Tender options

[nickjh]

All,

I would like to consider how I can carry a small tender for next season. My boat is 27.5' long with an 8'6" beam. I do have the extended swim platform, however we need this to get off the boat too.. What options do I have and should I consider a small outboard or oars..The outboard could double as an aux emergency engine? How much would it weigh and are snap davits worth considering?

Cheers

Nick.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Jenko]

It really depends on how much you are planning to use a 'Tender'. Do you need one to get to your boat everytime you use it?. Is it just for the occasional trip to shore while anchoring?.

My advice is to work out what are your options for stowage first, then decide what size to get.

I have a wetline 180, which weighs in at 18kgs, and is not set up for an outboard. But, it's fits nicely in a storage compartment under the floor, and will be used very occasionally. our boat is ony 19 ft long.

Sounds like you could fit up to about 3mtrs on your boat, and with a 12v inflator / de-flator, you could be up and running in no time. bank on about 40 kgs for a 3M inflatable.

Also, a 3M inflatable would take a 10hp engine, which would also ouble up as an aux, should it be needed.

Good luck.

Paul.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[longjohnsilver]

I'd stick with something around the 2.6 - 2.8 metre range and an outboard of 2 - 4 hp. Anything bigger is a real pain to manhandle on a regular basis, particularly on and off a boat.

And I'd go for the inflatable floor option, makes everything so much easier.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I guess you have 4 options

1. Store it folded up in a locker which I would'nt reccomend as you're constantly having to blow the thing up
2. Fit cantilevered type davits (eg Simpson or Whittall) but I doubt whether your boat would have the necessary reinforced pads for mounting them. The advantage of these would be you could store the tender with outboard attached. Disadvantages are that this type of davits are costly and you would need a rigid bottomed tender to attach the slings
3. Fit snap davits which I'm sure could be done. Advantage is they'd be relatively cheap but the tender would lean against the transom and therefore obstructing the bathing platform and the outboard would have to be removed
4. Lash the tender on the foredeck or in the cockpit. Obviously this might obstruct your view and look unsightly

I think snap davits is the best choice but it will mean you will have to remove the outboard every time you store the tender. 2-3hp will be enough for a small (2.5 - 2.7m) tender which will be fairly easy to lift and stow. However, if you intend that this engine is also used as an emergency auxiliary, then 2-3hp is probably not sufficient. You will likely need a 6 or 8hp outboard to power your boat at sufficient speed to overcome an adverse tide, for example, and an outboard of this size is quite heavy to lift and stow. BTW you can get proprietary brackets for mounting your outboard on the bathing platform to act as an auxiliary engine.
I would'nt rely on just using oars for your tender. Inflatables don't row well and, apart from being tiring, it could be dangerous if you had to row against a current or tide

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Talbot]

Go for a zodiac 260 Fast Roller and a 3.5 hp tohatsu Plus snap davits. If you are happy lifting the extra weight, or you envisage long transits in the tender, then change to a 5hp tohatsu, but dont forget you will have to lift the engine off the dinghy at sea (so make sure you have a lanyard fitted so if you drop it you can pick it up again quickly).

Recommend you go for Tohatsu as they make most of the small engines for all manufacturers and are thus cheaper than the others.

Zodiac is IMHO the best tender (other than an Avon) but look at them all and it is easy to see the financial difference.

Inflatable keel and floor is the best combination.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Magnum]

I bought a Zodiac Fast Roller Acti-V 285 + Mercury 5HP 2-Stroke for an all up weight of just 51KG. This is a 4-man lightweight outfit that should be relatively stable (due to high pressure V keel) and nippy enough for tender duties whilst (hopefully) being light enough to lift onto the bathing platform by two people without pulling the motor off. I say "hopefully" because it won't be used until my Princess 42 arrives first week in April /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've got one of these on my boat with a Yam 4hp. Its not a problem to lift it over the bathing platform, in our case, into a tender garage. Don't expect it to be as stable as a RIB coz the floor is still a bit squishy but its better than a flat bottomed inflatable
Good luck with the V42. Nice boat

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Magnum]

Excellent news as I think the Yamaha 4HP 4-stroke is a couple of Kilos heavier than the Mercury 5HP 2-stroke.

It's a P42 by the way, not a V42 /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Ooops, sorry. I take it this is the new P42? How did you manage to get delivery in April? I asked at the Show and they quoted me end 2004
I thought the new P42 looked very good, a definite leap in finish and quality over previous Princesses of this size


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Magnum]

I ordered it on the first day of SBS last year. By the the show finished they had sold 9 and put the price up. My understanding is that any new orders will not be satisfied for 12 months or more.

<hr width=100% size=1>