Nimbus 310 Tenders

[pelicanpete]

I am the proud owner of a Nimbus 310 Coupe and would like to equip it with an appropriate dinghy/tender.

Are there any Nimbus 310 Coupe (1997) owners out there who have made the decision and can share their experiences with me?

What choice of inflatable did they make?
What consideration, if any, was made regarding aesthetics, colour, etc?
What method of fixing it to the stern; davits or Weaver snap davits, or?

Any first hand experience would be appreciated.

Thanks

Pelicapete

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[[2574]]

Well I had a Nimbus 3003, so don't really qualify, but I have made some mistakes when buying a dinghy for the boat. So, what's the advice - don't buy a big one, don't buy a rib (they are too heavy for the semi displacement nimbus - you lose a bag of speed as you have all the weight hanging on the back) and I would recommend a blow up floor. We used snap davits on the nimbus and the arrangement worked well pulling it up vertical close to the transom and then lashing it on. I think the strut connectors that you see on some snap davit mounted dinghies that hold the dinghy off the transom are not great because the dinghy "rattles" in any seaway. I prefer to have it lashed tight so it can't move. Finally buy a nice light outboard - the 2 strokes these days are pretty good smoke and noise wise and have the weight and storage advantages over the 4 strokes. We now have a 12.5m fairline and have chosen not to fit davits but have an inflatable avon with a blow up floor. We bought an electric inflator and can deploy the dinghy in under 5 mins so it's no hassle and does away with the need to have it hanging off the back. (We have a Targa so we reckon davits ruin the bathing platform and the through transom access to the boat). Finally, buy a decent make with (I think) Hypalon construction, the other much cheaper boats are made from less durable materials and simply don't last (as we know to our cost).

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[pelicanpete]

Thanks for your feedback. I had thought of buying a RIB but I agree with your point re weight. I have a little Avon which, unless being towed (slowly!) has to be deflated/inflated everytime it's used and is a pain in the b. which is why I am replacing it. It came with the boat. Thanks for your info on the snap-davit bars rattling while underway. Will avoid that accessory if not the snap-davits themselves.

<hr width=100% size=1>It's more important to be liked
than to like to be important.