How stable are airdeck dinghies?

[Ru88ell]

I've encountered an issue with my Avon 7 dinghy. My father has dodgy knees, and I need a stiffer platform for him to climb out of onto my boat, via a Fenderstep. The Avon is a great piece of kit, but I'm afraid it isn't going to be stable enough.

I'm considering a Waveline 230RT Airdeck. Can anyone tell me how stable these things are?

 

[MoodySabre]

The airdeck floor is very stiff. The dinghy in itself is probably no more stable than the average. I previously had a Bombard AX2 bought because it was light - light because it had small tubes and wet bums were inevitable. The Waveline tubes are much bigger. It's good value but stability comparisons are difficult as you don't have lots. Comparison tests tend to deal with weight, materials, features and rowability.

PS I have one with sponsons not an RT.

 

[prv]

I have an AX2 with airdeck. If we use it in Fowey you're welcome to have a try. The floor is pretty stiff - I generally kneel on it rather than sit on the tubes due to the aforementioned wet bum issue, and it doesn't sag or fold around my knee. It feels like kneeling on lightly-padded plywood.

Pete

 

[prv]

I previously had a Bombard AX2 bought because it was light - light because it had small tubes and wet bums were inevitable. The Waveline tubes are much bigger.

Was the Bombard merely lighter, or was it also smaller?

I can cope with more weight, but I don't have much more stowage space available. But I would like a drier dinghy.

Pete

 

[Rigger Mortice]

. Can anyone tell me how stable these things are?

Not quite as stable as a full plywood floor but far,far more stable than a slatted floor

 

[Ru88ell]

Thanks both. It's the stiffness of the deck which is key. My dad's going to have to stand on it before climbing aboard. If prv can kneel on such a floor without it deflecting then I guess I'll be OK. Anyone want to buy an Avon 7?

 

[Gone sailing]

I would just add that while I think the floor is very stiff being a "v" hull it is also a lot deeper than most. I think you would struggle to step from the the bottom of the dinghy up into your boat.
I tend to tie the boat tight for and aft and step on the seat.
Of course I don't know how high the freeboard is on your boat!?

 

[MoodySabre]

I would just add that while I think the floor is very stiff being a "v" hull it is also a lot deeper than most. I think you would struggle to step from the the bottom of the dinghy up into your boat.
I tend to tie the boat tight for and aft and step on the seat.
Of course I don't know how high the freeboard is on your boat!?

It's not a V hull.

 

[Ru88ell]

I would just add that while I think the floor is very stiff being a "v" hull it is also a lot deeper than most. I think you would struggle to step from the the bottom of the dinghy up into your boat.
I tend to tie the boat tight for and aft and step on the seat.
Of course I don't know how high the freeboard is on your boat!?

He can't step very high, so would need to stand on the airdeck to step up to the thwart, then up to the Fenderstep.

 

[Gone sailing]

It's not a V hull.

Note to self.... Must be more thorough in my research
Love my v deck tho

 

[MoodySabre]

Was the Bombard merely lighter, or was it also smaller?

I can cope with more weight, but I don't have much more stowage space available. But I would like a drier dinghy.

Pete

I must apologise - I have a Waveco 230 Airdeck not a Waveline. The packed size is about a third more. It also has a seat. Mine lives on the cabin roof so wife's dry bum was preferably to dinghy size!:encouragement:
Specs here for ax2 and Waveco
http://www.bombard.com/en/inc.common.files/pop.fiche.cfm?id=ax
http://marinedirect.co.uk/waveco-deck-wec230am3-p-370.html

 

[Border Terrier]

Because of reduced mobility and carrying capacity, I have just bought a 3D lightweight air deck tender through seamark Nunn.

At 15.8 kg's, I can carry it on my shoulder and it is quite stable despite my clumsiness! ie, I can no longer thrash upwind in an Int 14.

 

[prv]

He can't step very high, so would need to stand on the airdeck to step up to the thwart, then up to the Fenderstep.

Have to say, that all sounds a bit precarious. I never even stand up in dinghies (taught from a young age ) let alone step up onto the thwart. Asking someone who by the sound of it is basically semi-disabled, to do the same, seems like a recipe for disaster.

Is it just the knees, and he otherwise has good balance and fast reactions, or is he a doddery old chap like my grandad? Grandpa came and visited Kindred Spirit once, alongside a pontoon the same height as the side deck, and that was enough of a challenge. I wouldn't dream of trying to get him aboard from a dinghy.

Pete

 

[Ru88ell]

He's not a doddery old bloke. He's otherwise quite fit; he could cycle 35 miles without issue. His knee replacements have left him with limited knee bend, so he can't make high steps. As an example, he finds it difficult to make the final step out of the yawl over the lip, but he can climb a ladder. His balance is good.

My theory is that once the dinghy is held against the hull he can grab the gunwale and rails to hold steady, then step up as suggested earlier. He can, and does, swing his leg over the rails when stepping from a pontoon. Last year he spent a week on my old Cape Cutter over in Morbihan. He was able to enter and exit the inflatable water taxis.

 

[Border Terrier]

Do you mean you don't cycle with him?

 

[MikeBz]

We have a Bombard Max3+ (I think?) which has an air deck and inflatable keel. It is superb. Light for its size and very stiff and stable.

 

[Ru88ell]

Do you mean you don't cycle with him?

He cycles in the week these days. I did a very memorable tour with him a few years ago; from Stourbridge to Limoges. He's new to sailing - he doesn't have a clue what's going on, but he loves it, and we have a really good laugh together. I filmed him 'pretending' to helm Lucy back in January. The quality isn't great as I filmed, edited and uploaded from my iphone.

 

[prv]

He's not a doddery old bloke. He's otherwise quite fit; he could cycle 35 miles without issue. His knee replacements have left him with limited knee bend, so he can't make high steps. As an example, he finds it difficult to make the final step out of the yawl over the lip, but he can climb a ladder. His balance is good.

Fair enough, then.

An airdeck properly inflated (you need a pump designed for the job) should give a solid enough surface to step up from.

Pete

 

[Ru88ell]

Cheers Pete. I'm going to see if I can find KS over the next couple of weeks. She should only be round the corner from our mooring.

 

[prv]

Cheers Pete. I'm going to see if I can find KS over the next couple of weeks. She should only be round the corner from our mooring.

I've not seen her in her new home, but I believe it's roughly opposite the Pandora. So yeah, not far from Mylor.

Pete