Inflatable boats have proven superior small boats used to tend to the needs of a large boat, since their inception. The first American-market offerings like Avon and Zodiac were specifically designed as dinghies and tenders, and the majority of inflatable boats sold today are still used for these purposes. In the past few years, there has been a substantial change in the purpose a dinghy is serving.

Early inflatable dinghies were usually purchased for their capacity to be deflated and stowed out of sight. There were only used for getting ashore when a more convenient means was not available. The first Avon Redstart was purchased just because of the ill fated maiden cruise. At that time the Ipswich Bay Yacht Club had the farthest mooring from the dock, but it was still an easy row to the 21-footer, even in a hard-throw inflatable. Ipswich Bay Yacht Club and all the other major clubs have expanded dramatically. Today the farthest boat appears to be more than a half mile away from the club floats-a piece of cake in a good pulling boat, but another matter in a soft tail, especially when the current isn't going your way.

In those days, cruising to popular harbors like Edgartown, Hyannis, or Woods Hole, people use to crank up the centerboard and, with 2 feet of draft, snuggled into the most restrictive anchorage. Today when a boat is 52 feet from the tip of the bowsprit to the end of the mizzen boom, and while it draws only 5 feet and is surprisingly maneuverable, isn't too good at snuggling into tight spaces. Since most of us don't like to rent moorings we often find ourselves anchored out of sight of the closest landing. Most of the best anchorages are often miles away from the places we want to visit.

The majority of cruise sailors are now discovering the advantages of small sport boat over the soft tail far outweigh the added cost and more difficult stowage. A lightly loaded sport boat, with a 10-hp outboard can easily reach the planned speed.

An Achilles is really too big to be called a dinghy, tender is a more appropriate term, to be used. Whatever the name is, it allows us the flexibility of anchoring away from the crowds. Shops, stores, and marinas in the most popular harbors can be easily accessed without being subjected to the crowds, noise, and pollution of the adjacent anchorages. For example when one visits Southwest Harbor, Maine one has to anchor in Valley Cove at the entrance to Somes Sound. The Zodiac gets us to the town landing in a little over 10 minutes, where a short walk takes us to the fresh lamb chops at Sawyer's Market. While cruising in far-off places like Canada or Central America, the high-speed sport-boat takes place of the family car, expanding new horizons and assist people in exploring the new territory.

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