Help with dinghy/tender please

[marksaab]

My little boat is at West Mersea, quite a way up the Strood channel. Parking nearby is usually non existent. To go with the boat I bought a nice new and heavy Seago tender, fine when I have help but no good for solo. I'm looking for recomendations for a lightweight inflatable ideally with a keel but not slatted floored.

Tried ebay but would really appreciate some guidance.

Thanks
Mark

 

[CPD]

Why do you not want a slatted floor out of interest ? Also, what is it re the Seago you have bought that rules it out for solo ?. Reason I am interested is that IO am looking for a dinghy at the moment, not for boat access (Im marina based) but I do a lot of solo stuff. I am looking at it from dinghy storage on board and I have a list with dimensions for 2-2.4m if interested.

 

[marksaab]

Just trying to save on weight and handling, the slats are good to have but a pain to carry about, the Seago is a 260 with a Honda 2.3. I have to keep the whole lot in the boot of my car as I dont have storage available. No complaints about the 260, the previous owners had one so I followed suit!

 

[MikeBz]

I have a Bombard Aerotec with inflatable floor and keel - 2.75m long, all-up weight is 28kg. It has the optional fold-down wheels on the transom and is easily light enough to comfortably lift the bow up by the painter to drag it along on it's wheels (as long as you haven't filled it with heavy stuff!).

I'm really pleased with it (and the 2.2 Suzuki I bought on EBay to drive it).

I did quite a bit of research before buying since I wanted something as light as possible. As you have noted the Seago dinghies are heavy.

Mike

 

[marksaab]

Thanks Mike thats exactly the info I was after!! Actually looked at Bombards last night....back on ebay then which is where the Seago is heading!

 

[DinghyMan]

I have the Seago 2.6m with slatted floor and after fitting them when bought have never removed them. About to order some transom wheels for it to make it easier to drag about but the best thing I have bought yet is a proper inflator / deflator so we can actualy get it back in its bag every time.

 

[MikeBz]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks Mike thats exactly the info I was after!! Actually looked at Bombards last night....back on ebay then which is where the Seago is heading!

[/ QUOTE ]

If you pm me with an email address then I could send you my spreadsheet of small inflatables & their weights.

Mike

 

[Ammonite]

If you can find one at a reasonable price go for a Lodestar. http://www.lodestardirect.co.uk/
Cracking design and as light as they get! The only downside is the price new c. £600!! I was lucky - it came with my boat

 

[marksaab]

The lodestar 220UL seems to tick all the boxes but wow what a price and no other competing distributors in the UK and none 2nd hand! I think i need to consider how much I plan to use it and if a cheap "old" Plastimo will be just as good.

 

[marksaab]

Well decided on a Wetline 230AD, airdeck and a keel sort off!
Couldnt justify the Lodestar...planned to leave it on my mooring when I'm off sailing and it just seemed too much money to leave it swinging around!

Lightweight and not too pricy £365.00 from Marinemegastore arrives next week.