wasnotwas
Well-Known Member
was thinking of buying a small tender with engine that would inflate/deflate and store in the lazerette in my mf 925 any suggestions or advice would be great thanks
A bit of tender advice?????
- Thread starter wasnotwas
- Start date
Look at quoted weights.
I purchased an Avon but next time it would be Zodiac.
I purchased an Avon but next time it would be Zodiac.
Kilter
Well-Known Member
jhr
Well-Known Member
Depends what your usage is likely to be: Avon and Zodiac are great but - shall we say - at the premium end of the market, price wise. I have a Bombard AX3, which is mid range and mid price and does well (it's in its seventh year, now). about 2.5 metres and carries two adults (incl. 1 fat b*stard) and two teenaged kids in complete safety. Thus laden, an elderly Mariner 2.0 hp pushes it along satisfactorily, though not at any great speed 
If you're going to store it deflated, may I recommend an LVM inflator? About eighty quid, but inflates the dinghy in about 2 minutes flat and saves much grief.
If you're going to store it deflated, may I recommend an LVM inflator? About eighty quid, but inflates the dinghy in about 2 minutes flat and saves much grief.
PaulGooch
Well-Known Member
We've got a 3.1m Zodiac and an 8HP Merc, we had a spell on a swinging mooring with the last boat and wanted something substantial to transport the truck load of gear to and from the boat. If it's for more occasional use, i'd go for a lighter dinghy and a lighter engine. You really don't want to be lugging an 8hp Merc in and out of the locker. Would be nice if you could find a good 2nd hand 2 smoke.
stefan_r
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MBM did a review a while back....January I think (I have the mag at home) Lodestar came out well...
Scubadoo
Well-Known Member
I used to that with my Bombard AX2 but wasn't using it as much because of the hassle of inflating and deflating, ended fitting snap davits. Someone already mentioned the Bombard AX3, have a look at the AX2 as well- smaller but has built in inflators and not heavy.
The other problem with deflating your tender, it will be wet so you have the hassle in making sure it is completely dry before storing.
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
If you want to inflate/deflate every time you use it, then you need to plan it out, otherwise it becomes such a bind that you wont use it very often.
The biggest problem with the inflate/deflate route is getting the f'in thing back in the bag after deflating, so best to store it unbagged in a locker if poss. For speed, an electric pump is the only way to go, with a deck socket where you need it for power. Ideally you want a pump that inflates to full pressure, so you don't need to top up with the foot pump. If you have an air floor, or air keel, then the Bravo two stage is the only one I think, but for the tubes the LVM is probably just about OK, and cheaper. If you have the normal Chinese type valves on the tube, where you push the connector in, then twist to lock, then you need to modify the connector by sticking a screw through it. This holds the valve open when you connect it, otherwise a high volume/low pressure pump can't overcome the spring in the valve. If you leave the valve open whilst you pump up, then air escapes when you take the connector out.
I have a Plastimo with an air hull. I lift it out of the locker, stick the electric pump in one tube, and inflate to 150 (err.. mBar?). Then inflate the next tube to 200mBar, then the air hull to 800 mBar (there is a pressure dial on the front of the pump, so easy to set). The Bravo pump auto switches from high volume to high pressure when it needs to, so no topping up needed. The tender weighs 20 kgs, so I can then manhadle it easily in and out of the water.
I can have the tender from locker to water in 2-3 mins, and water to locker in about the same time. It's a real alternative to davits, assuming you're happy with a small outboard, and have somehere to store it.
