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Let's Talk About Dinghies: Do You Need One? Should It Be Registered?
Whether you're looking to do a bit of island-hopping or just searching out those niche fishing spots, owning a dinghy can be a great benefit for all kinds of water-based activities.
Do you really need a dinghy? What kind of dinghy should you buy? Most importantly, does a dinghy need to be registered separately from your boat? There's really no downside to owning a dinghy aside from a bit of extra cost.
Today we will dive into the world of these handy little boats and talk about the different types of dinghies available and the pros and cons of each type.
We'll wrap it all up with a nice bow consisting of all the legal mumbo-jumbo that you need to keep yourself from having to deal with an exorbitant fine. There's nothing quite like playing with your dinghy. Let's get started.
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Types of Dinghies
We could write for days on the types of dinghies. Some are sailed with removable masts, others feature oars for rowing and others might use an outboard motor to get where they're going.
That's to say nothing of the construction. You've got solid boats comprised entirely of wood, composite, fiberglass, or aluminum. There are also dinghies that feature inflatable construction.
We'll start with the dinghy I recommend over all others: the rigid bottom inflatable boat (RIB). While the bottom is rigid, the sides are inflatable. This means you can deflate the RIB dinghy to store it more easily.
Your boat and dinghy will be working closely in tandem, so another bonus of an inflatable boat comes with collision. Colliding with your main vessel in an inflatable dinghy won't leave a ding.
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If space isn't a factor, you can choose from solid dinghies. Composite, fiberglass and aluminum are all fine choices, but I'd suggest staying away from wood, as it degrades much quicker than its counterparts.
It should also be noted that some people (such as your humble author) might have an allergic reaction to fiberglass. Being stuck in an 8-foot boat with someone suffering from hives is no way to go. Composite is what I'd recommend if you insist on a solid hull.
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Pros and Cons of a Dinghy
So what is so amazing about an RIB that I'd recommend it above all others? Surely the inflatable tubes will degrade quicker than a wooden boat does? You'd be absolutely right about that.
RIBs last around 15 years and can cost a mint to purchase, but there's nothing quite like an inflatable dinghy. They're stable, almost unsinkable, extremely light, can be deflated for storage and have built-in marine fenders and seatings. There's a whole lot to love about a RIB dinghy!
Some of the things not to love are the absolute disdain that RIBs have for barnacles and oyster shells. After pulling your dinghy out of the water, it'd be wise to give it a quick scrub with a boat soap concentrate.
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For less messy situations, boat cleaner wipes can easily tackle a quick cleanup job. Wipes also contain a UV protectant that can make the rubber hull resist UV breakdown and last much longer.
Nothing can put a hole in your fun quicker than having a hole in your dinghy. I've had a fair number of (literal) scrapes that didn't result in any serious damage, but it really gets your heart racing.
Scrambling out of the dinghy to inspect it for punctures? Not exactly a fun time, but you won't find that kind of excitement anywhere else.
Do I Need To Register My Dinghy?
Short answer: "Probably so." Longer answer: "Probably so." Ensure that you check your state's laws before you go tooling about in an unregistered dinghy.
Let's have a look at the two states that I know best, California and Florida.
The following vessels do not have to be registered in California:
- Vessels propelled solely by oars or paddles
- Nonmotorized sailboats that are eight feet or less in length
- Nonmotorized surfboards propelled by a sail and with a mast that the operator must hold upright
- A ship's lifeboat (a dinghy is not a lifeboat)
- Vessels currently and lawfully numbered (registered) by another state that are principally used outside California
- Vessels brought into California for racing purposes only (exempted only during races and tune-ups)
So it seems like if I purchase a dinghy under eight feet and don't include a sail or outboard motor, I won't need to register. You won't be going anywhere very fast by simply paddling, but if you're really trying to avoid registration for some reason, there's your loophole. Now how about Florida?
The following vessels do not have to be registered in Florida:
- Vessels operated, used and stored exclusively on private lakes and ponds
- Vessels owned by the U.S. Government, the State of Florida or its political subdivisions
- Non-motor-powered vessels less than 16 feet in length
- Federally documented vessels
- A vessel already covered by a registration number in full force and effect which was awarded to it pursuant to a federally approved numbering system of another state or by the United States Coast Guard in a state without a federally approved numbering system, if the vessel is not located in this state for a period of more than 90 consecutive days
- Vessels from a country other than the United States temporarily used, operated or stored on the waters of this state for a period of not more than 90 days
- Amphibious vessels that have been issued a vehicle title by FLHSMV
- Vessels used only for demonstration, testing or sales promotional purposes by a manufacturer or dealer
You can have up to a 16-foot dinghy in Flordia, but it still can't be motorized unless you're using and storing it exclusively on a private lake or pond.
Knowing the law is almost the entire battle. If you have any doubts about whether or not you should register your dinghy, it would probably be wise to just do it, especially if you're using an outboard motor or sail to propel it.
For your main vessel, you'll definitely need a lot of boat identification.
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