There is a strong case to be made for a second light weight rowing dink aboard. To begin with, it provides a backup if the outboard fails, or the inflatable is lost for some reason.

The rowing dink is going to be a lot easier to drag up the beach than the powered inflatable. This 15 foot Gig Harbor dual oar position boat weighs 125 pounds (58kg), about one third of a light RIB and outboard and a fifth the weight of a lot of RIBs.

We also prefer the rowing dinghy for going ashore through a beach break. The weight makes getting out of the backwash quicker, and we can typically be up the beach before the next bigger set of waves arrives.

Finally, there is the exercise factor. Rowing is a pleasant way to work the muscles, and see some of the territory surrounding your anchorage in quiet.

And if you have room for just one dinghy on deck? Then we’d go with a good rowing design, fitted with a four or six HP outboard and tiller extensions for those distant anchorages – and forget about the inflatable.