Our dinghy has given up the ghost and we are currently researching getting the right dinghy for our cruising needs. I came across this blog post and thought it was very useful.
https://www.sailmagazine.com/gear/decide-right-rib
"A hard dinghy serves well to row out to your mooring and set off on a day sail. For weekending and vacation cruising you will find a lightweight inflatable with a small outboard serves you better and allows you to go further. As your cruising range extends, the demands on your dinghy change. By the time, you get ready for long term cruising, you will appreciate all that a rigid inflatable dinghy has to offer. "
Choosing the right dinghy
Better still if you can afford them are the range of tenders made in New Zealand called Offshore Cruising Tenders see their website https://oceantenders.co.nz They plane easily and can be rowed and a hell of a lot lighter than any RIB. The economics will probably work in your favor over the long term.
Choosing the right dinghy
I think the place to start is with the outboard (if you want one). If relying on muscle power alone you are limited to 5hp and then it does not matter much what type of dingy you have as it will not plane anyway. If bigger than that you will need a davit/crane and then you can go for a rib providing that you have space to store it safely when on passage. Putting a 2,3 or 5 hp on a rib does seem to me a bit pointless.
Choosing the right dinghy
We bought an OC Tender from Russel and Karin when we were in Opua in 2015/16. Still loving it and hoping to be back in Opua this November. We might then have the first OC Tender to complete a circumnavigation!
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