In the market for a dinghy, minimum size with minimum console. The leading contenders are the Bullfrog 10' tender and an Achilles 310 aluminum hull with Euroconsole. While there are other significant differences, my main question for those that own a rotomolded dinghy is the impact on the topsides of the mothership.
An inflatable RIB is very forgiving of bumping into the topsides, either on purpose or just having it tied alongside. On a hard dinghy you typically might have rubber buffering on the gunwale, but in my experience nevertheless must be much more careful about this. I've not owned a PU rotomolded dinghy, but it seems to me they are somewhere inbetween, incidental contact will not instantly scratch but you might need to put some effort into not touching when possible and holding it off if tied alongside.
What are the experiences of people who own these dinghies?
An inflatable RIB is very forgiving of bumping into the topsides, either on purpose or just having it tied alongside. On a hard dinghy you typically might have rubber buffering on the gunwale, but in my experience nevertheless must be much more careful about this. I've not owned a PU rotomolded dinghy, but it seems to me they are somewhere inbetween, incidental contact will not instantly scratch but you might need to put some effort into not touching when possible and holding it off if tied alongside.
What are the experiences of people who own these dinghies?