bandexx
New member
I am looking to buy an inflatalbe to use as a tender - any thoughts on ideal size? Need to be able to hump it down the beach, but want to be able to transport 3, perhaps 4 adults.
Inflatable dinghy - how big?
- Thread starter bandexx
- Start date
FullCircle
Well-known member
We find a 2.3m roundtail big enough for 3 on a slightly choppy sea, but most of the time its for 2. It is easy up the beach and fits in the cockpit locker quite easily.
VicS
Well-known member
I am sure we have had 4 in a 2.5m Redstart in flat calm conditions but there's not much freeboard left! Avon only rate it a 3 person dinghy. Definitely 3 would be the limit for 2.3m. You will need 2.8m for 4 even then it might be difficult to position eveyone if you need to row it. Avon do rate the 2.8m Redcrest and Rovers for 4.
You'll be looking at something like 30kg for a 2.8m round tail with floor and nearer 40kg with a solid transom.
You'll be looking at something like 30kg for a 2.8m round tail with floor and nearer 40kg with a solid transom.
bandexx
New member
Thanks guys,
I had been thinking that one around 2.7m may be just about the best compromise, and should have asked whether an air-deck or slatted floor would be best - I only want to potter about and hence the engine used is likely to be 2 or 3 horsepower. What are the pros's / con's?
I had been thinking that one around 2.7m may be just about the best compromise, and should have asked whether an air-deck or slatted floor would be best - I only want to potter about and hence the engine used is likely to be 2 or 3 horsepower. What are the pros's / con's?
Gunfleet
New member
You can row it but the floor hides surprise dollops of water. It looks dry, then you tread on it and find you have wet feet. The rowing thing is good though. I quite often don't use the outboard.
Stemar
Well-known member
I have a 2.4 Zodiac with slatted floor & hard transom. There are two errors there:
1. I'll never buy another Zodiac 'cos the rollocks are crap. They've reinforced them since I got it, but still not up to much - the plastic pin distorts as soon as you lean on the oars a bit and then they won't lock in - even the new ones with a metal reinforcement. I've lost several oars that way.
2. It'll almost plane with a Tohatsu 3.5 (great engine if you can find one, BTW), but not quite. WIth the inflatable floor, it should plane easily. Also, you WILL get water in the dinghy and it all concentrates where your feet are as soon asyou stand up, so dry feet quickly become a thing of the past with a slatted floor. If the airdeck is pumped up properly, your feet stay dry(ish) 'cos the water runs down under the floor, where it hides until you tip the boat up...
If you plan to row any distance, especially into a breeze, IMHO you don't want an inflatable. In my (admittedly limited) sailing career, I never heard of one that was any good under oars.
1. I'll never buy another Zodiac 'cos the rollocks are crap. They've reinforced them since I got it, but still not up to much - the plastic pin distorts as soon as you lean on the oars a bit and then they won't lock in - even the new ones with a metal reinforcement. I've lost several oars that way.
2. It'll almost plane with a Tohatsu 3.5 (great engine if you can find one, BTW), but not quite. WIth the inflatable floor, it should plane easily. Also, you WILL get water in the dinghy and it all concentrates where your feet are as soon asyou stand up, so dry feet quickly become a thing of the past with a slatted floor. If the airdeck is pumped up properly, your feet stay dry(ish) 'cos the water runs down under the floor, where it hides until you tip the boat up...
If you plan to row any distance, especially into a breeze, IMHO you don't want an inflatable. In my (admittedly limited) sailing career, I never heard of one that was any good under oars.
RMA
Member
I went through the same process last year. I eventually bought a Quicksilver 2.7m with an inflatable floor. It carries 4 easily and chugs along quite well with a little 2.5hp Suzuki. You can row it but it is hard work against any sort of wind. The inflatable floor does hide a surprising amount of water underneath it but you can’t tell when there’s enough hiding there to slop over and wet your shoes. The main drawback with the bigger boat is having enough space on board to inflate it – I can just do it but a 2.3 would be a lot easier. There’s hardly an difference in carrying it on board or towing it though.
mandlmaunder
New member
Have you thought about a "Tinker" they come in various sizes and are multi functional - Tender ,Row boat ,Sail boat and if you chose they also are rated as a life raft (with inflation kit).
We have a tinker Tamp now 11 years old and still out rows almost anything, it takesupto 4hp outbrd(we have Honda 2hp-4stroke, But that is a whole other topic), and the sailing capability is good.
They are also a good conversation piece in many anchorages so agreat way to meet people( not many in the Caribbean).
We have a tinker Tamp now 11 years old and still out rows almost anything, it takesupto 4hp outbrd(we have Honda 2hp-4stroke, But that is a whole other topic), and the sailing capability is good.
They are also a good conversation piece in many anchorages so agreat way to meet people( not many in the Caribbean).
BAtoo
New member
We had a 2.6 slatted Zodiac which struggled with 4 & kit - esp with old 2.5hp; changed to 2.9 airdeck & inflatable keel & much better boat & no heavier/bigger to stow. (Also got a 6hp ob & now is a fun boat for the kids)
Changed boats on e-bay & the new one cost only £50 more than the old one sold for!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Changed boats on e-bay & the new one cost only £50 more than the old one sold for!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Gunfleet
New member
You need to update your inflated floor experience.
1) they do row very well, and have inflated skegs to aid it.
2) they give you wet feet just the same as slatted floors, just more unpredictably
3) unlike a grp dinghy they deflate
4) It's quite hard to drown with one
I own both a grp and a Zodiac inflatable. I can stand on the tube of the inflatable. Try standing on the gunwhale of the dinghy. What I will say abt rowing the Zodiac is that Zodiac oars are a PITA. What it really needs is a pair of 6ft wooden oars. But the boat behaves just fine.
1) they do row very well, and have inflated skegs to aid it.
2) they give you wet feet just the same as slatted floors, just more unpredictably
3) unlike a grp dinghy they deflate
4) It's quite hard to drown with one
I own both a grp and a Zodiac inflatable. I can stand on the tube of the inflatable. Try standing on the gunwhale of the dinghy. What I will say abt rowing the Zodiac is that Zodiac oars are a PITA. What it really needs is a pair of 6ft wooden oars. But the boat behaves just fine.
searover
New member
well ive got a zodiac 2.6 with solid floor,and a 4hp motor pump up v, the best ive had and ive had loads over the years, i also think that build quolity is better than most at least the latest models anyway and it planes well...good hunting.
bandexx
New member
OK, thanks all for your efforts. I've since been offered a heavily discounted zodiac 2.6 roll up, at a price I couldn't ignore. The comments I've received mean I shall dig out our old Johnson 3.5 and try to coax it back to life (it has lain neglected for a number of years now) and the Suzuki 2 which I have just been given can have a well earned rest, it certainly looks like it needs it. I'll also try to go easy on the paddles, I have a good excuse not to row now! Thanks again