Budget Fisherman dinghys ....

Refueler

Refueler

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A thread has been made by another looking for a budget inflaatble dinghy. The usual chandler examples offered - but I linked to alternative based on the observation of many boats seen with 'fisherman' based dinghys .. lighter, more compact for folding away etc.
I decided to put my money up for one and see what I get ...

Inflatable boat Aqua Marina Motion T-18 255 cm with Electric Motor (2-person) - Price, Reviews - EASY-surfshop

2.55m LOA ... for two people .... inflatable floor with central ridge .... bag / oars / pump and E-Motor incl.

My needs are occasional - and rarely would it be dragged up a beach or alongside a concrete / stone wall.

I watched a guy in Valeviken use a similar but hard transom version .... him and his partner ... and when I asked him about it ... he said it was fine .. was already 2yrs old and no sign of any wear etc.

Lets see what comes ....
 
Why not use one of these if it suits your requirement. Nice calm day. Get to the beach or shore and back. Be realistic about its limitations and your requirements and they can work very well. I use a Vevor inflatable when i want to get to the beach over short distances. With a lifting keel I can anchor very close in usually.
 
Refueler said:
I decided to put my money up for one and see what I get ...

Inflatable boat Aqua Marina Motion T-18 255 cm with Electric Motor (2-person) - Price, Reviews - EASY-surfshop

2.55m LOA ... for two people .... inflatable floor with central ridge .... bag / oars / pump and E-Motor incl.
Click to expand...

Then I read the 'Features' on that web page:

"This very lightweight and durable pontoon is extremely versatile, as it is suitable for family holidays as well as fishing trips. It is extremely stable, thanks to the use of durable PVC in its production. Motion is a construction of 3 separate air chambers, which makes you feel safe and maintain your course without the slightest problem. The inflatable deck is an I-beam design, which also gives stability. Its main advantage is its low weight, weighing only 9.4 kg, and its ability to be transported anywhere. The pontoon has built-in dulks and paddle handles to ensure control when paddling. A comfortable position is possible, thanks to the inflatable seat. There is a safety line on the sides."

This is the sort of garbage that makes going to sea in a paper boat look like a viable option.
 
aqua_sax said:
Then I read the 'Features' on that web page:

"This very lightweight and durable pontoon is extremely versatile, as it is suitable for family holidays as well as fishing trips. It is extremely stable, thanks to the use of durable PVC in its production. Motion is a construction of 3 separate air chambers, which makes you feel safe and maintain your course without the slightest problem. The inflatable deck is an I-beam design, which also gives stability. Its main advantage is its low weight, weighing only 9.4 kg, and its ability to be transported anywhere. The pontoon has built-in dulks and paddle handles to ensure control when paddling. A comfortable position is possible, thanks to the inflatable seat. There is a safety line on the sides."

This is the sort of garbage that makes going to sea in a paper boat look like a viable option.
Click to expand...

Typical re-active rubbish comment ... sorry - but maybe think about posting elsewhere ?

Did you at least understand my opening post about LETS SEE WHAT WE GET ??? instead of rejecting with absolutely no foundation ??

My needs are not to save life at sea .... not to be a serious beachcombing rock hugging conbcrete wall plugging Avon etc.
 
Refueler said:
instead of rejecting with absolutely no foundation
Click to expand...

There are plenty of reasons for rejecting that item based in the description I copied and pasted from the item's web page. I thought they were self-evident and so didn't itemise them. There are many reasons, including but not limited to:

It is a two person 'pontoon' that is suitable for 'family holidays'. I am reminded of the Durex ad for the small family car.

What does 'motion is a construction of 3 separate air chambers' mean? Ditto 'the pontoon has built in dulks'?

At 9.4kg, it must be gossamer thin. It may even be capable of self-puncturing. I wouldn't trust such a thing to get me from one end of the bath to the other. Never forget. we can drown in just a puddle.

But the overall concern I have is that if the manufacturer can present such garbage as the product description, then what does that tell me about the quality of the product itself?
 
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Refueler said:
A thread has been made by another looking for a budget inflaatble dinghy. The usual chandler examples offered - but I linked to alternative based on the observation of many boats seen with 'fisherman' based dinghys .. lighter, more compact for folding away etc.
I decided to put my money up for one and see what I get ...

Inflatable boat Aqua Marina Motion T-18 255 cm with Electric Motor (2-person) - Price, Reviews - EASY-surfshop

2.55m LOA ... for two people .... inflatable floor with central ridge .... bag / oars / pump and E-Motor incl.

My needs are occasional - and rarely would it be dragged up a beach or alongside a concrete / stone wall.

I watched a guy in Valeviken use a similar but hard transom version .... him and his partner ... and when I asked him about it ... he said it was fine .. was already 2yrs old and no sign of any wear etc.

Lets see what comes ....
Click to expand...
I seen that type of dinghy used by people to get from shore to their boat a short distance away. I wouldn't want to use it for else though.
 
Refueler said:
Did you at least understand my opening post about LETS SEE WHAT WE GET ???
Click to expand...

I should have said of course I understand, it is your money and there is nothing unreasonable about you deciding you want to take a punt with your money, and posting to say that. But by the same token, I can also post why I personally wouldn't want to do that. It is just a different opinion, that's all.
 
Good luck with it. I've seen a few of the cheap Intex dingies in the wild and they looked hopeless. Maybe yours will be better.

Possibly not an option on your part of the world but I've picked up a couple of old Avons on eBay and they've been great, in a totally different class to a PVC toy dinghy, and about the same cost.
 
greeny said:
Why not use one of these if it suits your requirement. Nice calm day. Get to the beach or shore and back. Be realistic about its limitations and your requirements and they can work very well. I use a Vevor inflatable when i want to get to the beach over short distances. With a lifting keel I can anchor very close in usually.
Click to expand...

Exactly ...

I most likely have far more Saetyy Training and Understanding of matters on the water than most here .. and I would not look at such an item as a SOLAS / Serious bit of kit for offshore etc.

But as an occasional get to shore ... (I only need maybe 2x a year !) ... it can provide at least some service. Lets make also a comment - these are not the cheapo kiddies paddling pool jobs ... I accept they are not in same league as Seago - Plastimo - Narwhal - Avon etc etc.

I have an Avon Redcrest and a Soviet 2 man ... but both have slow leaks that I have tried to sort with various pour in glues / patches etc. But in reality even if fixed - are too cumbersome to carry ...
 
Boathook said:
I seen that type of dinghy used by people to get from shore to their boat a short distance away. I wouldn't want to use it for else though.
Click to expand...

That's all its for ....

I always remember years ago at Hill Head Sailing Club. We had trot chain moorings and you needed a dinghy to get out to the boat. I was fed up sorting out my Narwhal to get out to boat ... pain in the a**** to carry to / from car ... then need to leave on trot as too large to sort on the boat. Another guy people used to smile at - had a cxheapo dinghy ... rolled up small ... he paddled out to his boat - similar to mine ... pulled it up onboard ... deflated and rolled it up - into locker ...
HH Sailing Club was not exactly kind to dinghy bottoms ..... but in the 2 years I was there - that dinghy served well and was still going strong when I left the club. Note it was one of the early really cheap 'supermarket' jobs .... more use for a swimming pool ...
 
I've got a Lidl own brand "3 man" that I used to carry when the SIs for races required/allowed a "partially inflated dinghy". £50ish? Perhaps a little more than a kids toy?
It served me well for this duty...but used only for occasional trips ashore, generally in harbour limits. (I also carry 200% LJs and 100% SOLAS immersion suits, 2 buoys etc.)

My regular Honwave was too big/bulky/heavy to stuff into my small cabin partially inflated. No room on deck.

However, hereabouts, the race committee have unilaterally decided that we now must have a liferaft, and have consequently issued a diktat stating that their requirements are now an OSR cat 2 compliant, in-date, raft! The smaller/cheaper/lighter coastal and aviation type rafts championed by some national experts are therefore "not good enough ".
This is for coastal races Fowey > Plymouth or Falmouth. OSR Cat 3 waters (protected/close to shore) races...in daylight, and summer season.
Falmouth MRCC, lifeboats at Fowey, Looe and Falmouth, SAR hello at Newquay (appx 12 miles away).

Ludicrous...imho...

Lidl boat is redundant.
 
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seeSimon said:
However, hereabouts, the race committee have unilaterally decided that we now must have a liferaft, and have consequently issued a diktat stating that their requirements are now an OSR cat 2 compliant, in-date, raft! The smaller coastal and aviation type rafts championed by some national experts are therefore "not good enough ".
This is for coastal races Fowey > Plymouth or Falmouth. OSR Cat 3 waters (protected/close to shore) races...in daylight, and summer season.
Falmouth MRCC, lifeboats at Fowey and Falmouth, SAR hello at Newquay (appx 12 miles away).

Ludicrous...imho...
Click to expand...

This is what happens when we allow the authorities to tell us how to 'stay safe' - in other words it is yet another malign covid legacy effect. Next thing they will be telling you to wash your hands while singing Happy Birthday to You before preparing any food on board. What happened to the old idea that the skipper is responsible for the all round safety of the boat? OK, in some offshore races there might be a case for imposed safety requirements to reduce the chances of accidental Darwin awards, but for inshore/coastal racing?
 
seeSimon said:
I've got a Lidl own brand "3 man" that I used to carry when the SIs for races required/allowed a "partially inflated dinghy". £50ish? Perhaps a little more than a kids toy?
It served me well for this duty...but used only for occasional trips ashore, generally in harbour limits. (I also carry 200% LJs and 100% SOLAS immersion suits, 2 buoys etc.)

My regular Honwave was too big/bulky/heavy to stuff into my small cabin partially inflated. No room on deck.

However, hereabouts, the race committee have unilaterally decided that we now must have a liferaft, and have consequently issued a diktat stating that their requirements are now an OSR cat 2 compliant, in-date, raft! The smaller/cheaper/lighter coastal and aviation type rafts championed by some national experts are therefore "not good enough ".
This is for coastal races Fowey > Plymouth or Falmouth. OSR Cat 3 waters (protected/close to shore) races...in daylight, and summer season.
Falmouth MRCC, lifeboats at Fowey, Looe and Falmouth, SAR hello at Newquay (appx 12 miles away).

Ludicrous...imho...

Lidl boat is redundant.
Click to expand...
Get like minded people on to the committee and alter the rules to make the coastal races back to the lower level ?

I must admit that I don't race and haven't a clue about the rules but it does seem OTT.
 
Refueler said:
A thread has been made by another looking for a budget inflaatble dinghy. The usual chandler examples offered - but I linked to alternative based on the observation of many boats seen with 'fisherman' based dinghys .. lighter, more compact for folding away etc.
I decided to put my money up for one and see what I get ...

Inflatable boat Aqua Marina Motion T-18 255 cm with Electric Motor (2-person) - Price, Reviews - EASY-surfshop

2.55m LOA ... for two people .... inflatable floor with central ridge .... bag / oars / pump and E-Motor incl.

My needs are occasional - and rarely would it be dragged up a beach or alongside a concrete / stone wall.

I watched a guy in Valeviken use a similar but hard transom version .... him and his partner ... and when I asked him about it ... he said it was fine .. was already 2yrs old and no sign of any wear etc.

Lets see what comes ....
Click to expand...
As a matter of interest, does any of that junk have a genuine CE mark?
 
Tranona said:
As a matter of interest, does any of that junk have a genuine CE mark?
Click to expand...
For play to @Refueler . He's put his money down on spec, and I'm sure he'll report honestly on all aspects of his purchase when he's received and tested it. Condemning it as "junk" at this stage based on personal prejudice doesn't add anything of value.
 
As I said previously, I'm currently using a similar Vevor craft but with no outbard. And very successful it is too. It's all about common sense and "horses for courses". No ones trying to say that these inflatables will or can take the place of a good Avon or similar dinghy, but in certain circumstances they can be very usable. Stowage, inflatability and light weight played a big part in me leaving my honda wave in the bag and using the vevor In benign conditions.
 
greeny said:
As I said previously, I'm currently using a similar Vevor craft but with no outbard. And very successful it is too. It's all about common sense and "horses for courses". No ones trying to say that these inflatables will or can take the place of a good Avon or similar dinghy, but in certain circumstances they can be very usable. Stowage, inflatability and light weight played a big part in me leaving my honda wave in the bag and using the vevor In benign conditions.
Click to expand...

I must admit - I did not check Vevor ..... will have a look out of interest.

I also admit that buying a package deal that includes the E-motor was extremely inviting !!
 
Tranona said:
As a matter of interest, does any of that junk have a genuine CE mark?
Click to expand...
The wording of the advert in the original post is rubbish but the item is made by Aquamarina, a major manufacturer of all kinds of inflatable boats, SUP boards, kayaks and other items...

Aqua Marina – Wonder is All-Around

They have a UK importer with a UK address...

Aqua Marina UK

I expect they have an EU importer as well.

Each boat has a HIN with which you can obtain certification documentation from their website.

Some of the other heavier inflatables they make look very similar to other PVC dinghies from more well known manufacturers like Talamex and 3D and are sold by major chandlers like Force 4...

Aqua Marina Deluxe Yacht Tender
 
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seeSimon said:
I've got a Lidl own brand "3 man" that I used to carry when the SIs for races required/allowed a "partially inflated dinghy". £50ish? Perhaps a little more than a kids toy?
It served me well for this duty...but used only for occasional trips ashore, generally in harbour limits. (I also carry 200% LJs and 100% SOLAS immersion suits, 2 buoys etc.)

My regular Honwave was too big/bulky/heavy to stuff into my small cabin partially inflated. No room on deck.

However, hereabouts, the race committee have unilaterally decided that we now must have a liferaft, and have consequently issued a diktat stating that their requirements are now an OSR cat 2 compliant, in-date, raft! The smaller/cheaper/lighter coastal and aviation type rafts championed by some national experts are therefore "not good enough ".
This is for coastal races Fowey > Plymouth or Falmouth. OSR Cat 3 waters (protected/close to shore) races...in daylight, and summer season.
Falmouth MRCC, lifeboats at Fowey, Looe and Falmouth, SAR hello at Newquay (appx 12 miles away).

Ludicrous...imho...

Lidl boat is redundant.
Click to expand...
I would not want to second guess your race committee decision. However bare in mind your club will be affiliated with RYA who will publish guidance and safety standards for racing. These standards will be essentially in line with world standards. No one should be brave enough to go against widely accepted standards Yes equipment standards have tightened up considerably in recent years as clubs and RYA realise they are vulnerable to criticism when races go bad.(ie lives lost)
All this will inevitably detract from participation in ocean racing. All you can do is vote with your feet. Our club had a similar problem when we ran very nice night races on Swan River (estuary) Then it became apparent that we needed to class the race as cat 5 requiring according to "Australian racing rules of sailing" This involved inspection for equipment and proof of self righting long list of gear and hatch locks that can be operated from both inside and outside. I did achieve it for some seasons but eventually the club capitulated through lack of competitors and moved the night races to have to finish before dark. So quite short. Friday evening starting 5.30 Pm. I still love them. ol'will
 
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