The tender is the family car of the anchorage, and this collection covers inflatable dinghies to suit every boat and budget: compact slatted-floor models that roll away into a locker, airdeck (inflatable floor) dinghies that balance stowability with a rigid feel underfoot, and solid-floor models for regular use and bigger outboards - plus the pumps, repair kits and accessories to keep them going.
Choose by how you'll stow and use it. Slatted floors pack smallest and suit occasional trips ashore; airdecks are the popular all-rounder, stiff enough to plane with a small outboard yet light to haul aboard; rigid floors reward boats with davits or deck space. Check the transom rating against your outboard, and size the dinghy honestly for crew, dog and shopping - the stated capacity is a maximum, not a target.
Frequently asked questions
What size inflatable dinghy do I need as a tender?
A 2.3-2.7m dinghy suits two to three people and fits most yacht lockers; go to 3m+ for a family of four with kit. Remember the quoted capacity is a maximum - comfort runs one or two people below it.
What is the difference between airdeck and slatted floor dinghies?
A slatted floor rolls up smallest and is fine for short trips, while an airdeck inflates to a rigid platform that is drier, more stable to stand on and performs far better with an outboard.
What outboard can I put on an inflatable dinghy?
Check the plate on the transom - every dinghy states a maximum engine power and weight. Most 2.3-3m tenders are rated for 2.5-8hp, and exceeding the rating is unsafe and uninsurable.
