time for a new tender

[tangerine]

One of our raggie friends squashed my Yam 2.6 inflatable between his boat and my pontoon while I was away antifouling a couple of weeks ago. It wasn,t in the best of condition,but it served its purpose. Now I have given up trying to keep it airtight.All the seams split open,etc. Amazing thing,the clumsy mariner is berthed adjacent to me,but has remained silent over the issue. My immediate neighbors saw the episode and told me about it. hey ho..... So,Im looking for a replacement,same size,inflatable floor, I may consider a used replacement. There seems to be a lot of makes of dingy on the market. Is there an accepted top of the range/popularity ,and is there any make one should avoid? In other words,what would be generally accepted as the best value for money inflatable dingy for around £400-£500.

 

[PaulGooch]

Avoid the Chinese ones, like the later Yam models.

I trust you'll be speaking to the person who killed the old one off ? Seems appropriate to claim off of his insurance.

 

[Philiz]

Avoid the Chinese ones, like the later Yam models.

Why, what's wrong with 'em? Our neighbour's just replaced his dead Yam with a new one and I thought it looks the business.

 

[tangerine]

Which are the Chinese ones?

 

[PaulGooch]

Chinese rubber is iffy (much like most things Chinese, apart from some of the takeaways ).

Frinstance, the recent Seago lifejacket recall was, i believe, caused by outsourcing to China.

 

[PaulGooch]

Which are the Chinese ones?

The ones made in China





Sorry, not sure of all the makes/models that are made there, should all be labelled as such though.

If you want top quality, you won't go far wrong with a Zodiac.

 

[tangerine]

Yes,I have heard that Zodiac make gooduns. I believe Zodiac were Yam in a previous life, and my Yam certainly was a nice little vessel before I ran out of sticking plasters and I allowed her to slip into the next watery world

 

[Wiggo]

Don't think there was a connection between Zodiac (French?) and Yamaha, was there? Anyway, I wonder about all this "best quality, hypalon's a must" stuff. If I wanted a tender that I could hand down to my grandchildren, then yes, but for the money (and given you seem to have careless neighbours) the Chinese made stuff is pretty well disposable. If you pay £300 and get 4 or 5 years out of it, great! Has anyone actually had a 'cheap Chinese' tender burst/fall apart/degrade while they watched?

 

[Tresner]

There are a number of excellent inflatibles on the market. The ones made with Hypalon material will last the longest and give the best protection from the sun. This Elite
Choice model looks interesting.

 

[hlb]

Has anyone actually had a 'cheap Chinese' tender burst/fall apart/degrade while they watched?

Yes, but not cheap. £650 Suzumar. Started degrading after six months. Became unusable after two years.

Gone back to Avon. Apparently my 20 year old one is still going strong.

 

[epervier]

Has anyone actually had a 'cheap Chinese' tender burst/fall apart/degrade while they watched?

I bought this a couple of seasons back, 2.7 ml rib, I think I paid £399 haven't nursed it at all, no cover, left outside over winter, lives upside down on the foredeck,it hasn't fallen apart yet, but there's still time the equivalent from avon was add another thousand, and some, but I fink my Chinese wib is rubbery

 

[PaulGooch]

<snip>Has anyone actually had a 'cheap Chinese' tender burst/fall apart/degrade while they watched?

Not personally, my Zodiac is a few years old and as new. I do know someone who bought a Chinese Yam one and it fell apart whilst under warranty, he says Yam didn't want to know.

 

[tangerine]

my dingy saga

thanks for the interest,especially Kevin who offered me his redundant dingy,which I may still take him up on,however,Im down on my boat from friday onwards,and as I need a tender to reach her,(im on the visitors pontoon in Teignmouth), I would be interested in any offers of a good used inflatable around 2.6 length for a prompt sale before Thursday. Kevin cant be available till the weekend.

 

[doug748]

I bought a used Avon from Ron Hale, similar to this one:
http://www.ronhalemarine.co.uk/superbasket/product/1114/Avon_R260_Air
Bit expensive and a bit heavy for your spec, but might be woth considering. The one I got fronm them was modestly described as in good condition - in fact it was like new.