Need recommendation for a good tender

[Erin]

I need to buy a new tender to replace my ageing Waveline 2.3m. I'd like to go for quality this time, as the pvc on my existing one is starting to degrade and lose its plasticiser and go sticky. A few of the joints are starting to peel apart as well, and so are my repairs where I accidentally punctured the damned thing with a nail .

I was contemplating an Avon or some such made from Hypalon. Are there any others out there worth a look at? I want an airdeck floor and ideally solid transom, but not too heavy to heave onto the roofrack!

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by Erin

The pvc on my existing one is starting to degrade and lose its plasticiser and go sticky. A few of the joints are starting to peel apart as well, and so are my repairs where I accidentally punctured the damned thing with a nail.

Check Avon sibs, some manufacturers like Quicksilver don't make such small sib in Hypalon, this fabric starts on their 270 air floors sib models. Just for the record, how many years have you owned your actual pvc sib to become britle and sticky, was it all time on water/sun as a tender use.Go a bit larger 230 is bit small, a 300 would be ideal.

Happy Sibbing

[BassBoy]

Give Roche Marine a try. I'm sure they do hypalon (for a price!).

Have been very impressed by my 'non hypalon' 260. It's a 'proper little boat'

[PeterM]

Not an AVON , ( but now owned by the same Co ? ) but I've had a few Bombard SIBs . Only ever been impressed.

Pete

[Erin]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

Just for the record, how many years have you owned your actual pvc sib to become britle and sticky, was it all time on water/sun as a tender use.Go a bit larger 230 is bit small, a 300 would be ideal.

Happy Sibbing

I think it's coming up 5 years now. It lives outside in the garden for the summer season when not in use, so is in sunlight most of the day (well it used to be in sunlight when we had summers). I did coat it with 3m protector the first couple of years, but lost enthusiasm after that.

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by Erin

I think it's coming up 5 years now. It lives outside in the garden for the summer season when not in use, so is in sunlight most of the day (well it used to be in sunlight when we had summers). I did coat it with 3m protector the first couple of years, but lost enthusiasm after that.

That sib must be thin pvc to have lasted so little, have ordered some botles of 3M sun protector in USA, would you say it performs well as recommended by most inflatable boat dealers. How often do you need to re apply ?

Happy Sibbing

[JSP]

I'm well impressed with my brothers 3. something suzimar tender/SIB

[raymillard]

You know, I had a Redcrest until recently.I sold it as it was surplus to requirements, but t was built in 1974, and was as good as the day it was made. Last summer on a mooring near mine in North Norfolk, there was a black Avon being used as a tender. I think they stopped making them in 1968.
Whatever model you get, if it's got Avon written on it, you won't go far wrong.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by Erin

I think it's coming up 5 years now. It lives outside in the garden for the summer season when not in use, so is in sunlight most of the day (well it used to be in sunlight when we had summers). I did coat it with 3m protector the first couple of years, but lost enthusiasm after that.

Would be worth investing in a boat cover (for your new boat), or even a cheap tarpaulin to at least protect it from the worst of the elements.

[Erin]

TBH I've no idea how effective the 3m protector is. Maybe I should coat one tube only on the replacement SIB and see how it fares over a couple of years.

I know my current tender was a bit of a cheapy, and I also know people in my neck of the woods who have suffered the sticky degradation of the PVC types.

I shall look into the Lodestar and Bombard models. The only thing that bothers me is they seem to come with inflatable keels, which I really don't need, and I fear are prone to damage when hauling up the slipway.