Tender Advice

[derekbland]

I don't mean be gentle with me or how to get your steak less chewy

So I want to get a tender to go on the swim platform of a Squadron 50 1997 and want to know your thoughts. Here are a few details so that you understand what we intend to use it for/constraints';
* Beam around 4.5m but as swim platform narrows assume a little less. Have a gate entrance to cockpit on port side. Expecting to get around 3m length
* We have a paserelle that can be used to lift it and there appears to be some cradle blocks in the locker on the swim platform, will investigate further next visit
* There is no way we would get all of us in a tender as could be up to 5 but at least 3 of us
* Speed, would be nice to go fast'ish but not a priority
* Usage, mainly to pootle closer to the beach or around some cliffs
* Budget around £2k but could go a little higher if necessay

There seems to be so much choice that I need some guidance especially from those who have one for similar use/circumstances. What I am not looking for is a Williams speedboat of any type as too expensive.

 

[longjohnsilver]

If you can find an Avon Rover 3.1 rib in good condition (they last almost forever!) snap it up. Will easily take 4 people, and 5 at a pinch as long as it’s not too rough. Put a 15hp engine on the back and it will be pretty fast.

 

[BruceK]

Do you want a centre console or tiller steer? Do you want a hard or soft hull (RIB or SIB). Will there be big tides where you plan to use it on the beach? Do you expect steep beach slopes? Many of these variables will significantly change the ideal tender. Where I am where there are either steep beaches or worse very shallow gradient beaches and big tides can leave you well and truly high and dry or all at sea with a hard bottom weighty tender and a centre console really eats up useable space but ups the fun factor if you have a meaty OB on the back.

 

[Bouba]

Centre console or tiller. Here in the SoF all the beaches have no propeller zones for the last 100m or so, this means they need to be rowed. It’s easier to row a tillered outboard because the oarlocks and centre seat are not blocked by the console.
RIB or inflatable, ribs are easier to row and drag up the beach

 

[Elessar]

I don't mean be gentle with me or how to get your steak less chewy

So I want to get a tender to go on the swim platform of a Squadron 50 1997 and want to know your thoughts. Here are a few details so that you understand what we intend to use it for/constraints';
* Beam around 4.5m but as swim platform narrows assume a little less. Have a gate entrance to cockpit on port side. Expecting to get around 3m length
* We have a paserelle that can be used to lift it and there appears to be some cradle blocks in the locker on the swim platform, will investigate further next visit
* There is no way we would get all of us in a tender as could be up to 5 but at least 3 of us
* Speed, would be nice to go fast'ish but not a priority
* Usage, mainly to pootle closer to the beach or around some cliffs
* Budget around £2k but could go a little higher if necessay

There seems to be so much choice that I need some guidance especially from those who have one for similar use/circumstances. What I am not looking for is a Williams speedboat of any type as too expensive.

i'm a huge fan of these as you don't trip over the prop on the bathing platform - and it doesn't dig into your teak.

https://www.bhg-marine.co.uk/cabrio-tenders-272-c.asp

 

[MapisM]

i'm a huge fan of these...

You're making me curious, do you think it's worth the additional cost/complication also for a plain vanilla swim platform placement?
I agree that it's nice not to have the leg/prop in the way of your feet, but I always saw those Aermarine (which is the actual builder btw - this is their website) things as mostly meant for boats with garage.
Besides, if you've seen them in flesh, how robust and durable would you think it is the hinged stern?

 

[derekbland]

i'm a huge fan of these as you don't trip over the prop on the bathing platform - and it doesn't dig into your teak.

https://www.bhg-marine.co.uk/cabrio-tenders-272-c.asp

Looks a bit pricy from what I can see

 

[derekbland]

Centre console or tiller. Here in the SoF all the beaches have no propeller zones for the last 100m or so, this means they need to be rowed. It’s easier to row a tillered outboard because the oarlocks and centre seat are not blocked by the console.
RIB or inflatable, ribs are easier to row and drag up the beach

Either or dependent upon price but open minded at the moment. BTW am in the Solent.

 

[derekbland]

You're making me curious, do you think it's worth the additional cost/complication also for a plain vanilla swim platform placement?
I agree that it's nice not to have the leg/prop in the way of your feet, but I always saw those Aermarine (which is the actual builder btw - this is their website) things as mostly meant for boats with garage.
Besides, if you've seen them in flesh, how robust and durable would you think it is the hinged stern?

I don't have a boat garage and from what I can see well outside the budget I posted - very nice though

 

[SEARANGER ANCASTER]

i would go for rigid bottom with centre console and as big an engine as you can afford for fun or smaller if just to go back and forth to pub. Watch weight though as passarelle will have limit as will platform. I managed to find a good used one on ebay with 15hp engine for under £2k and it flies !

 

[SEARANGER ANCASTER]

there you go - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Avon-3-1...514864?hash=item1ee6760bf0:g:jxEAAOSwxUlbVgFL

 

[BruceK]

there you go - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Avon-3-1...514864?hash=item1ee6760bf0:g:jxEAAOSwxUlbVgFL

They antifouled the bottom of a tender. Good god, why?

 

[SEARANGER ANCASTER]

They antifouled the bottom of a tender. Good god, why?

yes , saw that myself ! Strange.

 

[derekbland]

i would go for rigid bottom with centre console and as big an engine as you can afford for fun or smaller if just to go back and forth to pub. Watch weight though as passarelle will have limit as will platform. I managed to find a good used one on ebay with 15hp engine for under £2k and it flies !

Thank for the advice. I will keep my eyes open. That is the sort of thing I am looking for. I have had suggestions some of them are around £8k plus. I think I said £2k but could go a little more which I envisage as another £500'ish not 4+ x that amount.

 

[BruceK]

i would go for rigid bottom with centre console and as big an engine as you can afford for fun or smaller if just to go back and forth to pub. Watch weight though as passarelle will have limit as will platform. I managed to find a good used one on ebay with 15hp engine for under £2k and it flies !

Aye I have a mate with similar. We can drag water toys behind it. We also get scared trying to put it on the swimplatform because it weighs a ton and even with a winch you're liable to blow a hernia; and whenever we go to the beach I have to play water taxi to his tender if we stay any length of time because if he dries out he has a real long wait on his hands. His tender is the same size as mine. I carry 4 plus dog and all the BBQ kit etc, including his. He carries wife and anyone else offsets balance and includes wet bottom and underwear wedgies for the rest of the day. An ideal tender is specific to circumstance needs imo.

 

[Andy Bav]

I don't mean be gentle with me or how to get your steak less chewy

So I want to get a tender to go on the swim platform of a Squadron 50 1997 and want to know your thoughts. Here are a few details so that you understand what we intend to use it for/constraints';
* Beam around 4.5m but as swim platform narrows assume a little less. Have a gate entrance to cockpit on port side. Expecting to get around 3m length
* We have a paserelle that can be used to lift it and there appears to be some cradle blocks in the locker on the swim platform, will investigate further next visit
* There is no way we would get all of us in a tender as could be up to 5 but at least 3 of us
* Speed, would be nice to go fast'ish but not a priority
* Usage, mainly to pootle closer to the beach or around some cliffs
* Budget around £2k but could go a little higher if necessay

There seems to be so much choice that I need some guidance especially from those who have one for similar use/circumstances. What I am not looking for is a Williams speedboat of any type as too expensive.

We purchased one of these.

http://www.dinghygo.com/product/

From memory can take up to a 6hp motor, but I stand to be corrected, and if you hanker after dinghy sailing days, you have the ability to sail it also - or teach your guests.

Slightly over £2,500, but 3 types of boat in 1, and dimension wise probably about where you are looking.

I can't vouch for longevity, but can vouch for some fun..... and a very genteel way of moving around an anchorage... but in the Med there are no tides to worry about - not sure where you are based ..

Good luck with the search :encouragement:

 

[BruceK]

We purchased one of these.

http://www.dinghygo.com/product/

I want one of those :encouragement: and I promised myself the day I stop bleeding money into my old junk I might buy one

 

[Elessar]

You're making me curious, do you think it's worth the additional cost/complication also for a plain vanilla swim platform placement?
I agree that it's nice not to have the leg/prop in the way of your feet, but I always saw those Aermarine (which is the actual builder btw - this is their website) things as mostly meant for boats with garage.
Besides, if you've seen them in flesh, how robust and durable would you think it is the hinged stern?

Not just seen one I have one. Not broken it yet - I have it overpowered and hammer the thing . Yes I think its worth it on a bathing platform. Its worth it on mine on davits.
I have a 15hp 2 stroke and it planes with 2 adults, 2kids and a labrador. That's about as much strain as you can put on the transom of a small tender I reckon!

 

[luptonj]

I went for a Ribeye TL310, as far as I remember it would be in budget.
solid hull and only 43kg or so.
It will carry 5 adults.
It used to plane with 1 adult and 1 child with a 6hp motor. think it can take up to 10hp but I wanted to keep the weight down as I have it on davits.

btw - I've also antifouled it, as I use a swing mooring and leave the tender in the water for the summer tied up to the pier.

 

[MapisM]

Not just seen one I have one. Not broken it yet - I have it overpowered and hammer the thing . Yes I think its worth it on a bathing platform. Its worth it on mine on davits.
I have a 15hp 2 stroke and it planes with 2 adults, 2kids and a labrador. That's about as much strain as you can put on the transom of a small tender I reckon!

Wow. All of that with the "Espace 270" model? It's not even rated for 15hp, as far as I can see it's specced for 10hp max...