Light Inflatable tenders

[Dougie_the_Mate]

A couple of years back I met a nice wee lady at Inverkip who was extolling the virtues of a small, very light tender which she said was a godsend as she and her husband advanced in years. She said she got it at Duncans in Glasgow. Having looked at their website there is one called an Aquafax XL Superlight . The pictures are not clear as to the inside of the boat and there are 3 different models which give no spec as to size, weight etc. Does anyone have experience of these boats .

Any advice appreciated.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Also look at the O2 Lite, sold by Force 4

 

[Corribee Boy]

And the 3D range - the small one (2.3m) I use weighs 13.8kg.

 

[Jabs]

I have the O2 lite. Great dinghy. I look after it, it is not going to last forever like the old Zodiacs that weighed a ton.

I think my 3.0 weighs about 17kg.

Tony

 

[oldhunter]

I have recently bought an O2 light from Duncans over the phone, when I asked about the aquafax they told me that the aquafax was more expensive but otherwise there was no difference. I have not used it yet but the light weight is a revelation.
John

 

[pvb]

They're lighter because they're thinner and flimsier. If you're really really careful, and don't damage them, they'll be OK. Otherwise.....

 

[maby]

They're lighter because they're thinner and flimsier. If you're really really careful, and don't damage them, they'll be OK. Otherwise.....

3D Tenders are great - but they do tend to degrade quite quickly when exposed to the elements.

 

[Laysula]

I have a 3D inflatable. it's light and easy to handle. It does have small tubes so it can be a slightly wet ride if your not careful. Because it is so light we tend to put it away a lot more than previous dinghys and I have always been careful with my dinghys so I still expect it to last well. Ours is a 2.3 metre but I wish that we had the 2.7 instead.

 

[Dougie_the_Mate]

Thanks to all who offered advice.

Laysula, was there a particular reason why you wish you had chosen the 2.7? We are no longer on a swinging mooring so the task of taking large quantities of stuff to the boat no longer applies. We just need something light to manage in case we choose to go ashore when anchoring or at a buoy.

 

[No Regrets]

Bombard AX2 is great! Very very light, and has pumps built in, which actually work!

 

[Corribee Boy]

I agree that the 3D can be wet because of the small tube diameter, but I've seen no degradation over the 4 years I've had it except the labels' gone sticky!

 

[emandvee44]

There are several 3D models. Some are probably wetter than others�� We have a fastcat 2.80, purchased last Summer. So far very happy with it.
M.

 

[Laysula]

We just wanted a bit more room really. the last dinghy was a 2.8 Avon redstart which we had got used to the size. There is normally just the two of us but sometimes we have a lift off our friends and it would be nice to return the favour.

Thanks to all who offered advice.

Laysula, was there a particular reason why you wish you had chosen the 2.7? We are no longer on a swinging mooring so the task of taking large quantities of stuff to the boat no longer applies. We just need something light to manage in case we choose to go ashore when anchoring or at a buoy.

 

[Scubadoo]

Bombard AX2 is great! Very very light, and has pumps built in, which actually work!

+1 had mine for many years on snap davits and still going strong. I too like the built in pumps.

 

[reeac]

Bombard AX2 is great! Very very light, and has pumps built in, which actually work!

Agreed. We've had ours over 10 years now. Accommodation is marginal but it's light and good quality.

 

[dovekie]

In case it helps, we have one of these: https://oceanfirstmarine.co.uk/collections/superlight-twin-air/products/superlight-twin-air-250
14.5kg
1 season so far, no problems.
The material is stiffer than our (30 year) old Avon. So we are careful folding and stowing it. But it is light and stable (big tubes).

 

[Corribee Boy]

I was in Force 4 this morning and looked at the O2 lite. It's so similar to the 3D that I suspect it's badge engineering.

 

[kalanka]

I have a 3D 220. Light and convenient but poorly constructed. Both rowlocks tore away from the hull whilst rowing in fairly challenging conditions, ditto the towing eye when towing with a bridle in moderate conditions. To my mind this is a serious safety defect.
Neither 3D nor Duncans who sold it to me were interested.

 

[maby]

I have a 3D 220. Light and convenient but poorly constructed. Both rowlocks tore away from the hull whilst rowing in fairly challenging conditions, ditto the towing eye when towing with a bridle in moderate conditions. To my mind this is a serious safety defect.
Neither 3D nor Duncans who sold it to me were interested.

You do surprise me that 3D were not responsive - we were early adopters of 3D Tenders and had a couple of teething problems which they addressed very quickly - but that was several years ago - perhaps things have changed.

 

[pathfinder]

I have a 3D 220. Light and convenient but poorly constructed. Both rowlocks tore away from the hull whilst rowing in fairly challenging conditions, ditto the towing eye when towing with a bridle in moderate conditions. To my mind this is a serious safety defect.Neither 3D nor Duncans who sold it to me were interested.

I have a 3D 2.9 18kg and also disappointed with its construction, a seam started leaking after about 2yrs of light use. then one of the tubes started developing a series of pinhole leaks along the side which seems to me the fabric is breaking down from inside. A problem I found with the light weight was a gust could easily lift the bow while tethered alongside with outboard mounted. My old compass 2.3 28kg though heavy was perfect after 15 yrs of use. I'm now considering going back to the heavier boats.