Micke_W
Active Member
I have bought an Sealine F380 and thinking of a tender, we hare 2 adults and two kids (8 and 6 years). Any recommendation on a tender that will work?
Tender on the Sealine F380
- Thread starter Micke_W
- Start date
Greg2
Well-Known Member
I can’t comment on your particular boat in terms of what can be carried and how best to do it (i.e. davits, snap davits, bathing platform chocks etc) but for the family you will need something in the 3 metre size bracket. A 2.7m in some makes might work - we had a Honwave 2.7m that catered for us all but have had several 3m that work better. That sort of size should be okay to carry on your size boat I would have thought.
Next question is is rigid hull or not? We have had GRP and aluminium and the latter wins in terms of less weight. Air deck hulls and aluminium slats are other options.
Another question is console or not - they only work with a rigid hull and they take up space and add weight so method of carrying will be an influencing factor here. Consoles are great for playing around if you are towing rings etc and good for longer trips but you get far more space without one.
Quality is also a factor. Lots of inexpensive stuff out there of reasonable quality and they tend to have PVC tubes. Hypalon or comparable materials are more expensive but more durable and resist UV better. Makes such as as Highfield and AB tend to have this. We have a 3.1m aluminium hulled AB languishing in the garage - not cheap but an excellent bit of kit.
Honing down on what you actually want might help with experiences and recommendations on particular makes and models.
Next question is is rigid hull or not? We have had GRP and aluminium and the latter wins in terms of less weight. Air deck hulls and aluminium slats are other options.
Another question is console or not - they only work with a rigid hull and they take up space and add weight so method of carrying will be an influencing factor here. Consoles are great for playing around if you are towing rings etc and good for longer trips but you get far more space without one.
Quality is also a factor. Lots of inexpensive stuff out there of reasonable quality and they tend to have PVC tubes. Hypalon or comparable materials are more expensive but more durable and resist UV better. Makes such as as Highfield and AB tend to have this. We have a 3.1m aluminium hulled AB languishing in the garage - not cheap but an excellent bit of kit.
Honing down on what you actually want might help with experiences and recommendations on particular makes and models.
Bouba
Well-Known Member
If you get a rigid hull, make sure you get one with a deck. Otherwise they can be slippery to get in and out of, especially for dogs
SC35
Well-Known Member
Zodiac Airdeck 310?
I have the 270 version on an SC35 with hi/lo snap davits which works well.
I have the 270 version on an SC35 with hi/lo snap davits which works well.
Micke_W
Active Member
i have heard Zodiac is good quality, maybe combined with an electric engine. I have also read about the williams jet but I think they may be to big.
I want something with good quality and will pay for it. Will use it for fun with the kids and also taking it in to harbour when we anchoring
I want something with good quality and will pay for it. Will use it for fun with the kids and also taking it in to harbour when we anchoring
Bouba
Well-Known Member
It seems to me that those who want to use the tender for watersports get a centre console, but if it’s just for transport then electric is good
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
@Micke_W good to hear you've bought something. Suggest you join the Sealine Forum, lots of specific knowledge on there, may well be somebody who has the same boat and has sorted this out:
Sealine Forum
Sealine Forum
BruceK
Well-Known Member
All good advice but before you buy consider where you will use it and how you will use it. If it's just for getting to the beach and back for example there is nothing wrong with an air deck or slats. Especially if you are in the UK and have a high tidal range. Some beaches slope so gradually the difference between high tide and low tide can be as much as 100m or more even. Try lugging anything other than a ultra light tender with a sub 3hp motor that distance and you'll be crying. GRP rib tenders with a consol are great as mentioned above. But be prepared to spend your life repairing the gelcoat at the base of the transom if you have any shingle near by.
Regardless of what anyone says wheels are useless on anything but paved slipways. Your tender is either light enough to carry up the beach or not. Wheels on the beach with very rare exception are pretty useless but they do protect the tender undersides when you outright drag it along. Someone savy should introduce skids / ski's to the market. I've now had all types
Airdeck / slat - most practical launch for beach access short distance.
SIB - soft inflatable Keel with aluminium hard-deck floor - The best compromise. Still light and portable but can take a larger motor and carrying capacity. Can handle longer distances with bigger motor
RIB GRP - Dad's toy. Pure and simple. Very little practical use by comparison but goes like stink, can tow toys, can do surprising distance quickly. Lacks space with a consol on but looks cool and is a real pleasure to ride around in. Weighs 3 times more than it's competitors and makes you look like a chump when stranded at the high water mark (or you can spend your day pushing it down the beach every 5 minutes as the tide retreats)
RIB Aluminium - These are becoming more common and a sub 3m RIB will be 40kg bare. It's a possible game changer but with the exception of some established brands that are $$$ the jury is out on longevity and quality of the aluminium. A few drops and knocks on a shingle beach or the slip might leave some dings and scrapes that being unsightly is the least of their problems. But a bare boat and motor will still see 70 odd kilo minimum which would make it awkward on the beach
Regardless of what anyone says wheels are useless on anything but paved slipways. Your tender is either light enough to carry up the beach or not. Wheels on the beach with very rare exception are pretty useless but they do protect the tender undersides when you outright drag it along. Someone savy should introduce skids / ski's to the market. I've now had all types
Airdeck / slat - most practical launch for beach access short distance.
SIB - soft inflatable Keel with aluminium hard-deck floor - The best compromise. Still light and portable but can take a larger motor and carrying capacity. Can handle longer distances with bigger motor
RIB GRP - Dad's toy. Pure and simple. Very little practical use by comparison but goes like stink, can tow toys, can do surprising distance quickly. Lacks space with a consol on but looks cool and is a real pleasure to ride around in. Weighs 3 times more than it's competitors and makes you look like a chump when stranded at the high water mark (or you can spend your day pushing it down the beach every 5 minutes as the tide retreats)
RIB Aluminium - These are becoming more common and a sub 3m RIB will be 40kg bare. It's a possible game changer but with the exception of some established brands that are $$$ the jury is out on longevity and quality of the aluminium. A few drops and knocks on a shingle beach or the slip might leave some dings and scrapes that being unsightly is the least of their problems. But a bare boat and motor will still see 70 odd kilo minimum which would make it awkward on the beach
Micke_W
Active Member
it looks like this. I have 248cm wide to play with if i change the passarelle to the left, the deep on the bathingplatform is 90cm. I Think a SIB would fit us best
BruceK
Well-Known Member
It's not 248 per se because the rib bow curves inwards and near half will overlap the swim platform. I'd expect you could easily get a 270 or even 280 on the back if you used Hurley Davits and still have plenty room to walk in with the passarelle changed.
This is a 270 on a 34 foot boat and there is plenty of access
This is a 270 on a 34 foot boat and there is plenty of access
Micke_W
Active Member
think i am going får the
Epropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus for the engine
Epropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus for the engine
Micke_W
Active Member
I have bought the Epropulsion spirit. Now only question on what tender to buy.
I am looking on dinghyrings Aluminium RIB MX 240 — BrobergSweden - Båtgolv, gummibåtar och båttillbehör
or the davit system. and the Highfield Ultralight 260
Should I go for dingyrings or davit? I usually enter the boat through the stern
I am looking on dinghyrings Aluminium RIB MX 240 — BrobergSweden - Båtgolv, gummibåtar och båttillbehör
or the davit system. and the Highfield Ultralight 260
Should I go for dingyrings or davit? I usually enter the boat through the stern
BruceK
Well-Known Member
I'd go with davit every time. Especially if you will be using your tender a lot. Anything to make retrieval and deployment effortless trumps style and looks every day imo.
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
@Micke_W you might also want to take a look at the Hurley H30. That would work well with your swim platform.
Hurley H3O Dinghy Davit System | Dinghy Davits | Shop Hurley Marine
Hurley H3O Dinghy Davit System | Dinghy Davits | Shop Hurley Marine
BruceK
Well-Known Member
Isnt that for people who like to spend more on their davit than their dinghy? Be a shame to drape a dinghy over that. That kind of bling is for show
Micke_W
Active Member
shoul I go for the Zodiac Cadet 270e Aero or the Highfield ultralite 260?
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