New composite materials and innovative designs are expanding the limits of what a dinghy can be and do.
When I was a kid cruising around Chesapeake Bay with my family, we burned through dozens of dinghies. We had fiberglass prams that cracked and leaked, wooden-slatted floors that rotted, and inflatables that punctured and tore at the seams. At times, it felt like no dinghy could pass through my family’s hands and come out alive, much less serve as a genuinely reliable and convenient platform for our cruising needs. It’s possible that with two adults, a preteen, two toddlers, two dogs, and one very uncooperative cat, we were pushing those dinghies past their limit, but that’s neither here nor there.
Thankfully, dinghy tech has progressed noticeably since then. Materials are better, glues are stronger, and designs are more varied. Whether you need the waterborne equivalent of the family minivan or just something with a bit more to offer than the standard inflatables, new ideas about what a dinghy can be have sprung up from manufacturers new and old, catering to both local explorers and far-flung cruisers. Here are a few of the most interesting new takes on dinghies we’ve seen recently.
Mantus Dinghy Model 104
Although best known for its anchors, Mantus Marine makes a few other things, too. The Mantus Dinghy is made of rotomolded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene foam in a two-layer laminate and adorned with a variety of industrial-looking accessories. A wraparound bumper, cup- and rod holders, a variety of storage compartments, and a 6-gallon plumbed fuel tank are all standard. Optional wheels aid in schlepping up the beach, and they can be stowed against the transom when underway. Mantus claims the design contains 64 cubic feet of interior volume – about double the interior space of a comparable-size rigid inflatable – a perk for cruisers transporting large families, big provisioning runs, or unwieldy items.
$5,600 | mantusmarine.com
Whaly 310
Ever wanted a dinghy in lime green, firetruck red, or blazing orange? You may be a good candidate for a Whaly. Based in The Netherlands, Whaly Boats manufactures double-walled polyethylene vessels in a variety of sizes, from just shy of 7 feet all the way up to 20 feet. While larger models are best suited as workboats or tour boats, the smaller models are designed primarily as tenders. Whaly claims that its UV-stabilized polyethylene won’t fade in color over time and is fully recyclable at the end of the boat’s life.
$4,500 | whalyboatsusa.com
GoDu 10.5
What if you took the tubes of an inflatable, and made them – as well as every other part of the boat – out of aluminum? That’s essentially what GoDu does. Founded by a Virginia-based couple and manufactured in the U.S. and Canada, GoDu is so confident about its materials (5052-H36 Series aluminum) and design, it offers a lifetime warranty on the hull and its welds. All models come standard with a wraparound bumper protected by Sunbrella Canvas, and SeaDek foam decking on both the “tubes” and floor. Some packages also include deployable aluminum wheels for rolling up the beach, as well as various options for storage compartments and floor shapes. A smaller 8.5 and larger 12.5 model are also available.
$8,995 | goduadventure.com
Takacat T340LX
Maybe you still love inflatables but want something … different. Something sportier, lighter, and even more portable. Takacats are fully inflatable catamarans and have even done away with rigid transoms with their proprietary Tube Transom, a stainless-steel bar and mounting plate that supports an outboard while leaving the stern wide open to promptly drain any onboarded waves. Takacat claims all its models can be deflated and packed down small enough to fit into most trunks or checked luggage, and that its wide, flat-bottomed design makes these dinghies quick to plane and easy to beach while remaining stable enough for cruising needs. We can’t promise a dry ride, but a fun one seems inevitable.
$2,324 | takacatamericas.com
Aspen Carbon Cat T10
Although the carbon fiber composite construction is an obvious standout feature of the Aspen Carbon Cat, its most notable element may be its unique hull shape. Carbon Cat claims that the single-entry forefoot that transitions to a “modified catamaran hull” aft provides a unique combination of tracking ability, spray deflection, lateral stability, and lift for planing. During sea trials, Carbon Cat says its T11 model (11 feet, 2 inches overall) reached a top speed of 21 mph with a 9.9 hp motor. Features include a gunwale bumper made of high-density SeaDek material as well as SeaDek cushioning on seats, plus options for beach wheels, lockable bow locker, and ladder attachment.
$15,700 | aspencarboncat.com