Dinghy Dinghy

[Bosun Higgs]

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

Memory always improves things! I still have a Redstart and I wouldnt describe it as excellent. It has small tubes, rows like a tea tray and doesnt motor a great deal better. Its wet. I'm looking for an alternative.

But like the OP its a question of what. Rowing is purely an emergency action IMO - I go to the gym for exercise. To my mind, few if any rubber ducks are really suitable for rowing. You need a hard dinghy or at least a rib to row well.

But finding a dinghy which is dry, light and packs up well? And can be lifted aboard by a 65 year old? And fits the cockpit lockers of a 35 footer?

 

[charles_reed]

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

You are a man of excessive charity (or unaware of how o dinghy should row).

Of all the rafts, inflatables or dinghies I've ever rowed the Avons have to be the most impossible (yes I still have mine, retired in honour 22 years ago)

 

[alahol2]

Maybe time is a healer but the Avon Redstart that we had for maybe 20 years (originally bought second hand) was an excellent dinghy. It was amazingly robust, carried 4 of us (2 children), rolled up small etc etc. Yes it could be wet in a slop and the outboard bracket was a pain in the A*** to fit but equally, because of the solid rowlocks, you could always get where you were rowing (eventually). I have seen many small blowups that are impossible to row into a strong tide/headwind because of the toytown oars/rowlocks. On the balance of its faults & benefits, I still think the Redstart is probably the best small inflatable ever.
It's still in the loft, just in case.

 

[uxb]

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....

I have seen rubber/plastic rowlocks for sale ready to glue onto a dinghy- but what glue will stick them permanently?

Your shared wisdom would be much appreciated oh Fishy One.

 

[FishyInverness]

Hi UXB,

More than happy to let you know - I used IBS 2990 Hypalon 2-part adhesive to fit mine - the sheer surface area of the big black rubber patches that Avon used for the moulded type rowlocks means that they're going nowhere after a couple of coats, but I also used the same adhesive to fit straps in patches of hypalon fabric in order to install a bench type seat between the tubes and it's holding my weight fine.

 

[uxb]

Hi UXB,

More than happy to let you know - I used IBS 2990 Hypalon 2-part adhesive to fit mine - the sheer surface area of the big black rubber patches that Avon used for the moulded type rowlocks means that they're going nowhere after a couple of coats, but I also used the same adhesive to fit straps in patches of hypalon fabric in order to install a bench type seat between the tubes and it's holding my weight fine.

Thank you for that - I'll make a note and will invest in some glue and patches for my dink.

 

[FishyInverness]

Thank you for that - I'll make a note and will invest in some glue and patches for my dink.

no probs - Just an afterthought though, obviously you want the right 2-part adhesive for the material your tender is made from, I used Hypalon for a Hypalon tender. Guessing you probably already know that but thought it best to make completely clear!

 

[uxb]

no probs - Just an afterthought though, obviously you want the right 2-part adhesive for the material your tender is made from, I used Hypalon for a Hypalon tender. Guessing you probably already know that but thought it best to make completely clear!

You are always best to double check when you're dealing with the hard of thinking.