Capt. Neal® wrote:
....
Here's a good rules trivia question: is a small, powered dinghy
required to have sidelights?


No. Power driven vessels less than seven meters and whose max speed
cannot exceed 7 knots may exhibit an all-around white light and, if
praticable, sidelights but sidelights are not required in all cases.
(for example on a small inflatable dinghy sidelights are not considered
practicable)

How do the International and Inland rules differ?


The above is International only.
CN

For once, Neal is correct on the rules. The point here is that the
"small dinghy" exemption only applies to the international rules. It
was taught to me as the "poor fisherman" rule, because there is no way
to enforce running lights on all the small third world fishing boats.
However, an inflatable dink cruising down Spa Creek at night must
have side lights.

"Jeff" wrote
CN

For once, Neal is correct on the rules. The point here is that the
"small dinghy" exemption only applies to the international rules.
It
was taught to me as the "poor fisherman" rule, because there is no
way
to enforce running lights on all the small third world fishing
boats.
However, an inflatable dink cruising down Spa Creek at night must
have side lights.

and most don't.