor achieves speeds of around 3 knots and offers an operating time of around 60 to 80 minutes.

Integrated or external

Of course, there are now also electric motors for SUPs. Some can simply be plugged into the fin mount at the rear and are controlled by remote control - such as the SUP glider drive. Special boards with an integrated motor solution are also available. A good example is the SipaBoard, where the electric jet drive is built directly into the board.

Manual propulsion for the dinghy

A good paddle is often underestimated, but it has an enormous influence on comfort, efficiency and fun on the water. Above all, the right length is crucial - this varies depending on the intended use. For stand-up paddling, the paddle should be around 15 to 20 centimetres longer than your height. When paddling a kayak or packraft, seat height and boat width also play a role in addition to your height. Rule of thumb: the wider the boat, the longer the double paddle should be, roughly in the range of 220 to 240 centimetres.

Let the wind do the work

Kayak sails are a clever addition for anyone who is travelling on longer tours and wants to make use of the wind. Pop-up sails are particularly popular - round, foldable models that can be quickly unfurled in a tailwind. They weigh almost nothing, do not require fixed mounting and can be easily controlled by hand or steering line.