Some inflatable tender questions please.

[Capt. Clueless]

I am now looking round for a new tender 3.0 to 3.10 max....Firstly, it will be for inland waterways, Lakes etc so not sea going.
Pretty much set on air deck now, having read other posts in the search facility.
I notice, that there are quite a few budget makes appearing now from Eastern Europe etc at extremely good prices new. (A new Waveco 3.0 from boatworld at under 600 quid, for example) or others inc Aquaparx, Ozean, Bark, Nawi Poland etc.
I remember in the motoring world, when the Eastern Europeans/Malaysians entered the car mkt, everyone scoffed and poo poo'd, but they're not now!
Has anybody bought any of these makes please? or similar, and if so, I'd be interested in hearing your comments. (Also, anybody who may have something used max 500 quid, I'd be interested to hear).
Next question....I currently run a Yamaha 2.5 on a 2.3 inflatable. Once I get the bigger tender, with 4 up, will the 2.5 still push it along or will it need some constant full revs to push it please? If not, I'll trade it for a 4hp, but would prefer to keep it, if it will do the job, as it is so reliable. Any pointers on these 2 questions would be very much appreciated. Many thanks.

 

[matthewriches]

Watching with interest as mine is due for replacement.

 

[RupertW]

Can't say much about the different tender types, but as you will be on inland waterways then there won't be much of a chop to get through, but depending on where you are the only thing I'd be concerned about with a small engine is whether you will ever be fighting currents - hopefully not in which case 2.5hp is more than we have (a Torqueedo) and ours pushes a heavy 3m rib with 4 people and luggage very well at about 3 knots.

 

[pvb]

I notice, that there are quite a few budget makes appearing now from Eastern Europe etc at extremely good prices new. (A new Waveco 3.0 from boatworld at under 600 quid, for example)

I don't think many are actually made in Eastern Europe, almost all cheap inflatables come from China. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's worth choosing one with decent fabric.

The Waveco 300 Air you mention is made of fairly lightweight fabric (thinner than the Waveline inflatables, and consequently cheaper). Incidentally, it's only £488 at www.ribs.co.uk

If you think you'll want to use the dinghy for a good few years, I reckon it's worth paying more for a good quality one. I went for a Zodiac Cadet Aero, which seems to be very well made and pretty bulletproof.

 

[Capt. Clueless]

Collecting a nice Quicksilver 300 on Tues, care of social meeja.

 

[BelleSerene]

If I could remotely justify replacing our (Zodiac 2.95m air floor) tender, I would jump at one of 3D Tenders’ ‘Twin VIB air’ models. http://www.3dtender.com/FOLDABLE-TENDERS-148-0-0-0.html. They are particularly compact and light for their length, I’d probably fit their 3.3m model into the same cockpit locker space. They have a decent V-shaped hull and high sides to repel waves. They’re light and come with two (a black and a white) protective removable neoprene tube covers to protect the fabric from docks and user wear.

Yes, your 2.5hp outboard will do the job: I’ve happily used a 2.5hp Honda (noisy, air-cooled) and now a 2.5hp Suzuki for years on ours. You won’t get on the plane with it, but you won’t strain your back either. More power than that with a 3m rubber dinghy is optional - and a trade-off - not a necessity.

 

[Anne Hulbert]

You get what you pay for. A cheap dinghy is made from pvc and will not last anything like as long as hypalon, especially in strong UV light conditions. Small engine fine if you are only doing very short rides; for longer rides it can get very frustrating - 3 miles with a 9.8hp motor on the plane still takes 20 minutes.