Mfc1955
New member
Any recommendations for an inflatable dinghy for two adults and two children (5/8 years) that will not break the bank, or further fuel the wifes crusade against the high cost of boating ???? Many thanks in advance.....
Inflatable Dinghy - Recommendations Please
- Thread starter Mfc1955
- Start date
BarryH
Active member
I bought a Bombard AX300. If i remember correctly it was around the £380 mark. Altho wetline do one about the same sort of size for a little less. Cant really fault the bombard tho. I think anything smaller and you will be struggling to get 4 people in it with a bit of safety.
OK, to hell with it. Unbolt it and we'll use it as an anchor!
OK, to hell with it. Unbolt it and we'll use it as an anchor!
roger
New member
Do get the size adequate for your needs - and the kids grow and often the adults too.
Weight matters. A lot of the dinghies are extremely heavy for lugging down the beach or onto the deck or out of a locker or...
Check on inflation systems. My Zodiac has two types of valves and comic adaptors and controls on the pump. The main tube valves are apparently designed to leak unless the cps are fitted - I really dont know why. The dinghy is lovely to use and quite light but I get neurotic about losing small bits.
Weight matters. A lot of the dinghies are extremely heavy for lugging down the beach or onto the deck or out of a locker or...
Check on inflation systems. My Zodiac has two types of valves and comic adaptors and controls on the pump. The main tube valves are apparently designed to leak unless the cps are fitted - I really dont know why. The dinghy is lovely to use and quite light but I get neurotic about losing small bits.
ToMo
New member
A Wetline 265 is fine for now, suspect a compromise will have to be made later as the Kids grow....a four person inflatable will be large, heavy and some are fairly unweldy too!
TôMö
TôMö
vyv_cox
Well-known member
A good friend, who at the time had far more experience than I, told us to buy the biggest tender that we could possibly afford or transport. This proved to be excellent advice. For four people plus some kit, especially on a long ride to a mooring in choppy conditions, my advice is that you need at least a 300. I have a Zodiac 310 back home in Wales and even that used to be swamped sometimes. I also have a Compass Kudos which I think is 2.65 metres. With two people on board we regularly used to fill it to the top of the tubes in a bit of chop.
In more sheltered waters you could perhaps go down a size but this does carry some more risk of a swamping. For carrying aboard, of course, a 310 is far too big unless you have a super-yacht, so some compromises must be made. You might have to consider ferrying one or two at a time in this case when the weather is bad.
My only other recommendation is to go for a Hypalon rubber type of material, rather than the reinforced plastic type. Hypalon is very much more robust and will suffer the abuse that a young family can give it to far greater effect. My Compass is still almost like new after years of grounding on rocks and beaches, whereas the Zodiac has been repaired many times, once professionally after suffering a massive tear that the Compass would probably have shrugged off.
In more sheltered waters you could perhaps go down a size but this does carry some more risk of a swamping. For carrying aboard, of course, a 310 is far too big unless you have a super-yacht, so some compromises must be made. You might have to consider ferrying one or two at a time in this case when the weather is bad.
My only other recommendation is to go for a Hypalon rubber type of material, rather than the reinforced plastic type. Hypalon is very much more robust and will suffer the abuse that a young family can give it to far greater effect. My Compass is still almost like new after years of grounding on rocks and beaches, whereas the Zodiac has been repaired many times, once professionally after suffering a massive tear that the Compass would probably have shrugged off.
ccscott49
Active member
Further to vyvs' adivice, I agree with it all, you should also look at either a "Fastroller" type, or an airdeck type if you are going to carry it or stow it on deck, they are much lighter.
Boathook
Well-known member
Buy the best you can. As other advice, hypalon? if I have spelt it correctly is robust and worth the expense. Avons use it and they last years. Get a reasonable size one as well. As per others, children grow & are soon adult size & the dinghy to small.
G
Guest
Guest
I spend more time glueing my Zodiac back together than using it!
Anyone want It?
Cheers
The Lash
Anyone want It?
Cheers
The Lash
ianwright
New member
Get one made of mahogany,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Or you can have my old Avon Redcrest/start,,,,,,, no offer refused.
I hate rubber boats,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
IanW
Vertue 203, Patience
Or you can have my old Avon Redcrest/start,,,,,,, no offer refused.
I hate rubber boats,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
IanW
Vertue 203, Patience
Trevethan
New member
£30 enough? *grin*
ianwright
New member
Nearly,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, add a zero and deduct fifty. Buyer collects.
I might chuck in a (working)Featherweight Seagull as extra incentive.
IanW.
Vertue 203, Patience
I might chuck in a (working)Featherweight Seagull as extra incentive.
IanW.
Vertue 203, Patience
rob
New member
I need an inflatable, what are wetline like? does any ine have one? Ihave an avon but need another inflatable with bigger tubes. Need advice on honda 2hp outboards as well.
Regards
Rob
Regards
Rob
ToMo
New member
Your lucky (?) day Rob, thats the combination I've got and I used it yesterday to transport self, SWMBO and two lumoxing gurt Airdale terriers + various bits of luggage 2 miles up river against tide and flow - no problems!
TôMö
TôMö
