Which Dinghy? (and outboard?)

[chockswahay]

I want to replace our existing (5 man Avon + 5hp motor) with something that is a lot lighter, smaller,quicker to inflate/deflate, and easier to pack away. Our current stuff is SO heavy and akward that we end up towing all the time to avoid lifting out.

We only need to carry the two of us.

Does anyone have any useful advice based on personal experience?

Much obliged

Chox

 

[Guest]

I guess you best bet, is to head to the YM Scuttlebutt forum, page 4, entitled 'Choice of tender and o/b?'

Its got a good thread going, and theres long messages some people might not want to type out again!

 

[steve_cronin]

We did this change for similar reasons.

I boughtn a cheapie at the 05 LIBS with a Mariner 3.3.

I'm not expecting it to be as durable as the Avon or even the Hutchinson which survived 17 years prior to that but as to ease of use it does the job. Moving from Hypalon to PVC does mean (perhaps? - although the charter fleets swear by them) a reduction in durability but after 12 months it is still as good as new. We had a Plastimo as an interim but that was flat bottomed and the cheapie (Wetline) has a honeycomb vee floor so it planes easily - with 1 up of course.

Get a GOOD UV cover though if you're going to use it somewhere warm.

Steve Cronin

 

[iona]

I would go for the Zodiac with the high pressure floor. We change a few years ago and it has been great. Much lighter than the old Avons and evenlighter than their airdeck versions, plus cheaper. We bought a 3.4m version (about 34kg) for £1000, goes fine with our 2hp and even better with our 15hp which lets the kids waterski! It is not hypalon like the avon, so will not last 20/30 yrs but I think the price reflects that. There are also other cheaper makes but I like the quality of the Zodiac, without the premium price and weight of the Avon.

 

[Talbot]

My last Zodiac was replaced after 22 years, and I expect to get the same sort of life out of the new one (2.6m fast roller). Only downside of this boat is the very deep V makes it difficult to drain all the water out of the bottom when on the davit.

Rows wellm much better in waves than the old slatted floor version, but wont plane with the 3.5 tohatsu!

 

[whisper]

Check out Lodestar - have come out well in recent group test in either PBO or MBM.

 

[CodStewart]

This will be my dilemna once I get to Mexico. Finding a suitable tender that a solitary wench can handle.
I was considering a port-a-bote.

 

[Moodyjim]

Isn't that for having a wee in at night?