Which inflatable tender? (MAXX on eBay?)

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haydude

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Hi,

I was considering the purchase of an inflatable tender and I came across the MAXX line on eBay. Does anybody own one of them and could let me have an opinion?

Also I am looking to a 270 or otherwise a manageable less than 3 metres size, but at this size there is little choice of alluminium or high pressure deck, where most are high pressure and none alluminum (at affordable prices).

It seems I am forced to go for high pressure, but I am concerned about rigidity and durability when walking on it with shoes/boots or carrying anything like a rusty ancor. Is it so much worse than an alluminium deck?

I would not refer to the tests published a few months ago on (PBO? can't remember which magazine) because: most of them had slatted decks (a no go for me) and did not include the MAXX line that from the description is quite attractive.

Thank you in advance.
 
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Sorry cant comment on the Maxx inflatable. With regard to the inflatable floor, most modern inflatables with this type of floor are really rigid, easy to walk on and dont deflect at all in use. Most are quite tuff as well, they will puncture but it usually takes some doing.

At the size you are looking at, I would always take an inflatable floor over solid. The solid floors are just too heavy and needs load of faffing about to fit them.
 
I have a Honwave 2.4m and previously a 3.2m, both with 'V' airfloors, when fully inflated (0.8 bar) as rigid as you could hope for and as tough as a very tough thing. Stable, very steerable, big tubes and just the dog's bolleaux as far as I'm concerned. Thoroughly recommended.
 
Again, I can't comment on the Maxx, but I can give a recommendation about Zodiacs: Don't touch them unless they've completely redesigned their rollocks.

On those I've seen, including mine, the rollock is a plastic pin, reinforced with a screw in later models, but not significantly better, which distorts and damages the plastic socket it fits in.

Rowing is a severe pain at the best of times, and I could have been in serious trouble when a rollock pin broke off, leaving me trying to paddle against a F6. Fortunately, I was rescued by the guy on the next boat, but it reinforced my conviction never to buy another Zodiac.
 
Hon-wave

I have over the years had a colourfull variety of inflatables all having their own little problems but 2 years ago I bought a new Honda 2.5 aluminium floor job at the boat show. Not cheap but competative with others offered. Anyway it's the best of anything I've had before and I would concure, the dogs *******s!!
ps Easy to put together.
Chunkey
Strong thick skin
:)
 
I would concur with the comments about solid (wooden) versus inflatible floors. The wooden floors are a pain to fit and make the dinghy very heavy.

YM did a comparative test on dinghies a few years ago and I bought the one they recommended, although I am having a senior moment at present and cannot recall the manufacturer. However, the performance has been excellent and I am particularly impressed with the rubbing strake that has a slot in the bottom that cuts down markedly on the amount of splash that comes inboard when heading into a chop. I am sure somebody else on the forum will recall the test, you can probably still get the back number, or I will have a look over the weekend. However, they used to be advertised quite regularly in the yachting press but I do not recall seeing them for sometime so they may no longer be available.

You will also have to decide between Hypalon, tougher but expensive, or the more common PVC.
 
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