dinghy recommendation wanted

T

tico

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It's time to replace the dinghy from the trusty Bombard AX2 to get a bit more stability and carrying space.
Required...
.. Airdeck floor for light weight
.. Around the 2.6m length
.. V keel for stability
.. able to go through choppy water without taking silly amounds of spray over the bow
.. Light as poss for 2 to carry... it gets used a lot and has to be carried up and down beaches (big tides)
.. Engine will be a Suzi 2.2
not silly money! but that goes without saying

Any suggestions?
Anyone doing deals?
 
I bought a 2.7m airdeck capable of taking a 10hp outboard, new off ebay for £280 (no brand , probably a generic chinese make but tough as old boots)
Worth every penny
 
New Tender

Hi Tico,
Just been through the very same process, sold a 10yr old slatted floor Yam 230t for something a bit more stable & modern.

I highly recomend dealing with these guys;
http://www.ronhalemarine.co.uk/superbasket/category/11/New_Inflatable_Boats_&_RIB's

Just bought the Zodiac 220 Rib from them & had it delivered direct to our marina, first class service, came direct from zodiac in france by courier.

It is a perfect size for a T31, it fits our T28's bathing platform like it was made for it!
Dont worry about quoted dimmensions if you decide on the rib, it's bigger than you think.

Check out the weights, all quoted on the website, there are inflatable heavier than the rib for the equivalent size, looked at lodestar & honwave, very good but not a patch on the zodiac's quality.

The 220 Rib is excellent & ideal for beach landings especially if pebble or stone as you dont abrade the floor & risk puncture etc.

They say you get what you pay for & in this case I strongly agree, it might look pricey but the service & quality of the product is second to none.
 
Bought a Quicksilver 250 airdeck lightweight at the weekend for a friend. Then got to test it out with a 5hp Merc on the back. I was really impressed with the quicksilver, light, strong, great V airdeck and big tubes. Not cheap at about €795 but I intend to buy one next! Last time I felt that safe was in a Honwave 270 Airdeck which was much heavier. Went through the Med afternoon chop no problem.

Paul
 
tico said:
It's time to replace the dinghy from the trusty Bombard AX2 to get a bit more stability and carrying space.
Required...
.. Airdeck floor for light weight
.. Around the 2.6m length
.. V keel for stability
.. able to go through choppy water without taking silly amounds of spray over the bow
.. Light as poss for 2 to carry... it gets used a lot and has to be carried up and down beaches (big tides)
.. Engine will be a Suzi 2.2
not silly money! but that goes without saying

Any suggestions?
Anyone doing deals?
Click to expand...

Lodestar won a comparative test in one of the mags, a year or so ago. Think it was re. the 2.6/2.7/2.8m size.
 
thks to all... mind u they all seem heavy in comparison, seems like a case for the drop down wheels to fit to the transom.

some friends have the little zodiac rib , and while its really nice, cor its heavy when fitted with an engine and full of BBQ stuff (and beer)

how accurate are the sizes and weights on the ron hale website?
 
Not sure on the weights quoted by Ron Hale but guess it's probably quite accurate as they send a lot by courier.

We looked at the honwave 240 with airdeck & keel & would have bought one but the weight was heavier than the rib.(Quoted & test lifting it).
Lodestar was our prefered inflatable choice because the weights quoted were quite light for the size but then we found the zodiac specs, look at the zodiac lightroller.
Funny thing is that our previous tender (Yam 230T with slated floor) seamed heavier to pull from the water! even though the quoted 26kg was lighter than the 31kg for the rib.
Being flat bottomed I thing the surface tension between water & floor played a part in the lifting, perhaps an inflatable with keel would be easier to lift also.

I found the sales staff at Ron Hale very helpfull & spoke to them on two or more occasions before we placed an order, once we had checked out their prices & googled for equivalent deals we found they were suprisingly competative.

Mind you Southampton BS next month, I would be looking there, easy to make your own mind up when you can see & feel the shortlisted choices, perhaps better prices too.
 
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