Rowing Boats and Tenders for sale

More About Rowing Boats and Tenders

Rowing boats and tenders cover everything from traditional leisure rowing dinghies to compact boats used for reaching yachts and moorings. They can be simple, practical working craft or beautifully built wooden boats intended as much for the enjoyment of rowing as for transport.

Browse current rowing boats and tenders for sale on DinghyMart, alongside our other rowing and paddling craft.

Traditional Rowing Boats

A traditional rowing boat is generally wider and more stable than a racing shell. Wooden boats remain particularly attractive, although GRP and other modern materials can offer easier maintenance and greater durability.

Hull shape has a significant effect on how a boat rows. A relatively long, fine hull will generally move more efficiently through the water, while shorter and wider boats tend to sacrifice some rowing speed in favour of stability and carrying capacity.

Yacht and Mooring Tenders

Tenders are primarily practical boats used to move people and equipment between shore and a larger vessel. Many are designed to row but can also take a small outboard motor. Compact size, stability and carrying capacity are normally more important than outright rowing performance.

When buying a tender, check the manufacturer's recommended outboard capacity where relevant and consider how the boat will be stored aboard, ashore or on a mooring.

Wooden, GRP and Inflatable Tenders

Wooden tenders offer traditional appearance and can row beautifully, but condition and maintenance history matter considerably. GRP boats are generally easier to own and maintain, while inflatable tenders are convenient where storage space is limited.

Inflatables require careful inspection of their fabric, seams, transom and valves. With rigid boats, concentrate on the hull, gunwales, transom, buoyancy and rowing fittings.

What to Check When Buying a Used Rowing Boat

Check the hull for cracks, impact damage and previous repairs and inspect the keel, transom and gunwales. Rowlocks or rowing gates should be securely mounted, and seats and structural supports should show no signs of movement or decay.

If a road trailer or launching trolley is included, inspect that separately rather than assuming it is serviceable simply because it comes with the boat.

Recreational Rowing or Racing?

A traditional rowing boat or tender is designed around stability, practicality and relaxed use. Anyone specifically interested in performance rowing should instead look at the sculls for sale section, where the boats are designed for an entirely different type of rowing.