Tender for small boat

Dyflin

Dyflin

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I am thinking of buying a small inflatable tender suitable for carrying three people and something that a) won't stretch the already meager budget and b) won't take up much space on a 23' boat. I don't need an engine, just muscle power.

Any suggestions or experience?
 
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You should be able to pick up a second hand inflatable for next to nothing. With three people you can have one rowing, one bailing, and one pumping it up.

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We looked for a second hand inflatable but bought new in the end as good s/h ones are no cheaper than new.

You have to ask why an inflatable is being sold.

On our 24' boat, there is nowhere to store an inflatable, so its towed everywhere.

We also bought a grp tender s/h for £90. Very tatty, but a bit of work has brought it up to an acceptable standard.
 
2nd hand Avon Redstart. Make sure you get one with modern valves - the old black rubber ones get a bit leaky. You also need to be aware that some of the glue Avon used wasn't so good, but you will see straight away if your intended purchase is OK - just look at the bottom and check that the tapes over the seams are attached properly. (This can be reglued, but get a price reduction) Also buy one with all the gear you need, as buying a pump or oars afterwards is a shockingly pricey experience.

Good luck! Neil
 
Me too, for a 22' boat,

I am thinking of the Bombard AX2, its definately lighter and packs smaller than others, and fits nicely on my foredeck fully inflated but the price is more than others (460 quid from compass as opposed to eg compass ownbrand 230 at 300 quid).

Havent decided what to do yet though...

If I end up mostly leaving it on the mooring or towing it then the weight and packsize dont justify the extra money.

Hadnt really thought about 2nd hand I must admit.
 
I dont know what your budget is but we found the wetline 230 roundtail cheap(£400) and stowes well with no hard transom it can be folded to fit smaller spaces for our Hunter medina (20ft) origonally and now our 25 ft version.
 
So far, nobody has mentioned the biggest downside of inflatables, and it's this. You will find it almost impossible to row in any kind of wind over about F3-4, and it's hard going even at 3-4. I wouldn't entertain one without an outboard.

With an outboard, they are great, more stable than any rigid type dinghy, will stay afloat even if totally swamped, good load carriers, and with an infaltable keel, very easy to tow.
 
I can second that suggestion.If you need to fold it small get one without a transom.much lighter and smaller.I made the mistake and now usually lash it on the foredeck or it takes up half the forepeak. A round tail job could have gone under the cockpit.
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Ah, thats where I have gone wrong. I have just been searching for a picture of an Etap 22 (a la Inselaffe) because I could not imagine getting our 2.3m plastimo anywhere on our Achilles 24. But the inflatable has a transom and floor slats so doesn't fold so readily as one without.

Even so, it is difficult to imagine inflating any kind of inflatable on our boat, with or without transom.

Any other small boat users out there like to comment?
 
We blow our 2.3 m inflatable up on board OK. We lay it out sideways across the main hatch on the aft end of the cabin top then pump it up from standing on one of the cockpit seats.
 
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An LVM inflator/deflator makes a huge difference to owning an inflatable boat. The deflation bit means you can get it down to a reasonably small package. A dedicated 12v plug and supply makes things quick and easy.

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At over one hundred euros that would be almost a quarter the value of the whole boat!!

As for a dedicated 12v plug and supply...

Interesting comments re: the transom. Any maufacturers names for a round tailed one? I can't seem to find any of that design.
 
I second the view that an engine is a must on an inflatable - they are murder to row against or accross the wind. Go for a GRP tender and leave it on the buoy or tow it behind. A half decent 2nd hand one will only cost £120, can easily be repaired and will row quite well against the wind.
 
Understand about the rowing problem, but it's only for occassional use and it must be capable of being stowed away. (Marina berth so not used for access to swinging mooring etc).

We have an outboard on the boat, which leaves the space under the cockpit for the inboard empty. Plus the budget won't stretch to an outboard.
 
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