It is often mentioned that when cruising your boat is your house and your dinghy is your car.   You will use your dinghy to visit other cruisers, go to shore, set a stern anchor, go shopping, lug fuel, dispose of garbage, get some exercise and in extreme circumstances act as a lifeboat.  Weather powered or rowed, your dinghy needs to be able to serve you safely and reliably. You will see that people have made a wide range of choices when it comes to dinghies and tenders. Many people today choose the inflatable boat because of its stability and availability. While very convenient for most situations they do require a motor to move them about. They are almost impossible to row against any amount of wind. You will see some custom-made wooden craft like the nutshell pram or its bigger sister the shellback.   You will see some fiberglass tenders as well as a variety of one design commercial or home built ones as well.   Some will have the ability to carry a sail.    You will notice that a few of us even bring two on a cruise for different purposes.   There is no perfect dinghy but there are some that come close.   Do your research and make your own informed choice!