Driest tender?

[Minerva]

On paper, our Avon sea rover 2.8m is a very good dinghy; inflates quickly, fits on the foredeck to be pumped up nicely, light enough to man handle out the water - many positive attributes.

However one little downside is that it’s “very splashy” to quote my wife on account for the small diameter tubes.

we’re now sailing with a baby so this has turned from a nuisance into a potential issue.

So before this turns from an issue to a show stopper, I need to think about what’s next tender wise.

Main needs are 2 adults and one baby (plus associated baggage, but multiple trips is demonstrably ok) boat kept on a swinging mooring and predominantly anchor so gets used every time we sail and every day we’re cruising.

So what’s the driest tender available? I’m thinking about either a nesting dinghy (££££) or perhaps a 3.2m(?) inflatable V floor tender with a 12v pump (how long would that take to pump up?)

We don’t have the space for a rib, not do we have Davits so something easily stowed is needed. We have what I think to be the best outboard available (mariner 5hp / very light weight and remote fuel tank) so no designs to be planing about the place.

So what size of tender would you recommend and what style? Has anyone else gone for a silly big 3.2m inflatable V floor tender with 12v inflator and regretted it? Whilst we take the outboard home, we can keep the tender at the mooring spot.

Thanks

 

[penfold]

Are babies water soluble? This is an area of science I was not aware of; bath time takes on a sinister aspect with this hard won knowledge. Best buy a bigger dinghy, happy wife = happy life, although I'm sceptical about the existence of a non-splashy dinghy.

 

[Momac]

In no time at all the baby will no longer be a baby.
Buy the biggest dinghy that can be accommodated on the boat.

 

[Iliade]

IMHO they are all wet, you just go faster in drier ones, so the water that does come in hits you harder!

Avon used to make a spashdeck (glued on) and screen that poppered onto that.

1,200 × 675

Or this lot have a solid cuddy. Not beyond the ken of man to make one up as a (much smaller) framed cloth structure.
Stormforce 8.4 Cabin - Redbay Boats

 

[Iliade]

Here we go, I knew someone must have tried it: Cuddy

 

[Graham376]

Main needs are 2 adults and one baby (plus associated baggage, but multiple trips is demonstrably ok) boat kept on a swinging mooring and predominantly anchor so gets used every time we sail and every day we’re cruising.

So what’s the driest tender available? I’m thinking about either a nesting dinghy (££££) or perhaps a 3.2m(?) inflatable V floor tender with a 12v pump (how long would that take to pump up?)

So what size of tender would you recommend and what style? Has anyone else gone for a silly big 3.2m inflatable V floor tender with 12v inflator and regretted it? Whilst we take the outboard home, we can keep the tender at the mooring spot.

Thanks

Larger tubes and inflatable keel will be better but larger length will still be splashy at low speed. We downsized from 2.9 to 2.7 last season and the 2.7 should be large enough for 2 + baby. Being able to plane gives a much drier ride but that's unlikely with only 5HP and full load.

 

[RAI]

Shifting weight aft to raise the bow reduces splashyness but never stops it. More length is better if you can tow it everywhere. Inflatables suffer from UV and need protection but can be folded and stowed. Walker Bay rigid dinghies are really good but expensive. I have a 2.3m BIC boat, solid and UV immune so far but a bit small for more than two.

 

[jac]

We went for a 3.1 Zodiac with the inflatable V deck. Powered by a 5hp Tohatsu 2 Stroke. It is big but comfortable - decent size tubes and comfortably fits 2 adults and now 2 teenagers. Ideally i would have liked something a little smaller - maybe 3m exactly but this came up and i bought it. Would not go back to a small one, Lives on deck deflated but have considered davits but never got further than thinking about it

I have inflated it a few times manually but have fairly quickly bought a proper 12v pump. First pump was a 12v Coleman rechargeable which did the bulk of the pumping but didn't get the tubes hard ( Knew that at the time) and just left me with the last few pumps to get it hard. That died last year so have now bought ( last week) a rechargeable SUP pump with auto shutoff. It gets the V deck up to pressure ( 11.2 PSI) very easily ( not timed it maybe 4-5 minutes tops) and is v quick on the tubes although that needs manually watching as side tubes are supposed to be set to 3.8 psi and minimum on the pump is 5PSI.

If getting an electric pump I would strongly suggest getting a rechargeable - not one powered by a cigarette lighter socket. Many of those seem to have fairly short cables - Ok if you already have a socket in about the right place but much better for use with a car with a socket like that in the boot already. With my rechargeable I can recharge via a USB socket or take home to recharge knowing that it will do the dinghy 2-3 times in total on a full charge ( NOT TESTED) - Pump i bought was this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dskeuzeew-...01e-b645-2b6011ca82b1&pd_rd_i=B0BY8X3PXT&th=1

 

[ylop]

A v-floor probably means drop stitch, ie. high pressure floor. This is good for ride/speed etc - but is not good for inflation. I have a 2.7 with an electric pump and manual pump. The electric pump takes 2x as long and is as annoying a sound as it is possible to make.
I'm not sure how 2 adults, 1 baby, baggage + multiple trips works except for the possibility of leaving the bags - are you really happy to do that everywhere you might go ashore?

 

[Minerva]

A v-floor probably means drop stitch, ie. high pressure floor. This is good for ride/speed etc - but is not good for inflation. I have a 2.7 with an electric pump and manual pump. The electric pump takes 2x as long and is as annoying a sound as it is possible to make.
I'm not sure how 2 adults, 1 baby, baggage + multiple trips works except for the possibility of leaving the bags - are you really happy to do that everywhere you might go ashore?

Sorry the multiple trips was more around when we get to/leave the boat and have 6tonnes of baby chairs, toys clothes and associated odds and sods to cart back an forth. All 3 of us would be in the dinghy for day to day usage.

The inflatable V floor, I imagine this makes the bow ride higher out of the water and so deflect the spray so lead to a drier ride, is this the case?

 

[Minerva]

Here we go, I knew someone must have tried it: Cuddy

Thanks - that could be worth a first shot - Pretty sure I have some canvas in the garage that could work nicely

 

[Sandy]

Shifting weight aft to raise the bow reduces splashyness but never stops it. More length is better if you can tow it everywhere. Inflatables suffer from UV and need protection but can be folded and stowed. Walker Bay rigid dinghies are really good but expensive. I have a 2.3m BIC boat, solid and UV immune so far but a bit small for more than two.

That's not my experience of a Walker Bay. They have a low freeboard and VERY wet and need the inflatable collar to be of any use.

 

[jac]

Sorry the multiple trips was more around when we get to/leave the boat and have 6tonnes of baby chairs, toys clothes and associated odds and sods to cart back an forth. All 3 of us would be in the dinghy for day to day usage.

The inflatable V floor, I imagine this makes the bow ride higher out of the water and so deflect the spray so lead to a drier ride, is this the case?

Mine is currently inflated in my garden as i was supposed to be cleaning it - measuring it the bow is 23 inches above the ground - That's a fair amount of protection in a sheltered river but if you find a wake / larger waves it will still get wet. if you're concerned about that with luggage then maybe two dinghies is the way forward. A larger solid dinghy that you drag ashore, leave afloat whilst away and that you use for taking crew and lugagge to and from the boat - then a slightly smaller inflatable that will rarely have luggage in. Still rate an air deck and V though

 

[johnalison]

Tenders aren’t supposed to be dry. The whole business of shipping one’s goods and family to and fro is supposed to be fraught with discomfort and preferably danger. If you really want to wimp out, just get something bigger, and go a bit slower.

 

[jac]

A v-floor probably means drop stitch, ie. high pressure floor. This is good for ride/speed etc - but is not good for inflation. I have a 2.7 with an electric pump and manual pump. The electric pump takes 2x as long and is as annoying a sound as it is possible to make.
I'm not sure how 2 adults, 1 baby, baggage + multiple trips works except for the possibility of leaving the bags - are you really happy to do that everywhere you might go ashore?

You must either be incredibly fit or have a rubbish electric pump. Pumping my 3.1 up manually a couple of days ago was knackering. I'm reasonably fit but a little over weight - must have taken me 15 minutes including rests using a Bravo 6 double action pump/ Using the electric maybe 10 minutes but in that time i can also be getting thwarts in, fitting tank / oars etc and not knackering myself.

You're right re the noise. Maybe not Saturn 5 on take off but not something to use if you want to creep up on unsuspecting wildlife

 

[Slowtack]

Recently upgraded to Waveline 2.9m with inflatable floor and keel... Dry, good to row and better on tow than the old 2.8XM.

 

[ylop]

You must either be incredibly fit or have a rubbish electric pump.

ok I’m going to go with incredibly fit ;-)
I think there are essentially 2 types of electric pump - those designed for high volume very quickly (basically airbed pumps - basically fans) and those designed to do high pressure stuff like SUPs, Drop Stitch decked boats etc. those need to go to much higher pressure than fan style pumps can deliver. Our tender doesn’t need the latter but we have paddle boards which do.

You're right re the noise. Maybe not Saturn 5 on take off but not something to use if you want to creep up on unsuspecting wildlife

I keep wondering if a small compressor in the engine bay that runs when the engine is running (and so is “recharged” when the boat is already noisy) would be both faster and less irritating.

 

[jac]

ok I’m going to go with incredibly fit ;-)
I think there are essentially 2 types of electric pump - those designed for high volume very quickly (basically airbed pumps - basically fans) and those designed to do high pressure stuff like SUPs, Drop Stitch decked boats etc. those need to go to much higher pressure than fan style pumps can deliver. Our tender doesn’t need the latter but we have paddle boards which do.

I keep wondering if a small compressor in the engine bay that runs when the engine is running (and so is “recharged” when the boat is already noisy) would be both faster and less irritating.

We had the first type then moved to the second. it is quieter but still not something to ever be described as pleasant. I think though that the noise is worth it - it reduces the hassle of using the dinghy which i think can only be a good thing!

 

[Zing]

On paper, our Avon sea rover 2.8m is a very good dinghy; inflates quickly, fits on the foredeck to be pumped up nicely, light enough to man handle out the water - many positive attributes.

However one little downside is that it’s “very splashy” to quote my wife on account for the small diameter tubes.

we’re now sailing with a baby so this has turned from a nuisance into a potential issue.

So before this turns from an issue to a show stopper, I need to think about what’s next tender wise.

Main needs are 2 adults and one baby (plus associated baggage, but multiple trips is demonstrably ok) boat kept on a swinging mooring and predominantly anchor so gets used every time we sail and every day we’re cruising.

So what’s the driest tender available? I’m thinking about either a nesting dinghy (££££) or perhaps a 3.2m(?) inflatable V floor tender with a 12v pump (how long would that take to pump up?)

We don’t have the space for a rib, not do we have Davits so something easily stowed is needed. We have what I think to be the best outboard available (mariner 5hp / very light weight and remote fuel tank) so no designs to be planing about the place.

So what size of tender would you recommend and what style? Has anyone else gone for a silly big 3.2m inflatable V floor tender with 12v inflator and regretted it? Whilst we take the outboard home, we can keep the tender at the mooring spot.

Thanks

I like a big dink and a big donk for that matter, but mine is never big enough.

(To keep dry of course).

 

[ashtead]

Have you considered a hard dinghy and leaving it on mooring -cheap old grp dinghy which stays in a boat ramp on shore? Might last longer than inflatable being left on mooring when you arrive and have a separate inflatable on board ? If looking for dry inflatable large tubes might help -we have a larger Quicksilver which is quite wet in a chop -if this is concern how about using water taxi on arrival at foreign port ? Otherwise look at brands which are light to stow on board but I think all might be wet - Highfield seem popular for long term cruising but I guess budget might be a consideration how about an old tinker tramp for more fun as can be sailed