Tender help.

Allan

Allan

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We have an Avon roundtail tender which we use with a 2hp 2 stroke outboard. I'm quite happy with it but the skipper is talking about a replacement. The only thing I don't want to compromise on is the row ability. It has the good old rubber rowlocks that can be used with proper oars. Are there any manufacturers that still use similar rowlocks. I've looked at loads on chandler websites but they all seem to have small paddles, presumably for emergencies only. I like to row to keep a bit fitter.
Allan
 
I looked at inflatable dinghies as a tender for my 10m sailing cruiser and bought a second hand Avon Redseal specifically for the rowing ability that you like.
But its still in my garage a thousand miles away. The tender I took with me is a Seahopper folding dinghy. It rows so well that I don't use the outboard any more. It also sails reasonably well. It stores flat on deck, and assembles and launches in about 15 minutes, which means that I rarely tow it.
Inflatables do have better carrying capacity though. The Seahopper manages only 3 adults in safety, but not necessarily comfort.
Apologies if this alternative to an inflatable tender is of no interest. Its just that I've not found an inflatable that rows well enough, never mind the flimsy rowlocks on modern ones.
 
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Suzumar are as good as they can be for rowing. Or maybe just anything with a keel of some sort.
 
One manufacturer that comes close to Avon in many aspects is Achilles, in that they make high quality roundtails from hypalon/CSM with row ability in mind. Unfortunately their rowlocks are not similar to what you are looking for.
Achilles Inflatable Crafts | Boats & Parts
I have the smaller LT-2, but supplied with the oars of the larger LT-4. Oar length is a key factor IMO. I don't have an outboard, so row ability is essential.
 
My Bombard AX3 rows OK IMHO.
I made some longer oars for it.
The rowlocks are kind of plastic gimbals, the oars are captive (but can slide in and out), it works for me.
A keel for directional stability helps if you're not very good at rowing, but the keel is vulnerable to wear on the beach.
If you're used to rowing without a keel, little need to go that way.
Keep it simple and add lightness!
I wouldn't buy a tender too heavy for the 2 of us to carry up a beach complete with outboard, fuel, water cans etc. YMMV.
 
Re the Bombard AX series, we have an AX2 and an AX3 fat version. The different rowing mechanisms are both good with lots of articulation, probably better than you get from an Avon. However we have managed to break both types. One was a metal casting which was not as strong as it looked. So get a spare.

The alloy oars are no better than anyone else's. We've broken one, due to unattended corrosion at a joint. And crumpled another by jumping on it.
 
I have seen Seago dinghies which had rowlocks similar to, but perhaps not as sturdy as, the Avon type.
 
Yes, Seago used to have good rowlocks but I think they are all now presented with the chronic pin type. Problem with used Seago is that the fabric trim, ties etc seemed to disintegrate due to sun damage, you see a lot of sticky ones as well but this may be more a general PVC problem.
This is a good site for comparison of different types, as they ship new dinghies they always show the weight as well.

Ron Hale Marine Ltd - Seago Inflatable Boats

Personally, after many years I have come to the conclusion that an Avon round tail is by far the best all round dinghy for a small boat. When you want to row a good deal of the time it is almost the only sensible choice.
 
My Redstart has a pair of standard oars - not the clip together version ... bought separately to give good row-ability. The clip together ones were great for stowage but useless being too short.
I broke one of the clip together oars eventually trying to push up a mudbank trying to avoid stepping into deep mud ! Guy in club was selling a pair of spare oars ... perfect !
 
I have an Avon Redcrest, and it rows well. I made longer sections for the wooden two-part oars. From memory, I think they are now 6'. Great dinghies.
 
NormanS said:
I have an Avon Redcrest, and it rows well. I made longer sections for the wooden two-part oars. From memory, I think they are now 6'. Great dinghies.
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Found the Redstart is a pain without a decent floor ... the guy who had it before me - shaped two decent ply floor sections that meet under the seat. Heavy - but makes the whole dinghy rigid and weight improves the rowing ... it now doesn't skit on the surface as much ...
But boy is it heavy ad a PITA to fit the sections in ! Only really fitted / removed at ends of season !!
 
The floor in mine consists of four light wooden straps, side to side, as designed. They weigh very little.
 
Lots food for thought, thank you everyone. I'd be interested to hear how thick, or really how thin, the ply floors are that people talk about? I've been considering the idea for a while. Possiblity three or four pieces, connected by H section plastic extrusion. I would then try something under the ply to form a slight keep.
Allan
 
Refueler said:
Found the Redstart is a pain without a decent floor ... the guy who had it before me - shaped two decent ply floor sections that meet under the seat. Heavy - but makes the whole dinghy rigid and weight improves the rowing ... it now doesn't skit on the surface as much ...
But boy is it heavy ad a PITA to fit the sections in ! Only really fitted / removed at ends of season !!
Click to expand...
Allan said:
I'd be interested to hear how thick, or really how thin, the ply floors are that people talk about? I've been considering the idea for a while. Possiblity three or four pieces, connected by H section plastic extrusion. I would then try something under the ply to form a slight keep.
Allan
Click to expand...
The Achilles inflatables that I mentioned in post #6 comes with folding plywood floors, covering most of the bottom area. Neither of the two models are especially heavy, at 16.5 and 26 kilos respectively. From memory the floors in my LT-2 are 8mm thick.
I think adding a slight keel under the floors would make very little difference regarding rowing performance. The fabric under such a keel would be exposed to wear and tear from beachings, groundings etc...
 
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