The Inflatable Sailing Dinghy

The inflatable sailing dinghy 'does exactly what it says on the tin' - its hull design is very similar to the standard inflatable dinghy that is employed as a 'shore to mooring' boat tender and in many other roles around the globe. The obvious difference is the capacity to raise the mast, attach the standing rigging and hoist a sail. This requires certain points to be strengthened during the design and construction process in order to accommodate the downward compression force of the mast and the tensioned shrouds pulling at their anchor points. Inflatable rubber tubes or chambers, along with a rigid GRP, folding plywood or inflatable floor, make up the basic hull shape. A wooden transon with rudder and tiller make up the stern profile and a lifting centreboard ensures that a straight course can be maintained by the skipper. The sketch on this page shows an inflatable sailing dinghy with a standard bermudan rig, mainsail and jib.

The inflatable sailing dinghy has been developed over the years into a multi-purpose craft that can even come into its own as an emergency liferaft, if used in conjunction with an optional liferaft and rescue kit. This would normally comprise an inflatable cockpit cover (which creates a floating shelter for the stricken vessel's crew) plus safety lines, first aid items, flares, lights and emergency supplies.

SailingDinghy.info, the site for information about sailing dinghies, their hull design, construction, rigging and sail types plus various dinghy sized boats for leisure and racing.