Inflatable - downsizing from 2.7m to 2.4m? Pros / cons?

[dunedin]

We have a SeaGo 2.7m inflatable which has been great - except for stowage when sailing.
It is too much hassle (and back damage) to inflate / deflate and stow in stern locker, so we leave up from May to October.
However we can't travel with the dinghy on the foredeck due to babystay, and whilst stowage across the stern is OK in the marina and under motor, it doesn't work under sail as slightly too wide to fit.

As a 2.4m dinghy is just £360 new, considering buying the smaller one in the hope that it's shorter size will work stored across the stern under sail. But will we regret the smaller size for seaworthiness going ashore in more exposed places, or for space when rowing? We are generally 2 up.

 

[vyv_cox]

We have been in exactly the same position for the past 10 years. Our Quicksilver 2.6 is just a bit too big to sit on the foredeck and prevents use of the spinnaker. We have tried several 2.3s and found them too small, both in tube diameter and internal dimensions, especially for one to row and the other to sit forward. However at LIBS we saw the new 2.3 SunSport (replacement for Quicksilver) which seems to overcome both objections with a bigger tube diameter and an inflatable hull. We have bought one and hope to find it satisfactory when we get it out there.

 

[Birdseye]

Got an Excel 2.4 with a blow up keel / floor. On the plus side it works fine for 2 up and I've even got it to plane one up with a 3.3hp o/b. It rows well. The tubes are big. Its well made. The downside is that I can barely lift it ( OK I'm getting on a bit but I am reasonably fit) and no way does it go in a locker. So I'm exactly where you are except I can get it onto the foredeck.

You need to make sure of the weight and dimensions of the proposed dinghy - dont just assume based on length.

I should add that Excel were less than impressive to deal with.

 

[Ripster]

Have a look at the 3D range very light and fold up small to go in lockers. We have got a 2.5 which is fine two up with a 2.5 on it. It's air floor, but flat, so it does not really plane. Does about 5 knots steady with two/three adults in it. Worth a look. We sold a much heavier, but better made Honwave because it was tooo heavy and tooo big when folded!

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Have a look at the 3D range very light and fold up small to go in lockers. We have got a 2.5 which is fine two up with a 2.5 on it. It's air floor, but flat, so it does not really plane. Does about 5 knots steady with two/three adults in it. Worth a look. We sold a much heavier, but better made Honwave because it was tooo heavy and tooo big when folded!

It is likely that I would need a replacement in the near future, and I have been looking at the 3D inflatables; the weight is the attractiveness, at 16kg for 2.7 and 2.9 it is very good indeed; I hope the 3D are as durable as my Waveline 2.9 has been.

 

[Malo37]

Or tow a nice rowing boat on a long line?

 

[Seajet]

If you can go down to 2.3 a roundtail is much easier to stow and a little lighter.

I have a Seago ( I think ! One of the ubiquitous grey jobs, air floor ) which is fine 2 up; it replaced a Zodiac 240 roundtail which was superb, but they are silly money now and it seems not as good.

Do check weights, a lot look the same but are not...

 

[tudorsailor]

We have a 2.7 RoverLite Avon inflatable. It has a inflated floor and inflated tube that makes a "keel". It planes beautifully. However it is too big for our needs. I wish there was an equivalent slightly smaller model

TS

 

[Ripster]

It is likely that I would need a replacement in the near future, and I have been looking at the 3D inflatables; the weight is the attractiveness, at 16kg for 2.7 and 2.9 it is very good indeed; I hope the 3D are as durable as my Waveline 2.9 has been.

Ours has now had 2 seasons and appears fine. Its had a quite a bit use and has been towed a bit too. The tubes are only 37cm instead of 42/3 on things like Honwaves and there is no deflector on top of the tubes, so if there is any chop to speak of, the occupants do get splashed if you go too fast in these conditions. Otherwise, it does the job.

 

[charles_reed]

Got an Excel 2.4 with a blow up keel / floor. On the plus side it works fine for 2 up and I've even got it to plane one up with a 3.3hp o/b. It rows well. The tubes are big. Its well made. The downside is that I can barely lift it ( OK I'm getting on a bit but I am reasonably fit) and no way does it go in a locker. So I'm exactly where you are except I can get it onto the foredeck.

You need to make sure of the weight and dimensions of the proposed dinghy - dont just assume based on length.

I should add that Excel were less than impressive to deal with.

No 2.4 on their website, so I assume you are referring to the 235 which is quoted as being suitable for 3 and weighing 30kg.

That's 12kg less than the hypalon 2.6 I'm currently using.
When I'm feeling weak I winch it onto the foredeck using the spinnaker halyard - most times I drag it over the guard-rail.

I'm sorry to hear that Excel were "less than impressive to deal with" as their prices are competitive and their depot close at hand.

 

[dunedin]

Or tow a nice rowing boat on a long line?

Not a chance! If I want to tow then the current inflatable is perfect, and can be lifted when I need to

 

[dunedin]

If you can go down to 2.3 a roundtail is much easier to stow and a little lighter.

I have a Seago ( I think ! One of the ubiquitous grey jobs, air floor ) which is fine 2 up; it replaced a Zodiac 240 roundtail which was superb, but they are silly money now and it seems not as good.

Do check weights, a lot look the same but are not...

Yes, did wonder about the round tail version - 22kg as opposed to 26kg for the 2.4m with transom stern, and perhaps even better shape for hanging off the back. But with the old Avon round tails the engine tended to rotate under the bracket a bit

 

[Seajet]

dunedin,

to be honest I haven't used it yet, but the Zodiac 240 roundtail I had - admittedly a far superior job - was fine with the Mariner 2hp; the Seago outboard bracket seems a very sturdy affair, in fact may require modification to make it easier to stow ( separately ).

 

[RichardS]

No 2.4 on their website, so I assume you are referring to the 235 which is quoted as being suitable for 3 and weighing 30kg.
That's 12kg less than the hypalon 2.6 I'm currently using.

I've just ordered a Highfield ultralight 2.6 hypalon which weighs 29kg. I wasn't sure how "ultralight" it was but compared to your 42kg that seems light indeed.

Richard

 

[rwoofer]

You might want to consider a Lodestar 220 Ultralight at 20kg. This is what I have after having a similar problem.

 

[vyv_cox]

The SunSport ARIB230 that we have bought weighs 18.4 kg. www.barrus.co.uk/pdfs/SunSport_brochure.pdf

If you have any intention of motoring your dinghy, or rowing it more than the shortest possible distance, I earnestly recommend that you do not buy a roundtail of any make or description. Having believed what I was told I bought one and found very quickly how dreadful these things are. I sold it within a month. You only need to capsize one backwards once to know.

 

[Cspirit]

3D dinghy

A comment on the 3D dinghy. We have had one for two seasons in the Med. It is light, - about 20kg, folds up small, and is easy to row and motor. However, the rowlock mouldings are poorly attached and the towing rings are weak. I have had to re-glue the rowlock mouldings and will replace both the towing rings and one of the fittings which holds the lifelines because they have broken. Nevertheless, apart from these failings, it is a good dinghy, easy to manhandle on board or into a locker.

Have a look at the 3D range very light and fold up small to go in lockers. We have got a 2.5 which is fine two up with a 2.5 on it. It's air floor, but flat, so it does not really plane. Does about 5 knots steady with two/three adults in it. Worth a look. We sold a much heavier, but better made Honwave because it was tooo heavy and tooo big when folded!

 

[Seajet]

The SunSport ARIB230 that we have bought weighs 18.4 kg. www.barrus.co.uk/pdfs/SunSport_brochure.pdf

If you have any intention of motoring your dinghy, or rowing it more than the shortest possible distance, I earnestly recommend that you do not buy a roundtail of any make or description. Having believed what I was told I bought one and found very quickly how dreadful these things are. I sold it within a month. You only need to capsize one backwards once to know.

That is nonsense, unless you weigh 30 stone and sit on the transom alone !

I used my Zodiac 240 roundtail for 34 years cruising, 2 or 3 adults, with and without engine, inc trips like Bucklers Hard to Beaulieu several times under engine and a lot of sometimes lengthy / rough trips under oars such as from The Bag to Salcombe town and various places in the Channel isles etc where waves were a feature.

 

[vyv_cox]

That is nonsense, unless you weigh 30 stone and sit on the transom alone !

Having done it, I assure you that it is not nonsense. I am well under a half of 30 stone and a roundtail does not have a transom, which is why it is such a poor design for outboard use.

 

[Seajet]

Roundtails are quite a well known design, the Vikings did quite well with them.

It doesn't require a built in heavy plank at the back, one just fits the outboard bracket designed for the dinghy.