Replacement for an Avon Rover 280 Airdeck

island163

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3 Feb 2010
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Our beloved hypalon Avon Rover 280 has been destroyed on its davits when we were rear ended in France. We need a new dinghy/tender ASAP that can hang on the the back of our boat.

We want a dryish, stable tender that can carry 4 people, any suggestions for something as good or better than the Avon that will last as well as that did. The Lodestar range get good reviews but their website is terrible and some recent reviews suggest the production quality is not as good as it should be.
 
Another Avon! There are some excellent used ones around - yes you pay more than for some of the competition secondhand, but still less than new. We bought a Riblite that looked like new for half the price of the current Zodiac equivalent and we also have an Avon R310 that when we bought it, had been in the water twice. Try Ivan Burdfield Marine for example, he’s not the cheapest but always seems to keep only really good stock.

Edit: Usual caveat, no connection etc etc
 
When I could not find an Avon, I got a Zodiac 285 fastroller airdeck. It performs very well but is the PVC version rather than the hypalon so a bit heavy. It planes 2 up with a 6HP and very stable and dry due to the large diameter tuber. And they are French, so should be available?
Angus
 
Did the inflatable floor survive the rear ending? If so and it's in serviceable condition it would be the perfect match for my floorless Rover 280. Pls let me know.

Rob
 
Did the inflatable floor survive the rear ending? If so and it's in serviceable condition it would be the perfect match for my floorless Rover 280. Pls let me know.

Rob

Sadly the dinghy and floor is in a recycling skip in France as it was beyond repair. At least I know where the dinghy is, the Mariner 3.3 that was attached to the dinghy disappeared into the deep during the collision and has not been found. So as well as a new replacement dinghy we are also researching buying a new outboard engine. Very tempted to go electric.

Thanks for all your suggestions.
 
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