Compass Dinghy Tender On Ebay Any Good?

CaptainBob

CaptainBob

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Don't bid on it!

But... is this any good:

http://search.ebay.co.uk/190678654524

I can't find out any info on the make/model... is it actually just more of a toy or is it a "proper" tender/dinghy?

Need something for 2 adults, 1 toddler, 1 dog, lots of shopping - that rows well and is easy for two (or even one) to carry up a beach or rocks etc... and can cope with some serious hammer.

TY!
 
CaptainBob said:
Don't bid on it!

But... is this any good:

http://search.ebay.co.uk/190678654524

I can't find out any info on the make/model... is it actually just more of a toy or is it a "proper" tender/dinghy?

Need something for 2 adults, 1 toddler, 1 dog, lots of shopping - that rows well and is easy for two (or even one) to carry up a beach or rocks etc... and can cope with some serious hammer.

TY!
Click to expand...

I have a compass dinghy but its a different model with a transom. Have used it quite a lot and it must be about 15 year old now with no repairs needed.

You will struggle to get 3 people plus lots of shopping in any 9 ft dinghy.The one in the picture cant take an outboard withouit a special bracket.
 
CaptainBob said:
Don't bid on it!

But... is this any good:

http://search.ebay.co.uk/190678654524

I can't find out any info on the make/model... is it actually just more of a toy or is it a "proper" tender/dinghy?

Need something for 2 adults, 1 toddler, 1 dog, lots of shopping - that rows well and is easy for two (or even one) to carry up a beach or rocks etc... and can cope with some serious hammer.

TY!
Click to expand...

That is very basic. Perhaps you need to look at more modern types, particularly to meet the "rows well" bit - few inflatables are good at rowing, although those with inflatable keels or air floors are better than soft floors or slats. For your use you need to be looking at minimum of 2.7m for a roundtail and probably 3.1m for a hard transom. You can get new PVC ones of this type for around £500 with air floor, and given that a dinghy is an essential bit of kit for your lifestyle it is worth getting a good one rather than a cheap used one.
 
It has a lace on seat which is the most infernal device ever (I know, I,ve got that type) also the rowlocks are the type that makes rowing virtually impossible. As said previously I should look out for a more modern inflateable floor type. A good tender is worth it's wait in gold.
 
Tranona said:
That is very basic. Perhaps you need to look at more modern types, particularly to meet the "rows well" bit - few inflatables are good at rowing, although those with inflatable keels or air floors are better than soft floors or slats. For your use you need to be looking at minimum of 2.7m for a roundtail and probably 3.1m for a hard transom. You can get new PVC ones of this type for around £500 with air floor, and given that a dinghy is an essential bit of kit for your lifestyle it is worth getting a good one rather than a cheap used one.
Click to expand...

I agree. Personally, I dislike roundtails because of stability and they can't take larger engines. Our Waveline 2.9 is classified for 4 adults or 520kg load so would be plently big enough. Dinghy wheels necessary though as too heavy for two to carry with engine.
 
There have been at least two Compass brands.

One is Compass24, a large European mail order company.
Their logo has a compass rose in the o. http://www.compass24.com/web/catalog/shop

The other was Compass Inflatables around 20 or 25 years ago, and still with an address in Emsworth. Initially IIRC selling a small range of medium quality Hypalon dinghies at a budget price. and later, I think, selling PVC dinghies.
I recognise The Logo in the ebay Ad as theirs http://www.compassinflatables.com/
The early Hypalon dinghies at least the ones, I remember, were grey. Id suspect this one is PVC.
It must be a few years old. PVC materials may not have been as good then as they are now.
 
Thanks for the replies. Food for thought. I disagree with some of them though...

We had an old Avon Redcrest which looked very much like that one I've linked to, in the past. Because of the "proper" rowlocks, it rowed brilliantly - with no floor at all - 2 up. The modern encapsulated oars look like kids toys IMO. Give me a good pair of solid wooden oars you can really get your back into!

Also - I don't want an outboard engine on it - I hate them. If you use one and then it packs up on you, you need to row - and if you've not been rowing everywhere then you're not "rowing fit" so it can be a problem. We sold our outboard and bracket and never regretted it.

Also also - I don't want a posh looking dinghy. We'll be leaving it all over the place. An old one is less likely to get swiped!

Also also also - no floor = lighter boat.


But what's the problem with the lace-up seat arrangement?
 
Bugger all wrong with it. Its a cheap, small, easy to stow tender that will do the job thats asked of it when required. Go for it man, you KNOW it makes sense!!
 
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