they are bulky, heavy and difficult to store.

We have been using wood floor rollup dinghies since starting cruising in 1992. With the floor removed they are compact and easy to store. Inflated the flat bottom sits on the cabin top easily with no special blocking. On ocean passages it is in a locker - clear deck if there is a need to go to the bow - nothing to climb over and around. We also use the smallest engine made - a 3.5 hp 2 cycle Tohastu (the same engine was sold by many of the big name companies before the two cycle ban in the U.S.). The on engine tank is good for about 45 minutes. It weighs 30 pounds so it is easy to handle - no engine crane required.

Yes, we get passed by many bigger dinks on their way to the fuel dock. We carry a maximum of four gallons on gas and it sometimes lasts for months. It sure beats rowing. On a typical trip ashore it might take two or three minutes longer.