Expensive new Avon or cheap alternative?

[awyatybw]

[I originally posted this to an old thread. Apologies if I violate the etiquette by reposting in a new thread.]

I am pondering what to get to replace our 25+ year old Avon Redcrest. It has given great service but is up for its second set of valve renewals and needs quite a few patches renewing or worn areas reinforcing - it is time for a change. I'm sure that a new Avon is the "best" solution but, at less than a quarter the price for a Seago, one has to wonder what would be the real drawbacks of the cheaper solution.

Weight is high on the list of priorities, plus how easy it is to deflate & stow (I tend not to tow the dinghy at sea). I am attracted by an inflatable floor (downside: more weight) but this is not essential. I know that Hyperlon, as used by Avon, has a number of advantages, especially with regard to durability, but how to quantify this is difficult.

Any further opinions or experiences would be appreciated.

 

[Talbot]

I went for a zodiac 260 fast roller (inflatable floor) to replace my old Zodiac (with slatted floor) the extra weight is a pain, but this one rows much better, is vastly superior in any waves, and any water in it goes below the inflatable floor, so your feet dont get wet!

 

[Robin]

I have used Avons since they came in black like Model Ts and still have a grey Avon Redseal 'spare' in excellent condition but we have changed allegiance to Zodiacs.

We now use a Zodiac Fastroller with a wooden transom and inflatable floor/keel. It is not in everlasting Hypalon like the Avons but then it spends most of it's life in a cockpit locker so UV exposure isn't the problem over many years now that we have a marina berth. Some of the benefits of the Zodiac are there just the same on the new Avon wood transomed inflatable floor models but the prices are bordering on unbelievable!

The good points about the Zodiac (ours is a 2.85) are the big diameter tubes for extra buoyancy and the way the bow rides, both of which contribute to a much drier ride than we had from (doughnut style) Redcrest/redseals. The inflatable floor is really excellent as is the keel which gets pumped up with it, the floor is stable, the keel gives some grip on the water and shape to the bottom as well as providing a space for any water to go without puddling at your feet.

The not so good points about the Zodiac Fastroller are that the inflatable floor is heavier than the slatted version which is also substantially cheaper, the wood transom adds weight too whatever make or model. For some reason the valves on the tubes are a different size to the floor valve, and the (standard) pressure guage is a different size again. As a result the pump comes with adapters for the adapters! The current standard foot pump is not IMO as good as the earlier Zodiac model (a Bravo type like the ones in the chandlers BUT with an extra 3rd gear added to allow really high pressure in the floor), we managed to find one of these in a French dealers.

On balance we prefer the Zodiac, it may not last as long in the sun as an Avon but then I could buy two for the same price as the Avon equivalent. BTW Avon and Zodiac and Bombard are all one and the same company these days and I think even the Avons are made in China?

 

[nightjar]

I traded in my old Redcrest for the Avon 280 a couple of years ago, got £200 towards the cost of the new Avon. Went through all the pros and cons and finally decided on the 280 as it had larger diam tubes etc. With hindsight I am not 100% sure I made the right decision! Sure the Avon is a top quality product and will outlast me by many years however in use its very heavy (twice the Redcrest) and even if the tubbes are fully deflated its very bulky to fit into the cockpit locker (inflatable floor adds to the bulk). Once its inflated and in the water its great, everything else is hard work. Perhaps the 260 would be more practical.
Hope you find the right one!

 

[Robin]

Our Zodiac 2.85 with pump up floor folds to virtually the same size/weight as the Zodiac 2.60 version and takes the same space in the cockpit locker as our old Avon Redseal (10ft). Whilst it is heavier than the Avon doughnut type, 2 of us lift it onto our foredeck without needing to use a halyard for help so it is manageable and the dry and non-wobbly floor is well worth it! We do deflate it FULLY with the suck out feature of the pump which helps with compact stowage, but then we did that with the old Avon as well.

 

[mirabriani]

Just to confuse you with more options.
I aquired a second hand slatted floor model
to which the previous owner had fitted a full
plywood floor which is nicely shaped with a vee
running out to flat at back.
With the slats fitted it is slow and wobbly
but with the full floor it tracks well and planes
with my 3 1/2 Tohatsu.
If you can house the floor (in sections) it could
be the best compromise?

Regards Briani

 

[blackbeard]

you mention weight - a topic dear to my heart!
Have an XM 2.65 m which is entirely adequate for my use BUT it's quite heavy and, worse, bulky to stow. In fact the only locker it will fit on my boat is the forepeak and the package is bulky enough to be quite difficult to get in/out. I have a strong trouble-free back but have come to the conclusion that, if this state of affairs is to continue, I will have to give up trying to get the dinghy into the locker. So it rolls around the accommodation and is a PAIN!
Overall conclusion: whatever you buy will have to be light enough, and fold small enough, to be easily manageable. Precisely what that means in practice will depend on the boat. Takes precedence over any other consideration except possibly seaworthiness, certainly is more important than long-term durability. Easier to replace a dinghy than your back.

 

[ChrisE]

I'd add a further endorsement for the Zodiac fastrollers. We have had 2 3.4m (the first one got nicked!). They are not as toughly built as the Avons (we also have an Avon with a rollup aluminium floor) but they plane well, they keep your bottom further away from the oggin, their wider base means that they are a lot more stable when transferring from dinghy to yacht and they come in at about £1100 as opposed to £1500+ for a comparable Avon.

 

[BlueChip]

I will second all the comments about the fast roller, we have had a 2.8m one for about 5 years and its as good as new.
Major benefits compared with the Avon for us is just how much faster it is. With two up and a 5HP motor she planes and even with a 2Hp motor she really goes well.
We have got one of those LVM electric pumps to do all the hard work and then just top up by hand. To get the best performance out of one of these you really need to get them pumped up very hard

 

[Gunfleet]

<<To get the best performance out of one of these you really need to get them pumped up very hard>>
Easier said than done. I have a Zodiac fast roller 3.1 and though the floor has a double valve so you can pump it up easily the tubes don't, meaning there's always a sort of spirited fumble at the last second to get the tube valves done up as you take the pump off. Anyone know why Zodiac made them this way?

 

[pappaecho]

I am in exactly the same position with a Avon Typhoon which takes 4 people, but is a pain to get in and out of the only locker on the boat which will take it. The boat loses some air over night, and probably has to go.
However the choice is not neccessarily whether to buy another Avon or Zodiac, but whether to buy a cheaper XM, Seago or whatever. How long does these cheaper inflatables last? Clearly they are lighter and easier to stow. What do they perform like in choppy water, as compared to the Avon or Zodiac. There must be thousands of oner of cheaper tenders - go on chaps...
dish the dirt!

 

[MUS]

Take a look at the specs for the Lodestar 275 NSA Ultralight. It appears to tick all the right boxes as a replacement for a Redcrest.

see www.lodestardirect.co.uk

Anyone have any experience of Lodestars?

 

[Evadne]

I have read the replies so far with interest, as I too have an Avon redcrest that will one day need replacing. So far I am still tempted to say "another Avon". Or at least another hypalon dinghy.
a) because I can afford it
b) the current inflatable is one of the old black ones, which must be nearly as old as I am. There aren't many, or even any other makes of dinghy of that age that are still going. The next one I buy will certainly outlive me.

 

[owen]

zod fastroler is good but valves are a pain- diff sizes.also rowlocks are made of soft plastic and i have gone thro 2 sets.- admittedly children do a lot or rowing but avon rowlocks last for ever. look on moody owners site there is a brand new avon going might be worth asking the price

 

[Oldhand]

Me also, very pleased with the Zodiac 260 Fast-roller, much better boat then the Redcrest it replaced. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Talbot]

[ QUOTE ]
the floor has a double valve so you can pump it up easily the tubes don't, meaning there's always a sort of spirited fumble at the last second to get the tube valves done up as you take the pump off.

[/ QUOTE ] Had this problem the first time I inflated my dinghy, then read the manual. Inside the tube valve is a little valve that if turned one way allows the air to escape, and if turned the other, will pop out and forms a seal when you remove the pump before the large seals are in place. - makes things a tad easier! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[tyce]

i have seen the seago 2.6 selling for 275 quid, which makes them nearlly disposable, if you get 5 years out of them it would work out better value than the dearer ones.
but i have no expierience of these boats so i dont know if they are any good, someone on here must have one.

 

[m1taylor]

From an environmental point of view the Avon which lasts 25 years plus must be better!!

 

[tim3057]

What about the Seago models? Are they any good? They seem to be good value (relatively cheap)