Tender to row

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choppy

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I need a new inflatable tender - (Less the cost the better) but want value (Ie works & doesnt fall apart looks nice etc etc !! - did think about just buying cheap then binning & buying a new 1 but would only annoy me & be a waste)
Our current rigid tender rows with proper oars in most weather & tide I am likley to encounter & still keep reasonably dry - Ie it does the job I want well - so would like to get as close to that as possible but needs to be light ( 20- 30 kilo) & stowable. The only pin dabbing oars i have tried were next to useless - but the boat was nasty so not much to base on.
So loking at
Avon aero (Can use proper oars) But - £ 1000+
Bombard £ 600
Lodestar £ 750
Poss quicksilver type (heard ok?) - £ 4 - 5
2nd hand avon redstart type with proper oars £ 2 - 300

Any opinions on rowing performance on any of above inflatable keels, pin oars, etc ?
Also fun factor for kids is 2ndry factor.

thanks -
 
Rowing any inflatable in a half decent wind is purgatory and damn near impossible!
 
I rowed against the current in my Quicksilver at Exmouth. I think I deserve a medal, that current runs quick. My Quicksilver has an inflatable keel, and I think it makes a big difference.
 
When you say rowing, how far?
I row my AX3 short distances, but since the cost weight and hassle of a yam 2hp is negligible, I use that for more than a few hundred metres or if the tide is fierce.
AX3 is still good 10 yrs on.
For beaching, would a blow up keel make things worse by concentrating the chafe?
Being able to have longer oars would be nice!
 
Tinker Tramp has proper oars and can be rowed in rough weather, but it is a bit of a heavyweight, having a solid floor. Can be motored and sailed as well. I got mine on board by hooking the main haliard into its nose and hoiking it onto the foredeck. It was stolen last Summer and sadly, I don't have enough money to replace it - but you would get a reasonable second hand one for about £700

Neil
 
I beg to disagree - in part.

If you have an inflatable with a keel - either an inflatable keel or a RIB, they row quite well. You're still stuck with the inadequate oars and row-locks.

So in answer to the question - get a RIB, if you can't afford the space/price one of the inflatable-keel dinghies on the market.

An additional benefit - not only is their directional stability greater, but they'll plane far more readily and safely than a flat-bottomed dinghy.
 
[ QUOTE ]
When you say rowing, how far?
I row my AX3 short distances, but since the cost weight and hassle of a yam 2hp is negligible, I use that for more than a few hundred metres or if the tide is fierce.
AX3 is still good 10 yrs on.
For beaching, would a blow up keel make things worse by concentrating the chafe?
Being able to have longer oars would be nice!

[/ QUOTE ]

For power/weight ratio one of the now-banned 2-strokes, based on the Tohatsu 3.5 is probably "best".

In practice the keel reduces general chafe compared to a flat-bottomed dinghy, at the expense of the stern-bottom seam at the very centre of the dinghy - most are more than adequately reinforced, but it's a good idea to fit a small roller at that point to reduce the friction.
 
Thanks -
Normally 100 M covers distance out to mooring & I am trying to avoid using outboard all the time (mariner 3.3 & just another thing to move, stow, flush etc etc)
A lightweight mini type tramp would be close to ideal & a rib is much too big & heavy until we are suitably davited & living in luxury.
I suspect its between the bombard / lodestar as a mid ground.

Just realised its Beaulieu (not been for ages) this weekend ~ Do you still get odd bargain or is it just coporate type show now ?
 
You can get a Wetline 260 ECO brand new for less than £300 slatted floor, fixed oars takes 3 people and up to 4hp. Looks like a good deal to me and rowing 100yards /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
I have a Lodestar with inflatable floor and keel and it rows Ok, certainly a lot better than the previous inflatable with no keel and a slatted floor.
 
They all "row ok", when there is little or buggerall wind, but in a 5-6, or more, whistling across a harbour it's a different matter, you will be going backards sideways in fact anywhere but where you want to go! A small outboard on the back is a much more sensible idea. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Friends of ours live aboard in the Falmouth area, work in the winter and cruise in the summer.

They have a Lodestar, never use an outboard and say that it is the best inflatable for rowing. On their strong recommendation we also bought on at SIBS last year. Not used it yet in anger though.
 
We always used Avon Donuts but with longer than standard oars and found them OK even on a windy day, rapid rowing with the short ones was a waste of time. We have a Zodiac with inflatable floor and keel now that rows well but if I were to want to use it in really windy conditions regularly I'd replace the alloy & plastic oars with proper wooden ones, rowlock fittings to use these proper oars on Zodiacs are on sale in some French chandleries.

If you want a decent 10ft Avon Redseal donut with 2 part longer oars and S/S outboard bracket I still have ours and could be persuaded to sell.
 
I have always rowed my Avon redcrest with 6' wooden oars and not found it a problem in most wind strengths. Long oars are the way to go on any boat.
 
Don't buy cheap it is false economy as I have found to my cost in the past.
I will add to the positive comments about lodestar inflatables. They are excellent quality. Bought a lightweight one with keel and airfloor to replace my old faulty tender (no keel) and whereas it was a struggle to row the old one , the lodestar is a breeze, it tracks in a straight line .
 
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