Help me choose a budget tender

miha90

miha90

Active Member
Joined
6 Apr 2019
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47
Location
S. France
www.vesselpal.com
I am looking to buy a cheap inflatable tender no longer than 230cm. The main thing that I want it to have in an inflatable bottom as appose to those plastic planks. The Zodiac I have now is about 10 years old, leaks everywhere is heavy as hell and is just too big (280cm). I realise that nothing I buy on the cheap now is going to last 10 years but even half that will be decent.

I have been looking at the 3D tender World Travel 200
https://www.3dtender.com/FOLDABLE-TENDERS-148-94-0-0.html

and the Hydroforce Caspian 230
https://www.nootica.fr/marque/hydro...e-hydro-force/annexe-hydro-force-caspian.html

I do not know these companies but from what I read on the forum the 3D tenders seem decent. The price is about the same but the Hydroforce is almost 5 kg heavier! That is obviously a big difference so does that mean the material used is more durable?

Just guessing here but none of these two are probably made out of hypalon right?
 
I have just retired my trusty Waveline 2.9 v hull after 12 years of constant use throughout the year, uncovered. So, I would recommend a Waveline; all modern inflatables are polyester/pvc. Look at marinescene.co.uk
 
well ive just chosen one. an Avon, solid and cheap as chips, stuck a seagull on it and could not be happier. Might have a few laughs h along the way though.

Steveeasy
 
The 3D in the link has a slatted not inflatable floor ?

I've seen some reports saying they are rather fragile.

I don't know the Annexe range.

A couple of years ago I compared all the budget inflatables on the UK market and the Seago 230 was best overall for specicification - inc weight and inflatable floor - and value so I bought one, it's nowhere near the quality of the Zodiac 240 I had before but seems fine.

NB if stowed size is important a ' round tail ' will go into much smaller spaces than a solid transom model; they still come with an outboard bracket though this is rather bulky to stow, if I intended to motor my Seago much I would modify the bracket.
 
I recall someone buying one of these light weight tenders and being very worried at stability once inflated and afloat having carried down the backpack and launched from the marina pontoon. I would have thought it would be worth trying out any lightweight version as compared to a zodiac it might be rather alarming in use. I guess it depends on how brave you crew is and number of passengers etc. We have a small seago which rolls up for the stern locker and can be carried below by one person etc however I much prefer using our larger quicksilver to be honest .
 
miha90 said:
I am looking to buy a cheap inflatable tender no longer than 230cm. The main thing that I want it to have in an inflatable bottom as appose to those plastic planks. The Zodiac I have now is about 10 years old, leaks everywhere is heavy as hell and is just too big (280cm). I realise that nothing I buy on the cheap now is going to last 10 years but even half that will be decent.

I have been looking at the 3D tender World Travel 200
https://www.3dtender.com/FOLDABLE-TENDERS-148-94-0-0.html

and the Hydroforce Caspian 230
https://www.nootica.fr/marque/hydro...e-hydro-force/annexe-hydro-force-caspian.html

I do not know these companies but from what I read on the forum the 3D tenders seem decent. The price is about the same but the Hydroforce is almost 5 kg heavier! That is obviously a big difference so does that mean the material used is more durable?

Just guessing here but none of these two are probably made out of hypalon right?
Click to expand...

I borrowed a 3D tender for a couple of days. Normally used to a Plastimo 2.3m and thought the 3D was a better boat- roomier, more stable and still easy to carry. I know nothing about the Hydroforce Captain but certainly the 3D is a good choice.
 
We have done the round with RIB's and inflatables. Fastest was a Caribe, by a long way. But it was far too big. Next best a Walker Bay Genisis, but too heavy. Best compromise was a Honwave with inflatable floor and big tubes, but again quite heavy. That went as part of the inventory of the previous boat.

We would not consider a slatted floor inflatable after a RIB or inflatable floor dinghy.

We now have a Sun Sport 2.4, inflatable vee floor, well made, not too heavy and fits upside down on the pilot house roof when cruising. I should imagine it came out of the same Chinese factory as the Honwave-the quality and design is very similar.

Very happy with this one.
 
I think I will get the French or wherever its from Hydroforce. Every weekend it's for sale online for 300 Euros with free shipping which I think is cheap considering it comes with the two year warranty and inflatable bottom. Will update with a quick review after I've used it for a couple of months this season.
 
Just the latest updated. I went with the French company Orange Marine. I bought one of the Air Comfort models with the inflatable bottom for a very reasonable price and next day delivery here in France for free. What won me over was the 5 year warranty. So far it seems to be a very robust tender and it comes with a robust carrying bag.
 
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