MagicalArmchair
Well-Known Member
With a new boat, we need a new tender! We are two adults, three kids and one hound. Any advice? Our last tender was 2.7 and that felt pretty cramped...
Inflatable tender advice
- Thread starter MagicalArmchair
- Start date
RJJ
Well-Known Member
We have 3.3m with aluminium floor, came with our 44 foot yacht, for a family of 4. It's bigger than we need, it's a pain in the neck to stash either inflated or collapsed, but it's big enough to take a 6hp engine (which I think is more like 8 or 9) and, as such, go like shit off a shovel with the whole family.
Sounds as though 3m would fit the bill. If I was choosing now I would go for 2.7m.
If you want to swap....
Sounds as though 3m would fit the bill. If I was choosing now I would go for 2.7m.
If you want to swap....
MagicalArmchair
Well-Known Member
I want to avoid a solid deck - it took me about 30 minutes to pump up and get the slats in on my old dinghy - it was solid when it was up, but what a faff!
The below says its only rated for 4.5 (who gets sawn in half??) people, however, if a 3.3 is bigger than you need with four of you, hopefully this will be big enough at 3.2.
Spirit 320 Inflatable Dinghy - Air Deck
If not that, its the Honda dinghies like this one:
Honda Honwave Inflatable 3.8m Air V-Floor | Gael Force Marine
It's a bit more expensive, but looks well put together. How challenging are these to launch from deck? On Triola I had a whisker pole I used as a derrick, no such luck on Mirage - I could use the boom I suppose? I haven't got davits on Mirage yet, and I dislike towing if I can avoid it.
The below says its only rated for 4.5 (who gets sawn in half??) people, however, if a 3.3 is bigger than you need with four of you, hopefully this will be big enough at 3.2.
Spirit 320 Inflatable Dinghy - Air Deck
If not that, its the Honda dinghies like this one:
Honda Honwave Inflatable 3.8m Air V-Floor | Gael Force Marine
It's a bit more expensive, but looks well put together. How challenging are these to launch from deck? On Triola I had a whisker pole I used as a derrick, no such luck on Mirage - I could use the boom I suppose? I haven't got davits on Mirage yet, and I dislike towing if I can avoid it.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Key information missing for people to help...
A). Where you planning to sail to and use the tender
B). How plan to carry the tender - in davits, on deck, tow, deflate each time?
Assuming from your signature the mother ship is 40 foot Bavaria, in which anything bigger than about 2.7m could be a challenge.
northwind
Well-Known Member
You will need to keep eating the shredded wheat if you opt for a 3.8m dinghy, will be very heavy and hard to manage on deck. Circa 50kgs for just the dinghy, also would take ages to pump up. I'd recommend considering an electric inflator in the budget as well.
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC
Well-Known Member
A 2.9 with big diameter tubes, inflatable floor and v keel; its big enough and lightish enough to handle.
Ceejay
Well-Known Member
ashtead
Well-Known Member
As you have a sugar scoop on the Bav I would look at a length you can rig across the stern without snap Davits ideally with an air deck eg a Quiksilver but they are heavy to manoeuvre so it’s the weight when bagged which can be an issue unless you have an electric winch to haul from the stern locker. I did see someone who created a pulley system to hoist inflated vertically but don’t think I would sail to France like that . As mentioned an electric pump with self contained battery is useful . The Quicksilvers have been rebagded I believe but can take reasonably sized OB . Ours will take 4 adults and a spaniel with ease but when it starts to blow above force 5 can be rather damp . Personally I wouldalso look at a folding boat and electric OB if budget permits as an alternative if starting anew.
rszemeti
Well-Known Member
We have a Honwave 3.2 with inflatable floor, and it is excellent. Perhaps a little larger than we need (2 adults, 2 kids) but very stable and safe even in poor conditions. Goes fine on 6hp.
Ian_Rob
Well-Known Member
Our Zodiac 3.4m Activ is a tight fit between the mast and pulpit of our 36 footer but just works.. The extra length of your 40 footer will help in this respect. It is bit of pain to lug about on board but it is great when launched and will carry 5 + 1. We had a 15HP Yamaha originally but replaced it with a 4HP (23Kg) which is fine for pottering about .
