Talk to me about inflatable tenders

Steve Grubb · 12 Mar 2019

Considering getting a 'budget' inflatable tender for occasional use on the river (lunch trips to the pub or visiting friends near the marina). We don't have the luxury of davits or much storage space so it'll need to be something I can easily haul up and strap onto the foredeck (or deflate and put in the hold). For ease of storage and use I am considering an electric outboard - I read a few stories about them being completely useless, is that really the case? I remember years ago I had one on a GRP mirror dinghy and I think it did OK - was only on a lake though.

So something like this - https://www.marinesuperstore.com/tenders-accessories/tenders/waveline-su-lightweight-tender

or maybe this - https://www.marinesuperstore.com/tenders-accessories/tenders/3d-superlight-tender-twin-air

Going for > 2.5m for stability and ability to carry 3 if we need too, is this over the top?

With a 68lb electric motor.

Am I completely wasting my time or would it suffice for a little fun now and then? Any major preference over slatted vs air floor?

Chris_d · 13 Mar 2019

I'm sure the electric motor is up to the job, but for the me the hassle of charging the battery and stowing it on the floor of a small inflatable would outweigh the advantages. A small 2hp outboard would have an integral fuel tank and is relatively hassle free.

TrueBlue · 13 Mar 2019

Chris_d said:
I'm sure the electric motor is up to the job, but for the me the hassle of charging the battery and stowing it on the floor of a small inflatable would outweigh the advantages. A small 2hp outboard would have an integral fuel tank and is relatively hassle free.

Yeah - get an old Seagull, difficult to destroy and always a conversation piece. Excellent when coping with weed.

liamb · 13 Mar 2019

I also recommend getting an inflatable floor as these work much better than the slats.

Time Out · 13 Mar 2019

yup, forget about slats, air floor all the way, will fold smaller too.

3.5hp outboard will do the job if you can find one or a 2 hp. plenty around.

Electric is a nice idea but the reality is often very different unless you can find a Tesla supercharger station anywhere..

No Regrets · 13 Mar 2019

Get an Excel Ventura 260 lightweight, inflatable flat floor and reasonable price, very light too. It's easily the best at doing what you want!

Forget Electric unless you have lots of £££'s for a torqeedo!! A cheap Mercury/Mariner 2.5-3.3 two stroke is amazingly light and available used for £250.

Thats as good as it gets....

Steve Grubb · 13 Mar 2019

Hmm, thanks for the ideas, sounds like petrol is really preferred then! I already hold petrol on the boat so that's not an issue - it is where to store the engine that bothers me. I can't just chuck it in the hold like I can an electric one.

Inflatable 'air deck' floor seems to be the way forward, Excel looks good too, I hadn't come across that one before.

CJL · 13 Mar 2019

Generally I would said avoid the cheaper PVC versions and try to go with the hypalon ones. That said if you don't mind the cheap and cheerful approach, Costco are selling these at the moment for £499 brand new - https://www.costco.co.uk/Sports-Spa...dro-Force-Mirovia-Pro-5-Person-Boat/p/2000551

On the outboard front have you considered gas outboards? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHJ0VE9gKac

CJL

KompetentKrew · 14 Mar 2019

Steve Grubb said:
Going for > 2.5m for stability and ability to carry 3 if we need too, is this over the top?

Three of us, adults, used a 2.4m dinghy last year and I thought it was a little small.

In a similar situation to you, I am looking for 2.75 at the moment myself.

oldgit · 14 Mar 2019

Are you sitting comfortably .Then we will begin..

have walk round any marina or boat yard and take look at the sheer number of mouldering deflated bags of air hanging from davits (which the marina delight in charging you for) and after the initial enthusiasm has worn off,remain unused.
They also get in way when squeezing into that last tight space last thing at night and can cause problems with the boat behind in the lock.
Apart from the odd weirdo

, ask any boater cursed with davits just how many times last year he clambered in the wobbly rubber nightmare to attach the outboard(dont ask about it dragging the evil stinky thing out of its locker),starting it up or conking out half way back on your return journey.
Aha you say,no davits will pack away and inflate when needed.Suggest after doing you back in when dragging from car to boat and the space it takes up in cabin or cockpit, it might get used twice.

Thinking about that little journey from boat to pub on nice summer evenings, you could walk quicker and not be worrying in dinghy has been nicked while you were in pub either !
Just buying for the kids.. start to worrying now.
Save your money.

jct1981 · 14 Mar 2019

Re: Are you sitting comfortably .Then we will begin..

I've just taken delivery of an Excel SD260, with inflatable keel and airdeck. Compared to my older, larger roundtail with solid floor, the difference is night and day.
I can't comment on your use case, but I'm impressed with the Excel boat. Well made with a good warranty and inflates easily. Worth noting there's 5 chambers (3 main in the tubes, aerodeck and the keel). I've got a 4hp 2stroke with it - I can't quite plane it as I'm 6'3" with 'winter insulation', but it handles well....now I'm looking at some 8hp engines, just in case I fancy speeding up. It's also RCD Category C rated, which is a nice to have (not that I'll be taking it out in anything more than a gentle breeze!)

Excel also make a couple of light boats that are worth looking at.

You can buy electric / rechargeable pumps, but there will be no getting away from the folding up bother you'll have to go through. Suggest you avoid roundtails as you'll have to faff with the removable transom as well.

Steve Grubb · 14 Mar 2019

Re: Are you sitting comfortably .Then we will begin..

Thanks for comments, keep them coming!

I expect you're not far off oldgit 'it might get used twice', I do have a collection of 'good ideas' that have had relatively little use!

So with no davits and not wanting to tow we'll be resigned to stowing it on the foredeck when we're onboard and packing it away when we're not. I think I can make sufficient room in the hold to store it folded (maybe take out the 2 folding bikes that we've used twice

)

I think novelty value will play it's part for a while - for most of my life I've played about on the sea (dinghy sailing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, kayaking) but my fitness isn't what it was so having a little toy to plod around in does have an appeal. There are some things we'd do on the river as mentioned but we live by Portsmouth harbour-side so pottering around the harbour would also be fun (up to Portchester castle, Salt Cafe at Wicor etc).

I do like the look of the Excel SL260 for the money (looks tough enough and lightweight) and considering one of those with a Mariner 3.5 to go push it along (subject to being happy with where I stow it).

Leaning towards doing something, I'll update you on the outcome!

No Regrets · 15 Mar 2019

Re: Are you sitting comfortably .Then we will begin..

I have the heavier SD290 with a 3.5 Mercury/Mariner and it does actually plane after a bit of shuffling around the floor and waiting! 12mph tops, as the prop cavitates above that. Two up, not a chance, but a 5hp would be best. Used Mercury 2.5/3.5's all over eBay...

Three years on the Excel is still superb...

john_morris_uk · 15 Mar 2019