Inflatable Tenders

[paulypaul]

OK, I have been looking all week on the net for an inflatable dinghy about 2.3-2.6m long for inland waterways with the occassional harbour/coastal use, which will include 2 adults and a staffordshire bull terrier.

I dont have the budget for an Avon, Zodiac and really didnt want to spend much more than £350.

Trouble is, there seems to be so many retailers that are offering "specials" like mailspeed marine WavEco at £229, then you have Wetline 2.6 at £250 ish, then theres waveline too, and with all the similar names and configurationsm my head is just totally clouded now.

I want safety, reasonable longevity in quality and something that I can tow with our 20' cruiser. I just cant figure out how important the amount of chambers it has and the thickness of the pvc is. They all look the same and are roughly 750 thickness, so, I'm turning to people with experience now for advise.

I would like a 2.3m - 2.6m with slatted floor (thinking of dog claws), solid transom in case I ever get a small motor for coastal, and as safe and tough as possible for my budget.

All suggestions are welcome. Thanks, Paul

I want t

 

[rafiki_]

I have an Avon, so cannot comment on the Wetlines etc, but for the money, I don't really think you can go wrong. Ours is 2.3m, and ok (just) with SWMBO and me, so it depends how big your dog is. A 2.6/7m is not much more cost.

Note that towing an inflatable above 5 knots is not a great idea. They tend to lift out (plane) and dance all over the place. So either deflate, hang on davits/snaps, or cruise at a slow speed.

 

[jimg]

I wanted a cheap inflatable and bought the WaveEco with an inflated floor. That seems to be much better for our retreiver.

 

[gjgm]

If you can wait for, and get to SIBS, at least you can see what you are buying.
There seems to be a premium end- if you want your tender to outlast you; cant really see the point.
A cheaper end, which looks and feels too cheap.
Some stuff in the middle Always a chance of a deal at the shows too.
Many are made in same/similar factory I think. Only thing I can note is have a look where the oars lie on the tubes, coz its damn annoying if your bum is going to be on top of them.
We bough a Tohatsu, and I can only say its been excellent.

 

[whisper]

If you can wait for, and get to SIBS, at least you can see what you are buying.
There seems to be a premium end- if you want your tender to outlast you; cant really see the point.
A cheaper end, which looks and feels too cheap.
Some stuff in the middle Always a chance of a deal at the shows too.
Many are made in same/similar factory I think. Only thing I can note is have a look where the oars lie on the tubes, coz its damn annoying if your bum is going to be on top of them.
We bough a Tohatsu, and I can only say its been excellent.

Good idea re. waiting for Southampton show.
Personally I'd go for a middle of the road make (cost wise). Should have large diameter tubes and an inflatable keel and floor. Don't think dog will damage the latter as they are pretty tough.

 

[DavidJ]

In the mid-range is Bombard. We've had one for 15 years plus and it's still fine with no replacement of valves or anything.
It's a slatted model which means it rolls up and is kept in the boat when underway. We use a high speed inflator (about £70 from Force 4 Chandlery) which blows it up in 2 minutes so no need for dafits or towing behind.
For 3 people you would want an AX3 but it does stretch your budget to £500
see
http://www.ronhalemarine.co.uk/superbasket/category/11/New_Inflatable_Boats_and_RIB's

 

[FishyInverness]

All the Wetline, Waveco and Waveline tenders are pretty much the same manufacture, if not the ACTUAL same manufacture. From looking at all these models on display (we have stocked them all where I work) I would say they are of similar quality and construction to each other and to the Plastimo tenders (Raid or Lightweight tender)

They use 1100 denier PVC fabric (as do most of the budget price end tenders) and would definitely be up to the job described. Most of these are three chamber (Inflates one chamber on each pontoon and one at the front)

If you don't go down the checking out at SIBS route, ALWAYS check what the retailers will be charging for carriage - some more than others and what might look like a great deal could be wiped out in the delivery, and have a look at the online chandlery thread to find out who would give you the best service according to peoples' experience on here.

I ended up picking up on old ML Lifeguard inflatable from a customer who was upgrading, for not much more than it costs to tax my car! - very durable, and more than up to a choppy day in the Beauly Firth, although carrying it around folded up is more exercise than I'd like! so keeping an eye on the 2nd hand market is also an option.

 

[Matt341]

We sold our Zodiac 2.6 at the beginning of the season as we found it fine to tow behind our previous sailing boat but couldn't tow it at 25 knots with this boat and due to the solid transom it was impossible to get into the cockpit locker of our current boat and so we bought a 2.3 meter WavEco. It rolls up to a nice size and doesn't take long to inflate so is ideal for us. For the price I wasn't expecting it to be great but I have been pleasantly surprised.

Ian

 

[neale]

Do you have to buy new?

Keep an eye on eBay as you get some good deals on there.

This looks reasonable and comes with a little outboard. OK it hasn't met its reserve but I reckon if you stretch your budget you might get lucky.

 

[enterprise]

The package that Neale sudgests looks very tidy, possibly worth it to buy for the tender and recoup the biggest majority of the outlay by selling on the Mariner 3.3, could work out quite well.

 

[Ripster]

I recently acquired a used wetline 2.3 as an add on to an engine I wanted. Its OK for two of us but I would go for a 2.6/2.7 with bigger tubes if I were buying. When you compare the two side by side, the 2.6 is way more substantial and feels more stable in a little chop. In the 2.3, anything past very small chop splashes in. Air keels are good too. They steer better than a flat floor - but its not really that important. You can also get an ally floor too - that may be better for the dog - Honwave do them - but they are more exp.

All in the Bombards and Honwaves look good as to the Wetline blue range.

 

[Philiz]

I want safety, reasonable longevity in quality and something that I can tow with our 20' cruiser.

I'd go for one with an inflatable floor and inflatable keel, much more stable than the flat bottomed slatted floor jobs.

I would like a 2.3m - 2.6m with slatted floor (thinking of dog claws), solid transom in case I ever get a small motor for coastal, and as safe and tough as possible for my budget.

We have a Quicksilver 240, inflatable floor and keel more than capable of handling dogs claws no problem, and no chance of limbs slipping under the slats.

We bought ours off fleabay, there are plenty about and no problem buying second-hand, if it's sound and holds air it's fine!

 

[ash12]

Note that towing an inflatable above 5 knots is not a great idea. They tend to lift out (plane) and dance all over the place. So either deflate, hang on davits/snaps, or cruise at a slow speed.

I also have an avon rafiki. A R310 with a console, nice rib, the best build quality of any of the ribs ive had. On the towing note, If you want to go a bit faster with towing then put the dinghy on say, a 100ft rope itll be alright.

 

[dustywings]

I have had a 2.9 Excel inflatable for some years now and have been very pleased with it. It has an inflatable floor and keel, I have a 3.5hp mariner on the back. The Excel is very well made and has certainly worn well plus the price was outstanding. I recommended one to my brother on law who spent a year around the med and Caribbean where it had some very intense use and survived superbly. I would certainly give them a look plus you buy direct from the manufacturer.
WWW.Excel-inflatables.co.UK