Seago HY280 inflatable dinghy - anyone got any experience?

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Fairwaystraveller

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I need a new dinghy for my Southerly 100 and am quite interested in the Seago HY280 as I also want to use it as a general run-around. Its movable seat looks ideal for using with an outboard as I really don't like sitting on a tube when I'm on my own. However, I can find no independent reviews online so was wondering if anyone had experience with it? I also have a Mariner 3.3 two stroke engine and am wondering if that would be sufficiently powerful for the dinghy or whether to buy a Yamaha 6 or equivalent. Advice would be most welcome! Thanks in advance!
 
Doubt you will find much about it as it is a very expensive dinghy - twice the price of a similar size PVC boat. Hypalon is very durable and it looks well made. Your outboard will be more than adequate for use as a tender, but the bigger engine will allow you to plane one up. However a 6hp is big and heavy to lift on and off the parent boat. OK if you have davits and/or a crane and do lots of longer journeys when speed is an advantage.
 
As above.

This Seago could well be a sound buy as the PVC models have a reputation for going sticky and generally falling apart. The internal space will be pretty similar to the old 2.7 model which has the same size tubes and beam. It is a very popular tender and other forumites may be able to comment on it's performance under engine. I see the PVC job is maybe 12lbs heavier.

I have been experimenting with one myself (PVC 2.7 that is) with the same engine as yours and find it goes well, one up, and is pretty dry with the huge tube diameter, an all. I was out in 25kts and did wonder at which point one of these things could be flipped, this is probably me reacting to the light weight compared to my previous 10ft Avon.

I have used the Avon( probably twice the weight of the new HY) to travel up to two miles to my mooring in pretty open tidal river conditions, comparable to the Solent "lakes". The 3.3 is well up to the job with one on board but speed suffers with heavy loads esp if the tube pressures are allowed to get low - this should not be a problem with a new boat of course.
 
Many thanks for comments. I think I'll order one and see how it goes with the 3.3 before I invest in a larger engine. It'll certainly be better than my old Zodiac 2.5 with slatted (and easily broken!) floor which, although light, has the directional stability of a whirligig beetle - especially when rowing!
Will post on here when I have received and tried out.
 
I have a Seago Ranger 2.7m Air deck which I a very pleased with if that is of any help. I keep it down below and can handle it up the companionway as it's not too heavy. My 2 stroke Mariner 3.3 is perfect for job being not too heavy to carry about, and has enough grunt for the tides on the East Coast rivers.
 
doug748 said:
As above.

This Seago could well be a sound buy as the PVC models have a reputation for going sticky and generally falling apart. The internal space will be pretty similar to the old 2.7 model which has the same size tubes and beam. It is a very popular tender and other forumites may be able to comment on it's performance under engine. I see the PVC job is maybe 12lbs heavier.

I have been experimenting with one myself (PVC 2.7 that is) with the same engine as yours and find it goes well, one up, and is pretty dry with the huge tube diameter, an all. I was out in 25kts and did wonder at which point one of these things could be flipped, this is probably me reacting to the light weight compared to my previous 10ft Avon.

I have used the Avon( probably twice the weight of the new HY) to travel up to two miles to my mooring in pretty open tidal river conditions, comparable to the Solent "lakes". The 3.3 is well up to the job with one on board but speed suffers with heavy loads esp if the tube pressures are allowed to get low - this should not be a problem with a new boat of course.
Click to expand...

The 270 certainly goes into a sticky mess after a few years ! Having said that they are very stable and with an air deck , inflatable keel and huge tubes . I'd have another one if they overcame the degradation of the PVC problem .
 
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