Has anyone used a 3D tender

I've had a 3D250 for 2 seasons. Used a fair amount all season via locker storage, so plenty of inflating and deflating. Rows fine (as far as they ever do with a flat bottom) and the 2.5 Suzi OB pushes it along without trouble. Have had 3 adults in it. So far its proving not a bad buy. Downsides: Black holds the heat - so it get a bit warm in the summer. To get the light weight, the tubes are on only 37cm so you do get a bit of splash inside if there is any chop using the OB.
 
I have used one for almost three years. I agree with Ripster that is wetter than some dinghies owing to the tube diameter. I have been very pleased with mine when rowing and motoring. There is no sign of wear. As a singlehander I think the greatest advantage of the light weight is that I can carry it over ground on which I would drag a heavier dinghy; it is subject to less wear and tear as a consequence.
 
CFarr said:
What about towing (if you weren't going far enough to bother with deflating/inflating)?
Wouldn't they bounce about too much due to their lighter weight?
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They tow fine using the two lower towing loops. Sure, like anything with no V hull they do move from side to side a little but nothing to worry about. We have towed ours a good 50 miles through several stops in one hit without trouble - I reckon it cost us about half a knot of boat speed - maybe a little more.
 
I've had the 200 for about 18 months now.
Goes well under oars and outboard (Honda 2.3). Needs a tiller extension on the outboard as it's prone to putting the stern down under full power. Easy to inflate and deflate, can easily be lifted by one person and folds up small (into the cockpit locker of my 20foot trailer sailer). Build quality seems pretty good and I've got two adults and two small children in without much fuss (except from one of the toddlers)

The black ones are renowned for getting a bit hot on a summer's day, so may benefit from having the tubes let down a bit if you have to leave it out in the sun. However I would endorse the product.
 
We bought a black 270 last season to replace a Wetline 265 (slatted floor), because the Wetline was becoming a pain to carry and stow.

I't's half the weight & stows in half the space, while being a bit longer. It's prone to being a bit wetter as the tubes are slightly smaller diameter.

So far very pleased with it.
 
2017 be interested to know how other 3D Superlight owners are getting on. Picked up an ex-showroom 230 at a good price as my old Tinker was too heavy. Reading other experiences, I've added big webbing straps to bag. Have a dog too so pondered the inflatable floor. Then I found a roll of sturdy black PU foam mat in Homebase intended for workshop floors. Easily cut to size, weighs nothing and rolls into the 3 D bag. Tucks under the edges of tubes and looks smart too. Crossed fingers, threw the dog in. All good. It'll be reassuring if I have to run a kedge out or go fossiling.
 
Well pleased with ours, yes it can be a bit wet but if you take your time it's ok. Easy for both of us to manhandle and carry which saves it from being dragged. I just wish we had bought the 270 rather than the 230. Would I by another one? Yes.
 
Ours is on its last legs now, but that is following several years of serious abuse. We left it inflated and hanging off the back of the boat continuously for a couple of years and the continuous exposure to the elements took its toll - the material is degrading and the grab handles have rotted to the point where they are breaking. I don't regard this as a criticism of the construction - it is a lightweight PVC dinghy, not some heavy duty hyperlon thing. It's currently packed away, but we'll break it out soon and I suspect that another summer of continual exposure to sun will finish it off - but we will have had our money's worth out of it!
 
Had ours (2.7) for 4 seasons, always get packed away and never towed or stowed on deck. It has a few scuffs, but apart from that its still going strong. Would recommend, they are so light its incredibly easy to manhandle around deck and inflate/stow.
 
Interesting thread as I am very much thinking about getting one at 270 / 280cm. There are 3 types in more or less the same category (have discounted the round tail one):

Firstly the Superlight Twin Air, which is the lightest at 15.8kg for the 270, packing down to 98x48x28 and at £599, in white or black. Flat air deck (no inflatable keel):

https://www.marinesuperstore.com/tenders-accessories/tenders/3d-superlight-tender-twin-air

Secondly the 3D Superlight Tender VIB Twin Air. The 280 is 25kg, packs down to 90x45x32 and is at £849. A bit heavier (larger tubes so drier?), but has a neoprene cover (black on one side and white on the other) and v shaped inflatable hull. Black only (but the cover can be used to make it white):

https://www.marinesuperstore.com/tenders-accessories/tenders/3d-superlight-tender-vib-twin-air

Finally the 3D Twin V-Shape tender. In grey and black, the 270 weighs 18.9kg, packs down to 98x48x28 and costs £799. V shaped inflatable hull. In the middle weight-wise, with the smaller tubes.

https://www.marinesuperstore.com/tenders-accessories/tenders/3d-twin-v-shape-tender

Am tending towards the VIB as I like the covers and don't mind a bit more weight for a dryer and quicker ride, whether under motor or oar. Having spoken to Marine Superstore there may be a 3 week wait from ordering. They all pack down quite small, in the backpack style carrier mentioned above with its caveats.

Hope the research will be useful to someone.

Nick
 
We used a round tail 235 last summer. It was on the transom or the beach all season when not in use. It rowed well and was easy to manhandle. I don't have a motor so can't comment about handling under power. No sign of deterioration or damage so far.

Derek
 
NFCN said:
Am tending towards the VIB as I like the covers and don't mind a bit more weight for a dryer and quicker ride, whether under motor or oar. Having spoken to Marine Superstore there may be a 3 week wait from ordering. They all pack down quite small, in the backpack style carrier mentioned above with its caveats.
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For the same money, you could have a Zodiac Cadet Aero 270, which isn't much heavier, but is built of much sturdier materials.
 
I bought a 3D 220. Very light, good to row etc but lousy adhesives used in its construction. Both rowlocks failed when rowing - by failed I mean completely ripped off the hull. Not much fun in strongish winds when the outboard was being temperamental. Also, when being towed in moderate conditions one of the towing eyes pulled off.

I contacted 3D - not interested. I wouldn't touch them.
 
kalanka said:
I bought a 3D 220. Very light, good to row etc but lousy adhesives used in its construction. Both rowlocks failed when rowing - by failed I mean completely ripped off the hull. Not much fun in strongish winds when the outboard was being temperamental. Also, when being towed in moderate conditions one of the towing eyes pulled off.

I contacted 3D - not interested. I wouldn't touch them.
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That surprises me - on both counts. My experience of them was that the support was good - though this was quite soon after they started trading, so perhaps they were being a bot more conscientious. Also, given how badly ours has been treated, the fact that is is still afloat says a lot about its construction quality.
 
If you look back on this thread you will see that I canvassed opinions on these tenders in 2012. I subsequently bought one and used it for three years. I agree with Kalanka. The towing eyes ripped off, as did the rowlocks. These tenders are certainly light but really only suitable for occasional use. The light weight comes at the cost of durability, rowing capacity and stability. I binned mine after two and a half year's use.
 
Cspirit said:
If you look back on this thread you will see that I canvassed opinions on these tenders in 2012. I subsequently bought one and used it for three years. I agree with Kalanka. The towing eyes ripped off, as did the rowlocks. These tenders are certainly light but really only suitable for occasional use. The light weight comes at the cost of durability, rowing capacity and stability. I binned mine after two and a half year's use.
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Not good value then...
 
I wanted the lightest, smallest possible dinghy that wasn't a toy to get from anchoring off a beach to the shore after dropping passengers off. Probably went too small - I bought the 1.6m round tail which packs into a back pack you'd hardly know you were carrying, and can be lifted with one finger -6kg! I'm 5'8" 11 stone and anyone bigger would struggle. I could only row it by sitting on a box in the bow as the seat is too close to the stern, or on the bow and get a wet bum. Have now worked out that by lashing it broadside to the swim platform and getting in at the centre I can get in and out without the likelihood of a involuntary swim. I've added an 18lb thrust 12v watersnake and small old car battery and it now makes a very easy, convenient way to get to shore. But my confidence is such that I always pop my life jacket on! I put my Honda 2.3hp on the end and, without a bow counterweight, the dinghy immediately stood on its tail! Inflating deflating and packing in bag is a doddle but it's so small I just lash it to the back of the boat inflated and hardly know it's there. 2nd time out I holed it on an oyster farm bed sharp shell - an easy fix as they are PVC. and I think that would have happened on any inflatable. The quality of construction and ancillary bits is excellent. Marine Super Store service excellent - they sent the transom not round tail version as ordered and sorted replacement and collection within 2 days. If I had my time again, I would have bought the 1.8m version and anyone big would need the 2m for solo passages.
 
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