Advice wanted on buying a lighter, smaller inflatable tender

[Babylon]

Recently bought one of these and, based on a couple of months usage, I would recommend. Though rated at 15A I have used it in warm conditions via a 10A socket without issue. The only fault thusfar is the coupling between the inflator hose and dinghy valve adapter which loosens as you seat the adapter in the valve....currently bodged with tape.

My electric pump is an older, simpler design, but the first thing I did was remove the flimsy cable and cigar-plug and replace it with heavy-duty cabling with mid-size crocodile-clips which connect straight to the 12v battery - avoids voltage drop and doesn't stress the boat's own wiring/socket.

I then made up my own inflater hose - from a length of corrugated hose found abandoned on the hard - works a treat.

 

[emandvee44]

I have posted before on this subject.
We bought a 3D tender 3 years ago and have used it a lot. We treat it very carefully (note the fenders!) and it has performed well.
The 3D range is huge, and we chose the fastcat 2.80. Has a solid feeling inflatable floor, rows well and even with our little Honda 2 makes a good speed. (6 knots 1 up, but no planing of course).
Wife and I can lift it on board easily sans engine, and it has 4 lifting eyes so is often hoisted out of the water onto the fore deck with the spinnaker halyard. Comes in a backpack carrier.

 

[steve350]

As the OP I'd like to thank everyone for the advice given so far.

But I must reiterate I want my new dinghy to be more compact when folded and lighter than my current Achilles 2.3m with its solid plywood floor, without any significant reduction in safety.

I had also wanted it to be made of Hypalon for longevity but, as my wife has kindly pointed out, longevity is something we don't have !

So if the new one lasts, say, only 5 years instead of the more than 25 years the Achilles has lasted, that would not matter.

I haven't read through the thread so apologies if the 3D range of tenders have already been mentioned. They are very light and compact, eg. the 2m model weighing 11.9kg. I had a conversation with a chap on an adjacent mooring who uses one, he said he hadn't encountered any problems. Might be worth checking out:

FOLDABLE TENDERS - 3D Tender - Inflatable boats - Semi rigid - A wide large of pleasure boats for an unbeatable price-quality ratio


I just noticed the preceeding post recommendation for 3D! Should have read the thread!

 

[Plum]

Recently bought one of these and, based on a couple of months usage, I would recommend. Though rated at 15A I have used it in warm conditions via a 10A socket without issue. The only fault thusfar is the coupling between the inflator hose and dinghy valve adapter which loosens as you seat the adapter in the valve....currently bodged with tape.

That Decathlon pump looks interesting. How long does it take to inflate an inflatable dinghy?

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Blue_mischief]

I have a Twister and have found the Plastimo 2.3m a good fit. Comfortable for two. On the few occasions with 3 aboard it copes. I have an electric inflator, but have never used it. I bought a ?stirrup pump - inflates on both the push and pull. As quick as setting up the electric inflator and healthier too.

 

[Joarctic]

I want to replace my old Achilles 2.3m inflatable tender with something that will weigh less and take up less space when in its bag (an important consideration in a 28’ Twister of slim dimensions)


1. I am wondering whether a 2.0m inflatable would be adequate as we never have more than the two of us in the tender and neither of us is fat.

It’s only use would be in sheltered waters for going ashore from an anchorage, exploring narrow rivers and, heaven forbid, running out a kedge if I get aground.



2. The old Achilles has a plywood transom, fixed plywood thwart and ply floorboards all of which accounted for a good deal of its weight.

I was looking at a tender in a chandler in Brittany that had a slatted floor and a removable lightweight thwart and was impressed by how light it was.


Any recommendations, personal experiences, opinions would be appreciated.

I know this is a late reply but I've been pondering the Small Tender question for a while & wanted to put some real numbers up here for comparison - what does it really weigh & how small is it folded up & squashed into a bag.
We have a 7M Sailboat with decent locker space but wanted a small tender that lives on it permanently, Needs to be small but useable. Also had to consider inflation in the small cockpit, possibly whilst being filmed for comic posterity,
So I scoured the internet for a new dinghy & was frankly shocked at how bulky they all seem to be.
The Boatworld 2.4M roundtail was tempting but weighs in at 23Kg & no credible detail available on how small it packs. All other options seemed either too heavy or too expensive or both.

So we bought an Ancient Avon Redstart off EBay for £250. Has a Hypalon floor & no wood slats. Floppy floor = wet bum every trip, But it folds to 60 x 50 x 30cm & only weighs 15Kg. Easily carried in a holdall. Inflatable seat & oars not included,
I can row to the mother ship across 200M of 5Kn current in Teignmouth provided I've had a decent breakfast, Not tried it with a motor. Carries 2 easily 3 at a push. Perfect for our needs & I now know why the Avons are so sought after.

We also have a newer 1982 Bombard AX300 2,5M which is PVC with ply Transom & Air deck. Folds to 120 x 40 x 40cm. Does fit in the cockpit locker but twice the size of the Avon. Weighs 18Kg & I can carry it over my shoulder for a reasonable distance. Superb boat for its size & would highly recommend. But double the size of the Redstart when packed mainly because of the Transom. Carries 3 at a push. Rows and motors really well,

The main takeaway from this is that the Redstart is a very light and very capable tender that packs really small. A 40 year old Bombard is also a great boat & if I had deep pockets I would buy a brand new version of both, New inflatables seem to be all much of a muchness & why are they so darned heavy ? It is entirely possible that the manufacturers just don't weigh them accurately - surely materials must have gotten better over the years so why are we not seeing the benefits in Inflatable design,

Anyway, Rant over. Hope the numbers are useful to someone,

 

[Zagato]

It's not just about length. Tube size has become larger over the years which is advantageous.

 

[LiftyK]

The main takeaway from this is that the Redstart is a very light and very capable tender that packs really small. A 40 year old Bombard is also a great boat & if I had deep pockets I would buy a brand new version of both, New inflatables seem to be all much of a muchness & why are they so darned heavy ? It is entirely possible that the manufacturers just don't weigh them accurately - surely materials must have gotten better over the years so why are we not seeing the benefits in Inflatable design,

This is interesting. I’ve owned and used an Avon Redstart for 25 years. It is indestructible and looks like new. Much as I love it, for the last years I’ve been toying with the idea of replacing it as it is so heavy due to its rugged hypalon fabric. It doesn’t feel any ~ more~ difficult to lug about on land or across the deck, it has always been an effort even when my muscles were younger and stronger. While I am sure there are specialist, less sturdy, lightweight tenders out there, you have persuaded me to be content with my lot. Thank you.