Avon Inflatable vs. What Else?

Hermit

Hermit

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Hello, I am in the market for a new or secondhand tender. I have grown up with Avon dinghies and have always thought they are good....

But are they good enough to justify the huge price difference between them and much of the competition?

I know that Hypalon is longer lasting but I could buy 2 or even 3 of some of the cheaper brands. Tube size is one difference I have been quoted as better (i.e. bigger) in an Avon but I can't seem to find the data to prove this.

What is the general opinion on the alternatives? 3/4 people and a 2hp outboard (not too fussed about solid or round tail but would like an inflatable deck).

Thanks,
Rob
 
It depends on how you use it.
If it's in use 365 days a year then an Avon is probably best. If it spends most of its time stuffed in a locker then any old cheapie will be fine.
 
Hermit said:
Hello, I am in the market for a new or secondhand tender. I have grown up with Avon dinghies and have always thought they are good....

But are they good enough to justify the huge price difference between them and much of the competition?

I know that Hypalon is longer lasting but I could buy 2 or even 3 of some of the cheaper brands. Tube size is one difference I have been quoted as better (i.e. bigger) in an Avon but I can't seem to find the data to prove this.

What is the general opinion on the alternatives? 3/4 people and a 2hp outboard (not too fussed about solid or round tail but would like an inflatable deck).

Thanks,
Rob
Click to expand...

A roll-up Zodiac, less bits & very quick to inflate & even quicker to deflate & stow
 
sailorman said:
A roll-up Zodiac, less bits & very quick to inflate & even quicker to deflate & stow
Click to expand...

+1 for the Zodiac, i have an old one and keep it inside the boat;

However, i also have a 2.9 m Waveline with inflatable floor and keel which is better than the zodiac in every way; thick tubes, good to row, will go on the plane easily with a 3.5 hp and is 5 years old and has been kept outside on the yard; these cheapies are much better than people think. But has to be a V inflatable keel.
 
Rigger Mortice said:
It depends on how you use it.
If it's in use 365 days a year then an Avon is probably best. If it spends most of its time stuffed in a locker then any old cheapie will be fine.
Click to expand...

+1 Bought a 350 Seago and been great. Big advantage is don't worry about it being packed away wet and lying in the locker. As noted could buy and replace many times before reached cost of posh one - and looks like works as well as previous Avon and lasting well with limited usage
 
I've had a Bombard AX3 for about 7 yeras now. Can't fault it to be honest. I've been told its made by Zodiac. Its been used and abused by the kids as well. Still looks good, no peeling of panels and not yet had a puncture......famous last words!
 
Whatever I buy next MUST have decent rowlocks. (i.e. Avon type)

Those stoopid pin things are useless.

I would have bought Avon but they sacked their workers and fecked off to China so are no longer worth my money.
 
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC said:
+1 for the Zodiac, i have an old one and keep it inside the boat;

However, i also have a 2.9 m Waveline with inflatable floor and keel which is better than the zodiac in every way; thick tubes, good to row, will go on the plane easily with a 3.5 hp and is 5 years old and has been kept outside on the yard; these cheapies are much better than people think. But has to be a V inflatable keel.
Click to expand...

we had a small Lodestar, it was well made quick with 4 hp one up but kicked up one hell of a stern wave
P3293537.jpg
 
I bought a used PVC inflatable. To my surprise it lasted another 10 years before the floor started to come away from the tubes.

My advice is to look for - a dry floor so your shopping doesn't get wet. My last one had a wooden floor with inflatable keel so a small amount of water in the bottom drains into the keel area. A high-pressure floor is reasonable as the water drains to the side. a slatted roll-up floor can get pretty wet but far the worst is a plain floor where the water drains to wherever your feet are.

Decent oars and rowlocks are a great asset - better to be able to row than drift downwind if the engine fails.

A solid transom is far better than a clip-on bracket on a doughnut stern. Any power on the latter and the motor bends under the boat.

A RIB allows you to use a much bigger engine but stowage is a problem.

Personally I have swapped to a rigid dinghy because of its rowing and sailing ability but for 3-4 adults you'd need a big one like mine (11 ft) which is difficult to stow on most boats. It is also a lot less stable than a rubber duck - no chance of standing on the gunwales.
 
PVC materials for inflatables have come on very well since the early days. The ones used for current production are as durable as Hypalon, even in UV. My Quicksilver was bought in 2003 and has spent every summer since being towed behind the boat throughout the Mediterranean. We don't have a canvas cover for it as I find one to be intensely annoying.

We had a problem with the Airdeck, as have many others, when it was found that the material was unsuitable and went sticky. This was replaced FOC. The tubes remain perfect, as I am told the new Airdeck will.
 
Folding it up

Avons seem to pack smaller. I think the Hypalon is more flexible. So if you have small hatch or limited locker space it's worth checking the folded dimensions. I had a modern cheapie that was a joy to row, inflatable floor and keel, and went really well under engine. I liked it a lot. But I couldn't get it below on the boat . ..

Graham
 
Twister_Ken said:
Lodestar has done very well in the last three magazine tests of small inflatables. That's why I have one on order.
Click to expand...

We have had a Lodestar for several years now. Main snag is that it doesn't pack up very small, so we have to keep it on deck. Other than that it is a good dinghy. Large tubes mean it is very stable, no worries stepping onto the side when getting aboard. The Inflatable keel and floor give it good directional stability and dry feet.
 
My Avon 2.8 air deck has proven a great disapontment. The design of the boat is good, badly let down by the "thicker bits".

The rubbing strake is too thick for the quality of glue. After a few folds, it's starting to fall off. The other patches are none too stable either. The bag supplied is rubbish too. The keel tube doen't hold air for more than a few hours.

The much vaunted Hypalon fabric cannot stand barnacles! The boat is delaminating about the transom floor join.

I've tried to take this up as warranty issue. but as the boat was bought some years before being used in anger, all the warranty cover, except for the fabric cover are spent.

Avon seem to be trading on their past reputation.

If I had the space to carry one I'd buy a aluminum floored AB.
 
I have the same Avon as michael w, which is worrying, or it would be if I ever used it.

I don't use it because it looks too smart and, as an Avon, it would be the first to be nicked off most pontoons.

I should have bought a Seago:

http://www.ronhalemarine.co.uk/superbasket/product/449/Seago_TSR290_Air_Floor

They have the nice Avon style rowlocks...but, on the other hand, are very heavy.
 
I've been looking at the 3D Tender range - look impressive. They seem decently built and have all the required features at a very moderate price, but the big thing is that they pack down small and are fantastically light. We have an older mid-range tender that is decent quality, but it is so heavy and difficult to repack that we seldom use it!
 
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