Best new or old stable inflatable tender? - not pvc disposable...

[Hoist]

A friend has recently purchased a 34ft yacht.

His current tender is a 2.8m quicksilver PVC thing with a basic slatted floor.

Its got many patches, is very lightweight but its not durable in anyway and getting in it feels like stepping onto a holiday lilo


He has decided he needs a new tender and we have come up with the following requirements.

1. Big tubes - Needs to have plenty of bouyancy with a minimum of 3 chambers

2. Solid floor or at least air deck

3. be under 3.4m since its mostly going to be carrying 2-3 people max

4. Be hardy enough to brave beaches, our barnacle riddled slipway and generally not puncture at a minor rub with something hard.



Personally I have a 1973 avon redcrest that still holds air with its original A7 valves. Its hardy but I would not consider it a good sea boat due to its smaller tube diameter and low freeboard.

I've also had a 3.4m 3d tender which is very convienient but I know it would puncture at the mere sight of a stone or rough pontoon.

Just want to know whats out there on the market. My experience is all with older tenders and I seriously dislike PVC tenders due to their nature to get to 10 years old and start detaching transoms or worse.

 

[dunedin]

Rather than spend a fortune on a hypalon tender (if even still available) I simply get a decent PVC dinghy, use it hard and if needs replacing every 10 years then fine - just £60 per annum, a bargain.

air floor is massively better than solid floor. We have this Waveline 27m V Keel Inflatable Dinghy Tender | Marine Supplies Direct

 

[Tranona]

First modern PVC air floor inflatables are nowhere near as "disposable" as you imagine and as suggested will last (in the UK at least) well - 10 years is not unreasonable. You can go up a notch with more expensive PVC like a Zodiac which may last longer and also has more features. If your friend has the money - more than twice the price of the average PVC you can get Hypalon like this seagogroup.com/products-leisure/hypalon-270 No need for a 3.4m for 2-3 people and the extra size and weight would be a challenge to stow on a 34 footer.

PVC dominates the market now becaus it offers good value for money.

 

[lustyd]

like a Zodiac

We have a zodiac cadet alu and I would very strongly recommend against getting one. It was designed by someone who quite probably has never used a tender.
There is a laundry list of design flaws including the valves, rowlocks, colour, materials, and even ability to keep water on the outside due to a poor drain valve design.
Zodiac is a brand of bombard and not even remotely linked to what was previously a high end tender.

 

[Hoist]

Rather than spend a fortune on a hypalon tender (if even still available) I simply get a decent PVC dinghy, use it hard and if needs replacing every 10 years then fine - just £60 per annum, a bargain.

air floor is massively better than solid floor. We have this Waveline 27m V Keel Inflatable Dinghy Tender | Marine Supplies Direct

And how is that dinghy compared to say a 3d tender or wav eco? Sorry to be a pain but do you have some actual pics of it

First modern PVC air floor inflatables are nowhere near as "disposable" as you imagine and as suggested will last (in the UK at least) well - 10 years is not unreasonable. You can go up a notch with more expensive PVC like a Zodiac which may last longer and also has more features. If your friend has the money - more than twice the price of the average PVC you can get Hypalon like this seagogroup.com/products-leisure/hypalon-270 No need for a 3.4m for 2-3 people and the extra size and weight would be a challenge to stow on a 34 footer.

PVC dominates the market now becaus it offers good value for money.

I would say that depends on the brand. Obviously nowadays everything is price driven but it is hard to go and view a vast range of dinghys unless visiting the southampton boat show. We are prioritizing durability and stability far and above value.

My recommendations to him are based on my limited experience. My parents tinker traveller 30+ years zero patches, my avon redcrest 1973 few patches but still in service....

 

[Muddy32]

I have a ABII 8 with aluminium floor, secondhand but still holds it's pressure.Stable and easily onto the plane.
I used it to transport dog to all beaches 2x a day. Avatar now sadly put down so no longer needed.

 

[MikeBz]

If you can find a secondhand Bombard Max 3 Aero Plus then if fits your bill perfectly. Large tubes, inflatable floor and keel, 2.75m, 27kg. I’ll be sorry the day I have to replace mine with something else.

 

[Graham376]

air floor is massively better than solid floor. We have this Waveline 27m V Keel Inflatable Dinghy Tender | Marine Supplies Direct

Strongly disagree with air floors being better. We've had two and both didn't stand up to daily use with abuse such as folding bikes, which punctured the floors. OTOH, a ply floored Waveline and an aluminium floored Arimar (which we have now) are far sturdier. Whatever the type, all tubes last longer with chaps.

 

[MikeBz]

Yes air floors are more prone to damage, but are a lot lighter (and easier to deal with if you need/want/can bothered to deflate & roll up). So it all depends on your intended use.

 

[lustyd]

but are a lot lighter

You’d think so, but our Cadet Alu is lighter than their air deck of the same length. Even if it wasn’t the hard aluminium floor is absolutely worth it.

 

[Graham376]

Yes air floors are more prone to damage, but are a lot lighter (and easier to deal with if you need/want/can bothered to deflate & roll up). So it all depends on your intended use.

As you say, air floors are better if dinghy has to be rolled up for storage but ours has been inflated now for about 2 years and is used daily for 6/12.

 

[Bodach na mara]

I have been interested in this thread and it has led me to rethink my own attitude to inflatables. I have owned 3 Avon Redcrests over the years and have been in quite a few more, belonging to people that I have sailed with. At first I thought that they were inferior to a proper wooden tender but I grew to recognize that their advantages outweighed any of the features that I didn't like. The Avon Redcrest was by far the most common tender in use in the Clyde area in the early 1970s. I don't recognize the description of them as having small diameter tubes. They always seemed quite big to me. Of the three that I owned, one was very old, with a black hull which left marks when it rubbed against anything. It also had a double bottom in the sense that someone had glued a large sheet of hypalon material over the entire area of the bottom to replace the multitude of patches. It had a wooden floor and was VERY heavy, but I could carry it up a slipway by inverting it and getting under it. Just call me shellback .
I bought my next one new and also bought an airdeck for it, made by another company. I liked the airdeck as when it had been raining the water stayed below the floor. Even with the plywood floor, a little water in an Avon meant wet feet unless you wore wellies. I have always regretted selling it, even though there was a large patch in one of the tubes near the bow where it had chafed through where it had rubbed against a pier when the wind changed while we were at the pub. The third is the one that it still have, bought at a boat jumble. It has a ply floor and I store it in three bags. One for the floor and the long strut and fasteners, a second for the oars, pump, and the swimming noodles that I put under the floor to make a space for any water that gets in, and the main part of the dinghy goes in the sturdy valise.
I also have a roundtail Seago inflatable with an airdeck. Its valise was not sturdy and ripped during the first season. The dinghy itself is quite good and a lot lighter than the Redcrest, which I only take with us if the family is coming along. At least I can lift the Seago. Just. I'm not as strong as I used to be. But the Redcrest can carry four adults with ease and even my aging body can row it. The roundtail Seago was chosen as it can carry 3 adults whereas the longer transom version can carry only 2, and there is a comfortable seat for only the rower!

 

[fredrussell]

The best thing, for me, about air decks is that they’re very comfortable to kneel on (compared to a solid floor) while you fiddle around attaching OB etc.

 

[Tranona]

And how is that dinghy compared to say a 3d tender or wav eco? Sorry to be a pain but do you have some actual pics of it



I would say that depends on the brand. Obviously nowadays everything is price driven but it is hard to go and view a vast range of dinghys unless visiting the southampton boat show. We are prioritizing durability and stability far and above value.

My recommendations to him are based on my limited experience. My parents tinker traveller 30+ years zero patches, my avon redcrest 1973 few patches but still in service....

There are essentially 4 different types of dinghies aimed at the yacht tender market.

First the 3D or OLite type which are very lightweight (typically less than half the weight of a PVC) which are aimed at those (like me) who are occasional users who value the low eight and small size when packed. They generally have smaller diameter tubes and are not so dynamically good but are probably more durable than they look when used lightly. The material is light weight at typically 800 Decitex Price range £5-800 for a 2.7m or similar

Second the ubiquitous PVC type such as Waveline, Windward, Seago which are all essentially the same, being made in the same small number of Chinese factories out of the same material, commonly 1100 Decitex. They vary a bit in detail design, quantity and quality of fittings but all do the job. Similar price to the lightweights, but more variation in design and level of fittings. Generally durable but weakness is welded seams and the material does not stand up well in high UV, so short life in places like the med, or if left hung on davits for long periods. As Graham says chaps are jjust about essential in this type of use.

Both these types come in round tail or solid transom, air or slatted floor

Third type is the "premium" PVC such as Zodiac, Talamex and Honwave which usually use what is claimed to be better material, fittings, design and finish. Next step up in price £900-1300 Hard transom

Finally Seago Orca Hypalon. Similar material to the original Avon Hypalon but modern design. Another step up in price £1700+

For typical UK type leisure use the standard PVC is perfectly adequate - they have been around for a long time virtually unchanged (just like the Redcrest!) as they really do meet most peoples' needs. Of course there is always justification for paying more to get perceived or real better design, finish or life, but this is a personal decision.

As you will see already from this thread or if you do a search for many similar over the years, you will get lots of personal preferences based on experiences or specific needs but there is no substitute for looking at your needs and comparing what is on the market at the price point you are prepared to pay.

 

[lustyd]

I don't think I agree with your categorising of 3D. They do do light cheap tenders but they also do very capable ones.
As I said earlier in the thread, I also strongly disagree with Zodiac being in any kind of premium category, they are objectively terrible from almost every perspective. Certainly no premium materials or parts are present.

I agree with the principal of your post though.

 

[Poignard]

Based on my own experience, I recommend an Achilles.

I bought one second hand in 1997 and sold it with my boat last year. It had had a lot of use and exposure to UV.

 

[Supertramp]

I have a small 2.3m Zodiac with transom wheels and wooden floorboards. When cruising it lives in davits with the floorboards in. It will take 3. For occasional use I store and launch from the foredeck and don't use the floorboards. Despite its small size it's quite a lump to manhandle and uses a lot of deckspace. I always cover it when on deck to stop UV damage. I see many dinghies left uncovered all year round which must age the fabric faster.

It's over 30 years old, has 3 patches so far and a repainted wooden transom. I'd say the tube quality is good, design of drainage and rowlocks poor, wooden transom is to be avoided.

When I replace, I will start by looking for an Avon with the rubber rowlocks, possibly roundtail, to keep the folded size small. If I really wanted something tough, then I would look for an aluminum or grp floor. But the size and weight would mean no more deck storage or singlehanded pulling up shingle or seaweed.

 

[Hoist]

To provide further information the dinghy required is for a friend who is living part time aboard his yacht.

1 week to 10 days at a time. He will be single handing a lot and does not have the intention of deflating it.

He needs something that can be dragged up a beach without worrying its going to be deflated when he returns.

The slipway he will be launching it from is equivalent to a rasp with barnacles. cheapo PVC dinghys wont last a season

If it was me I would buy a second hand avon rib for that duty, but he does want to make some trips to ireland from scotland so thats not practical for him



I did spot this, the tubes look the right size but its not a brand I've heard of. There is 2 of these in the dinghy park so maybe its the best option so far.

I never thought about the water under the airdeck but the same can be said for alu floor models

 

[Alicatt]

First modern PVC air floor inflatables are nowhere near as "disposable" as you imagine and as suggested will last (in the UK at least) well - 10 years is not unreasonable. You can go up a notch with more expensive PVC like a Zodiac which may last longer and also has more features. If your friend has the money - more than twice the price of the average PVC you can get Hypalon like this seagogroup.com/products-leisure/hypalon-270 No need for a 3.4m for 2-3 people and the extra size and weight would be a challenge to stow on a 34 footer.

PVC dominates the market now becaus it offers good value for money.

We have recently bought a Seago 270 Spirit as a tender for our Ocean 37, not used it in anger yet, had a quick splash across our pool in it though, it has been inflated for more than 3 weeks now and no sign of it loosing pressure, takes up to 3.5 persons and can be fitted with up to a 10hp outboard, I have a 2hp Honda to use with it.

The Talmex and Seago look identical and are the same price, our local watersports shop stock the Talmex and we had a look at it and compared with the Seago and apart from the names they were the same.

https://imgur.com/Cq6yR7J

 

[yotter]

We have and often carry 2 dinghies, an Avon Redcrest, unsure of age but had the old valves with plugs, not replaced with A7, the valves cost more than the dinghy. Our other dinghy now in its 13th season is a Zodiac 285 Airdeck with V hull. We inflate the airfloor to about PSI (the floor!). THe Zodiac is very dry having the airdeck to hide any water under and the tubes must be about 50% more diameter. Its disadvantage is it must be about double the weight of the avon. The Avon does not tow well, having a flubber floor, the Zodiac is comfortable at over 10 knots, wish we were! Both have their merits.

I should add that the Avon is great for a quick trip ashore with the dog, and can be carried up a beach when needed. The Zodiac when beached need the wheels fitted to get it up a beach, its about 35 kg empty so not liftable for me.