The Most Popular Dinghy, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the Dinghy you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:34
In the world of sailing, choosing the right dinghy can be as crucial as the skills of the sailor itself. With a multitude of models available, each boasting unique features and performance levels, it can be overwhelming to decide which dinghy might be the right fit for your sailing adventures. A curated list of popular dinghies, ranked by votes, helps demystify this choice, highlighting the top picks in the community.
By participating in the voting process, sailors and enthusiasts contribute to a constantly updated leaderboard that captures real-time preferences and trends within the community. This dynamic voting system not only keeps the rankings fresh but also empowers users to influence the standings directly. It's a wonderful way to engage with the sailing community and see which dinghies are making waves among your peers.
What Is the Most Popular Dinghy?
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167votesThe Laser is the most popular single-handed racing dinghy in the world, with over 200,000 boats built. It is known for its simplicity and high performance.The Laser is a popular sailing dinghy known for its simplicity, durability, and competitive racing capabilities. It is a one-design class, which means all boats are virtually identical in terms of design and performance. The Laser is a single-handed boat, primarily used for racing but also enjoyed for recreational sailing.
- Length: 4.19 meters (13 feet 9 inches)
- Beam: 1.42 meters (4 feet 8 inches)
- Sail area: 7.06 square meters (76 square feet)
- Hull weight: 56 kilograms (123.5 pounds)
- Crew: 1 person
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252votesThe Optimist is one of the most popular dinghies for children to learn to sail in. It is a small, single-handed boat that is easy to handle and can be raced competitively.The Optimist is a popular dinghy sailing boat that is designed specifically for young sailors, generally between the ages of 6 and 15. It is known for its simplicity, affordability, and ease of use, making it a widely adopted boat for youth sailing programs and competitions around the world.
- Length: 2.34 meters (7 feet 8 inches)
- Beam: 1.13 meters (3 feet 8 inches)
- Hull Weight: 43 kg (95 pounds)
- Sail Area: 3.5 square meters (38 square feet)
- Mast Height: 2.3 meters (7 feet 6 inches)
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327votesThe 420 is a two-person dinghy that is popular for racing and cruising. It is known for its stability and versatility.The 420 is a popular dinghy in the world of sailing, known for its versatility and ability to cater to sailors of various skill levels. It is commonly used in youth sailing programs and is also raced by competitive sailors of all ages. The boat's design makes it suitable for both single-handed and two-person sailing, offering an exciting and responsive experience on the water.
- Length: 4.2 meters (13.78 feet)
- Beam: 1.63 meters (5.35 feet)
- Sail area: 10.55 square meters (113.5 square feet)
- Hull weight: 120 kilograms (265 pounds)
- Construction: Fiberglass or composite materials
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410votes
Hobie Cat
Hobie AlterThe Hobie Cat is a popular catamaran that is known for its speed and maneuverability. It is often used for racing and recreational sailing.The Hobie Cat is a popular type of dinghy designed for sailing and racing. It is a small, catamaran-style boat known for its speed, maneuverability, and ease of use. The Hobie Cat is commonly used for recreational sailing, racing, and even in some organized sailing events.- Length: 14-21 feet
- Width: 7-8.5 feet
- Weight: 200-400 pounds
- Sail Area: 125-350 square feet
- Mast Height: 25-35 feet
Hobie Cat in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular sailboat
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514votes
Krogilds at Danish Wikipedia · Public domainThe RS Feva is a popular dinghy for children and teenagers to learn to sail in. It is a two-person boat that is known for its stability and ease of handling.The RS Feva is a popular dinghy designed for youth and double-handed sailing. It is known for its versatility, durability, and ease of handling, making it suitable for both beginner sailors and more experienced racers. The RS Feva offers a fast and exciting sailing experience while remaining accessible to a wide range of skill levels.- Length: 3.64 meters (12 feet)
- Beam: 1.42 meters (4.7 feet)
- Hull Weight: 59 kilograms (130 pounds)
- Sail Area: 5.38 square meters (58 square feet)
- Crew: 2 people (typically young sailors)
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67votesThe Wayfarer is a popular cruising dinghy that is known for its stability and comfort. It can be sailed single-handed or with a crew.The Wayfarer is a popular dinghy sailboat that is widely recognized for its versatility and suitability for various sailing conditions. It is a robust and durable boat that offers stability and ease of handling, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced sailors. The Wayfarer is designed to be easily transportable and can be sailed with a crew of two to four people.
- Length: 4.83 meters (15.85 feet)
- Beam: 1.83 meters (6 feet)
- Draft: 0.23 meters (9.1 inches)
- Sail Area: 12.84 square meters (138 square feet)
- Hull Weight: 175 kilograms (385 pounds)
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711votesThe Topper is a popular single-handed dinghy that is often used for racing and recreational sailing. It is known for its simplicity and ease of handling.The Topper is a popular small sailing dinghy designed for both racing and recreational sailing. It is known for its simplicity, durability, and affordability, making it accessible to a wide range of sailors from beginners to experienced professionals.
- Length: 3.38 meters
- Beam: 1.20 meters
- Hull Weight: 43 kilograms
- Sail Area: 5.3 square meters
- Crew Capacity: 1-2 persons
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86votes
Jimmy Renzi · CC BY 2.5The Flying Dutchman is a two-person racing dinghy that is known for its speed and competitive nature. It has been an Olympic class boat in the past.The Flying Dutchman is a unique and iconic burger offered by In-N-Out. Unlike traditional burgers, it is a bunless creation consisting of two beef patties and two slices of cheese, melted together to form a cheesy, meaty delight.- Beef Patties: Two
- Cheese Slices: Two
- Bun: None
- Condiments: None
- Vegetables: None
Flying Dutchman in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular burger at In-N-Out
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911votesThe Firefly is a popular dinghy for college and university sailing teams. It is a two-person boat that is known for its durability and versatility.The Firefly is a stunning bioluminescent insect known for its ability to emit a vibrant glow. This natural phenomenon creates a mesmerizing spectacle during warm summer nights, as the Fireflies light up the darkness with their enchanting display.
- Scientific Name: Lampyridae
- Habitat: Various regions worldwide, predominantly in temperate and tropical climates
- Bioluminescent Organ: Abdominal section
- Light Colors: Yellow, green, or pale red
- Light Purpose: Mating communication and defense mechanism
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107votesThe Sunfish is a popular single-handed dinghy that is often used for recreational sailing. It is known for its simplicity and ease of handling.The Sunfish is a popular recreational Dinghy that is used for racing and leisure sailing. It is known for its simplicity, ease of use, and versatility.
- Length: 4.17 meters (13 feet 9 inches)
- Beam: 1.31 meters (4 feet 3 inches)
- Draft: 0.86 meters (2 feet 10 inches)
- Hull Weight: 59 kilograms (130 pounds)
- Sail Area: 7.4 square meters (75 square feet)
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Ranking factors for popular Dinghy
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Brand reputationLook for trusted brands known for their quality, durability, and customer satisfaction in the dinghy market.
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PurposeDetermine the primary use of the dinghy – is it for leisure sailing, racing, or as a tender for a larger boat? Different dinghies are designed with different purposes in mind, so choose one that fits your needs.
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Size and capacityConsider the size and capacity of the dinghy, specifically how many people it can accommodate and how much gear it can carry.
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Material and constructionLook for durable materials like hypalon or PVC for inflatable dinghies, or fiberglass or aluminum for hard-shell dinghies. The construction should be sturdy and resistant to wear and tear.
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Safety featuresEvaluate the dinghy's safety features, like built-in flotation devices, grab lines, and non-skid surfaces.
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Portability and storageIf you have limited space or need to transport the dinghy frequently, consider its weight, stowability, and whether it can be easily deflated or assembled.
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Ease of useConsider how easy the dinghy is to maneuver, as well as set up and maintain.
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PerformanceAssess the dinghy's speed and stability, particularly in various wind and water conditions.
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Value for moneyCompare the price of the dinghy with its features, durability, performance, and overall quality to ensure you get the best value for your investment.
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Customer reviews and feedbackRead reviews and testimonials from other owners to get a sense of the dinghy's performance, durability, and satisfaction level among users.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Dinghy. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Dinghy is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2815 views
- 209 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Dinghy once every 24 hours. The rank of each Dinghy is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular dinghy
Dinghies are small, lightweight boats that are often used for recreational activities such as sailing, fishing, and rowing. These vessels are typically easy to transport and maneuver, making them a popular choice among boaters of all experience levels.
When it comes to the most popular dinghy, there are a few contenders that stand out. One of the most well-known brands is the Laser, which is a single-handed dinghy designed for racing. Another popular option is the RS Feva, a two-person dinghy that is often used for both racing and cruising.
Other popular dinghies include the Topper, which is a lightweight and easy-to-handle vessel that is ideal for beginners, as well as the Optimist, which is a small and versatile boat that is often used by children learning to sail.
No matter which dinghy you choose, these vessels offer a fun and exciting way to get out on the water and enjoy the great outdoors. With so many options available, it's no wonder that dinghy sailing remains a popular pastime around the world.
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