Tinker Tramp as tender?

[pcatterall]

We have been experimenting with a Tinker Traveller and were considering it as a versatile tender for our 10m cruiser.
We had hoped it may replace our ( too small) Avon Redcrest as a tender and be a bit of fun for sailing. We have dismissed
an idea of it ever being a life raft on the grounds that it cannot be just 'chucked in' to deploy ( and all the other arguments that you have all
contributed!!

On balance, though, we feel it is just too large to keep, and move around the boat it packs at 45x24x13 ( 8cu feet) inches and weighs 70 lbs
I can just about lift and walk with it but would struggle to get it out of a locker or even from the after cabin.

The Tinker Tramp however may just be viable though, packed size is 45x21x13 (7 cu feet) and it weighs 58lbs, possibly the 12 lbs reduction in weight may make it more manageable and it is a bit smaller.

I compared it to the Plastimo Raid which came in at 43x24x25 (15 cu feet !) and some 65 lbs.

I would like your thoughts about moving and storing tenders around the boat and also the behaviour of the tramp under oars and engine, I know the sailing characteristics don't match the Travellers but the sailing is just 'a fun thing'.


Thanks as always

 

[FullCircle]

What size boat, and have you got coachroof or foredeck space?

 

[sarabande]

I have a Tramp used as a general purpose dinghy (and somehow also a Traveller in store from when I had a bigger boat and which I shall be selling shortly )


Rowing the Tramp is easy and effective use of human energy, because the dinghy is very stiff in engineering terms, so no energy lost bending the rubber. The motor is a Mariner 3.3 2stroke, and I had 3 up with bags last weekend. No problem with the standard length shaft. I have never had the motor flat out, but I feel that the Tramp might plane in long waves with it.

It's mainly the feeling of confidence from the lateral and longitudinal stability that I like. At 95Kg I can stand on one side tube and the dinghy is more than adequately stable.

Takes no more than five minutes to inflate with the foot pump from car boot to being ready for the motor.

 

[oldbilbo]

I would like your thoughts about moving and storing tenders around the boat and also the behaviour of the tramp under oars and engine, I know the sailing characteristics don't match the Travellers but the sailing is just 'a fun thing'.

There's lots on the web, and on this forum, about using these. Perhaps a good start would be a Google Search.

 

[Tranona]

One of the reasons the Tinker never made it big as a tender (apart from the price!) is that it is a compromise too far. That is making a boat with good carrying capacity, compact folded size AND able to sail is just too much to ask. to get the sailing and good motoring performance you end up with a heavy boat that has poor carrying capacity for its nominal size.

So you have to decide for yourself which of the features is most important. The market is dominated by inflatables that aim at the best carrying capacity for size and weight. So that gives you a good idea what most people value.

 

[aquaplane]

I have a Tramp used as a general purpose dinghy (and somehow also a Traveller in store from when I had a bigger boat and which I shall be selling shortly )


Rowing the Tramp is easy and effective use of human energy, because the dinghy is very stiff in engineering terms, so no energy lost bending the rubber. The motor is a Mariner 3.3 2stroke, and I had 3 up with bags last weekend. No problem with the standard length shaft. I have never had the motor flat out, but I feel that the Tramp might plane in long waves with it.

It's mainly the feeling of confidence from the lateral and longitudinal stability that I like. At 95Kg I can stand on one side tube and the dinghy is more than adequately stable.

Takes no more than five minutes to inflate with the foot pump from car boot to being ready for the motor.

What he said.

Pops ditched the Tramp when it leaked too much and was getting too heavy to lift when he was 75+

The lighter 2.6m replacement has been a retrograde step but easier to hoik about.

As a sailing dinghy it's a toy. OK for kids to keep entertained when moored somewhere but performance is pants.
The liferaft kit doesn't do the job.