How should I store my small PVC inflatable tender on board?

[Pete7]

Covers are readily available if you are worried about UV degradation

Someone should tell Crewsaver. The buckles of the bag are just coated mild steel and rusted before we even finished our two week summer hols. The straps had fraid and snapped from sunshine within a year and the bag tore after 18 months. I e mailed them twice and they didn't even have the courtesy to reply

Shocked by the asking price for genuine cover, I bought a black £21 bicycle bag from Amazon which lasted 18 months, the largest size taking a 2.4m dinghy without too much trouble. Finally settled on one of those small trailer covers, so will see how long that lasts.

Vicious that sunshine in the Solent.

 

[mattonthesea]

If you can get access to a sturdy sewing machine it's fairly easy to make a dinghy bag. Surprised by the replacement cost of a Zodiac bag I bought a couple of metres of UV resistant, plasticated canvas and copied their pattern. I got some webbing and ripstop nylon offcuts from Cameron Balloons. The buckles and other adjusters we had from old bags and daysacks etc.

 

[jo_hnno]

My Seago 240 is in a bag that I had made up and sits neatly in front of the spray hood on my 28ft Cobra.

I would love to see some images of this.

 

[samfieldhouse]

I would love to see some images of this.

I'll find one!

 

[jo_hnno]

Thank you, that would be terrific.

 

[steveeasy]

Ive a new one I use to get out to my boat and back. When heading home, Rather than folding it tightly, I just fold it lightly, put a rope round it and chuck it on the back seat. When I get home it sits out the sun. I really think folding them tightly the same way each time does no good at all. Now if it lasts 3 years without patches I’ll be happy.
Steveeasy

 

[Refueler]

I have a Redstart and a Soviet two man job .... both have had patches and gunk in through the valves to try cure slow leaks ... all good for a month or so - but the slow leaks are back again.

Both can still provide run to shore - but if left too long would need pumping back up to get back to boat.

My 25ft - I used to half deflate the Avon - fold in half and lash to foredeck - but it was a real pain ... The Soviet has a good bag and was for a while lashed under the boom kicking strap - again a pain !

I want something for my 38ft - but being a racer - not dragged behind or taking up too much storage space ...

Because of rare use ... I seriously looked at the budget ranges ... not Supermarket Toys - but sitting between them and recognised brands. There are some interesting dinghys out there ....
I was gifted one - 2.4m dinghy with hard transom .... locals here have such for fishing on the river .... inflatable floor / keel tube ... dual air .... locking oars etc. Up to 5hp O/bd .... Trouble is it was gifted due to the seam near bow giving up and the useless repair guy tried ... dinghy was ruined then.

Local boat / fishing shops have these on show ... from about 400 euros to over 1000 .... with good warranty. Round tails fold up nicely into good bags ....

Stowage ? As long as dinghy is reasonably dry when folded up and clean - I don't see any problem with using the bag. As to on deck or inside - once in bag - does it really matter ? Except of course if on deck it could get water inside and start mold ??

 

[Stemar]

Since my earlier contributions in favour of towing, we've fitted davits to Jazzcat. The solution to any cruiser's dinghy problems, but they need to be strong enough to hold the dinghy with the outboard. Manhandling a nearly 20kg OB while standing in a flubber is a recipe for the engine and/or the manhandler to end up swimming.