Dinghy Dinghy

[uxb]

We are totally fed up with our dinghy.

It doesn't roll up very small and is heavy.

It is sh 1t to row with the most stupid pin things instead of row-locks.

Is there ANYTHING out there that will:

Roll up to a reasonably small bundle.

Row well.

Have row-locks that allow you to feather the oars.

Carry 3 people.

HELP???

 

[PabloPicasso]

no

 

[prv]

Sadly not. You can either have a tiny fart-bag that will stow, or a hard dinghy that will row. Not both.

Pete

 

[theoldsalt]

Seago seem to be the only inflatable dinghies on the market with stiff rubber rowlocks. Sadly even Avon (Zodiac) now have the stupid oar fixings.
I see no reason why a Seago will not roll up small and row as well as my 20 year old Avon does.

 

[rotrax]

We are totally fed up with our dinghy.

It doesn't roll up very small and is heavy.

It is sh 1t to row with the most stupid pin things instead of row-locks.

Is there ANYTHING out there that will:

Roll up to a reasonably small bundle.

Row well.

Have row-locks that allow you to feather the oars.

Carry 3 people.

HELP???

You are asking for a universal panacea-these usualy do not exist! The oars on our Walker Bay rib rotate in the tubular holders which are fixed to the securing pins-I cannot bring myself to call them rowlocks-and can therefore be feathered. For a pump up it rows quite well. Find a dealer,look at the oar/rowlock fittings and see if they can be made to fit your inflatables oars. Good Luck.

 

[alteredoutlook]

Everyone is aware how pathetic most inflateable dinghy rowlocks are. But has anyone tried retrofiting 'proper' stick-on ones???

If so, do the original ones get in the way?

Or is it possible to remove the original ones? (How?)

Does anyone know of a source for the stick-on ones?

 

[duncan99210]

I had a Southern Pacific dinghy which came supplied with wooden oars and (almost) proper rowlocks which would enable you to feather the oars. However, the dinghy itself was so small and awkward to row that the thought of feathering them never entered into it; the only tehnique to get it to move through the water was to use short, choppy strokes where any through of feathering was pointless. Most inflatables are the same, as unless you get a rather large dinghy with enough weight in it to glide between strokes, you need to use a short choppy action. Oh, the Southern Pacific did fold up quite small IIRC, but it was a pretty cheap solution to an immediate problem: boat moved to a mooring from a pontoon. I wasn't impressed with the build quality but the price was very good - less the £200 for a 2.4 metre dinghy.

 

[maxi]

alteredoutlook

Polymarine do the full range of inflatable spares, which include the Avon type rowlocks, and "yes", retrofitting decent equipment onto today's toy dinghies is possible and advantageous.

My Avon (with wooden transom) is heavy and difficult to stow but, having rescued an old chap from the Hamble last week I will stick with the Avon. He had a very light French inflatable dinghy which overturned with him in it, in absolutely flat conditions.

 

[Seajet]

A 'round tail' inflatable will roll up a lot smaller; also beware a lot of thin slats ( or an inflatable floor ) will roll up a lot smaller than a few big floor panels.

Also go for a large tube diameter; the standard size for cheap inflatables is frankly pathetic, but large dia' is expensive; as I mentioned in another thread on a similar vein, this thing will carry you and yours' lives, so if possible invest in a good one - my 1983 Zodiac 240 round tail is still going strong.

 

[FishyInverness]

Everyone is aware how pathetic most inflateable dinghy rowlocks are. But has anyone tried retrofiting 'proper' stick-on ones???

If so, do the original ones get in the way?

Or is it possible to remove the original ones? (How?)

Does anyone know of a source for the stick-on ones?

I've removed broken rowlocks from an inflatable and replaced with new ones, fairly simple job, all parts available from Polymarine or through most chandlers.

Polymarine tell you on their website how to remove patches/rubbing strakes/etc using a hot air gun and flap wheel, I managed this quite easily - new rowlock patches can go on with 2-part adhesive for best strength.

Seems that's the best option for you UXB, get a lighter roll-up dinghy and replace the pin-type oarlocks (I don't like them either! )

 

[Boo2]

You are asking for a universal panacea-these usually do not exist!

Surely they must logically never exist ? For if a universal panacea did exist then its universality would ensure it acted as a panacea in mediating the rarity of universal panaceas and they would perforce become common ? And as they are not common it would seem that they cannot exist.

Boo2

 

[uxb]

Surely they must logically never exist ? For if a universal panacea did exist then its universality would ensure it acted as a panacea in mediating the rarity of universal panaceas and they would perforce become common ? And as they are not common it would seem that they cannot exist.

Boo2

Boo, I'm finding it difficult to get drunk enough on a school night to understand your post.

Is this Panacea available from on line chandlers?
Will it carry three adults?
What's the maximum HP of outboard motor it will take?
Does it have feathering rowlocks?

TIA.

 

[Amulet]

We are totally fed up with our dinghy.

It doesn't roll up very small and is heavy.

It is sh 1t to row with the most stupid pin things instead of row-locks.

Is there ANYTHING out there that will:

Roll up to a reasonably small bundle.

Row well.

Have row-locks that allow you to feather the oars.

Carry 3 people.

HELP???

My 40 year old Avon doesn't do too badly.

 

[uxb]

My 40 year old Avon doesn't do too badly.

They are as rare as rocking horse ****...I've tried to find a decent one without success- so far..

failing finding a good one for sale I might go for a cheap 'n cheerful 'Seago'

 

[theoldsalt]

UXB,

One for sale here :-

http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-adverts.showadvert/index-1034610591/a6294f1d.html

another here :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AVON-REDC...tEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item1c20defe8e

also here :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AVON-REDC...ng_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET&hash=item3cbe76f6a9


plus more on ebay

 

[pyrojames]

My avons (1998 and 2004) have rubber oarloacks which allow you to feather. Row OK, but slow with 3 up.

 

[dancrane]

I couldn't fault my enormous, antique round-tail Avon Redshank.

It was very tough, totally practical, carried five adults, rowed easily and could be very quickly inflated, for such a big dinghy. Excellent, rather large footpump. Those old Avons were so tough, any example that hasn't been uncommonly abused should still be a good bet now.

If I recall, the round-tails were:

Redstart - 8 foot
Redcrest - 9 foot
Redseal - 10 foot
Redshank - 12 foot

Why, I wonder, can't today's inflatable constructors employ the tough black rubber rowlocks that Avon used? They were faultless.

 

[alahol2]

Why, I wonder, can't today's inflatable constructors employ the tough black rubber rowlocks that Avon used? They were faultless.

Not totally faultless, they could destroy an unprotected wooden oar in a couple of seasons.

 

[Bobc]

I used to have an Avon Redstart, and it was brilliant.

 

[FishyInverness]

Why, I wonder, can't today's inflatable constructors employ the tough black rubber rowlocks that Avon used? They were faultless.

That's exactly what I replaced my broken rowlocks with, love them...no maintenance and I have metal oars with collars so no problems with them damaging a wooden one....