Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req'd

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Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

I'm looking for a lightweight tender with some or all of the specifications outlined here.

2.3 - 2.5m,
Inflatable floor,
Solid transom (no bracket)
Capable of transporting two average size adults,

As lightweight as possible (under 20kg ideally) to fit on snap davits.

Already own a Yam 230T at 21.1kg which has slated floor, doesn't pack away very small so looking to address some of the "weight & stowage" issues.

Have a merc 3.3 outboard so I would like to reuse this if possible otherwise might sell on as package.

Any recomendations?

Seen the Plastimo with semi inflatable transom which looks interesting, anyone have one or seen one? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

Nick H did a good post on this, about 3 weeks ago. He got one with a semi inflatable transom iirc.
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

I got down to a straight fight between the Plastimo half transom jobby, and the Lodestar ultralight 220. The 2.2m dimension is not comparable as it has almost flat tube ends, so is more like a 2.3/2.4 in other respects, and actually has a higher carrying capacity than the Plastimo.

I think i'm going to go for the Lodestar, as it will be better quality

lodestar ultralight
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

Just Googled the loadstar & Plastimo tenders, I agree the loadstar looks a better spec, Plastimo a fraction lighter.
Just trying to work around the stowage dimmensions, would they really pack away time after time to these dimmensions or is that the packaged dimensions it arrives in but will never ever pack down to that after being inflated?
Another question came to light while looking to compare, are the quoted weight figures all in (seat, floor etc) because I could swear our Yam 230t is heavier than quoted? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

To get them to pack up small you need to pump the air out, so it's sucked flat. If you just try and force the air out by rolling it up, you'll struggle to get it packed up small.

I don't think there's a set formula for what's included in the weight, and they seem to vary depending on where you look.
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

Very happy with our Lodestar UL. Seems very durable and I can carry it ok singlehanded. Happily sits on snap davits when we're out wave jumping /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

Yes we do that with the 230t we already have(suck the air out) but it's still rather an awkward size folded.
After checking the folding dimensions (we only intend to take it off the davits while not onboard) the plastimo wins, on weight & physical size it also wins but the passenger volume of the loadstar looks to be more useable.
I guess the round ended tubes would pack away slightly better too & the build quality looks to be better with the loadstar.

Will try & find them in a store to compare, thanks for the info, loadstar would be current choice.
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

Lodestar always seem to rate very well in the magazine shoot outs, not this particular model but does suggest the company build quality tenders.
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

Bombard AX2 with airdeck
Really light and will fit great on snap davits on a T28.
Ours is used 3-4 times each day on a T31 .. easy to fit and lift without acting as a big parachute
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

Hi, we have a Quicksilver airdeck 240 on our T30. I think they are quite expensive (it was on the boat when we bought it) but it is very good indeed. We had a slatted floor Zodiac on our SeaRay and it never folded to its original dimensions!
Once on snap davits we only ever took it off in the winter.

Why do you need to take it off when you're not on board - security? Even the lightest ones are heavy when you're lugging them out of the aft cabin...

FYI, with our Merc 3.3, and with just me, i can plane at over 10 knots in the dinghy!
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

Will take a look at the Bombard AX2, as regards removal when not onboard we have seen some dinghys start to degrade after too much sun.

The Yam 230t we already have is PVC which doesn't look good (from others we have seen) if expossed for lengthy periods of sunshine/sunlight , the Quicksilver one's suffer much the same, dont know if it's just a PVC thing?, how long it takes for them to degrade is another guess but I have seen many scruffy ones turn up on Ebay time after time.

Yam are made by Zodiac, might explain why I can never get it back to anywhere near its folded dimmensions when new!

Thanks for the advise guys, will be looking the weekend if the chance arrises.
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

We have the plastimo 240L, used it for two seasons,
have chosen this one for exactly the same reason as you.
I'm very happy with it, don't know the actual weight and dimensions, Air goes out very easy, it can be packed reasonably compact (size like a suitcase) , I can carry the package with one hand, (so weight is really OK)
We have been on her with 4 adults, but 3 adults seems more appropriate
My son can bring her on plane with a 5HP (I am too heavy)
Know nothing about the other models in posts above
 
Re: Lightweight Tender Recomendations Req\'d

I feel most pvc dinghies will fail in prolonged U.V. light, unless covered, but you can't beat the price or the weight!
 
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