Trying to find the cheapest tender but struggling!

[Luminescent]

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.

It's a 15.00 return trip, which is great... but we have to make several trips to and from shore. This is why we just have the boat brought to shore and then taken back out (60.00). We're in that awkward starting out phase where everything is far more expensive than it has to be. Getting a tender will allow us to stop funneling money into the wrong place and instead direct it to getting the boat fit and ready. Might also mean we can visit more often.

 

[PlankWalker]

Old Avon is the way to go. And for 2 people an old Avon Redstart.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Old Avon is the way to go. And for 2 people an old Avon Redstart.

You get wet feet and other bits and they are pigs to row in any wind, tide or chop. A hard GRP dinghy is the way to go.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

You could have my home-built D2 - but it's in East Anglia.

 

[Kukri]

Another vote for the old Avon Redcrest or Redstart.

Yes I have tried the cheap GRP tender route, also.

The really really old black ones are past it (*) but grey Hypalon ones are still good. They are easy to patch.

(*) Yachting Monthly or maybe it was PBO, but I think it was YM, once tested a paint that you could use on your antediluvian black one to get a few more years out of it. To judge by this snap, the late Prince Philip had read the article:

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Anne doesn't look overly happy. Perhaps she is imagining a trip in a soggy Avon.

I have also had both GRP Dinghy and an old redstart when I used to keep my boat on a Tamar mooring and I know which I preferred to row.
As it happens the Avon went to a fellow forumite who came to collect it and to my horror and shame when we tried to inflate it a seam had given way so instead of the few pounds I had advertised it for a gratefully gave it away.

 

[Luminescent]

You get wet feet and other bits and they are pigs to row in any wind, tide or chop. A hard GRP dinghy is the way to go.

If I had a trailer and a towbar... I'd be considering it!

The primary reason I'm going really cheap here, is so that I can get that breathing room to invest in something better or give me that time to find something better. It'll also teach me the finer points of being a greenhorn. I'm in no need for Hypalon, I'm not taking it anywhere sunny and it doesn't need to last that long... well unless climate change surprises me and suddenly Pembrokeshire starts seeing temperatures of 35C on a regular basis.

I would even consider tackling a seam and other puncture repairs.

 

[bedouin]

Old Avon is the way to go. And for 2 people an old Avon Redstart.

Unless size/weight is critical I'ld go with the bigger Redcrest. The Redstart is a bit small

 

[andsarkit]

Put an Wanted Advertisment on the notice board of any local sailing clubs.
Most boaters have a pile of unused kit that they could be persuaded to part with for a small consideration. Our sailing club has a row of dinghy racks and half of them look like they are never used. You might even find unclaimed dinghies in the club that you could get for a contribution to the club funds.
I recently sold an old but servicable Redcrest complete with floor boards, a seat and oars for £50 at a boat jumble. I hope the young lad that bought it had lots of fun with it.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

If I had a trailer and a towbar... I'd be considering it!

The primary reason I'm going really cheap here, is so that I can get that breathing room to invest in something better or give me that time to find something better. It'll also teach me the finer points of being a greenhorn. I'm in no need for Hypalon, I'm not taking it anywhere sunny and it doesn't need to last that long... well unless climate change surprises me and suddenly Pembrokeshire starts seeing temperatures of 35C on a regular basis.

I would even consider tackling a seam and other puncture repairs.

I was assuming you had access to a club dinghy rack if not then an Avon it must be but it won't be a pleasure to row.

 

[Kukri]

An Avon rows quite well if
a) You pump it up hard before you start
and
b) it has the plywood floorboards that it came with when new.

 

[James_Calvert]

I have an old (1985) Tinker Tramp which could do with a new home.

Sailing version, and rows really well. Much patched, needs a new carrying strap mounting made up and glued on.

Complete with a serviceable sail, two piece mast and boom, tiller/ rudder. pump, oars and rowlocks. The dagger board is warped but good for a template for replacement.

Some Hypalon patching material included.

It's a bit of a project but does pump up and float.

Happy to entertain offers under £250. And meet part way for delivery from S Devon.

 

[pandos]

Redcrest or Redstart would be ideal, but the one in the link appears to be missing it’s inflatable thwart and the OP wants to row.

Isn't that what plastic boxes are for?....I had one of those for years before I realized I could have had an inflatable seat. I used a plastic crate...

The straps are broken on my current seago and I am back to the same plastic box..

It rowed pretty well even without the plywood floors, which I was also missing...

 

[CM74]

If you are looking for the very easy option (new, posted to you) I can recommend the Bark dinghies - I have one and used it for our swinging mooring (2x adults + 2 small children, with an outboard)
Made in Ukraine, they still seem to be selling them amazingly
It also folds up small enough to fit in the boot easily.
I've used mine on the lochs as well and had no problems with it.
I've got the 270 which has 2 seats Link HERE and they also make smaller ones without the wooden transom for an outboard that is cheaper.

 

[LadyInBed]

Your about 10 days to late. I've just bought a new Sportyak 245 and sold my (very) old grp dinghy for £20, but you would have had the same problem you mentioned previously - transporting it.

 

[Zagato]

Arm bands will be your cheapest option ?

 

[Stemar]

Got a spade?

 

[Tranona]

If I had a trailer and a towbar... I'd be considering it!

The primary reason I'm going really cheap here, is so that I can get that breathing room to invest in something better or give me that time to find something better. It'll also teach me the finer points of being a greenhorn. I'm in no need for Hypalon, I'm not taking it anywhere sunny and it doesn't need to last that long... well unless climate change surprises me and suddenly Pembrokeshire starts seeing temperatures of 35C on a regular basis.

I would even consider tackling a seam and other puncture repairs.

Buy quality and buy once. A junky dinghy is likely to give more problems than your boat! Good used ones are out there - I just sold a perfect Plastimo 2.6m for £150 and good Redcrests go for similar money and are far and away the best budget buys. Appreciate you are in a part of the country where there are few for sale, but given what you are spending on transport to and from the boat then buying a good tender seems a priority and worth travelling for.

 

[Kukri]

Buy quality and buy once. A junky dinghy is likely to give more problems than your boat! Good used ones are out there - I just sold a perfect Plastimo 2.6m for £150 and good Redcrests go for similar money and are far and away the best budget buys. Appreciate you are in a part of the country where there are few for sale, but given what you are spending on transport to and from the boat then buying a good tender seems a priority and worth travelling for.

Good advice. Keep looking for that Avon Redcrest, Redstart or Redseal. One will turn up.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Good advice. Keep looking for that Avon Redcrest, Redstart or Redseal. One will turn up.

Boat Jumbles