Compact inflatable for around £150

Judders

Judders

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I think I've just sold my hard dinghy and I am looking to ringfence the funds to purchase an inflatable. I need something reasonably light and easy to stow and it does not need the greatest loat baring capability. I'll be buying second hand. I know very little about the brands available, apart from Avons and the only ones of them that fall in my price range are going to be too big, heavy and cumbersome.

All suggestions gratefully received.
 
IMHO the best buy would be a second hand Avon Redstart (For a while they also made an Avon 7, a sort of budget version of the Redstart, a little shorter and a little lighter) Avon is one of very few makes and probably the only one you'll come across that still use Hypalon.

I think the early Compass ones were Hypalon also (That's not Compass as in Compass Watersports and Compass24.com though)

The trouble with all the rest made of PVC is that PVC has only a fraction of the life of Hypalon if subjected to the dreaded UV.

Keep your fingres crossed that you'll find a little used PVC one of any make that's the right size for you. It is possible. I got a PVC Avon Typhoon that was only 5 years old and had only been used 4 times! (For well under £150)
 
I,ve got a" Humber" hypalon, I,ve had it 18yrs but it must be older than that.They used to make small hypalon ones but couldnt compete with far east so stopped making the small ones.You might find a 2nd hand one.
 
Do people suggest Avons with dewy-eyed memories or real passion. Many will advise seagulls but would never own another one..

I have watched so many blokes with soaked ars<span style="color:black">es</span> pass in avons which are trying to fold in the middle under the weight of the driver. The fact that they all seem to do this would suggest they are not good enough for outboard use, fine if sat on the thwart.

My little narwhal folds a little when stepped on to get on and off the boat, but remains rock-hard when sitting on the sponson.

If I was buying now I would look more at the taller modern types with inflatable floors, they seem far drier and the extra height must make them more comfortable to sit down in. I am in no rush mind, mine is very light compared to modern dinghies and the smaller tubes must make inflation faster, it only has 2 chambers.

I would only buy a dinghy with a proper hard transom though!
 
I agree! I have an Avon RIBLite which is superb but was about £1500 not £150!
I bought a little Maestral with a ply transom and blow up keel with wooden floor about 6 years ago. It has 15" sponsons and is only 7ft long but carries 4 people safely (in harbour) and goes very well with a 3.5 Tohatsu and I arrive with a dry bum! It's PVC not Hyperlon but is good as new after 6 years. AND I don't worry about it getting pinched so much!
Why the advert??? Well I now want something bigger as I will be carting grandchildren this year so it's either use the RIBLite or swap for a bigger one!
Advertised at £150 on "for sale" board. No takers so far. Make me an offer!
 
If yer avon is folding it's underinflated. Build quality on the small ones is excellent, and having had a Narwhal that came with prev boat "give up" in a big way on post winter inflation test, I'd personally be wary of an older PVC dinghy.

I bought our Avon for £180, payed £60 to have the modern valves put in and never looked back
 
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