The Dinghy Show Is Coming… Do You Really Need a New Boat?

With the RYA Dinghy Show fast approaching and the new sailing season just around the corner, this is the point in the year when sailors start asking that question:

“Is this the season I finally upgrade?”

The Dinghy Show is dangerous territory. Not because of heavy weather or tricky tides – but because it’s full of beautiful boats, clever gadgets, pristine sails, and people who look impossibly competent while holding carbon fibre things.

And suddenly, your perfectly serviceable boat at the club starts to look… tired.

What’s New This Season?

Every year brings refinements rather than revolutions:

• Lighter hulls and smarter layouts

• Cleaner control systems and neater decks

• Foils, fittings and sails that promise just a bit more speed

• Electronics creeping ever closer to the dinghy sailor

None of this is bad. Some of it is genuinely brilliant. But most of it sits firmly in the “nice to have” category rather than “game-changer”.

The More Important Question: What Do You Need?

Before falling in love with a new hull shape or a glossy brochure, it’s worth asking:

• What kind of sailing do I actually do?

• River or open water?

• Training, cruising, club racing, or just staying upright?

• Who crews with me – and are we comfortable?

For many sailors, especially those learning or returning to the sport, the biggest gains don’t come from new boats at all. They come from:

• Better sail handling

• Improved balance and positioning

• Understanding wind shifts and river effects

• Confidence gained through time on the water

None of these are available at the chandlery stand – sadly.

When a New Boat Does Make Sense

Of course, sometimes a change really is justified:

• You’ve outgrown your current boat (literally or skill-wise)

• Your sailing has shifted direction

• You want something easier to rig, launch, or sail single-handed

• Your current boat is limiting enjoyment, not performance

In those cases, the Dinghy Show is invaluable – because you can sit in boats, ask awkward questions, and compare reality with marketing.

A Gentle Warning…

If you leave the Dinghy Show convinced that a new boat will magically fix tacks, gybes, starts, and confidence – it probably won’t.

But if you leave with:

• A clearer idea of what suits your sailing

• One or two smart upgrades

• Renewed enthusiasm for the season ahead

Then it’s done its job perfectly.

The new season is coming. The boats will be rigged. The river (eventually) will calm down.

Whether you turn up with a brand-new boat or the same one as last year – it’s the sailing that matters.