Stowing a modern inflatable

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doug748

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I am starting to think that a 2.8m with inflatable keel and floor might meet my needs a little better than my old Redcrest.
How easy are these to stow? Do you let the floor down and roll it up with the rest, or do you remove it and stow it in the quarter berth? Any comments welcome, thanks.
 
You specifically mention an inflating keel with floor. If the keel inflates (forming a "V" keel and also acts as the floor), then it probably is permanently attached to the side tubes. If you go for an inflatable floor only (flat bottom boat) then the floor on many models would come out and roll up separately.
The former is better to give directional stability and minimise side drift, however at a guess would say adds 10% to the overall stowed dimensions, against a separate detachable floor. Many people with inflatable keel/floor versions have to resort to stowing rolled up on deck, unless you have an enormous cockpit locker.
 
Ah, thanks for that kenv. I have a large Avon with wooden bottom boards and an inflatable keel which is formed by a long "sausage" running the length of the floor. I wrongly assumed that the keel would follow that pattern, with the detachable floor on top.
 
I bought a Seago TSR 290 with the intention of sticking it down the quarter berth on my Corribee.

It wouldn't fit, so after having used the Seago just once, it's up for sale and I'm looking for a smaller tender... I did actually ask the tender question on here and was told my a wise chap that it was a daft idea to buy a big tender; Wise chap - feel free to say I told you so.

As for rolling it up though, the Seago has an inflatable keel and airdeck and it rolls up as one into a bag. If I had a bigger boat it would have been absolutely fine, but as it stands, the Corribee is just too small. Next one will be a tiny tender and probably kept on deck in front of the mast. Living space is a premium below decks. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I'll go along with Nathan. My inflatable is only a 2.3m and when wrapped up is too big for my quarterberth, too. I stow it on the foredeck in front of the mast where it's in the way and a bloody pain when the Genoa sheets catch in it. I'm still trying to find a better way of carrying it.

Mind you I'd not go back to a flat bottomed slatted floor inflatable after using it....
 
I changed from a bombard AX2 to avon redcrest and got a much bigger dinghy which takes up less space. Issue was not the floor but the transom. Now fits under the cockpit sole. OK so I am not into planing around but seems to row ok with decent oars, needs to be towed high or drag is an issue but as I can stow it I tend to do so.
 
I have a 2.8 M Avon with inflatable keel and floor, I deflate everything using the pump in reverse to suck out all the air the inflatable floor is quite thin and removing it makes no visable difference to the dimensions of the rolled up dingy. Its quite heavy and on the one occaision I did put it below it was a bit of a struggle to man and woman handle it back on deck it now lives on the foredeck lashed down where I dont find it a problem but it would be best to try one before you buy.
From memory its about the same size as a old redcrest possibly a tad heavier. But as I say I think the trick is to completly get all the air out of it befor rolling it up.
 
We have a zodiac 310 fast roller. Inflatable V and floor.

Once you get the nack of folding it up it is fine, and fits in the sizes sated by the manufacturer. (all about the handles/transom)

BUT

Pay very close attention to when you first unrole it as other wise, like us takes about a year to figure out how to role it up properly. And then you go "Oh of course"
 
I have a Wetline 2.9 wth inflatable V keel; when completely deflated it can be stowed away in quarter bed or forebed; also on deck; and in your case the Contesa 32 has a lot of space on deck
 
Modern inflatable keel and floor dinghies simply roll up after deflating them with the high speed inflator (Thank you LVM)

Mine simply stows in the dinghy storage hole underneath the stern seat where the spare gas cylinders and the cuprinol live.

I chose the Bombard AX-4 on the basis that it was the lightest of all the larger - 2.8m dinghies. 12 years on it remains in perfect condition.
 
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