Trying to find the cheapest tender but struggling!

Luminescent

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Long time no see everyone.

It's about time I got a tender and these are my requirements.

1. As cheap as I can possibly get with (i.e. will keep me afloat).
2. Only to get me from the pontoon to my yacht on a swinging mooring (river at the moment).
3. Absolutely no requirement for an engine. I don't want one and I need the exercise.
4. To carry two people with luggage.
5. No requirement to outlast 12 months. I do plan to upgrade.

All I seem to be able to find as 250+ things, that are designed to have an outboard fitted and much more heavy duty than required at present. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I'm absolutely on a budget here so that kind of money is currently out at sea. If I thought I could get away with two blue barrels and couple planks of wood... ;) .
 
Why not look around for a cheap GRP dinghy there are usually a few tasty ones for sale cheap.

Tatty ones, I meant tatty not tasty
 
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Oh there's a ferry, it's just not cheap (understandably), I can reduce the cost by having the boat brought to the pontoon for the day... but that's not much of a solution. I have much work and checks to do.

As for GRP dinghies or inflatables, they seem to be like gold dust. I've put feelers out but I think I'm just in the wrong part of the country! (Brecon). Apparently Ebay is not what it once was hah.
 
Spotted in London, May 2010

Thames%201752.jpg


Think you'd want something slightly more reliable?

Second hand ABS, GRP, inflatable or alu dinghies commonly aren't expensive.

Unsinkable, asking £135: Plastimo P180S for sale UK, Plastimo boats for sale, Plastimo used boat sales, Plastimo Inflatable Boats For Sale Inflatable tender - Apollo Duck
 
Spotted in London, May 2010

Thames%201752.jpg


Think you'd want something slightly more reliable?

Second hand ABS, GRP, inflatable or alu dinghies commonly aren't expensive.

Unsinkable, asking £135: Plastimo P180S for sale UK, Plastimo boats for sale, Plastimo used boat sales, Plastimo Inflatable Boats For Sale Inflatable tender - Apollo Duck

Lmao. Just a little more reliable. The prices I'm seeing are (generally) around the 300.00 mark, as if people are trying to sell them for what they purchased them for. I've spotted one or two but they're over a hundred miles away. With fuel what it is, it'd be too expensive to collect. Which is why I was trying to find the cheaper budget brands. I know lots of folk recommend Zodiac etc.

I've also asked at my local boatyard if there's any that's been abandoned. Quite happy to patch one up (inflatable or not). I'd have a bit more of a problem transporting a non-inflatable due the lack of a towbar at present.
 
lots of folk recommend Zodiac
Having recently bought a £1200 Cadet Alu I can assure you that reputation is a thing of the past. Every aspect of them is a thing of pure marketing designed by someone who has never seen the water let alone been near a tender. My WavEco was better in every respect.
 
The other thing that thwarts it, is that the owner is only accepting collections in person. It's literally the otherside of the country! (For those that don't remember, I'm in Wales at present).

I can/will obtain something suitable to sit on to row, it's either that or I'm paddling, ooooor taking early lessons in skulling.
 
Wales is a big country but I have an Avon Redcrest , I think - well it’s about 9 feet long, near Cardiff. Interested?
 
Is there a Yacht Club boson service? I have a dinghy but rarely use it to get out to my boat as the bosun service is very efficient and easy.
 
Make your own. On the river, a basic punt - shape would do the job. As a 15 year old, I built one out of hardboard. It lasted two years!
 
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