How to identify Avon Redstart from Redcrest?

dutyhog said:
The old brochure I have shows a GRP seat at the bows on the Redcrest, but not on the Redstart.
Our Redstart was stolen recently - the first dinghy to be taken from the shore at our mooring association. I liked the old thing, and even though covered in patches it had no leaks at all this summer. Now we need another dinghy, preferably less attractive to steal, but I don't fancy PVC.
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Sorry to hear about yours being stolen - any identifying marks on it, in case I'm offered it?
Thanks, I've seen very few with additional seats& other parts to the extent that I'm pleased if the inflatable thwart is present!
 
alteredoutlook said:
Why care? The quality of (some!) other inflatables (whether pvc or hyperlon) is now equally good.....and with better designs e.g. inflatable floors. Surely you don't want a 20 or 30 year old dinghy?

(I think now ive set the blue touch paper alight I'll stand back.....)
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My last dinghy was a Redstart. I now have a modern dinghy with an inflatable floor. My next dinghy will be a Redstart.
 
I have a 1979 Redcrest still going strong. The redcrest has two webbing straps inside mounted on the tubes, they are at an angle to each other and were to fit an optional seat. I dint think the redstart had these straps.
My serial no is AVB8588 M 79C-7, so yours looks like and avon built 1982

David MH
 
Hi , many thanks , just started to clean it up ,and have started to replace the valves , fiddly but one done and working , need to get an outboard bracket and engine , cheers
 
mogmog2 said:
Well done! Take the rest of the day off.

The PVC ones I've used are bl**dy heavy & stiff to fold. And that's in the warmer weather.
No, I don't want a 30 year old boat, but I can't afford a new one. Happy now.
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Ebay has high pressure floors available air floors and custom sizes....
 
alteredoutlook said:
Why care? The quality of (some!) other inflatables (whether pvc or hyperlon) is now equally good.....and with better designs e.g. inflatable floors. Surely you don't want a 20 or 30 year old dinghy?

(I think now ive set the blue touch paper alight I'll stand back.....)
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I posted in this thread on 10 Oct 2017 #19 when my Redcrest was 49 years old I can now report that it is coming up to 55 years old & still OK
I do not believe some of the more modern offerings would last the same.
 
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The Redstart is more rounded than the Redcrest. Options can include a blue fibreglass outboard bracket, a high pressure inflatable floor and one or two cylindrical inflatable seats. Oars are wooden with a plastic join to click the two halves together.

UPDATE -some Redstarts have a pointy bow, others have a blunt bow, hence my comment on looking more rounded.

When I am back home I can measure and report the length of my Redstart.
 
LiftyK said:
The Redstart is more rounded than the Redcrest. Options can include a blue fibreglass outboard bracket, a high pressure inflatable floor and one or two cylindrical inflatable seats. Oars are wooden with a plastic join to click the two halves together.

When I am back home I can measure and report the length of my Redstart.
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Both my Redcrest & Redstart had ply floors (which I never used) Both had glass rear seats which would be better as one could put one's feet under them when rowing. Both had single length oars.
So the models quoted above must be later ones. But I cannot imagine much room for 2 inflatable seats in a Redstart. I cannot see the point of an inflatable floor. It would be interesting to see how the inflatable seats fasten down with inflatable floor.
The fibreglass bracket would be good though as I have had a couple of replacements due to them rusting away.
 
Daydream believer said:
Both my Redcrest & Redstart had ply floors (which I never used) Both had glass rear seats which would be better as one could put one's feet under them when rowing. Both had single length oars.
So the models quoted above must be later ones. But I cannot imagine much room for 2 inflatable seats in a Redstart. I cannot see the point of an inflatable floor. It would be interesting to see how the inflatable seats fasten down with inflatable floor.
The fibreglass bracket would be good though as I have had a couple of replacements due to them rusting away.
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We had Redcrests from 1972, plural because one was stolen. I bought them at a discount from Cruisermart, then near Ladbrooke Grove. At the time the Redstart was too small for us with two children. I replaced the second one in 2000 because the rubbing strake was tending to leave black smudges on my new boat's topsides. I sold it to a friend and bought a new Redstart, which was very different from the old one, having significantly larger tubes and lighter grey trim, as well as screw-on valve caps instead of the old bungs. I was very pleased with the new Redstart as it felt very secure, and rowed better than even the old Redcrest did.
 
Daydream believer said:
Both my Redcrest & Redstart had ply floors (which I never used) Both had glass rear seats which would be better as one could put one's feet under them when rowing. Both had single length oars.
So the models quoted above must be later ones. But I cannot imagine much room for 2 inflatable seats in a Redstart. I cannot see the point of an inflatable floor. It would be interesting to see how the inflatable seats fasten down with inflatable floor.
The fibreglass bracket would be good though as I have had a couple of replacements due to them rusting away.
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The inflatable floor incorporates fabric loops that are glued in position with circular discs. The inflatable cylinders each have wooden toggles, like duffle coat toggles, glued onto them for securing to the fabric loops on the floor.
 
Sailingsaves said:
Are the inflation valves not in different places?
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Had a look at photos of my Redcrest and Redstart, and you're quite right. Redcrest first...

51394450306_340c558e33_c.jpg


...the valves on the Redcrest's starboard tube, are one well astern of the inflatable seat, the other just ahead...

...whereas, as can be seen on the Redstart below, both valves are astern of the inflatable seat.

52433358264_f94a64a46f_c.jpg


Of course, the layout might have varied over time, though I don't know why they'd have changed it.

EDIT...I just read that you said the Redstart had a valve on the inside of the transom...but mine hasn't...

...so perhaps they did change the layout. Although I wouldn't say mine has a transom, either. ?
 
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My redstart was black & had to loops in the stern to take a yellow fibreglass seat. But if there was a valve placed there it would interfere with the seat, or stop anyone sitting on the rear of the dinghy
 
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Does anyone know if there is something you can apply to prevent the black bits (rowlocks, spray cover fasteners etc) marking topsides?
 
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