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Wife Speaks Out After Boat Crash Kills Husband and 7-Year-Old Daughter: 'Everything's Just a Blur' (Exclusive)

Reven Newbound and Avery, 7, died after their boat hit a root and collided with a rock bluff on Missouri's Gasconade River on Sept. 1

Courtesy of Samantha Newbound

• Samantha Newbound tells PEOPLE that it's hard to remember the boat crash that killed her husband, Reven Newbound, and their 7-year-old daughter Avery on Sept. 1
• "We were just out camping for our holiday weekend, hanging out with friends, family, boat riding, and we were just going on our last ride," she tells PEOPLE
• A GoFundMe fundraiser has raised over $40,000 for the family as of Friday, Sept. 13

A Missouri woman is opening up about a horrific boat crash that killed her husband and their 7-year-old daughter over Labor Day weekend.

"We were just out camping for our holiday weekend, hanging out with friends, family, boat riding, and we were just going on our last ride," Samatha Newbound, 29, tells PEOPLE just over a week after the deaths of husband Reven Newbound, 30, and their daughter Avery.

It's still hard for her to remember what happened on that boat ride. "Everything is just a blur," says Samantha, who was injured in the crash, as were the couple's three other children.

She remembers seeing "a branch" and then "going to grab the kids to get them down in the boat." She also recalls hearing her friend scream before she believes she briefly lost consciousness.

In an incident report , the Missouri State Highway Patrol said that Reven, who was operating the boat, and the 7 year old died after their boat struck a root and collided with a rock bluff on the Gasconade River in Osage County at 7 p.m. local time.

In the aftermath of the crash, Samantha says she was "hurt" and "knew I couldn't move."

Fortunately, one of her kids found Samantha's phone. She called 911 and waited for authorities to get there.

"There were some people that were able to find us before the professionals and they just kind of stayed there and made sure that I was conscious and that the kids were okay," she says.

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According to the incident report, Reven and Avery were pronounced dead at the scene, while Samantha and Avery's siblings were hospitalized.

Among her many injuries, Samantha says she "had bones sticking out of my leg, so they put a rod and plates in my leg and my right leg."

Samantha, who is now back home with her surviving children, remembers her husband as a hardworking and caring man who "always wanted to make people laugh."

As for her daughter, she says that Avery "had a heart of gold."

"She always just wanted to make everyone happy and feel loved," Samantha says. "She loved her brothers and sisters a lot." 

Kolb Grading, the company where Reven worked, tells PEOPLE in a statement that he was a utility crew foreman for them for several years.

"He lead with his knowledge, work ethic and willingness to tackle any task alongside his crew. Reven was fun-loving and full of energy and we will miss his visits to the office," the company says, noting that above all, he "had a passion for life and his family."

Following the crash, a GoFundMe fundraiser was created on behalf of the family by loved ones.

"The journey ahead will be long and challenging," read a message on the fundraiser, which has raised over $40,000 as of Sept. 13.

Samantha tells PEOPLE that while some days are harder than others, she takes comfort in the support she and her family have received.

She adds, "I have an army behind me if I need it."

Related Articles

A man's boat was sinking near England. How these Delaware 911 operators helped save him

The 911 caller was frantic.

His brother's boat was sinking in the English Channel and he was trying to reach emergency responders in Dover, England. The sun had set nearly 45 minutes earlier, so it was growing increasingly dark on the water on Aug. 27.

The caller wasn't with his brother − he was more than a thousand miles away, in Albania. Panic-struck, he'd searched "Dover Police Department" and clicked on the first website that popped up.

It wasn't police in Dover, England, who answered the call. It was Dover, Delaware, 911 operator MacKenzie Atkinson.

Atkinson's actions, along with those of fellow Delaware 911 operator Connor Logan, helped save the man's life that day. Just 15 minutes after the call, English Coast Guard officials were headed toward the sinking boat.

The man and others on the boat were rescued and brought to Dover, England, unharmed.

As a result of Atkinson and Logan's actions − as well as those of their co-workers Patricia Mazzola and Briana Dozier, who continued to ensure Dover, Delaware, residents received uninterrupted service − the 911 operations team has been nominated for a departmental award.

"The Dover Police Department has extraordinary civilian contributors to our public safety mission," said Dover, Delaware, Police Chief Thomas Johnson.  "Our communications operators are great examples of that and never get enough credit for being first responders."

POLICING IN DELAWARE: Smile! This state trooper surprises people, pays for their groceries & puts it on Instagram

How the rescue unfolded

Atkinson knew if she tried to direct the caller to the proper first responders, the call might get lost. Rescuers had precious time and she couldn't risk wasting it.

As she remained on the line, Atkinson began gathering key information. She had recently been certified by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch and previous training had also taught her what to do with a vessel in distress.

What were the latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of the boat, she asked. What else should European first responders should know?

While Atkinson continued her inquiries, Logan began getting ahold of international agencies.

First, he reached the Delaware River and Bay Authority's section of the U.S. Coast Guard. Then he spoke with the U.S's Fifth District − the country's Atlantic division that oversees all domestic Coast Guard operations east of the Rocky Mountains.

After that, Logan got ahold of the French Coast Guard. All this was done within four minutes.

Ultimately, the rescue effort included His Majesty's Coast Guard of England, police in Dover, England, and the United Kingdom's Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Coordination Center.

By 3:52 p.m. Eastern time (or 8:52 p.m. in England), the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed they were on their way to the boat. Soon after, the man and all others on board were rescued.

While Johnson praised the work his officers do on a daily basis, he made special note of the 911 operators − the very first of the first responders in his agency.

"Their ability to coordinate an international rescue effort while maintaining the safety of our local community is a testament to their exceptional skill and commitment," Johnson said.

Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at [email protected]. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_

• Paddle Board

A Guide to Dinghy Boats

Are you looking for an affordable boat for your fishing trips or watersports? The dinghy offers you the best options for a low-cost, versatile watercraft. There are several dinghy designs to suit any watersports activity.

Typically, dinghies are the best choice for watersports like skiing and diving. However, some models are good for cruising or light sailing, with options for motors or sails. A dinghy can range in size, but most of them are suitable for carrying two to six people.

Dinghies are available in models suiting use in freshwater or saltwater, with inflatables, solid boats, and more options. Is a dinghy the right choice for your boat? Let’s unpack everything you need to know about these watercraft.

What Is a Dinghy Boat?

A dinghy is a small boat, usually and inflatable, and most models are around five to ten feet long. A dinghy is easy to transport, and it offers versatile utility for fishing and watersports. You also have options for motors, sales, or you can use oars to propel the boat.

Dinghies can feature fiberglass construction, or they may use inflatable pontoons, similar to a pontoon boat. The inflatable models typically feature design and construction with Hypalon or PVC. These polymers provide UV resistance, tough resistance against punctures, and easy repairs.

The sides on inflatables also act as seats, allowing fishing directly from all sides of the boat. Dinghies are not really built for speed; they usually come with low-powered trolling motors with a 3-hp to 5-hp output. However, they are ideal for moving through estuaries and lakes, allowing for silent movement so you don’t disturb the fish.

What are the best beginner sailing dinghies?

If you’re just getting into sailing, there are several dinghy options for enjoying your time out on the water. Whether you want to sail solo or with a friend, there is a boat for you.

Training Sailing Dinghies

These models are easy to master, giving beginners the chance to master the complexities of sailboats. They are simple to operate, safe, and offer you the best option for learning to master sailing techniques.

Doublehanded Sailing Dinghies

These models cater to two passengers for handling the sail and rigging. They are great for learners, allowing them to take an experienced sailor out on the water to learn the ropes.

Singlehanded Sailing Dinghies

These models have a design for one person. Typically, they are smaller boats, and you’ll already have to know how to sail. However, they are easy to master, and spending time out on the water will familiarize you with the aspects of sailboats.

These dinghies feature double or triple hulls. They are typically the best choice for racing, and they offer excellent stability in all water conditions.

Different Types of Dinghy Models

As mentioned, there are several models of dinghies for different watersports activities. Here are the most common options; we categorized them into sailing dinghies and inflatable dinghies.

Sailing Dinghies

A sailing dinghy is a small sailboat with no fixed keel and a shallow draft. These models are ideal for sailing in lagoons, estuaries, and lakes, navigating shallow waters. The sailing dinghy typically features a fiberglass design, with an open-plan seating area and a mast. These boats usually accommodate anywhere from one to five passengers.

High-Performance Dinghies

High-performance sailing dinghies are another sail-based model that’s ideal for racing. They are fast and cut through the water with ease. You get excellent maneuverability on the water with a low-profile design and an open-plan deck with a mast. The Fireball, International 505, and Thistle are a few examples of leading racing and high-performance dinghies.

Cruising Dinghies

A cruising dinghy is another sail-based model that’s a great choice for cruising out in calm ocean conditions or inland water bodies. They are a recreational vessel equipped with sails and rudders, and you have more passenger capacity than the other sailing models. As a result, they are the ideal choice for family’s that enjoy the sailing lifestyle.

Cruiser-Racer Dinghies

These models are hybrids that come with a focus on performance and stability. They have the ability to race or to cruise, providing excellent stability in the water. They are a great choice for someone that wants to start sailing competitively, and they also work for fun recreational sailing days on the lake with the family. The GP14 is an example of a cruiser-racer offering high-performance standards and stable cruising.

Classic Dinghies

These boats had an original design featuring wood finishes using materials like plywood and cedar. However, modern dinghies feature fiberglass construction. The classic dinghy sailboat focuses on versatility over sailing performance. The Minto is a great example of a classic dinghy.

Inflatable Dinghies

Inflatables are gaining in popularity thanks to the affordable price tag and versatility offered by the boat. Inflatables are easy to carry, and some might even fit on the back of a truck. Inflatables have side pontoons, and many of them are suitable for diving activities or spearfishing. These dinghies usually feature low-powered trolling motors; they don’t have a design for speed.

Features and Benefits of Dinghy Boat

Dinghies are versatile and affordable. There are plenty of benefits for choosing this boat beyond just the savings you make over other models.

The dinghy is one of the few boats left that offer a sailing configuration. If you’re into boating on lakes or thinking about sailing competitively, the dinghy is the best choice. Any of the sailing models listed above are a great choice. Pick the boat that offers you the best utility for your sailing needs.

Minimal Noise

Most dinghies are sailing options, so you don’t have to worry about gas fumes from the motor or noise. They offer a serene sailing experience on inland waters. Inflatable models may use a trolling engine for moving through calm, shallow waters when fishing. The low noise and churn produced by the motors won’t scare off the fish. You also have options for poling and oars for moving around without engines.

Trailerable

Dinghies are compact boats with sailing and inflatable models offering you easy trailering. Some of the smaller inflatables can fit in the back of a panel van or on the load bed of your single-cab truck. They offer you easy transport between lakes and estuaries, with a lightweight design that’s easy to launch and trailer.

Options for Inflatables or Fiberglass

As mentioned, the dinghy comes in sailing and inflatable options. Some fiberglass models also feature a wood finish on the deck for an added aesthetic that looks like a classic dinghy.

Ideal as an Excursion Boat for Yachts

Many superyachts use inflatable dinghies allowing the passengers to reach the shore. Yachts can’t enter shallow water, and the dinghy makes the ideal transfer boat for reaching the coast from open water. Most of these models feature low-powered motors.

No Need for Registration

Larger vessels require registration before you can take them out on the water. However, dinghies are small, and they don’t need any registration or licensing before you can take them out on the water. As long as the boat doesn’t have a fixed motor and is less than eight feet in length, you don’t have to worry about doing the paperwork. Regulations differ between California and Florida, so check with your local authorities before taking your boat to the lake or slip.

Lightweight

The dinghy is a lightweight boat. The fiberglass and inflatable models offer you a lightweight watercraft that’s easy to launch and pull from the water. They are also easy to repair, with basic fiberglass or polymer patching.

Easy to Maneuver

The dinghy is a super-maneuverable boat. The sailing models are easy to tack in the wind, allowing for sharp turning radiuses and easy maneuverability on the water.

Complete sailing systems

Most sailing dinghies come with options for sail systems. If you want to learn the art of sailing or teach your kids about sailboats, the dinghy is the ideal starter vessel.

Suitable for use in Shallow Waters

The dinghy usually has a high draft and a shallow keel, allowing for sailing in shallow water, such as lakes. These boats won’t run aground, and the low hull design allows for less friction on the water, increasing speed and performance.

Save on Fuel

Sailing dinghies don’t have motors, so you save on fuel costs for your boating trips. Those inflatable models with trolling motors have low-capacity engines, and they are economical with fuel consumption.

Disadvantages of Dinghy Boat

The dinghy is a great choice for your first boat, especially if you want to tackle the art of sailing. However, they do come with some drawbacks.

Minimal Power and Small Motors

Since most models are sailboats, they rely on the wind for performance. Sure, some models can reach high speeds when the winds are right, but they lack a speed boat’s torque and on-demand power. Even those dinghy models relying on trolling motors don’t move very fast.

Limited Standing Room

The sailing dinghy doesn’t offer you any standing room. Sure, you can stand on the deck, but you’ll have to duck and manage the sail, and that could mean the boat tosses you overboard. The small size of the dinghy also means that you’ll unbalance the vessel if you stand on the deck.

Limited Seating

Dinghies are small boats designed for one to five passengers. Sure, you get bigger models, but these dinghies are more like proper sailboats. The seating may also be somewhat uncomfortable, as most models rely on a cast fiberglass deck with molded seats and no cushions.

No Crossover Function

Most dinghies are for sailing, and they don’t offer you crossover functions for fishing and watersports. It’s impossible to tow a skier, and the sail gets in the way of angling. The inflatable models are okay for fishing in shallow waters or inland water bodies, but the seating setup isn’t comfortable. The low-power trolling motors available for inflatable models don’t reach high speeds, making them unsuitable for watersports.

Limited Storage Space

Most dinghy models, especially sailing types, don’t come with consoles or storage systems. Some inflatables might have storage bins in the bow of the dinghy, but they typically don’t offer much storage space.

Top Dinghy Boat Brands and Models

Intex excursion 5.

The Intex Excursion 5 is a great example of an inflatable dinghy. You can seat up to five people in this model, and it has a rubber design with all the fishing accessories you need to get out on the water and enjoy a few hour’s angling in the lake.

You get four rod-holders, a bench-style seat in the boat’s center, and two inflatable seats.

This model comes with an affordable price tag and oars included with your purchase. There’s also the option of attaching a trolling motor for effortless navigation.

However, the boat is not suitable for standing, so don’t expect to cast far with this model. The boat comes with a three-chambered design and a 1,300-lbs capacity.

The Laser is the best choice for a single-hander sailboat dinghy. This boat is ideal for cruising or competitive racing, and they hold their resale value.

You get options for three rig sizes, the 4.7, Standard, and the Radial model. These boats feature fiberglass design and low hulls for easy navigation through shallow waters.

The RS Vision

This family sailboat makes a fantastic trainer, club racer, or cruising model. This boat can accommodate up to eight sailors, and the new RS Quest model features both trapeze and spinnaker options.

Wrapping Up

Dinghies are the ideal boat for learning how to sail, and they also make inexpensive boats for recreational fishing in inland water or calm ocean conditions.

They are not the most durable boats, and they don’t accommodate many people. However, there are plenty of models to suit your sailing experience or watercraft needs. However, they offer lightweight design, user-friendly operation, and choices for inflatable or fiberglass models.

If you’re looking to learn how to sail, you won’t find a better boat available.

John is an experienced journalist and veteran boater. He heads up the content team at BoatingBeast and aims to share his many years experience of the marine world with our readers.

A Complete Guide to Micro Skiffs: All You Need to Know!

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The Definitive Guide to Different Types of Dinghies

If you’ve ever gone out sailing or are just starting out, you’ve probably had the opportunity to get onto a dinghy to scoot yourself around. Dinghies can be extremely useful and fun at the same time whether you’re on a sailing dinghy or a power dinghy. The first time I ever got on a dinghy was a two person sailing dinghy, which is exactly when I started learning how to sail.

So what are the different types of dinghies? The different types of dinghies include sailing dinghies and power dinghies. Sailing dinghies have sails and do not have any type of motor attached to them and power dinghies have no sails and rely on motor power to move through the water.

When it comes to a dinghy, don’t let the size fool you. These little vessels can catch some serious speed and are central to many boating competitions around the world.

However, sailing dinghies and power dinghies usually serve different purposes, so let’s dive into the different types of dinghies to get a better understanding.

Sailing Dinghies

Sailing around on a dinghy is one of the more overlooked styles of sailing since everyone seems to want to get on a bigger yacht.

While there’s no arguing against the feeling of sailing on a larger vessel, dinghy sailing is a lot of fun which requires a good understanding of sailing fundamentals and an eye for precision.

High-Performance Dinghies

A high-performance sailing dinghy is as the name suggests; high-performance.

Its design is optimized to produce a fast and powerful sailing dinghy that can perform well in many environments and is often found in top regattas around the world. As you’ll soon realize, most sailing dinghies are constructed using fiberglass.

High-performance sailing dinghies usually have a spinnaker that can be attached to the sailboat so as to improve the speed of the boat under the right conditions.

Along with that, these sailing dinghies have what’s called a trapeze which is a wire that’s attached to the top of the mast and comes all the way down to the sailor’ harness.

This allows you to balance the force of the wind against the sail when the weather really kicks in.

Racing Dinghies

As you might have assumed already from the name, racing sailing dinghies are used primarily in racing environments.

While not too dissimilar to a high-performance sailing dinghy, there are some differences in terms of size, weight, and shape of the hull.

The design of a racing sailing dinghy is very important, but the skills of the crew on-board are usually what matters the most. Again, these types of sailing dinghies are made out of fiberglass.

The tactics implemented by the crew on a racing sailing dinghy are incredibly important. A racing sailing dinghy allows for crews to take advantage of the dinghy’s design so that they can tack and jibe much faster and more fluid than other dinghies.

On top of that, the hull of a racing sailing dinghy is quite flat which allows it to plane much easier resulting in a reduction of hull surface area touching the water.

Cruising Dinghies

If you’re not looking to compete with a racing or high-performance sailing dinghy, then you’re more likely to be sailing around in a cruising sailing dinghy. As the name suggests, they are made to cruise around the water and comfortably at that.

Designed for stability and safety in mind, cruising sailing dinghies are one of the most leisurely dinghies to take out on the water. Cruising dinghies are almost always made out of fiberglass.

As opposed to the previous sailing dinghies, cruising sailing dinghies generally have smaller sails and a more round hull .

As you might have guessed, the smaller the sails the less potential energy (and thus speed) your dinghy has.

The smaller sail also makes it easier to handle while cruising along. When it comes to the hull, a rounder hull also brings stability to the sailing dinghy as well as a very low chance of planing since there’s more contact between the hull and the water.

Cruiser-Racer Dinghies

If you have an inkling for racing but want to just cruise around comfortably from time to time, using a cruiser-racer sailing dinghy is an excellent choice.

These sailing dinghies are perfect for many different sailing environments and are my preferred type of sailing dinghy. It’s extremely common to find cruiser-racer dinghies made out of fiberglass.

Just like a cruising dinghy, the experience of being on a cruiser-racer dinghy is comfortable and provides good stability when out on the water.

However, if you want to turn up the notch and get it moving quickly, you can do just that since they have flatter hulls and generally larger sails. In the end, a cruiser-racer dinghy is right smack dab between a racing and cruising dinghy.

Classic Dinghies

If you’re looking for a classic experience on a sailing dinghy, then why not try out a… classic!

Classic dinghies can be found more often than you might think and can be fun to learn on when just starting out.

While you definitely won’t get the same performance as the other types of sailing dinghies, they’re quite comfortable and easy to use.

As opposed to most sailing dinghies, classic dinghies can be found to be made out of wood but usually they’re made from fiberglass.

Classic dinghies are unique in the sense that they have a cat sail and mast configuration . A cat, or “catboat”, has a single sail connected to a mast positioned at the bow of the sailboat.

Again, this makes them very easy to use and can be a great way to start learning how to sail. Also, I think they look rather nice, so beauty definitely plays a bit of a role in using a classic dinghy.

Power Dinghies

Before setting sail and exploring the beautiful waters of the world, you’ll want to make sure you know what kind of dinghy you have on-board.

As opposed to sailing dinghies, larger sailboats often times will have a power dinghy on-board in case you and your crew need to scoot around the local area quickly and easily.

Also, if you ever plan on anchoring out anywhere, it’s helpful to have a power dinghy to get to and from shore or to simply explore the surroundings.

The main differentiating factor between one power dinghy and another is the type of motor. More often than not, you’ll find dinghies with outboard motors, but that doesn’t encompass ever power dinghy out there.

Outboard Motor

As I just mentioned, the most common type of motor you’ll find on a power dinghy is an outboard motor.

Simply put, an outboard motor is attached on the backside of the power dinghy by means of a stern bracket and clamps or by bolts and nuts. Most outboard motor are powered by gasoline/petrol, however I’ve been on plenty of electrically powered dinghies when out fishing.

Outboard motors are popular because they’re relatively easy to maintain and can be replaced quickly if they crap out.

They also can be tilted up while still propelling your power dinghy forward, which allows you to cruise around shallow water without having your motor’s propellers hit the ground.

Your outboard motor can be either 2-stroke or 4-stroke. A 2-stroke motor requires mixing the gasoline/petrol with oil (most of the times this is automatic) and are generally less expensive to purchase.

A 4-stroke motor doesn’t require an oil-gasoline/petrol mix and is usually quieter, smoother, and more environmentally friendly, however more expensive to buy.

Inboard Motor

It’s not common that you’ll find a power dinghy with an inboard motor. However, you might see them if you’re on a power dinghy that holds 10 or more passengers and if the power dinghy is heavier in weight.

An inboard motor is fitted inside the power dinghy, so working on it or replacing it is a much larger hassle compared to an outboard motor.

Since power dinghies with inboard motors are quite heavy, you won’t find them on most sailboats. You will see them on shores where people are being taxied around as well as on-board much larger water vessels like megayachts.

Jet Drive Motor

Another type of dinghy motor is the jet drive motor, which, like the inboard motor, isn’t the most common type of motor to see on a power dinghy.

Similar to an inboard motor, a jet drive motor is generally built into the power dinghy making it more difficult to maintain and replace.

However, having a jet drive motor has its advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is one of safety being that, similar to a jet ski, a power dinghy with a jet drive motor doesn’t have propellers meaning nearby swimmers are much safer.

A major disadvantage to jet drive motor is that they can easily get items stuck inside of them, like plastic bags, jellyfish, and more, resulting in the motor shutting down.

Dinghy Materials

Apart from a power dinghies motor, another major differentiating factor when it comes to power dinghies is the material it’s made out of.

While the most common types of power dinghy you’ll find nowadays are inflatable, there are still plenty of solid material power dinghies out there.

If you’re on a power dinghy, there’s a good chance that it’s an inflatable power dinghy. There are several advantages of using an inflatable power dinghy especially that they’re easy to stow and less likely to damage vessels when they coming alongside.

A major disadvantage to using an inflatable power dinghy is that, unlike solid materials, they’re easier to puncture by reefs, sticks, and other sharp debris.

Fiberglass and Metal

Power dinghies that are made out of solid materials are often made out of either fiberglass or metal. While these types of materials aren’t as common nowadays for a power dinghy onboard a sailboat to have, they certainly aren’t rare.

The main advantage of having a power dinghy made out of fiberglass or metal is that it’s highly unlikely to be punctured compared to an inflatable power dinghy.

Some disadvantages include the fact that they can be heavy and they can scratch a sailboat’s hull when coming alongside.

Unless you’re a collector of classic dinghies, whether power or sailing, you won’t find many dinghies made out of wood nowadays.

Certainly, they exist but on much rarer occasions. The main advantage of a wood power dinghy is that it can look classy and antique-like while also not easily puncturable.

However, the downsides include those of the fiberglass/metal power dinghies as well as it being susceptible to leaks and having a greater maintenance cost compared to other power dinghies.

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2022 Boat of the Year: Best Dinghy

• By Dave Reed
• December 17, 2021

Sailing World Magazine’s annual Boat of the Year tests are conducted in Annapolis, Maryland, following the US Sailboat Show. With independent judges exhaustively inspecting the boats on land and putting them through their paces on the water, this year’s fleet of new performance-sailing boats spanned from small dinghies to high-tech bluewater catamarans. Here’s the best of the best from our 2022 Boat of the Year nominees »

Skeptics be warned: The Happy Cat Hurricane is legit. This is the unanimous assessment from our Boat of the Year judging squad after sailing the surprisingly quick and nimble 16-foot inflatable catamaran in 10 knots of breeze. While it delivers exhilarating sailing, it’s much more than a recreational rubber dinghy—it’s an adventure craft, a portable sailboat, a pontoon motorboat, a lazy-river drifter, or anything you want it to be once it’s pumped and splashed.

Grabner is an Austrian manufacturer of all types of inflatable watercraft, which the company has been building since the mid-1980s. The Happy Cat Hurricane came online in 2017, and a carbon-mast version was added in 2019. The Hurricane Carbon, which the judges tested, is the company’s flagship go-fun craft, and apparently, it can’t make them fast enough.

We racers know fiberglass better than we do rubber, but Alex Caslow, of Redbeard Sailing in Baltimore (the US importer), says Grabner’s vulcanized rubber is “tire-quality” and sourced from Continental. All of the Happy Cat’s tubes, he adds, are handmade, glued and welded in Austria, producing high-quality hulls that should last at least 20 years. There’s a seven-year warranty on the hulls, he says, but should you ever need to, $2,000 is your replacement price (per hull). The all-up price for a new boat, with everything you need to go racing or gunkholing, is currently $15,000.

The magic to keeping the Happy Cat’s tubular platform stiff is the anodized aluminum frame that holds it all together. Tension cables crisscrossed beneath the trampolines provide additional stiffness in waves. The frame also serves as attachment points for the trampolines, which are clipped on rather than laced like most catamaran tramps.

The boat, Caslow says, can be assembled in roughly 40 minutes—from taken out of the storage bags to inflated and sails hoisted. Upgrading from the standard manual pump to a 12-volt air pump accelerates the process, of course.

Bags? That’s right. The entire boat and rig fit into four bags collectively small enough to transport in the average-size car trunk. This portability is its primary selling point, especially in Europe, where hundreds of owners and devotees regularly gather to rally and raid on alpine lakes and coastal enclaves. Its second selling point is that it sails as well as most fiberglass recreational catamarans.

“It definitely caught my eye when we first walked up to it,” Chuck Allen says. “The bright-red hulls, the carbon rig, all the ropes, but especially the interesting setup with the rudder and centerboard being on centerline. I’d never sailed a catamaran with a centerboard.

“The hulls are really firm—they feel just like a RIB tube, and all the aluminum framing and wires are nice quality. I was really curious how it would sail, and believe it or not, it sailed like a champ.”

Greg Stewart says his first impression was one of skepticism as well. “It seemed like it would be one of those boats that looked cool on land but would let us down, but it didn’t at all. It sailed amazingly. It tacked well enough that I didn’t have to backwind the jib, and got up to speed again quickly.”

The ability to tack it like a dinghy, Stewart says, is because of the centerboard and because the rudder is mounted in the best place possible. “What makes it steer so well is the rudder is so far aft, which gives you a nice turning moment between it and the centerboard.”

The centerboard has up/down lines that are led to the front beam and cam cleats, but there is a breaker line in case you get into shallow waters. The centerboard casing also acts as an anchor point for the dolphin striker.

The reverse “wave-piercing” bows have a lot of buoyancy down low, Stewart adds. When he was sailing upwind through chop, they “just want to lift and rise up over the wave.” If flying a hull gets a bit too unnerving, he says, a small ease on the mainsheet or a slight bear away makes the boat settle right down with a soft and pillowy landing. Stewart forgot to conduct the obligatory capsize test, but he said afterward that the boat tended to simply slip sideways if the weather hull got too high. The optional masthead float, however, would be a good choice for peace of mind, he says.

“There’s a great sensation of speed,” Powlison reports, especially with the 91-square-foot gennaker. “The Velocitek SpeedPuck that was on the boat was reading 10 to 11 knots regularly, and it wasn’t hard at all to tack or jibe either. The spinnaker clew is pretty high, and the boomless square-top mainsail (124 square feet) makes it really easy to get across the boat.”

“This boat rips,” was Allen’s final assessment. He gave it high marks all around, but what ultimately stole his favor was a browse through Grabner’s catalog, which showcased the Happy Cat’s versatility: Leave the mast in its bag, erect the optional sun awning, and slap on the outboard motor bracket to transform it into an outboard-powered exploration craft and swimming platform. Or strap on extra fore and aft trampolines, load the boat up with camping gear in dry bags, and explore new places.

“Its biggest appeal really is its portability,” Stewart says. “If you don’t have easy access to a yacht club or storage near the water, you can easily keep this in the garage or apartment without taking up much space at all. Throw it in the car and take it wherever you want.”

Assembly, Caslow says, is simple and quick once the hulls are inflated. The tubes slide into grooves in the frame, tension cables are clipped on with carabiners, the trampoline is strapped on, and the mast can be raised by one person once it’s pinned onto the ball joint.

When it’s assembled, the Hurricane Carbon is only 175 pounds, but it is still a bit unwieldy for solo ramp launching. For this particular challenge, Grabner offers flip-up “slip wheels” that mount to the aft beam and stay on the boat while sailing. With your standard big-wheeled catamaran dolly, however, it’s easy to move around and beach-launch. And once you’re underway and zipping along, crew extended on the wire and the soft bounce of the hull on your bottom, you’ll just want to keep on sailing—happy as a cat on nip.

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'I have to get out of here so I can live': Captain survives explosion; will he boat again?

As the sun rose aug. 24, capt. tim hoban's boat exploded. much of his body was burned. he faces challenges to heal and rebuild the business he loves..

NORTH PALM BEACH — Capt. Tim Hoban wants to return to the water if his badly burned body lets him. He wonders if he ever will.

His boat went up in flames on the morning of Aug. 24 after he had docked it at Lott Brothers, a fishing-supply store along Northlake Boulevard, and had started doing a maintenance check before his day's charters.

“Next thing I knew, I was unconscious and engulfed in flames,” the 47-year-old Lake Park resident said from his bed at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami this past week. “I jumped off the side of the boat into the water and started screaming for help.”

Nearly half of Tim’s body sustained second and third-degree burns. He is recovering at Jackson's trauma center and hopes to go home this week, after receiving skin grafts onto the burns covering his legs, feet, hands, back and face.

Hoban called his wounds “the most painful thing” he has ever experienced, especially when they are cleaned, which happens daily and can take hours each time. His greatest comfort has been his wife, Ashley, who has helped him to eat and take his first steps since the explosion.

The boat damaged beyond repair was a Grady-White Express 330, a white 33-foot saltwater fishing vessel Hoban named the "Island Hopper" and called his “baby.” The thousands of fishing and snorkeling charters he's run from it for the past decade have been his family’s main source of income. A friend has launched an online fundraiser to help cover the Hobans' living expenses as he heals.

“His vessel and all his fishing rods are a loss and his way of making a living is gone,” said Jonathan Witkowski of Palm City, Tim’s friend for more than 20 years. “I just felt bad."

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What happened? Captain, wife recall day their boat, and world, exploded

Distinguished by a full red beard and a bright smile, Hoban grew up boating in Jupiter and The Bahamas and caught his first fish at 2 years old. Friends describe him as kind, generous and easygoing. Witkowski said Hoban loaded up his boat full of supplies and took at least four trips to the Bahamas when Hurricane Dorian struck the islands in 2019.

As is part of his daily routine, Hoban docked at Lott Brothers early that Saturday to buy ice and bait. There, he tried to replace a broken float switch on his boat, a part which detects water in its bilge tank.

As he flicked a lighter to apply a "heat shrink" connector to cover and protect the switch's electrical wires while they are heated, fuel vapors built up below the cabin, and the boat exploded. Hoban caught fire along with it.

A deckhand from Lott Brothers heard him as he fell into the water and threw Hoban a life ring. Hoban said he swam, grabbed onto barnacles and pulled himself onto the dock with parts of his skin and clothes singed off. He then found a water hose and sprayed himself down while screaming. When paramedics arrived to take Hoban to St. Mary’s Medical Center in an ambulance, Hoban immediately told them to call his wife and tell her where he was bound.

“I love my wife and I’m so sad she almost lost me,” Hoban said. “I was on fire and all I could think was, ‘I have to get out of here so I can live.’ ”

Ashley was driving to Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach to meet Hoban with breakfast when the boat exploded. Her heart sank when she saw smoke coming from the marina behind Lott Brothers and the business surrounded by fire trucks. She said she knew it was him and drove straight to St. Mary’s after speaking with a police officer at the site.

“My hands were shaking so badly that the officer made me promise I wouldn’t drive like a maniac,” said Ashley Hoban, 44, who grew up in Texas and works with Hoban on the boat. “He said, ‘You have to be there for your husband, so don’t hurt yourself in the process.’ I focused on that.”

At St. Mary’s, doctors gave Hoban a CT scan to check for internal damage and, in the first bit of good news, didn't find any. They then put him on antibiotics and other medication and inserted a breathing tube before flying him 70 miles south to Jackson Memorial in a helicopter a few hours later.

Boat fires may be more common than people realize. The U.S. Coast Guard counted 232 of them nationwide in 2022, with most of them fuel-related explosions, leading to 128 injuries and five deaths.

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Doctors say captain's body should heal. Will his boat charter business?

Amid his pain, Hoban has already cleared a critical hurdle in his recovery: He survived the first week after the fire.

That first week is the most critical time for patients with significant burns, said Dr. Robert Borrego, the medical director at St. Mary's trauma center. It's the time when the risk of infection — and of mortality — are at their highest. Skin protects the body from bacteria, and infected skin can lead to fatal conditions such as sepsis.

The skin grafting that Hoban was receiving last week should reduce that risk.

Borrego called grafts “the key” for patients with substantial burns because it helps the wounds to heal and reduces the patient's pain. Still, it is possible the grafted areas and burned skin won't function exactly like they did before, potentially leaving burn patients with mobility issues.

“One of the worst areas for burns are the hands, because we all use our hands for our livelihoods,” Borrego said. “A lot of challenges follow (patients) as far as being able to reuse their hands.”

Burn victims also feel pain while damaged nerve endings regenerate. Second and third-degree burns can impair them to the point where people can lose feeling in some areas completely. The pain that a patient feels while nerve endings regenerate is often part of the path to healing, Borrego said.

Many people with significant burns are looking at recovery time from around six months to one year to “go back to normal,” Borrego said.

Borrego said people with mostly second-degree burns who spend lots of time aboard boats should be able to get back on the water once they heal. They just need to protect their skin from the sun as much as possible.

He said burn patients are susceptible to Marjolin ulcers, a type of cancer that can occur in burned skin and happens to patients who don't get skin grafts, so the damaged skin constantly tries to remodel.

After the captain goes home from the hospital, he will get physical therapy and visit a hospital once a week for wound care for at least several months, Ashley Hoban said. Burn patients can relearn how to pick things up, apply pressure and walk in physical therapy, which some may attend for years after the incident.

As Hoban copes with his pain, he realizes the sizable challenge ahead if he were to return to the water. After recovery, he would still need the money to buy a new boat. The one that exploded was from a salvage lot, and he spent nine months remodeling it.

"I bought that boat cheap and put all my heart into sanding it, gel-coating it, fixing its thru-holes and putting new power on it," Hoban said. "I don't have the energy to do that now. I love being a captain and I'm really good at it, but I just can't even walk right now."

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Hoban's friends know him to have a resilient spirit and are certain it will help him as he rallies after the fire.

Witkowski has witnessed it personally. Hoban and Ashley would pick up bartending and food delivery shifts at Stadium Grill in Jupiter — which Witkowski's family owns — when charters were slow to make ends meet. Witkowski remembers moments like these as he watches Hoban deal with the darkest moments of his life.

"Tim just has a real love for the water and gets very enthusiastic about it," Witkowski said. "When you go fishing with him, he gets really hyped up. When you leave, you feel like you're more than a client. You're like a friend or family to him. "

"He’s a good guy with a good heart."

Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at [email protected] . Support local journalism: Subscribe today .

Medford man dies, 2 other hospitalized after boat capsizes in Winchester Bay

A southern Oregon man died and two others were hospitalized Thursday after their boat capsized in Winchester Bay, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Anthony Knight, 35, of Medford, was rescued by the Coast Guard and later died at a local hospital.

Coast Guard officials said that around 2 p.m. on Thursday, a 63-year-old Medford man and his 36-year-old son were fishing with their neighbor, Knight, in an 18 foot, 6 inch Kingfisher boat in the ocean when after a few hours of fishing they decided to come in.

"While progressing into the bay, a large wave crashed into the left side of the boat causing the boat to roll over," a news release said. "All three occupants went into the water without lifejackets. The vessel eventually capsized."  

Officials said the 63-year-old and Knight were rescued by Coast Guard personnel and that "lifesaving efforts" were initiated on Knight, who was unconscious. Both the man and Knight were transported to Lower Umpqua Hospital for medical treatment but efforts to revive Knight were unsuccessful. 

The Medford man's son was later located by a Coast Guard helicopter on the North Jetty and was airlifted from there to North Bend Hospital. 

The incident is under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Marine Division in coordination with the Oregon State Marine Board. 

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast . Urness is the author of “ Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon ” and “ Hiking Southern Oregon .” He can be reached at [email protected] or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors.

]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]  ]

plans (nearly 450 at present) and building manuals, CD’s and DVD’s. The range of designs includes :-
covering plywood, strip plank and clinker ply construction as well as sail making.

Click here for details of the Terms & Conditions, Use of our Plans, Back-up, SFDesign Philosophy etc

When you go to order a plan you will have a choice of two Buy Now Buttons - one for the Printed Plans (to be sent by post) and the other for the electronic PDF version of the plan, which will be sent to your email address.  Generally, the prices of the PDF versions for boats above dinghy size (where there is usually more than 4 sheets of A1 print), are lower than the printed versions, as no printing is involved. Once payment for your order has cleared, sending the PDF files attached to an email is almost immediate with no waiting for the post and with guaranteed delivery to any country.
	(also a 28' version)

. dayboat details. Launch added to the Classic Motor Cruisers page. and photos of the first launched. . plans. .   by Paul Fisher have been put up in a new section on the Sailer, Steam/Electric Launch, Steam Launch and the added. clinker motor launch added to the Motor Cruisers 21' to 30' page. almost complete added. added. design with more beam and hull depth, plus a new design, a added, one of which is built in two halves. and motor yachts and a photo of the finished . open strip planked motor cruiser. added. plans and a set of drawings and sketches has been added as an option to the 16' Curlew Motor Punt to make it into the . and the . . canoe plans. ; ; ; and models. .

After a youth messing around in all sorts of boats on the Thames, I gained my degree - a BSc (Bachelor of Science) in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding from Newcastle University in 1974. Straight after University l worked in the design office of McGruer & Co. Scotland for 4 years - famous for high performance racing /cruising yachts beautifully crafted in wood (cold moulded as well as conventional clinker and carvel). l then became Technical Manager at D.M. Russell Marine - formerly Jas. A. Silvers yard just up the road at Rosneath, for 5 years - famous for their motor yachts - this period found me sailing/cruising in all sorts of craft around the coast of the UK and regular racing in everything from Dragons to the IOR fleet on the Clyde.

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Choosing the Best Dinghy for Your Boat

It is often said that a boater’s dinghy is like their car. When traveling between ports, you will often only have a land vehicle if you rent one. But your dinghy comes with you, and it’s an essential link to shore. Unless you dock your boat every night, your dinghy gives you the ability to go out to dinner, go to the store, or find a secluded beach to call your own.

Dinghy boats come in an assortment of shapes and sizes. So how do you choose between a hard dinghy that rows well or a fast dinghy with motor? Let’s look at the options and see if we can’t find the best dinghy for your and your crew.

Table of Contents

Sailing dinghy, dinghies as tenders, dingy dinghies – what is a dingy, what are some uses for a dinghy, basic types of boat dinghy, lifting ability and storage when underway, hard dinghies, inflatable dinghy boat options, what’s the best dinghy for your cruising boat, dinghy boat faqs, what is a dinghy.

A dinghy is a small boat. But there are two primary dinghy meaning uses that you should be aware of. 

• Sailing dinghies
• Dinghy boats as yacht tenders

Firstly, a dinghy is a small sailboat usually used for racing. So you might hear about “dinghy races” or “dinghy sailors.” These are the sorts of little boats that kids would learn to sail, but they’re also raced in the Summer Olympics. 

Optics are the classic sailing dinghy. Its purpose is to sail and have fun. They usually carry one or two people and nothing else.

Secondly, a dinghy serves as a tender to a larger boat. In cruising and living aboard, this is the most commonly used definition. Your dinghy is like your car. Your boat is like your house or RV, and you park it somewhere comfortable. Maybe a scenic, quiet, and protected anchorage. Then you hop in the dinghy to explore the area or go into town for supplies. 

A dinghy allows you not to have to pull up to a dock. Anchoring is usually free, and mooring fields are cheaper than taking a slip. Plus, living “on the hook” is more fun–there are fresh breezes, and your neighbors aren’t right next to you. You have more privacy and your own little slice of the ocean.

But to live like this, a good dinghy is important. It has to be safe in most conditions and be able to haul you and your gear. In addition, it should be able to handle the occasional provisioning run–meaning it needs room for lots of groceries. 

Many cruisers affectionate call their dinghy “the dink” or some other fun name. In the US, a motorized dinghy will need to be state-registered.

Fun fact–RV owners who tow small cars refer to them as “dinghies.” They are cheaper to operate and easier to maneuver once they get where they’re going, so they’re used in the same way that boaters use dinghy boats.

Dinghies as tenders come in many forms. 

• Kayaks or canoes
• Hard boats with small motors
• Inflatable boats that row
• RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boats) with motors — these can be slow or very fast

Dingy (adjective) – dirty, unclean, shabby, or squalid Dinghy (noun) – a small boat carried on or towed behind a larger boat as a tender or lifeboat… Definitions from Marriam-Webster Dictonary

So if your dinghy is a dingy boat, you should invest in some good boat soap and clean it. 

Related reading: What Is the Main Function of a Boat Trailer’s Safety Chains?

Why is a Dinghy Important?

The dinghy is your primary method for getting ashore for cruisers traveling far from home or for liveaboards who aren’t tied to a dock. Having a good dinghy means you don’t have to get a dock every night. It means you can anchor in quiet coves in between towns. If you have a dog, it means they can get to shore morning and night for “shore leave.” And if you want to explore shallow creeks or go fishing, it’ll do that too.

The importance of a dinghy depends entirely on your cruising style. Some people don’t want to anchor–they’ll be at a dock every night no matter what. Those rare evenings between destinations when they do anchor for an evening, they don’t go ashore. A dinghy isn’t very important for them and won’t get used much.

On the other hand, some people live via their dinghy. The big boat gets them between destinations, but the dinghy is their “daily driver.” 

The easiest way to explain how cruisers use their dinghy is by example. So here is a look at how boaters visiting the Bahamas usually use their dinghies. 

You find a cozy island where you want to hang out and drop the hook in a protected cove. Then, you launch your dinghy and go to town, find secluded beaches, or just go exploring. Maybe you’ll want to find some coral reefs for fishing or snorkeling or see the tiny islets and rocks that protect the anchorage. Some islands have hiking trails or miles and miles of beaches.

Marinas are few and far between the islands, and the best and quietest spots are far from them. Most towns don’t have big docks–just small dinghy docks where you can tie up for free and walk to the store. In the Abacos, several of the most popular towns have harbors full of mooring balls and several small dinghy docks that make it easy to visit the town.

In these instances, everything you need for your boat will get there by way of the dinghy. You’ll take your trash to shore in the morning and bring home groceries. You might also take your propane tanks in for a refill or get some jerry cans filled with freshwater or diesel. 

Finding the Right Dinghy For Your Boat

With so many choices, finding the dinghy for you can be a daunting task. Make it easier by learning about your choices, understanding how you will use it and what you will carry, and planning for where you will keep it on your boat.

Dinghies come in as many different designs as big boats do. You can pick between hard, inflatable, or RIB for the hull. A RIB (rigid inflatable boat) has a hard hull surrounded by inflatable tubes – so it’s kind of a hybrid.

For locomotion, you can have oars, a sail, a motor, or any combination of those. Motors used on dinghies are usually small and portable, although go-fast RIBs can have larger 15 to 25 horsepower motors installed.

It should also be noted here that dinghies are relative to the size of the “mothership.” For a 100-plus-foot motor yacht, the dinghy might be a 40-foot center console with triple 300 horsepower engines. So in dollars, their “dinghy tender” might cost quadruple what the rest of us spent on our “big boats.”

Dinghies should be suited to their purpose. For example, cruise ship dinghies ferry passengers to and from shore at destinations without cruise terminals. They’re passenger ferries and hold 30 or 50 passengers for the journey. For cruisers, a suitable dinghy usually means something that will get them to shore and back–the distance will vary. It must carry two to four people and a week’s worth of groceries.

Your choice of dinghy depends radically on the boat that will be carrying it. How will you deal with your dinghy when you’re underway? If it’s an inflatable that can roll up and store in a locker, life is easy.

But what if you want a hard dinghy or a RIB? Below are the most common options for lifting a bigger boat aboard. No matter how you get your dinghy aboard, once it’s on deck it must be lashed upside down to ensure it remains secure even in heavy seas.

Towing is often done but never recommended. Towing a dinghy limits the maneuverability of your big boat, making docking in tight spaces tricky. Plus, it opens up your dinghy to a world of possible disasters, including coming loose and being lost, or flooding and capsizing due to high winds or waves (or other boater’s wakes). Keeping your dinghy in the water also means more maintenance since you’ll have to scrape its bottom regularly. Most dinghies do not have bilge pumps, so bailing after every rainstorm will become a thing.

Underway, the load on the tow lines is high, and if you must tow, make sure to do so with a proper towing harness and bridle. Also, always remove your outboard before towing–it’s safer on the big boat.

If there is one advantage of towing, it is that your dinghy will be ready to go–it is already launched when you get where you’re going.

Also, note that a towed dinghy makes an easy target for theft in the anchorage–an important consideration in some parts of the world. It’s an easy thing for a thief to come along and cut the line while you sleep. The dinghy will drift away silently, and you won’t be any the wiser until morning. 

Many cruising boats install davits on the transom. These provide lifting points that hoist the dinghy out of the water. Davits are an excellent upgrade because they allow you to keep the dinghy out of the water while traveling and hoist it up every night. Your dinghy will be cleaner, and you can take the plug out to let rainwater drain out. It’s safer too since you can easily lock it to the boat for long-term storage.

As handy as davits are, they can also be a pain. Getting the lifting harness and equipment just right can be a hassle. Dinghies on davits are prone to swinging in wind and waves, which can quickly chafe lines or even an inflatable’s PVC or Hypalon. If the dinghy is heavy or has a large outboard, the swinging can quickly get out of control to the point that it will damage the davits. Strap your dinghy down so that it doesn’t move at all, even when you’re in quiet anchorages. You never know when a ferry boat will throw a big wake your way!

Finally, the location of davits on the stern is less than ideal. Most boats don’t balance well with too much weight that far aft. Furthermore, should you take a wave over the stern during an overly boisterous passage, you can probably kiss your dinghy–and maybe even your davits–goodbye. Most salty sailors store their boats on the foredeck when at sea, even if they do have davits.

Foredeck or Rooftop Hoists

Powerboats usually have motorized hoists that lift their dinghies onto the high deck. Traditional trawlers can use their mini mast and block and tackle to do the same job. Sailboats use their mast and rigging to hoist a dinghy onto the deck. This can be a good way to get inflatables up to deflate them for storage, or to move a hard boat into position to be strapped down.

Once aboard, the dinghy can be sat on the deck in cradles or flipped over and sat upside down. How it stores will depend entirely on your boat and how much space you have–and where you have it. 

Hard dinghies have rigid hulls, just like regular boats. Many are made of fiberglass, but there are also molded plastic ones. There are also a handful of classic or homebuilt wood dinghies out there. 

Hard dinghies come in all sorts of sizes and shapes. Some are beautifully designed by the world’s best yacht designers, like Lyle Hess’s Fatty Knees. Others are functional, floating, plastic bathtubs, like the Walkers Bay 8. 

Rowing Dinghy

Rowing dinghies are paddled with oars and a center-mounted seat. This limits the space on the boat considerably. The rower sits facing aft, which is awkward to maneuver the boat from but provides lots of power into each stroke. 

Nearly all dinghies are made to be paddled, to some extent. But if rowing is a big part of your plan, you need to research carefully. Many dinghies row poorly. Flat and wide boats are difficult to control and hard to get to track straight in any wind or chop. 

On the other hand, proper rowing dinghies are a pleasure. Look for classic designs that have a dominant keel line and soft chines. 

Some cruisers and solo sailers use plastic kayaks as rowing dinghies. So long as it holds enough supplies and gets you where you need to go, it’s a great idea. Best of all, kayaks are much easier to maneuver in strong winds than rowboats, and faster too. In the world of dinghies, a kayak is like riding a bicycle.

Some cruisers want to know about the functionality of using standup paddleboards (SUPs) as a solo sailor’s dinghy. The truth is, SUPs make terrible dinghies. They have no gear carrying capacity, and they are impossible to lock up once you get to the dinghy dock. To make matters worse, they’re difficult–if not impossible–to paddle into strong winds or choppy conditions.

Sailboat Dinghy

Adding the ability to sail your dinghy moves it from the tool category into the toy category. We all like to have water toys, and if you can practically turn your dinghy car into a water toy, too, that’s pretty cool.

But, sailing a dinghy comes with an entirely new set of problems. It will need a sail rig, a keel of some sort, and a rudder to sail well. This will not work on any dinghy–it will need to have been designed from the get-go to sail.

Nice dinghies don’t come cheap, and adding a sail kit usually makes it substantially more expensive. But for purists who love the freedom and peace of real sailing, there are not many things that are more fun than skirting around the harbor silently in your sailing dinghy.

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Hard Dinghy with Motor

You can add a motor to most dinghy designs as long as you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and do not overpower or overload it. Engines are heavy, and adding all of that weight to a tiny boat’s transom can quickly cause trouble.

Hard dinghies that are a suitable size for cruising boats seldom plane. A planing dinghy goes fast–so you can expect that most dinghies in the 8 to 12-foot range are going to be slow. The exception to this is the RIB–a hybrid hard-inflatable dinghy. For more details on RIBs, see below.

What’s left is the fiberglass or plastic dinghies that can’t get on plane–they have displacement hulls. They are usually rated for between two and five horsepower. Adding more horsepower does not necessarily make the dinghy go faster. The engines can be gas, propane, or electric. 

Once you get into slightly larger boats, in the 15 to 18-foot range, there are a few that will get on plane. But these boats are so large and heavy that you cannot lift them on most cruising boats. For example, Boston Whaler has made a series of tenders and small tenders, like their 130 Super Sport . But, with an engine and fuel, this little boat weighs over 1,000 pounds.

Pros and Cons of Rigid Hard Dinghies

• Indestructible–much more robust than inflatable options
• Can be very good looking
• Always ready to go
• Options for rowing or sailing
• Tippy–much less stable than inflatable boats
• No way to store in a small space–can’t roll up or deflate
• Low weight carrying capacity
• Generally limited to low-horsepower motors
• Cannot plane (go fast)
• Can be very heavy and bulky

Best Hard Dinghy Brands

West marine dinghy.

West Marine sells a few models of rigid dinghy. They are made of molded plastic, extremely tough, and can be oared or powered by a small outboard. Unfortunately, none of the West Marine models come with a sail kit. 

The West Marine Classic Dinghy is similar to a popular model known as the Walkers Bay 8. These can often be found on the used market and have many great options. They have a sail kit and a tube kit that converts them almost into a RIB. 

Porta-Boat makes a unique, folding, rigid boat design. The boat panels fold together into a flat case that looks a little like a surfboard. You can unfold the Porta-Boat on your foredeck and launch it. When lightly loaded and given a big enough outboard, Porta-Boats are fast enough to plane–a rare find in rigid dinghies.

Portland Pudgy

The unique looks of the plastic Portland Pudgy betray its biggest plus–it is designed to serve as a lifeboat. For a cruiser outfitting their boat for crossing oceans, liferafts are expensive and take up a lot of space. So having a dinghy that could potentially serve that purpose could save you several thousand dollars–plus the liferaft packing service cost every one to three years.

The Pudgy is a cute dinghy, virtually indestructible, and equipped however you like. It’s made of roto molded polyethylene, just like a plastic kayak. You can row it, motor it, or sail it. The survival kit adds liferaft supplies and a canopy for emergencies. Best of all, the various pieces fit inside compartments built in the hull. 

Fatty Knees, Trinka, Sam Morse Cherub, etc.

There are a handful of really classy classic dinghies out there, but you have to do a little research to find them. Usually, they result from a professional yacht designer answering a cruiser’s problem. For example, when Lin and Larry Pardey were sailing around the world on their Lyle Hess-designed Serafynn, Hess designed them a dinghy that fit perfectly on their boat. That little dinghy eventually became the well-loved Fatty Knees. 

Dinghies of this class look great, and they usually row and sail beautifully. Most will accept a tiny outboard for power. None will get on plane, and space and hauling capacity are not as much as with a RIB. Some of these dinghies are still made, while others are rare finds on the used market.

Chesapeake Light Craft CLC Kits

The selection of small rigid boats that make good tenders is surprisingly limited. If you’re a hand person, you might consider building one from a plywood kit. Several suppliers of such kits, but Chesapeake Light Craft in Annapolis is the biggest. Their boats range from tiny rowing prams to motor and sailing yachts. 

This type of boat building is known as stitch and glue. Panels of marine-grade plywood are stitched together and then glued together with epoxy. The result is a robust design that is lightweight and can last decades with proper care.

A nesting dinghy is one particularly interesting design that you can make from plywood. These are built in two or three sections, each stacking neatly in the other. So on your deck, the dinghy is small–only five or six feet long. However, when assembled, they can be 12 or more feet long.

Inflatable boats also come in a variety of types. The only universal feature is the inflatable tubes surrounding the boat, but the interiors and floors vary. Besides the cost of the boat, the deciding factor usually comes down to storage space and setup. 

Roll-up floors are made of the same rubber as the hull but with wood slats that make it sturdier. Some are entirely flat and made of plywood or aluminum panels–these are generally called solid-floor boats. Next, there are inflatable floor boats with a high-pressure floor that you can stand on, like a paddleboard. And finally, RIBs have fiberglass or aluminum hulls surrounded by the inflatable tube.

Inflatables are probably the most popular dinghy option because they are easy to come by and easy to store. Once inflated and on the water, they are very stable and difficult to capsize. In addition, they hold an insane amount of weight, so you never have to worry about overloading it with your groceries or supplies. 

Inflatables are sold with oars for rowing, but they make terrible rowboats. They blow around on the water and are difficult to control. With no keel, they don’t track and make terrible leeway in wind or chop. Some do have an inflatable keel, which gives the hull and little shape and greatly improves handling.

RIBs are easier to paddle since they have a keel and do track better.

Most inflatable or RIB owners will opt for engine power eventually, even if they like rowing. Inflatables can be quite fast, and some are designed to get on plane. In my personal experience, you need a minimum of 8 horsepower to plane a RIB, although 9.9-horsepower motors are even better. If you carry more than two people aboard or have a lot of gear, consider a 15-horsepower engine as the minimum.

Rigid Inflatable Boats

Making hybrids tends to not work out very well with many things in life. The results often take on all the disadvantages of each thing and few of the advantages. But with rigid inflatable boats, this isn’t the case. Luckily, these boats really are the best of both worlds. 

The advantages are that RIBs are lightweight yet supremely stable for their size. Large inflatable tubes all around the hull provide a dry ride and are very difficult to capsize. They can be loaded for bear and carry lots of people and supplies. 

The hard bottom of the boat gives it a solid keel and good handling characteristics on the water. If you want to get on plane, a RIB is your best bet. All you have to do is buy one that will safely handle a large enough outboard motor.

The complexity of a RIB’s design is proportional to its cost. The simplest boats are small, with a single floor. In other words, the floor you stand on is also the outer hull. It slopes down to the keel, making it harder to stand on than a flat floor. They have no built-in storage options. They’ll have seating on the outer tubes or a simple bench seat.

One step up is the double-floor RIB. These have a flat floor attached to the hull, so there is space below. These boats usually have some storage under the floor, near the bow. They’re easier to stand in, but they are also much heavier and more expensive. 

Larger RIBs may have built-in seats and possibly a wheel-style helm. This looks comfortable, but it takes up a lot of space and weight that might be handier for extra people or more groceries. 

The first rule is that if you have the space and budget for a RIB, you should get the RIB. You might be able to fit an air floor roll-up boat, but you’ll never like it as much. Some of them are very nice–but they aren’t RIBs, and they never will be. 

If you absolutely, positively can’t fit or afford a RIB, then there are still plenty of options. But the remaining types of inflatables will always feel like a rubber toy boat more than a solidly built vessel.

Material – PVC vs Hypalon Dinghies

The vinyl material that makes up the tubes of an inflatable comes in either PVC or Hypalon. PVC is cheaper and the most common. Unfortunately, PVC is broken down the quickest from the sun’s UV rays.

Hypalon is the solution for areas with intense sun exposure. Hypalon will last twice as long as PVC boats. But, of course, it does come at a cost–it’s much more expensive than PVC. It’s also important to note that you cannot use PVC patches and repair kits on Hypalon boats–so repairs and even the glue for a Hypalon craft will cost more. Hypalon is also called CSM, or chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) synthetic rubber.

You also need to consider the size of the tubes and how many air chambers they are dived into. The larger the tube, the greater the boat’s reserve buoyancy and the better its handling and carrying capacity is. The more air chambers it has, the safer it will be should one chamber spring a leak or get punctured. A cruising sailors dinghy should have a minimum of three air chambers, but four is even better.

Rigid Hull Construction Material – Fiberglass or Aluminum

The rigid hard bottom of a RIB can be made of fiberglass or aluminum. Aluminum is an attractive option since this type of robust design was popularized by AB and now Highfield. Aluminum is strong and lightweight. It can still be dented and scratched, but the chances of it getting holed are very low. 

Fiberglass boats are less expensive and heavier. But, just like any fiberglass vessel, they can be chipped and cracked by impacts with rocks or docks. Luckily, fiberglass is extremely easy to fix, whereas aluminum would require welding. It’s also easy to modify a fiberglass dinghy. If, for example, you wanted to add a cleat to the transom for towing, you could do so easily. That sort of modification is harder to do correctly with aluminum.

Small Dinghy Seating Capacity, Storage Space, and Load Limits

No matter whether you’re looking for a RIB dinghy boat with motor, a sailing dinghy, or a kayak, your choice always comes back to what exactly it is you need to carry. Small boats like these don’t have a lot of extra buoyance to spare when you overload them. If you sometimes need to carry an extra person or two, but your dinghy is too small, that could pose a big problem. If you need to ferry new house batteries out to your boat, but all you have is a kayak with 50 pounds for cargo–that’s not going to happen. 

Whatever boat you like, take a look at its maximum loading capabilities. Thanks to the official US Coast Guard capacity plate, most dinghies will have this marked on them. This will rate the vessel for a maximum number of people, a maximum amount of weight, and maximum engine horsepower. 

Pros and Cons of Inflatable Dinghies

• Can roll up or deflate for smaller storage
• Lighter than hard boats
• Enormous weight carrying capability
• Extremely stable–won’t flip even if you stand on one side
• Can carry more horsepower and go faster than hard dinghies
• Since they store smaller, you can usually fit a larger inflatable on your boat than you can a rigid boat
• Material degrades in the sun from UV damage
• Tubes can be punctured by rocks or chaffed bylines in extreme circumstances
• Best Inflatable and RIB Brands

West Marine earns a place on the list for simple ubiquity. West Marine dinghies are rebranded versions of those built by other companies – usually Zodiacs. Most, if not all, are made in China. 

But the advantage is in their availability – most coastal areas of the US are near a West Marine store, and most stores have a few dinghy models in stock. You can go and see them in person, and you can pick them up and take them home on the same day. Pretty much every other option on the list will have to be ordered sight-unseen.

West Marine sells a selection of inflatable dinghies, from roll-ups and slat-floor models to top-of-the-line RIBs. They keep parts in stock at most stores, and the better boats are available in either PVC or Hypalon. 

Highfield Boats

Highfield is best known for its hard-wearing Hypalon aluminum-hulled RIBs. These sharp and sturdy boats are found on most charter boats since they last the longest. The company also makes PVC roll-up models. Highfields are pretty much the hottest ticket in RIBs right now–their boats look and perform marvelously.

Their boats range from the tiny 6’7″ RU 200 roll-up to the SP900–a 30-foot, 900-horsepower center console powerhouse. The most popular dinghy tender is the Classic 310. If you need something lighter, the Ultralight line is excellent as well.

Zodiac Nautic

Zodiac is a French maker of inflatable boats. They have a full line, from small roll-ups to large professional rescue RIBs. Their boats are divided among different product lines. Cruisers will want to look into the Cadet line of dinghies, which come in roll-up and RIB versions. 

If you’re looking for a boat with a helm, the Yachtline has four size options. These boats have built-in seating for up to nine people and engines up to 90 horsepower.

AB Inflatables

AB started as Antilles Boatworks–as you might imagine, their target market is the Caribbean. They make hardy Hypalon RIBs with aluminum hulls built for life in the tropics, plus jet boat yacht tenders and professional SAR and law enforcement RIBs.

Achilles makes roll-up, slat-floor, and RIB dinghies in various sizes. 

Like the mothership you call home, your dinghy is uniquely yours. No two boaters will make the same choices – everyone has different priorities. For the couple driving a classic wooden boat, nothing will do but an equally classic wooden dinghy. On the other hand, speed and comfort requirements dictate a go-fast RIB for the ultra-modern motor trawler. There’s never a one-size-fits-all answer to boating, so research carefully and think about how you’re going to use your dink. The good news is, there’s an active used market for dinghies out there–so upgrading and trading until you get it right is an option.

Is it dinghy or dingy?

A dinghy is a small boat, usually used by a bigger boat to carry supplies and people to shore and back. For example, “The yacht’s dinghy brought the crew to shore, where they went shopping.”

Dingy is an adjective meaning dirty, unclean, or squalid. For example, “After two weeks at sea, the dingy sailor desperately needed a shave and a long, hot shower.”

Why is a boat called a dinghy?

The English word “dinghy” comes from a similar Hindi word that describes small rowing boats used on the rivers in India. According to Merriam-Webster, it first appeared in English around 1810. It likely became a loanword during the times of British India.

What is a dinghy for a boat?

The most common type of dinghy is a small boat used as a tender. It runs back and forth to shore, tending the needs of the larger vessel. For example, it might take passengers ashore, pick them up, or just pick up and move supplies.

Sailing dinghies are small racing sailboats, like those used by sailing clubs to teach sailing and racing skills.

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

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Best Inflatable Dinghies of 2024 Reviewed

Newport Vessels Dana

Sport Boats Killer Whale

Intex Mariner 4

A traditional boat is priceless to anglers and boaters, but it comes with the problem of finding suitable storage and trailer. This translates to increased costs that might not be too appealing for some intending boaters.

Thankfully, an inflatable dinghy offers all the functions of a traditional boat plus convenience, high performance, ease of use, and safety. You don’t need a trailer to lug most inflatables from place to place. And you definitely don’t need dock rentals or spend extra money on storage for these boats.

However, choosing the best inflatable dinghy is usually not a walk in the park, particularly if it is your first time doing so. For this reason, we’ve reviewed the top 5 options available on the market to ease your buying decision. We’ve also included a detailed guide to help select the best type that suits your purpose.

Let’s kick things off with a boat that combines near-perfect performance with portability. From Newport Vessels comes Dana, a special 8-feet inflatable sport tender dinghy boat with large tubes that resembles twin rockets. It seats up to three passengers and can take up to 1,067 lbs.

This boat might be just the right one for you if you’re looking for a dinghy with remarkable speed, superior stability, and durable construction material. With a hull made from 1100 Denier Korean PVC, this boat can survive rough water adventures.

A 30-day money-back guarantee backs your purchase. There’s also a 2-year manufacturer warranty, so you can be sure that your investment will not go to waste in case something goes wrong.

• Weight: 107 lbs
• Number of Chambers: 4
• Passenger Capacity: 3 people
• Load Capacity: 1,067 lbs
• Engine Capacity: 10 HP
• Fabric: UV coated PVC
• Warranty: 2 years (30-day return policy)
• Built-in Options: Self-bailing drain plug, grab rope, carrying handles, and three bow D-rings for towing.
• Accessories: Carry bag, two aluminum oars, and foot pump.

$999.00 Amazon  →

• Considerably large tubes and marine wood floor increases stability • Easy to fold and carry • Increased speed

• Large tube size takes away from the cockpit room • Oarlocks might not fit aftermarket equipment due to small size

Not a lot of inflatables pack the power that comes with the Killer Whale from Sport Boats. Although it can take a load of more than 1,200 lbs or five adults, it can still glide through the water seamlessly, thanks to its extended rear pontoons.

Maneuvering this dinghy is easy-breezy due to its contoured design. The boat is constructed with a 9 mm reinforced PVC hull and has a slide-in aluminum floor. This is the perfect dinghy for fresh and saltwater activities.

You’re going to need some help transporting this one, though. At 10 feet 8-inches, the Killer Whale is not particularly a small boat.

• Weight: 80 lbs
• Number of Chambers: 3
• Passenger Capacity: 5
• Load Capacity: 1,268 lbs
• Engine Capacity: 15 HP
• Fabric: 1100 reinforced PVC material
• Warranty: 3 years
• Built-in Options: Two oarlock-in holders, five carrying handles, and two towing rings.
• Accessories: Carry bag, one aluminum bench, two aluminum oars, foot pump, and removable seat cushions.

$1,699.99 Amazon  →

• Suitable for a variety of application in saltwater and freshwater • Increased outboard support and planning due to extended rear pontoons • Comes with plenty of extras • Assembly takes roughly 10 minutes

• Heavy boat, making it difficult to transport than other models

Bris Fish Hunter Boat

Here’s something for those searching for the best inflatable dinghy that works for commercial and recreational purposes. The Bris Fish Hunter Boat may have the same appearance as the other options, but as they say, don’t judge a book by its cover.

This one is built to be rugged. With an outboard to support 25 horsepower and heavy-duty construction, the boat delivers exceptional performance than most models.

It is extremely stable, and the additional aluminum floor panels provide maximum support. Constructed with a thick 2000 Denier PVC material, the heavy-duty fabric can withstand tension, tears, and other hazards.

• Weight: 150 lbs
• Passenger Capacity: 6 adults
• Load Capacity: 1,675 lbs
• Engine Capacity: 25 HP
• Fabric: PVC (with polyester support)
• Warranty: 3 years (30-day money-back guarantee)
• Built-in Options: Safety ropes, interior tie-downs, oarlock, D-rings, drain valves, handles, and splash guard.
• Accessories: Carry bag, two aluminum bench, two oars, foot pump, aluminum floor panels, and repair kit.

$1,349.00 Amazon  →

• Superior maximum horsepower • Includes aluminum floor panels to support seats

• Heavy boat, making transportation difficult for a single-user

For those who are on the fence about inflatable dinghies, Intex Mariner 4 is an excellent way to test the waters. It is also the perfect boat for those on a budget.

Although this is an inexpensive option, it doesn’t take away from its high-quality, durability, and performance.  The Intex Mariner 4 is built to convey four people without straining under the weight.  The rigid plastic floor improves the boat’s overall stability and provides for a more stable standing platform for occupants.

The durable PVC construction protects the boat against abrasion, puncture, spilled fuel, and other hazards.

Carrying this boat around is quite easy due to its multiple handles. Don’t have a large space in your car’s trunk? No worries. The 10 feet 9 inches inflatable dinghy will roll up and fit into the trunk of any small passenger car once deflated.

• Weight: 77 lbs
• Passenger Capacity: 4 adults
• Load Capacity: 1,100 lbs
• Engine Capacity: 3 HP gas or 55 lb. thrust electric
• Fabric: PVC (triple layer of super tough material)
• Built-in Options: Four valves, two fishing rod holders, oar holders, grab handles, three inflatable seats, motor mount, and rotational oarlocks.
• Accessories: Carry bag, high output pump, two 54-inch aluminum oars, and a repair patch kit.
• Buy on Amazon   →
• Buy on Walmart   →

• Ease of transportation and storage • Increased stability due to inflatable keel and hard plastic floor • Affordable

• Comparatively low maximum horsepower rating • Little room for gear • Carry bag might not be durable

Sea Eagle Stealth Stalker STS10

If you’re in search of the best inflatable dinghy specifically designed for the ultimate fishing experience, look no further than the Stealth Stalker STS10 by Sea Eagle. It’s difficult to find inflatables that combine the basic dinghy performance with this boat’s incredibly useful fishing features.

Instead of the usual pontoons separated at the transom, this boat has a fully enclosed hull with a wide profile. It comes with a marine-grade plywood floor and side struts that increase its overall stability. So, whether you’re fishing in saltwater or freshwater, the Stealth Stalker STS10 will perform excellently even in extreme conditions.

The boat has a frameless design that makes folding. Plus, it weighs only 45 lbs when deflated, making transportation easy for a single user.

It comes complete with several features, including fish rulers, repair kit, and a carry bag to safely stow away the boat when not in use. Fishing boats simply don’t get any more convenient than the Stealth Stalker STS10!

• Weight: 45 lbs (78 lbs with motor mount and floorboards)
• Passenger Capacity: 2 adults
• Load Capacity: 1,200 lbs
• Engine Capacity: 4 HP gas or up to 74 lb. thrust electric
• Fabric: PVC (quadruple overlapping seams)
• Warranty: 3 years (180-day return policy)
• Built-in Options: Raised oarlocks, motor mount, two 360 o inflatable swivel seats, and four built-in rod holders.
• Accessories: Carry bag, stow bag, oar set, two 40-inch fish rulers, A41 foot pump, and repair kit.

• Offers extreme stability • Incredibly lightweight when deflated, making transport and storage easy • Folds smaller than most other models when deflated • Affordable

• Relatively low maximum horsepower rating when compared to other models • Can be heavy for one person to carry once it is set up • Not easy to maneuver in tight spaces • Not suitable for general boating since the design is specifically for fishing

At this point, most people would have made up their minds about which boat is the best inflatable dinghy. While it is okay to eye one or a couple of these options, we’ll suggest that you hold off choosing for a little while until you know what to look for when choosing an inflatable dinghy.

But first, let’s see some of the advantages of buying an inflatable dinghy instead of other traditional boats.

Why You Should Buy an Inflatable Dinghy

Several types of inflatable boats are used for different purposes. This ranges from motorized inflatable pontoon boats to inflatable sport boats to rigid inflatable boats, and others. These boats have become popular for several reasons, including:

Portability

Portability is perhaps the biggest reason to invest in an inflatable dinghy. Most types can be deflated and rolled up or folded easily. Storing them doesn’t require a lot of space. You can keep them safe in your garage (off the floor). That means zero winter storage fees and absolutely no need for slip rentals. And since you can transport them in the trunk of your car, there is no need for trailers.

Of course, larger types are heavier and difficult to lug from one place to another, but they don’t require a trailer to move them.

Wait, what?

How is a “balloon” on water durable?

Inflatable dinghies are not mere balloons or rubber floating on water. Modern constructions use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabrics or Hypalon (a nylon neoprene-coated material) to build highly durable boats that can withstand harsh conditions and hazards, including abrasion, UV rays, and extreme temperatures.

You don’t have to worry about frequent leaks because the seams of modern inflatable dinghies are heat-welded. Purchasing an inflatable dinghy is a wise investment if you enjoy fishing or some other water activities because the boat is designed to last for several seasons.

Canoes, kayaks , and other boats in the same class do not provide the type of stability as inflatable dinghies. It is a lot safer to stand in inflatables and maneuver the boats even at high speeds, especially if you buy one with a V-shaped keel and a hard floor. If you buy a larger model, you can even use it in the ocean’s open waters.

Versatility

Many other boats are built to suit only one application. But inflatable dinghies are designed to be used under various conditions in a wide range of waterways and can be used in saltwater and freshwater.

Many inflatables also come with optional accessories, including seating, fishing rod holders, canopies, and storage.

Choosing the Best Inflatable Dinghy – Buying Guide

Here’s a quick tip when it comes to buying an inflatable that will serve you for several years: always look beyond the brand name and price tag.

Yes! Selecting a good-quality inflatable dinghy is all about choosing one with the right features for your purpose. It doesn’t matter how expensive a boat is; if it doesn’t suit your purpose and where you live or where you’ll be using it, you shouldn’t buy it.

Before you purchase a boat, we suggest that you take some time and give serious thoughts to the following.

Inflatables come in different sizes, and size can significantly affect performance. Choosing a size depends a lot on how you intend to use the boat. What size of motor do you want to use? How many passengers do you expect onboard on average? You should also consider the amount of gear you usually bring along and the normal conditions you expect to encounter. All these factors can impact the performance of a boat.

Generally, inflatables over 10 feet long usually offer a greater level of control. They are less likely to rock during strong wind currents and are a lot easier to plane. Of course, if you do not need that much space, there’s no need to buy a 10-feet long boat or more. But whatever you do, keep in mind that overloading your dinghy will definitely reduce its performance, regardless of the size.

Think about the pros and cons of flooring available in the inflatable before you buy it. Why is this important? The floor of a boat can affect its stability, speed, weight, and even performance. As you go through this section, consider where you want to use the dinghy – on choppy waters, running river, or flat water?

The four types of floors available in inflatable dinghies include:

• Slat Floors

Slat floors, also known as roll-up floors, are the most basic floors you will encounter in inflatable boats. Slat floors are made from materials such as plywood or aluminum and are easy to assemble. Storing them is as easy and rolling them up and stowing away.

If you want a simple boat that is perfect for short trips, consider one with roll-up floors such as a roll-up inflatable dinghy. They are easy to deflate, roll up, and store. They require only a small space for storage and are not expensive.

However, because the floors are not rigid, it can be difficult to stand on them. Another major downside of slat floors is that they can damage the boat’s fabric if they get broken. And since these types of dinghies don’t come with a keel, performance on the water is limited. They are most suited to small water bodies with flat water.

Consider getting another type of dinghy if you want to ride in choppy waters of the open ocean. But if you prefer a slat floor inflatable dinghy, make sure to purchase one with the slat floors close together as they are more stable than those with slats that are further apart.

• Hard Floors

Inflatables with hard floors offer more stability and rigidity and slat floor types. The floors are also made from wood or aluminum and usually come with a V-shaped keel for added rigidity. This combination allows the boat to get on a plane easily. It also improves maneuverability and overall performance on choppy waters.

Hard floor inflatables are rather stable, making them versatile as they can be used as dive boats, yacht tenders, and fishing boats.

Expect to pay more hard floored boats such as the Rigid Hull Inflatable dinghies (RHIs). Setting them up will also take a long time compared to roll-up inflatable dinghies that take less time to inflate and deflate. These boats are quite heavy, so carrying them from land to water is a bit difficult. As you probably already figure out, storing these dinghies requires considerable space because they are not as portable as other options.

Consider getting an inflatable with a hard floor if you have ample space to store them, and you don’t mind spending some time assembling the boat when you need to use it. After all, that’s a small price to pay if you want a boat that will cut through choppy waters like a hot knife slices through butter!

Air floors, also known as air deck, are separate flat tubes that inflate like the rest of the dinghy. They are made from tough PVC materials and are rigid enough to stand or even jump on, but weigh less than hard floors.

Inflatable dinghies with air floors usually have keels, and this gives them superior maneuverability, and their lightweight improves their speed. The floors are comfortable for kneeling and sitting.

Air floor boats are portable and faster to assemble than hard floor boats. They also don’t require much storage space.

However, these boats don’t come cheap. Expect to spend top dollar for a good-quality air floor inflatable dinghy. But the major downside is not the price tag. Air floor boats are prone to punctures. This is probably not the best choice if you want to mount real seats or a fish finder on your boat.

Pro tip: One way to minimize piercing through the boat is to lay a piece of carpet or cut-to-shape vinyl on the floor. This is particularly helpful if you plan to carry things around in your boat or use it for fishing.

Another disadvantage of air floor boats is their weight. These boats are particularly lightweight because the floor is filled with air. While that’s a good thing, it makes them unsuitable for rough waters. Lightweight is not an advantage when it comes to stability on the water. Consider getting a heavier boat if you want more stability, especially in rough waters.

• Self-Bailing Floors

The floors in regular boats are made with sealed tubes. If water gets into the boat, it remains there until it is scooped out manually. That’s the disadvantage of non-bailing standard floors.

The solution? Self-bailing floors!

These types of floors have holes in the sides that let water out of the boat. If you are mostly using an inflatable in situations, such as white-water rafting, where lots of water can enter the cockpit, it can be extremely helpful to buy a boat with a self-bailing floor.

Boat Fabric

The type of fabric used to make a boat determines its durability and quality. The popular options when it comes to materials for inflatables are PVC and Hypalon. Both choices are durable, but with peculiarities.

PVC fabrics are synthetic plastic polymers. That means boats with these fabric types are lightweight, portable, and affordable (since the material is less expensive than the nylon-coated Hypalon). Repairing a boat made from PVC fabric is extremely easy – a tear can be glued or thermo-bonded.

However, PVC boats are not suitable for tropical locations. Excessive heat and humidity can easily damage the plastic material or harden the fabric if used under sunlight for too long. These boats have a short life circle because PVC fabrics cannot withstand abrasion for too long.

On the other hand, boats made from Hypalon can resist ultraviolet rays, extreme temperatures, abrasion, and mechanical wear and tear. This is because the material is a synthetic rubber. Repairing Hypalon fabric can be done easily by applying a patch. Overall, these boats will last longer because the material is more durable.

However, Hypalon is expensive, and as expected, the cost of an inflatable dinghy with Hypalon fabric won’t come cheap. The color can fade when left under the sun for too long.

If you live in the tropics or intend to use a boat that will not harden by being under sunlight for long hours, your best bet would be to purchase a boat made with Hypalon fabric. On the flip side, if you live in colder regions and don’t intend to be on the water for too long during sunny days, a PVC boat might suit you just fine.

When it comes to hull type, the best inflatable dinghy for you will depend on the activity you intend to use the boat for. Hull types include:

A boat with a flat hull doesn’t come with a keel, which means it won’t provide adequate stability. Directing and maneuvering this type of boat can be difficult. Generally, flat hull boats don’t reach high speeds and will not get on planes.

So, what are they good for? Consider getting a flat hull boat if all you do is going on short trips or you want a boat that will move slowly while you fish for a few hours.

A V hull boat usually comes with an inflatable keel. They are perfect for cutting through water as they can get on planes at high speeds. They offer great stability and maneuverability than flat hull types, and as you’ll expect, they are a bit more expensive, too. This boat might be just what you want if you are looking for the best inflatable dinghy that will serve as a tender during wildlife, fishing, or diving activities.

• Deep-V Hull

Deep-V hulls are common features in rigid inflatable dinghies and are quite pricey. Boats with deep-v hulls have enhanced stability, increased speed, and give more control. But because they sail higher on water due to their hull design, they can rock in the wind and even tilt.

Availability of OEM Accessories

Although you can buy a new boat after a while, wouldn’t it be better if you can save costs by simply upgrading? Adding additional storage, a canopy, or even adding a few seats might be all you need instead of buying an entirely new boat.

But you can’t upgrade easily if your boat doesn’t have readily available OEM accessories or aftermarket parts. For this reason, take some time to look around for available accessories for the inflatable dinghy you intend to purchase.

Besides, it will be helpful if the boat you choose includes accessories such as waterproof carry bags , seat cushions, paddles, and other items.

Lastly, consider buying a boat from a manufacturer with a long-term warranty. Even if you choose the best inflatable dinghy made from durable materials, you cannot completely rule out accidental damages, so keep an eye out for a solid warranty.

Bottom Line: What is the Best Inflatable Dinghy?

As you would have deduced by now, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the best inflatable dinghy. What works for one person might not be suitable for another because these boats are versatile and can be used for more than one purpose.

A fisherman might not choose the same type of inflatable boat as someone who wants a sport boat. Waterways and conditions can also affect individual choice.

In a nutshell, the best inflatable dinghy is that which suits your purpose, location, and preferences. And we’re sure one or more of the options in this guide will meet your needs.

About Chris

Outdoors, I’m in my element, especially in the water. I know the importance of being geared up for anything. I do the deep digital dive, researching gear, boats and knowhow and love keeping my readership at the helm of their passions.

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Buy new: #buybox .a-accordion .a-accordion-active .a-price[data-a-size=l].reinventPriceAccordionT2 .a-price-whole { font-size: 28px !important; } #buybox .a-accordion .a-accordion-active .a-price[data-a-size=l].reinventPriceAccordionT2 .a-price-fraction, #buybox .a-accordion .a-accordion-active .a-price[data-a-size=l].reinventPriceAccordionT2 .a-price-symbol { top: -0.75em; font-size: 13px; } $999.00 $ 999 . 00 FREE Inside Entryway delivery as soon as Monday, September 16, 8 AM - 8 PM Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com

Save with Used - Like New #buybox .a-accordion .a-accordion-active .a-price[data-a-size=l].reinventPriceAccordionT2 .a-price-whole { font-size: 28px !important; } #buybox .a-accordion .a-accordion-active .a-price[data-a-size=l].reinventPriceAccordionT2 .a-price-fraction, #buybox .a-accordion .a-accordion-active .a-price[data-a-size=l].reinventPriceAccordionT2 .a-price-symbol { top: -0.75em; font-size: 13px; } $873.31 $ 873 . 31 FREE delivery Monday, September 23 Ships from: Amazon Sold by: Amazon Resale

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Newport 8ft 10in Dana Inflatable Sport Tender Dinghy Boat - 3 Person - 10 Horsepower - USCG Rated, White/Gray

Delivery & Support

• This item can be shipped and delivered to your room of choice on a date and time that is convenient for you In most cases, you will be able to track your Amazon order and view updates from point of shipping to your doorstep in your orders . If you need more help with tracking your package, please visit Track Your Package .
• This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.

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Size	Large
Color	White/Gray
Brand	Newport
Material	Polyvinyl Chloride
Product Dimensions	96"L x 32"W
Item Weight	107 Pounds
Age Range (Description)	Adult
Global Trade Identification Number	00609465711195
UPC	609465711195
Manufacturer	Newport Vessels

About this item

• WHY NEWPORT: The crisp white PVC fabric of a Newport dinghy will earn you regular compliments at the dock, and makes you easy to spot while flying across the water at 15-20mph (depending on model and horsepower). Inflatable tail tubes allow for great stability and quick take offs, while the inflatable keel allows for excellent planing and steering. Very portable and easy to assemble or disassemble in 10-15 minutes
• FEATURES: Electric trolling motor compatible. 3-20hp Outboard Compatible (depending on model). Air Keel creates a shaped V hull for easy planing and improved steering. Sturdy carrying handles. 3x Stainless steel bow D-rings for towing. D-rings on bow/tail tubes for bimini and accessory attachments (not pictured). Self bailing transom drain valve. Easy grab rope plus splash guard around edge limits water spray inside boat
• PREMIUM QUALITY: Hull made from high quality crisp white PVC fabric w/ UV treatment, .9mm/1100D. Floor made from aluminum framed marine grade coated plywood provides a solid and stable surface for standing, casting, and planing. Seams are HEAT WELDED using the latest technology
• INCLUDED IN BOX: PVC Boat Hull, Aluminum framed marine wood floor, one aluminum bench seat, 2 aluminum oars, storage bag, foot pump, 2 repair patches plus valve wrench, 1 front carry D ring plus 2 rear exterior sturdy carrying handles, port and starboard front towing D-rings
• USCG APPROVED. Manufacturer Certificate of Origin and Vessel Bill of Sale for boat registration can be requested upon delivery directly from Newport. 2 Year Manufacturer Limited Warranty. California based company, selling high quality boats since 2009
• DIMENSIONS and CAPACITY: Model: Dana. Length: 8 ft 10 in. Tube diameter: 18 in. Inflated width: 60 in. Chambers: 3 plus 1 keel. Max Power: 10HP. Max Engine Weight: 90 lbs. Outboard Shaft: Short 15”-17”. Max Load: 1067 lbs, Max Persons: 3

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Product information

Size	Large
Color	White/Gray
Brand	Newport
Material	Polyvinyl Chloride
Product Dimensions	96"L x 32"W
Item Weight	107 Pounds
Age Range (Description)	Adult
Global Trade Identification Number	00609465711195
UPC	609465711195
Manufacturer	Newport Vessels
Item Weight	107 pounds
Department	unisex-adult
ASIN	B004BCSRIK
Country of Origin	China
Item model number	20M1000017
Customer Reviews	4.1 out of 5 stars
Best Sellers Rank	#141,434 in Sports & Outdoors ( ) #44 in

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Product Description

The Newport Dana is one of the best performing inflatable sport boats on the market. Designed with 3 independent air tubes, plus an inflatable keel, made from the highest quality 1100D PVC fabric available, heat welded seams, and a marine wood floor; it’s no wonder the Dana is one of the highest rated and best selling tenders on the market. This 8’10” sport boat performs great with up to a 9.9hp outboard motor, and carries up to 3 people. It is capable of 20+ mph with performance handling unseen in other sport boats. When it’s time to head home, simply deflate and pack the boat back into it’s carrying bag, toss it in your trunk, and drive off. The Dana is an incredibly compact, portable and storable boat when deflated for storage. All of our products come with our 30-Day, Float Your Boat Guarantee, so you can buy with confidence! Our boats come with a 2 year manufacturer's warranty, and we stand behind our products 100%. For complimentary registration documents, contact Newport with your receipt after purchase to request the documents, mailed same day free of charge. Boat registration laws vary by state, check with your nearest DMV for local regulations.

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Price	$999.00$999.00	—	—	$1,249.00$1,249.00	—	$1,599.00$1,599.00
Size	8ft 10in	9ft	9ft 6in	10ft 6in	11ft 9in	12ft 6in
Passenger Capacity	3	3	4	5	6	6
Max Load Capacity	1,067 lbs	1,067 lbs	1,124 lbs	1,248 lbs	1,512lbs	1,603 lbs
Max Motor Power	10 HP	10 HP	10 HP	16 HP	20 HP	20 HP
Weight	107 lbs	93 lbs	116 lbs	132 lbs	160 lbs	165 lbs

What's in the box

• Aluminum Framed Marine Wood Flooring Set w/ 2 Stringers | 2 Piece Oars and Attachments | Aluminum Bench Seat | Foot pump | Boat Storage/Carrying Bag | Floor Board & Accessories Storage/Carrying Bag | DMV Registration Paperwork (Mailed Separately)

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These Dinghy's are the best quality you can get!

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Customer Review: It's a decent dinghy

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Customer reviews.

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 64% 10% 10% 7% 10% 64%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 64% 10% 10% 7% 10% 10%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 64% 10% 10% 7% 10% 10%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 64% 10% 10% 7% 10% 7%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 64% 10% 10% 7% 10% 10%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the build quality, boat quality, and value of the water flotation device. They mention it's well-made, trustworthy, and an excellent value. Some are also happy with the functionality, fit, and speed. However, some customers have mixed opinions on the ease of assembly.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers are satisfied with the build quality of the water flotation device. They mention it's well-built, stable, and a trustworthy vessel. Customers also appreciate the multiple air chambers and impressive craftsmanship.

"...The Newport Catalina fits the bill perfectly! Really pleased with the overall quality and ease of setup. We were able to launch it off our dock...." Read more

"...Really nice looking and it seems well made. The material seems quite sturdy and well assembled, time will tell if the materials hold up...." Read more

"...I am not worried it at all! It is so sturdy , so comfortable, and perfect for fishing...." Read more

"This dinghy looks and feels amazing, it is a quality built product and with a great price...." Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the water flotation device. They mention it's excellent value.

"...looks and feels amazing, it is a quality built product and with a great price ...." Read more

"This is great for the money . Used in salt water for a week with no problems with 86 lb trolling motor. Fits 4 comfortably...." Read more

"The product performed as advertised and is worth the money " Read more

"...nice stable floor, the inflatable keel makes it easier to drive, good value ...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the boat quality. They mention it's well-made, durable, and seaworthy. Some say the positive reviews were informative.

"...Finally got it out last weekend. It's a great boat . Really nice looking and it seems well made...." Read more

"...You must have a good electric pump though.The boat goes well under a 55lb Newport trolling motor (100Ah LiFePO4 battery is a must) -..." Read more

"...Easy to carry with the missus. Ten horse rated . Which will make this thing fly. It looks well made . It does come from China not Korea...." Read more

"I loved it, the positive reviews were informative and mostly spot on, the video that shows you how to assemble it was helpful...." Read more

Customers like the design of the water flotation device. They mention it looks good, is well-designed, and well-constructed. Some appreciate the nice D rings on the outside for towing and on the top for hanging on davits. Overall, customers are satisfied with the product's design.

"...Finally got it out last weekend. It's a great boat. Really nice looking and it seems well made...." Read more

"This dinghy looks and feels amazing , it is a quality built product and with a great price...." Read more

"...Pros- 18* tubes make it very stable. Good looking ..." Read more

"Like other reviews. This is a good looking dinghy . The tubes are huge for the size boat. Nice d rings on the outside for towing...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the functionality of the water flotation device. They mention it's easy to attach and functions well. Some say it works well in 6mph currents, is super light, and the included foot pump works very efficiently. Customers also mention it goes on plane easily and rides well at about 15mph.

"...do not need a stand alone pump for inflation as the included foot pump works very efficiently ! The materials feel very durable and well made...." Read more

"...for the size of the tubes at first, but they seem to work well where they are mounted ...." Read more

"...The 55 lb trust trolling motor works great although the little blue lights indicating the amps left in the battery stopped working...." Read more

"...- it goes on plane easily and rides well at about 15 mph ...." Read more

Customers like the fit of the water flotation device. They mention it's perfect for their needs, the tubes are huge for the size boat, and it carries four of them comfortably. Some say it fits in their truck toolbox and is perfect for limited cargo space. They also like the 18-inch tubes, which are larger than any other dinghy at the store.

"...This boat has larger tubes and this raises the seating position to nearly a normal height...." Read more

"...Very sturdy and room for 2 people and gear . We received numerous compliments on the boat...." Read more

"...Yes, the floorboards are harder to put in the first time, but once you get the hang of it then it's pretty simple...." Read more

"...inflatables on the market the Dana caught my eye with its oversized air tubes . The 18" tubes handle rough chop extraordinarily well...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the speed of the water flotation device. They mention it's easy to inflate on the scene and has lots of power. Customers also appreciate the great packaging and shipping.

"...I bought an electric pump for this boat but was really surprised how quickly it inflated , even with the foot pump...." Read more

"... Deflating the boat is also quick and included are 2 storage bags, one for the boat, one for the floors...." Read more

"...The foot pump rapidly inflates the vessel and I didn't have any problems with air loss during the season...." Read more

"...But it is easy to inflate on scene . I just have too much rigged up to do that...." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the ease of assembly of the water flotation device. Some mention the wheels are easy to attach, the mountings are easily attaches to the stern with a few bolts, and it goes on plane easily. Others say the first time assembly is a little harder than expected, especially the metal floor requires patience to install.

"...Really pleased with the overall quality and ease of setup . We were able to launch it off our dock...." Read more

"...The floors are the trickiest part of assembling , but if you follow instructions it’s not too difficult...." Read more

"...to put in the first time, but once you get the hang of it then it's pretty simple ...." Read more

"...rule while assembling and installing the floor, the build process is actually a breeze ..." Read more

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The term “dinghy” designates a huge variety of small boats. Dinghies may be rowed with oars, sailed with a removable mast and boom or powered by a low-horsepower outboard motor. These diminutive boats are typically under 15 feet long and more commonly around eight feet.

They have a shallow draft (or depth) so they can be taken into waters where larger boats can’t venture. Many dinghies serve as tenders (or shuttles) to bigger boats that stay at anchor while passengers go ashore. 

Dinghies are rated to carry a number of passengers (sometimes classified as maximum weight) that shouldn’t be exceeded. Many of these small boats can be managed (sailed, rowed or driven) by one person but can carry upwards of eight people.

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Activities with Dinghies

GREAT FOR Day Cruising  • Sailing

Cruising dinghies or tenders are utility boats used to haul people, gear and provisions back and forth to a larger cruising vessel. Rigid inflatable boats (or RIBs) have a hard floor and inflatable rubber or synthetic tubes and make ideal ship’s tenders because they’re very buoyant and stable and with their soft sides, they don’t dent or make marks on the mothership. 

However, dinghy tenders can also be used for all sorts of entertainment on a weekend cruise. An outboard-powered dinghy may used to explore coves, catch fish or visit snorkel spots. A rowing dinghy is ideal when you want to get some exercise and a sailing dinghy is a great way to entertain kids or teach them the basics of sailing. Many yacht clubs have fleets of sailing dinghies in their youth sailing programs where dinghies of the same design are often raced.

Ownership Costs of Dinghies

Ownership costs for dinghies are usually low as compared to other boats and that’s primarily due to their size and simplicity. There will be the initial purchase price and the costs of storage although most dinghies can be stored in a garage on the floor or on a trailer. Dinghies over eight feet with a motor will need to have a state registration sticker so there will be a low fee assessed for that.

If you’ll be leaving your dinghy at different docks, you may want to invest in a lock and chain and if the dinghy will be stored outside, a canvas cover will help preserve your investment.

While dinghies are usually very affordable, you may want to see what type of dinghy would best fit your budget. To do so, feel free to utilize our Boat Loan Calculator .

Maintenance for dinghies is fairly low. Wooden dinghies may need to be varnished and fiberglass ones will need to be polished and waxed periodically. Inflatable dinghies may spring a leak in a tube or pontoon and will need patching. Sailing dinghies may need sail repair or replacement and rowing dinghies will need oars. If a trailer is involved, that will add extra costs.

Again, due to the simple nature of the average dinghy design and outfitting, operation costs are low. Sails may need to be replaced and the outboard motor will need fuel as well as potential annual service unless you do it yourself. 

Dinghy Boat Technology/Materials/Features

Dinghies may be constructed of wood and you can find beautifully detailed wooden rowing dinghies that are still manufactured today. Most dinghies will be made of fiberglass or even rotomolded plastic that requires very little maintenance. Inflatable dinghies are generally constructed of PVC or Hypalon, which are durable synthetics.

Many dinghies will have thwarts, which are seats that connect the two sides where a passenger or a rower can sit. Sailing dinghies will have a simple rig (mast, shrouds, boom and control lines). Motorized dinghies (even inflatable ones) will have a rigid transom (the back end of the boat) capable of holding an outboard motor.

The technology in dinghies is fairly simple, however modern lightweight dinghies may be made of carbon fiber, which offers great weight savings making them easier to lift, move, sail and row.

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At your side on all the seas of the world, we share your pleasure and passion for boating, manufacturing high performance, reliable and versatile outboard motorboats . Whether you’re a navigation beginner or a seasoned racer, we’re committed to provide you with unforgettable experiences on the water. A Zodiac boat is the safest way to discover all the pleasures of boating. Practical and comfortable, the features of the easily RIB make it your best ally for exploring the world. Easy to move around, it’s perfect as a leisure boat for two, friends or family outings, depending on the capacity required.

Boldness and innovation are at the heart of our values, that’s why we’ve developed our technical expertise to offer you models of fishing boats , diving boats, and water sports boats … whose power will enable you to enjoy your passion in complete safety. Our RIBs, with their folding inflatable tubes and rigid hulls, offer space and comfort on board for passengers, as well as easy storage. The robustness of our boats undergoes a high level of quality testing to ensure they can withstand the unpredictability of the weather at sea. Discover pure adventure with Zodiac boats , a perfect fusion of innovation, quality and performance. Embark on an unforgettable experience on the water and let yourself be transported by the passion of travel . Zodiac boats make every boating experience an exceptional adventure.

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Zodiac Nautic is the inventor of the inflatable and RIB boat. As a partner of prestigious events, known and recognised by professional experts and awarded numerous trophies, join the Zodiac Nautic community, the brand that has already convinced over a million owners . Zodiac Nautic has been building inflatable and RIB boats for over 125 years and is present in more than 90 countries worldwide. Its 1,600 dealers will put their expertise and commitment at your service, so you can benefit from the best equipment for the best experience on the water. 

Agility and lightness are the hallmarks of our dinghies . Highly recommended, they can be used for assistance and entertainment. The versatility of our Rigid Inflatable tenders and folding, transportable inflatable boats means you can use them at your leisure, whether you’re disembarking from land or out on the water. These RIBS are the allies of water sports enthusiasts, and will accompany you on all your excursions.

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Passengers scream as superyacht worth £95m crashes into smaller boat

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This is the shocking moment a £95 million superyacht crashed into a smaller boat with at least six people on board.

Footage shows the 232 ft boat named Ice gliding through the water as it heads towards another boat off the coast of Yalıkavak, Turkey on Saturday.

Passengers on the smaller boat can be heard screaming as the superyacht sails towards them.

The vessel’s bow then crashed into the stern of a 101ft motor yacht carrying at least half a dozen people.

It is unclear why the collision occurred, but has been reported that at least half a dozen people were on the smaller boat at the time.

The boat suffered major damage at the stern but no onboard was injured.

The superyacht is part of the Lürssen shipbuilding company and can hold 14 guests and 27 crew members.

Features include a large helipad, beauty salon and bathtubs carved out of solid limestone.

There is also a state-of-the-art gym, jacuzzi and countless lounge and relaxation areas, both in- and outdoors.

The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

In June two boats were involved in a devastating crash and a sailor was thrown overboard during a yacht race.

A man was flung from a boat as competitors battled rough seas during the Round the Island Race in the Isle of Wight today.

He then desperately clung onto his life jacket before being rescued.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rushed to his aid to pull him from the water despite the extreme conditions.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

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