Editing Dinghy (section)

==Definition and basic description==
The term "dinghy" has some variability in its definition, but is generally a small open boat which may be powered by oars, sail or an outboard motor. Some individual examples have the option of being powered by all three of these methods, some by two, and some by just one means of propulsion. A dinghy does not have a cabin or a fixed keel. The upper size limit is often stated as {{convert|20|ft|m|1}} length. Particularly small examples are {{convert|6|ft|m|1}} long.<ref name="Barnes 2014">{{cite book |last1=Barnes |first1=Roger |title=The Dinghy Cruising Companion: Tales and Advice from Sailing in a Small Open Boat |date=2014 |publisher=Adlard Coles |location=Oxford |isbn=978-1408179161 |edition=Kindle}}</ref>{{rp|page=20}}<ref name="PBO D">{{cite web |last1=Read |first1=David |title=Glossary: D |url=https://www.pbo.co.uk/nautical-almanac/glossary-of-nautical-terms/d-16186 |website=Practical Boat Owner |access-date=10 August 2024 |date=11 November 2014}}</ref> Dinghies used as [[ship's boat]]s, particularly in naval use, are often stated as having a size range of {{convert|12|to|14|ft|m|1}} or {{convert|12|to|16|ft|m|1}}.<ref name="Palmer 1975">{{cite book |last1=Palmer |first1=Joseph |title=Jane's Dictionary of Naval Terms |date=1975 |publisher=Macdonald and Janes Limited |location=London |isbn=0 356 08258 X}}</ref>{{rp|63}}<ref name="May 1999">{{cite book |last1=May |first1=W. E. |title=The Boats of Men-of-war |date=2003 |publisher=Caxton Editions |location=London |isbn=978-1840674316 |edition=Rev. and expanded}}</ref>{{rp|66,71}}<ref name="Admiralty 1937">{{cite book |title=Admiralty Manual of Seamanship |date=1937 |publisher=HMSO |location=London |edition=1941}}</ref>{{rp|275-2276,280}}

Dinghies are designed for a range of uses. Some are intended as a tender for a larger vessel. Others are small utility boats, used where a larger boat is not needed. Many are designed primarily for sailing. These fall into two groups: those intended for racing and those for non-competitive leisure use.{{r|PBO D}}{{r|Barnes 2014|pp=11-12}}

A rigid-hulled dinghy can be made of wood (using either traditional or modern techniques), fibreglass or, more recently, moulded polypropylene. Inflatable dinghies solve some of the storage problems for tenders for yachts, though a fast inflatable boat powered by a powerful outboard motor would not be considered a dinghy.{{r|PBO D}}{{r|Barnes 2014|p=21}} The inflatable life rafts which equipped British military aircraft during World War 2 (and for a period before and after) were called dinghies.<ref name="OED">{{cite web |title=Oxford English Dictionary |url=https://www.oed.com/dictionary/dinghy_n?tab=meaning_and_use&tl=true |website=Oxford English Dictionary |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=10 August 2024}}</ref>