Thoughts on 'Honwave' or other large tender.

[Tanqueray]

We need to buy a largish tender around the 3.5 - 4.0 metre mark.

An important consideration is that it must pack away in the forepeak so a RIB is unfortunately not an option.

We are looking at either the Honwave 3.8m Airdeck or the 4.0m aluminium deck.

Any experience / views on them?

Any thoughts on alternatives to consider?

Thanks folks.

Steve

 

[yoda]

Go for an air deck, the aluminium one is just too time consuming to put in and out. My mate has Hon Wave and is very happy with it.

Yoda

 

[Greg2]

We have a Honwave, although not quite as big as you are looking for. It is a quality piece of kit and with the air deck is probably the better option. Slightly bigger tubes than other RIBs make it very buoyant and it feels bigger/safer on the water. Only issue we had was a slow leak around the seating for one of the deck valves. Took the valve out and put a smear of silicone sealant around the thread before replacing it - problem solved.

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Go for an air deck, the aluminium one is just too time consuming to put in and out. My mate has Hon Wave and is very happy with it.

Yoda

I concur, but then again, I have one, albeit smaller.

 

[Garold]

Bought a Honwave with a new Honda 15hp outboard from the Honda agent on the Hamble.

The valves leaked all the time and the dealer tried three times to fix it without success. Everyone told me 'it's only a valve problem, the dealer will fix it'. They never did.

So after about 6 months, I got rid of it. Bought an Avon and been happier since. Kept the engine though. That's fine.

My view? If it leaks in the first week, demand a replacement because our's wasn't so easy to sort out.

Cheers

Garold

 

[Seven Spades]

I have a Hon Wave 2.8 and found that it is so much bulkier than our old Zodiac that it will not fit in the locker and it is too heavy for one person to lift over the side rails.

Apart from that it is brilliant.

 

[penfold]

Bought a Honwave with a new Honda 15hp outboard from the Honda agent on the Hamble.

The valves leaked all the time and the dealer tried three times to fix it without success. Everyone told me 'it's only a valve problem, the dealer will fix it'. They never did.

So after about 6 months, I got rid of it. Bought an Avon and been happier since. Kept the engine though. That's fine.

My view? If it leaks in the first week, demand a replacement because our's wasn't so easy to sort out.

Cheers

Garold

If it was an otherwise good dinghy, could you not just replace the valves with ones that actually hold air(e.g. Avon ones)? Haporth of tar and all that.

 

[xyachtdave]

I have a 3.2 m airdeck and it's great, although heavy. Have had 2 as one stolen. Hard use launching and recovering without problems.

Just curious, how big is the boat that needs a 4m tender and where are you going to go in it? Packing away anything that big is a real chore and after a long passage unlikely to be dug out of a locker for a trip ashore.

 

[Tanqueray]

I have a 3.2 m airdeck and it's great, although heavy. Have had 2 as one stolen. Hard use launching and recovering without problems.

Just curious, how big is the boat that needs a 4m tender and where are you going to go in it? Packing away anything that big is a real chore and after a long passage unlikely to be dug out of a locker for a trip ashore.

The boat is 62'.

We sail 'short-handed' (Me, wife and daughter) for much of the time but occasionally we have a largish crew / friends out to visit so we can sometimes have up to 10 to ferry around / shop for etc. We are off full time cruising this autumn - somewhere warm, and we do like to stay in nice places for weeks rather than days so a bigger tender can be justified.

We have a small tender (2.6m?) with a Honda 2.3 for quick visits or when it's just the three of us.

The thought behind it all was to keep the small tender for 'quick' use, and to run the bigger one with a 20hp Honda for longer term moorings / playing around / fishing etc. We have hydraulic winches so lifting it on/off is not too bad provided it's not everyday.

Thanks for the feedback folks, looks like the Honwave + Honda 20hp then!

Steve

 

[BlueChip]

Also take a look at the Zodiac Activ V airdeck. Its much lighter than the Honda and has a 5 year warranty - but downside its also more expensive.
Barnet Marine at Welwyn Garden City offer the best UK prices and they are negotiable.
If you buy either also take a look at the Bravo high pressure electric pump, it inflates airdecks to final pressure, just dial up the pressure required and press the start button, it shuts off automatically when the dinghy reaches operating pressure.
Ive got one and its one of the best bits of kit I have bought.