i) Had a horrible experience decades ago on our first boat in short, "big" for us, waves and a lot of wind. I've just seen a bunch people with problems, catching pots, hooking obstructions, and almost getting their dingy hit by other sailboats that are "cutting" close off the sterns :^).

ii) On our three boats, we just roll-up that dingy and stow it. I've not been a fan of stepping around or over it on the fore deck. We don't have room to store our (current) 17 year-old Avon 3.15 Air Floor on under our boom. Besides, I just don't like the look of it.

iii) By the time I get the engine off the dingy onto the stern rail, take the fuel, life vests, oars, and seats out, then hauling the dingy and rolling up isn't a big deal. Inflating it is about a 5-10 minute exercise. (I need the EXERCISE, anyway.) ;^)))

iv) As for a raft, I have an life raft if I have to step-up into it. The situations where a dingy might help with a self-rescue or kedging-off, etc. could happen. Life's filled with trade-offs. I think that the likelihood of someone making a mistake and ending up in the water or injured is more likely with the "thing" up on deck.

I know that others, who are prudent, experienced, and conscientious sailors can, and do, sail with dingy's differently.

When I'm sailing with someone who tows their dingy, I've found that you should vary how you tow it for the conditions. First, while in many conditions having it close is best -- if you're motoring a lot, you get a bunch of diesel smootz all over the boat if it's right on your stern. Secondly, sometimes it's best to have the dingy be allowed to sit slightly downwind (instead of centered) -- other times NOT. Sometimes you need to allow the dingy to ride a wave back -- other times NOT. Other situations, dictate that you consider pots, marks, etc. I've been on boats that surge ahead (the dingy get's planning behind, if it's not filled with 20 gallons of water); and then when the boat hits a lull, the dingy continues to plane around. If you've got the wind astern and you notice the dingy is about to pass you, you know you've got to do something ;^))))