New dinghy choice

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Nigel52

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Quicksilver 905 weekend due soon so starting to think about inflatable tender. Have made the bold and expensive decision to power it with an ePropulsion Spirit 1 electric outboard. Now debating inflatable. Ideally small enough to easily manhandle as advancing in years and store away onboard. However, needs to carry three adults, four at a push.

Current thoughts are Quicksilver 2.5 airdeck with carrying capacity of three. Weight circa 28kgs. Going to the 3.0 which carries 4 people takes the weight to 37kgs.

i debated with myself PVC versus Hypalon/Orca tubes and determined that weight important and won’t be kept out in the sun made PVC the likely choice. I will also be fitting snap cleats for lifting it.

Any others views on this or suggestions?
 
Nigel52 said:
Quicksilver 905 weekend due soon so starting to think about inflatable tender. Have made the bold and expensive decision to power it with an ePropulsion Spirit 1 electric outboard. Now debating inflatable. Ideally small enough to easily manhandle as advancing in years and store away onboard. However, needs to carry three adults, four at a push.

Current thoughts are Quicksilver 2.5 airdeck with carrying capacity of three. Weight circa 28kgs. Going to the 3.0 which carries 4 people takes the weight to 37kgs.

i debated with myself PVC versus Hypalon/Orca tubes and determined that weight important and won’t be kept out in the sun made PVC the likely choice. I will also be fitting snap cleats for lifting it.

Any others views on this or suggestions?
Click to expand...
My experience is that manhandling weight is very important as too heavy and you are more likely to decide going ashore is too much hard work so you loose out on enjoyment. My 2.3m is 20kg. If you only need capacity for 4 people on rare occasions then don't burden yourself with the extra weight, just make two trips.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Nige, I could do you a dinghy and e propulsion from stock but not very practical for you.
The old days of having an Avon Redstart ad servicing it and repairing it every year for decades are gone. Most inflatables are made is china as QS are , I had a QS for 17 years, the down side is they are white and attract diesel like a magnet.
I have an Aquafax dinghy which a branded Generic chinese inflatable branded by ( Drum Roll, Aquafax) its identical to the current dinghies, we now do Talamex dinghies Which are branded for Talamex a Dutch company now owned by Talamex and in turn owned by Brunswick.
Ps I got a smaller dinghy with wheels as I cant pull a large dinghy with OB up a long beach on a 10 or 14 m tide any more.
Also fit Snap davits if you have a swim plat form.
 
Re: having an Avon Redstart and servicing it and repairing it every year for decades are gone

That‘s an interesting comment as it contradicts my experience. My Avon Redstart is 25 years old and has never needed service. It just keeps on going. That said, I would not buy another if I was looking again as I find it rather heavy compared to modern inflatable dinghies.
 
Plum said:
My experience is that manhandling weight is very important as too heavy and you are more likely to decide going ashore is too much hard work so you loose out on enjoyment. My 2.3m is 20kg. If you only need capacity for 4 people on rare occasions then don't burden yourself with the extra weight, just make two trips.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
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I totally agree and that is my argument with my wife who thinks we should get 4 person capacity on rare occasions. I can always make two trips.
 
Bandit said:
Nige, I could do you a dinghy and e propulsion from stock but not very practical for you.
The old days of having an Avon Redstart ad servicing it and repairing it every year for decades are gone. Most inflatables are made is china as QS are , I had a QS for 17 years, the down side is they are white and attract diesel like a magnet.
I have an Aquafax dinghy which a branded Generic chinese inflatable branded by ( Drum Roll, Aquafax) its identical to the current dinghies, we now do Talamex dinghies Which are branded for Talamex a Dutch company now owned by Talamex and in turn owned by Brunswick.
Ps I got a smaller dinghy with wheels as I cant pull a large dinghy with OB up a long beach on a 10 or 14 m tide any more.
Also fit Snap davits if you have a swim plat form.
Click to expand...
David, I have just bought the e propulsion as not many around over here. Yep the QS white colour is not my preferred colour but the distributor selling us the 905 can get one and yes snap davits will be fitted on bathing platform. I need to make sure they are the ones that slide into the fixed brackets on the bathing platform not the ones that stick up. For neatness and to avoid catching on them.. I won’t be going bigger than 2.5m.
 
We have a 3D twin air 2.3m which is sold as a lightweight tender at about 16kg. I guess it won't be as strong as the heavier ones but I find its a lot easier to man handle and therefore less prone to accidental damage. We don't have davits, I just tie it to the back on our very small swim platform.
20210630_112913.jpg
 
colhel said:
We have a 3D twin air 2.3m which is sold as a lightweight tender at about 16kg. I guess it won't be as strong as the heavier ones but I find its a lot easier to man handle and therefore less prone to accidental damage. We don't have davits, I just tie it to the back on our very small swim platform.
Click to expand...

+1 for the 3D

We inherited one with our Hardy. It is all black and I think it is probably 2.5 or 2.7m and it is very easy to handle. Deflated it stow in a large bag with shoulder straps and I can carry it. They are quite deliberately constructed of lightweight materials so probably won’t last as long as others might but it looks to be good quality. I thought it would be useful until we get something better but two seasons in and I am struggling to think why we might want to change it.
 
Personally I would rather forgo snap davits than have the ones like the guy who hung his goodies on them. This is the sort of thing I would like to go for:
 
Well don't loose any bits, they cost arms and legs.

If you het a set of those and then wish you had the solid ones Narnie can weld them solid for you in Guernsey.
 
Nigel52 said:
Quicksilver 905 weekend due soon so starting to think about inflatable tender. Have made the bold and expensive decision to power it with an ePropulsion Spirit 1 electric outboard. Now debating inflatable. Ideally small enough to easily manhandle as advancing in years and store away onboard. However, needs to carry three adults, four at a push.

Current thoughts are Quicksilver 2.5 airdeck with carrying capacity of three. Weight circa 28kgs. Going to the 3.0 which carries 4 people takes the weight to 37kgs.

i debated with myself PVC versus Hypalon/Orca tubes and determined that weight important and won’t be kept out in the sun made PVC the likely choice. I will also be fitting snap cleats for lifting it.

Any others views on this or suggestions?
Click to expand...

Bought an Aquafax 2.5m slatted floor dinghy this year and it's attached to the swim platform on snap davits.
Probably won't last as long as the previous Zodiac Cadet 230 (original version) and I don't like the non sliding fixed length oars but it's much lighter and more spacious.
Appears to be about 23kg which is pretty easy to manage solo or carry up steps at a push. Does the job for not much money compared to the premium brands ?

Definitely bank on needing 2 trips for your passengers. A 4 man dinghy is a big beast ashore even with two of you or solo.
 
Pleinmont said:
Bought an Aquafax 2.5m slatted floor dinghy this year and it's attached to the swim platform on snap davits.
Probably won't last as long as the previous Zodiac Cadet 230 (original version) and I don't like the non sliding fixed length oars but it's much lighter and more spacious.
Appears to be about 23kg which is pretty easy to manage solo or carry up steps at a push. Does the job for not much money compared to the premium brands ?

Definitely bank on needing 2 trips for your passengers. A 4 man dinghy is a big beast ashore even with two of you or solo.
Click to expand...
Thanks Pleinmont - I agree lighter is better. Have decided to go for the Quicksilver 2.5 airdeck at 28kgs and if need be do multiple trips than have a heavier 4 man boat. I chose the Quicksilver based on that it fits the bill and the dealer selling me the 905 weekend is a Quicksilver agent and letting me have it at cost as well as fitting the snap davits.
 
Nigel52 said:
Thanks Pleinmont - I agree lighter is better. Have decided to go for the Quicksilver 2.5 airdeck at 28kgs and if need be do multiple trips than have a heavier 4 man boat. I chose the Quicksilver based on that it fits the bill and the dealer selling me the 905 weekend is a Quicksilver agent and letting me have it at cost as well as fitting the snap davits.
Click to expand...
Nice one, sounds like a good package and deal ?

Don't forget the slatted floor versions are lighter again if they offer both options. The airdecks often add a couple kg extra materials.
 
We have a SunSport 230 airdeck + E Propulsion Spirit.
Downsides? Tightish fit for 2 adults especially as the E Prop tiller arm is quite long. I already had the snap davit bits on the back of the boat, so bought pads, but the side tube of the dinghy isn't long enough to fit them properly, so I need to reposition one of the davits to make it work. Upsides? A 230 is light enough to manhandle easily from the water over the rails and onto the foredeck for storage, and the electric outboard is superb! Pottering around in complete silence is a joy. Even the wife likes it!
 
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