Avon 7

[MBlair]

Hi does anyone know anything about an Avon 7 inflatable. Age, cost, how do they compare to a redstart or redcrest.

 

[Goldie]

Welcome aboard!

I have only a vague recollection of the Avon 7, but logic would suggest that it's about 7ft long. By comparison, the Redstart is just over 8ft and the Redcrest just over 9ft. I think the Avon 7 might have had a suared bow as opposed to the "pointy" one on the others. All from memory, no guarantees.......! If you have a serial number, that would give a clue to age. As to cost, no idea. Redcrests start at about £150 for an old one, up to nearer £1000 for a new one.

 

[VicS]

The Avon 7 was launched as a budget version of the Redstart sometime in the '80s I would guess. Made of the same Hypalon material, so just as good from that point of view. It had a squared off bow rather than a pointed one but sometime later the Redstart got the same bow (It gives a bit more floor area) The 7 lacked a few of the Redstart's features provision to fit a bow canopy for example and I think had a rigid GRP seat rather than an inflatable one but it may have been an extra. The Redstart is 2.44m That's 8ft, and I thought the 7 was the same length, with a capacity of 3 + child or 300 kg. The Redcrest is 2.74m, that's 9 ft and has a capacity of 4 or 400 kg It has a larger beam and tube diameter as well and will take a 4hp outboard rather than a 3.
I dont know what options of floors were available.

Hope that helps a bit

 

[Pye_End]

The Avon 7 has a single skin floor, and only 2 floatation areas, whereas I think the others have 3 plus. Indeed it does have a rigid seat, plus fittings for an outboard. I agree, I think it is 8 foot, with the same capcity as the Redstart, but mine is on the boat and cannot quite remember. It was about £400 new, and mine was purchased in about 1991.

 

[MBlair]

Thanks

 

[VicMallows]

Are you sure it was only £400 new in 1991? I ask because I'm sure if it had been I'd have chosen one rather than the 'cheap' Maxxon PVC dinghy I bought the same year for £450. The Maxxon has done quite good service for 15yrs (though had to replace the valves early on with proper AVON-style ones) ..... untill this year when the entire bottom seem suddenly failed (it's glued construction). Have spent over £60 on materials and countless hours working on it and it MIGHT survive until SIBS time /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Vic

 

[Pye_End]

Maybe not - don't remember and don't have the receipt. I do notice that I insured it for £500, so maybe you are right, and it may have been 1990!

Have to say, it has many years left in it. Glad I didn't get a Maxxon at the time!

 

[ex-Gladys]

Older Redcrests have only two chambers to inflate....