Hi Scott, What I had was the AVON Redcrest. I also had an Evinrude 2 HP outboard, with the cylinder / plug / and high tension wire hanging out in the breeze (or salt spray). It took me a long time to find out what my "real" outboard problem was: the continuous stopping and then refusing to run. Like everything, it's easy to understand when you know the answer. What happened was that with a loaded dinghy, the stern burble from using the outboard was enough to splatter water (sea water) in all directions. Sea water on the high tension wire does an excellent job of grounding the plug. No spark, no outboard running; back to rowing......... The center tube / thwart, was the same height as the side tubes, so your rowing position was far from optimum. The AVON oars were also more of an afterthought than they were real oars. Maybe if I had gone to longer - proper - oars, it would have worked better. But as you put it so well, everything is a compromise............ The inflatable dinghy doesn't make noise hitting the hull at night, as a hard dinghy does. ...........but I was ferrying four people to shore; but it sounds as if in your case it is just your wife and you. Different specs.: different operational areas..... As you say, give both a try. Connie