Looking for info on Avon inflatable

[Sneaky Pete]

I have acquired an Avon inflatable it is the type without the sponsons if that makes sense there are two identification numbers on the boat both are AVBGBD37A494 does anyone know if this relates to age size how many persons it can carry, unsure whether to sell it and buy one with inflatable or slatted floor, any suggestions.

 

[VicS]

Its a Redstart if the overall length is 2.5m ( 8'2"). 3 person capacity

If its 2.82m (9'3") it is a Redcrest. 4 person capacity

The last two digits of the serial number are i beleive the year but wait for someone to confirm

A second, rigid, seat , ply floor boards or slatted floor and a bowdodger would have been optional equipment

Think I have the details scanned. Will post if I can find them

 

[VicS]

From a 1991 brochure

 

[Sneaky Pete]

Its a Redstart if the overall length is 2.5m ( 8'2"). 3 person capacity

If its 2.82m (9'3") it is a Redcrest. 4 person capacity

The last two digits of the serial number are i beleive the year but wait for someone to confirm

A second, rigid, seat , ply floor boards or slatted floor and a bowdodger would have been optional equipment

Think I have the details scanned. Will post if I can find them

Thanks that is very helpful there are 5 plastic moulding on the tubes for a bow dodger and yes it is the 2.8m size I measured this roughly with a 30cm ruler unfortunately the blonde was not in the boat when I acquired this. Does anyone know where I may purchase an outboard mount? Are they still available.

 

[VicS]

Thanks that is very helpful there are 5 plastic moulding on the tubes for a bow dodger and yes it is the 2.8m size I measured this roughly with a 30cm ruler unfortunately the blonde was not in the boat when I acquired this. Does anyone know where I may purchase an outboard mount? Are they still available.

The outboard brackets are available from Polymarine ... rather expensive though
Possibly also from other chandlers and inflatable boat specialists.

http://polymarineshop.com/index.php/parts-accessories/outboard-brackets.html

The one on your boat not serviceable ?


Ithink thats an AVON 7 that the blonde is in. Hard luck

 

[awol]

Em, there is an outboard mount in your picture. If you don't have it they appear on eBay quite often but are about £70.
The dinghy packs quite small, is light enough to be carried by one bod either folded or inflated which means carrying it up a beach is easy without dragging. IMHO it is much more life friendly than heavier, hard-transomed varieties. The last models were over £1k and again IMHO represented good value compared with the hard-tailed cheapies.

 

[richardabeattie]

My Avon has brass valves, an inflatable thwart and a wooden pump. The dinghy's fine but the rubber connection on the end of the pump's tube is split so pumping up is difficult. I bought it from Noah.

 

[NormanS]

These genuine Hypalon dinghies are like hen's teeth. It'll last forever. It would be very easy to make up slatted floorboards for it if you wanted them.

 

[TQA]

MUCH better with the wooden floorboards. Find someone with a set or the plans and make from WBP ply.

 

[machurley22]

MUCH better with the wooden floorboards. Find someone with a set or the plans and make from WBP ply.

It depends where you sail IMO. I have the beautiful original floorboards but never use them since I think the dinghy floor is much more likely to be damaged with them in place if landing on a rocky shore.

 

[Sneaky Pete]

Em, there is an outboard mount in your picture. If you don't have it they appear on eBay quite often but are about £70.

Yes there is one on the dingy however if your estimate of around £70 is normal (£115 new) then I think a refurbishment would be the way forward. The metal frame has had many recoats of paint there are patches of rust it is as rough as a badgers end and the wood is split. There is company locally to me which can sand blast the metal and stove enamel a paint finish onto it and I will be able to source a piece of timber to fit in to it hopefully all for less than around £70. Good as new.

 

[johnalison]

There was a later version of the bracket which didn't have painted metal. The metal was bare and didn't seem to corrode much. The old system was much better than the plastic bracket I have on my later Redstart, which can only be put in place before the dinghy is inflated fully.

Whether or not you want floorboards depends on the use it will get. I have boards for mine but never use them nowadays, though they do make trips more comfortable and boarding feel more secure.

 

[Sneaky Pete]

There was a later version of the bracket which didn't have painted metal. The metal was bare and didn't seem to corrode much. The old system was much better than the plastic bracket I have on my later Redstart, which can only be put in place before the dinghy is inflated fully.

Whether or not you want floorboards depends on the use it will get. I have boards for mine but never use them nowadays, though they do make trips more comfortable and boarding feel more secure.

I think later versions may have been made in stainless steel, the type i have can only be fitted during assembly keeps it in place i suppose that if it falls off during use it may be an indication that the dingy has a leak. The GLW, who constantly risk assesses every minute of her wakened life, thought that floorboards would be great for her getting in and out, we will use the dingy later on next year when boat is moved onto a swinging mooring.

 

[awol]

I think later versions may have been made in stainless steel, the type i have can only be fitted during assembly keeps it in place i suppose that if it falls off during use it may be an indication that the dingy has a leak. The GLW, who constantly risk assesses every minute of her wakened life, thought that floorboards would be great for her getting in and out, we will use the dingy later on next year when boat is moved onto a swinging mooring.

There are holes in the long prongs - I just thread a cord through them as a safety-in-case-of. As long as your GLW doesn't wear stiletto heels the soft floor is fine.

 

[Boathook]

Our old Avon Redseal had floor boards but we rarely used them. Made the thing heavy to lift took a lot longer to inflate, etc and did not seem to make much difference to motoring speed. We kept thinking about a slatted floor but sold it before I started. I should of kept the Avon Redseal for future use when I purchased a nice new shiny Henshaw foldaway.