What Inflatable?

Playtime

Playtime

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I'm sure this has been covered before but you know the problems with the Search facility. . . . . :(

Probably going to the Boat Show next week to look for (amongst other things) a new 2.3m inflatable tender. I recently sold an old 2.8m Zodiac as it was just too big and heavy for 2 of us now. It was also difficult to stow.

I don't want to spend a fortune on a hypalon, last for ever, version as I am unlikely to still be sailing in 10 years time.

I am looking for a safe, 'dry', stable and reasonably priced tender that is not too heavy. Any recommendations, please? Also, any good questions to ask the Salesperson?
 
There are some lightweight inflatable on the market. The low cost one is the Seago Eco. I bought the 2.7 slat version, nothing exciting about it but it is reasonably light, small diameter tubes, thinner material, cheap and rolls well
 
In the budget (c £400) there is little to choose between them. They all come from one of the 3 factories in China and mostly use the same material except for one or two of the lightweight ones which use a thinner material. Otherwise the differences are to do with the fittings and trim. The main choices you have to make are round tail or transom, slatted or airdeck floor. The most popular seem to be airdeck hard transom. You may find a 2.3m rather cramped.

The premium ranges (c£6-800) usually have more and better fittings and such features as inflatable keels, built in davit lifting points etc.

When YM ran a review/test last year they found it difficult to recommend one over the others - except on price. There are always "deals" so like many commodity products once you have decided on essential features it is price that wins the day.
 
If you want to row it, you're better with one with the "Avon type" rowlocks. If you're going to be using an out board a lot, you're better with a transom, rather than a round-tail.
 
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Some of the cheap ones are really heavy and some quoted weights include seat, floorboards, oars and pump and some do not. You have to be very carefull over this, if the weight is important to you. I bought a second hand but unused Zodiac 2.6M on the basis that it was much lighter than my old Force 4 tender which I find heavy to shift and pack away only to find that my new tender is actually the same weight at about 28KG, rather than around 20Kg quoted in the Zodiac spec sheets!
 
Much depends on your use. The lightweight thin fabric ones are good for occaional use but do puncture more easily as a mate found out. Airdeck with inflatable keel tube are (in my opinion) better than slatted floors and easier to row but the inflatable V floor ones feel very unstable when getting in or out. I don't like round tails, have seen a couple flip when boarding. Small tubes = wet ride. Our current one (like the last one) is a Waveline and I'm quite happy with the quality. Being PVC, in common with others it's best to have covers if in sunny location (it's only 17 deg here today, a bit cool)
 
GrahamM376 said:
Much depends on your use. The lightweight thin fabric ones are good for occaional use but do puncture more easily as a mate found out. Airdeck with inflatable keel tube are (in my opinion) better than slatted floors and easier to row but the inflatable V floor ones feel very unstable when getting in or out. I don't like round tails, have seen a couple flip when boarding. Small tubes = wet ride. Our current one (like the last one) is a Waveline and I'm quite happy with the quality. Being PVC, in common with others it's best to have covers if in sunny location (it's only 17 deg here today, a bit cool)
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Sory to hear that you have the Waveline as it is utter rubbish. Our waveline delaminated after 2 years. The seams came apart.

Not to be recomended.

Peter
 
rivonia said:
Sory to hear that you have the Waveline as it is utter rubbish. Our waveline delaminated after 2 years. The seams came apart.

Not to be recomended.

Peter
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Sorry to hear your Waveline is not good; mine is over 6 years old, has been heavily abused and kept outside in the yard throughout; still good and reliable as ever. It appears that you have been unlucky with yours.
 
I recommend Excel. Have a 230 one, transom and keel model, as this has more tube diameter than usual, so in a small size has capacity of a bigger one. For me a space on deck was a reason, but quality I found is better than usual.

The model has been changed a bit it seems from a picture, but still big tube: http://www.excel-inflatables.co.uk/inflatable-boats/inflatable-boat-sd235.php
 
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We got a 3D tender about Aug last year and in the 6weeks of use then it was excellent. The lightness / size is remarkable, seems well made, stows in compact backpack and the price reasonable.

The next 1-2 years plus will give a truer verdict.
We got it from Duncans, Glasgow, with their late summer discount !
 
rivonia said:
Sory to hear that you have the Waveline as it is utter rubbish. Our waveline delaminated after 2 years. The seams came apart.

Not to be recomended.

Peter
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Our first one lasted 5 years before being baked by the sun and the second is even better quality with a wooden floor and Avon type rowlocks. No hesitation in recommending them.
 
Thanks for all the replies and links to follow up.

Some homework to do before ExCel and then the fun of "negotiation" to look forward to. ;) :D

If we 'commit' at the Show I'll post our conclusions.
 
I required a new inflatable as my trusty, brilliant Zodiac 240 round tail is a bit past it now.

I have to be careful re weight and stowed size; after a bit of research the Seago 230 round tail air deck came out trumps, and yes it has proper rowlocks, and engine bracket too; Force 4 do them for a good price, £350 I think.

Don't be kidded into a bog standard solid transom job; they are much heavier and very much harder to stow.
 
Seajet said:
I required a new inflatable as my trusty, brilliant Zodiac 240 round tail is a bit past it now.

I have to be careful re weight and stowed size; after a bit of research the Seago 230 round tail air deck came out trumps, and yes it has proper rowlocks, and engine bracket too; Force 4 do them for a good price, £350 I think.

Don't be kidded into a bog standard solid transom job; they are much heavier and very much harder to stow.
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Agreed. In fact its about the only boaty item I've managed to get right first time. Everything just rolls up. The only slight problem I find is that it doesn't like the weight of a fourstroke 2.5hp outboard.
 
The kids and I love our Avon R280 (hoping also to get an Avon Rover 340 for them with the 6HP we have so they can play on their own when older - remember playing in an old Tabback on the canals and in Lyme Regis where we lived when I was a kid, great fun with the girls! :))

IMG_3017.jpg


Luckily storage space isn't a problem and I can carry her on my shoulder - 32KG - but in 10-20 years I'll probably need to get a lighter tender as getting her on-board will be trickier :( Could easily rig a way of hauling her up I suppose!

Good value I think for £150 - £300 for a nice one... They are about £1400 new!

This R250 looks nice http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Avon-Rove...ng_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET&hash=item43b7853996
 
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Playtime said:
Thanks for all the replies and links to follow up.

Some homework to do before ExCel and then the fun of "negotiation" to look forward to. ;) :D

If we 'commit' at the Show I'll post our conclusions.
Click to expand...

Spent a few hours at LIBS today and we have 'committed' so I am reporting back.

Firstly, like many of the posters on the Scuttlebutt threads, we were disappointed with the Show overall - there was not much to interest the cruising sailor; lots of Mobos, though.

Regarding inflatable tenders, there were very few on display. The only dedicated stand was for Excel Inflatables. There were also a few SeaGo inflatables on one of the chandlery stands. As it happens my 'homework' shortlist included both of these makes.

After discussion, we finally did a deal for the Excel RT230, a round tail 2.3m with inflatable floor, that was the PBO favorite in their 2011 Group Test. The discount achieved, after a good negotiation, just about covered our day out (entry, car park and diesel) so the trip was worthwhile - just! We probably won't be going next year, though - Southampton is far better for looking at sailing boats and associated gear.
 
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