The new Indeflatable fiberglass dinghy tender, by Concept Marine, is now available to the boating public. This new concept in dinghies blends into one unique design the benefits of the inflatable dinghy and the traditional hard-hulled dinghy. It's as stable as a rubber dinghy. For example, two adults can easily stand on one gunwale without capsizing.

Featuring a design that provides a drier ride, this dinghy is easy to handle and quick on the water, due to its smooth fiberglass hull. The exclusively-designed twin keel runners provide excellent directional stability for rowing or motoring. Also, the flat bottom design makes it great for pulling up on the beach.

There is a soft rubrail around the entire dinghy providing protection from bumping against your yacht or dock. Most importantly, Concept Marine's Indeflatable fiberglass dinghy tender exceeds all US Coast Guard flotation requirements.

The dinghy features a 3'" X 6'3" cockpit, roomy enough for four adults. Overall the boat is 9'6" long with a beam of 4'6". Standard equipment includes a bulkhead-mounted compass, for finding your anchorage on those foggy nights and over 12 cubic feet of built-in, water-tight storage. There are three separate storage compartments: one on each side where air chambers are in an inflatable dinghy and a third compartment in the bow.

The Indeflatable dinghy is the only boat of its size on the market today that can store its take-apart oars inside the storage compartments! Stowing the oars leaves the flat fore and side decks free for comfortable seating.

An optional depth finder turns the dinghy into a pathfinder and explorer. An anchor system and various storage bags can also be purchased separately. There is even a trailer available.

Designer F. Raymond Gefken, a lifelong sailor, created the Indeflatable fiberglass dinghy tender in an attempt to address the shortcomings of the current dinghies offered today. Each accessory was carefully researched and tested before being incorporated into the design.

"When I was eight years old, I designed my first sailboat," explains Mr. Gefken. "It consisted of a broom stick, a bed sheet and an old rowboat. Of course, the wind shifted on the Metedoconk River, in New Jersey, and my grandmother had to row over a mile to tow me home in time for dinner."

From that experience, Concept Marine's chief designer was inspired to design several more successful small boats, both motor and sail. Coupled with years of design experimentation and his love of sailing, Mr. Gefken's first dinghy was designed, developed and launched for his own personal use in 1991.

His partner in both life and Concept Marine is Nancie Merritt. Holding a masters level degree in management, she brings fresh new ideas and a cruising woman's point of view, along with almost a decade and a half of personal sailing experience.

"Customer service is very important to us," notes Ms. Merritt. "Our aim is to produce a high quality product that sailors everywhere will enjoy as much as we do."

The basic Indeflatable fiberglass dinghy tender, by Concept Marine, is priced at $2,595 plus shipping. For more information, contact Concept Marine at Box 494, Belle Haven, VA 23306. The phone number is (757)442-2276 and the fax number is (757) 442-4663.