Dinghy
[5][Note 1] The term "dinghy" has some variability in its definition, but is generally a small open boat which may be powered by oars, sail or an outboard motor.
[8][7]: 11–12 A rigid-hulled dinghy can be made of wood (using either traditional or modern techniques), fibreglass or, more recently, moulded polypropylene.
[8][7]: 21 The inflatable life rafts which equipped British military aircraft during World War 2 (and for a period before and after) were called dinghies.
Some newer dinghies have much greater buoyancy, giving them more carrying capacity than older boats of the same size.
Larger dinghies are towed and should have reserve buoyancy, an automatic bailer, and a cover to prevent them from being lost at sea.
There are several types of collapsible rigid dinghy that dismantle into a series of flat panels for easy stowage.
These require minimal care and do not rot but can suffer from fibre glass pox which is caused by the ingress of saltwater through the gel coat.
[13] Rigid dinghies can be made of glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) but injection-moulded one-piece hulls are also available.
Other materials for modern rigid dinghies include aluminium, marine plywood which tends to be much lighter than most types and, with the advent of sturdy, UV resistant polyurethane varnishes, wood.
Favoured woods, in order of rot-resistance, are white oak, black locust, species of cedar and pine, true as well as African and Asian mahoganies, fir and spruce.
Most yachts launch their dinghies by hand or with a simple lifting tackle rigged from the main mast.
Some self-rescue dinghy/yacht tender dinghies have two sets of oarlocks (rowlocks) and an adjustable middle seat to allow for ergonomically efficient rowing positions.
Inflatable dinghies without a rigid bottom are difficult to row more than a short distance, and are usually powered with an outboard motor, or, if necessary, paddled.
A 3.05-metre (10 ft) dinghy with a hard V-bottom hull and a fifteen-horsepower (11 kW) outboard can reach speeds of 25 mph (40 km/h; 22 kn).
A typical sail choice for a dinghy is gunter rig with a shorter mast that fits within the hull when unstepped.
Lug rigs are another common single sail type used in small dinghies, both standing and balanced (with some area forward of the mast), and usable with or without a boom.
A self-rescue dinghy intended to be used as a proactive lifeboat has leeboards on either side, to allow for maximum open cockpit area.
Twin in-hull trolling motor produce 72 pounds-force (320 N) of thrust powering the solar dinghy to 3–5 knots (3.5–5.8 mph; 5.6–9.3 km/h) depending on weather conditions.
