Inflatable Tender

[future_sailor]

Hi all, what would be a good inflatable tender that won't break the bank? Something light with an inflatable keel to give some directional stability and a transom to mount an outboard on and a pair of wheels?

[IanDH]

Have a look at Honwave range, mine’s a T32 with 10hp and transom wheels, makes for easy launching down the beach and just wheels onto its trailer. I never get the trailer wet. Planes easy and copes well with the chop we sometimes get in the Exe.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by future_sailor

Hi all, what would be a good inflatable tender that won't break the bank? Something light with an inflatable keel to give some directional stability and a transom to mount an outboard on and a pair of wheels?

Hi, size needed and intended use would be helpful.

[future_sailor]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Hi, size needed and intended use would be helpful.

Hi Steve. The intended use is to launch off a rocky beach to reach a larger vessel on a swinging mooring. Size, minimum 2.3m

[Steve509926]

I don't think you would go far wrong looking at the Excel range. I have the Excel SD360, which I know is far bigger and heavier than you need, but I am really pleased with it.

I've included a link for the SD230, which I think has everything you mentioned.

https://www.excel-inflatables.co.uk/...boat-sd230.php

[future_sailor]

Expanding on this further, I was wondering which inflatables don’t have the captive oars that are screwed to the boat? I find inflatables easier to row if they have the Avon style rubber rowlocks glued to the sponsons.

[Highland Haggis]

The honwave is a very good and capable sib as well or even a takcat or the o2 lite I know which one I would chose have a look at all options before you purchase and enjoy whatever you get HH

[future_sailor]

O2Lite looks good thanks.

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by future_sailor

Expanding on this further, I was wondering which inflatables don’t have the captive oars that are screwed to the boat? I find inflatables easier to row if they have the Avon style rubber rowlocks glued to the sponsons.

Track an Avon Redstart down ,,,,,seen a couple on ebay recent for £125 with no frills

[Poly]

Originally Posted by future_sailor

Hi Steve. The intended use is to launch off a rocky beach to reach a larger vessel on a swinging mooring. Size, minimum 2.3m

If its a rocky beach launch then all but the very biggest wheels will struggle (and even then you may have a problem if its either small loose pebbles or big babies head sized lumps).

I think if you want serious recommendations you still need to provide more information:
- how far are you going to the mooring (100m? 1000m? more?)
- are you a fair weather sailor or will you be out 12 months of the year pretty much regardless of the conditions, having driven 3 hours to get there with no intention to go back home just because its a gale?
- how many people max and typical will be on board?
- with all their kit and a week's food/beer etc - or do you bring the boat into a pontoon to provision etc?
- do you already own the o/board? if so what size shaft, what HP, 2str or 4str etc
- where are you keeping the tender when not using it - e.g. davits, upside down on deck, towed behind etc?
- and when you go ashore - e.g. is it going in the car, kept in a dinghy rack, etc (what about the o/board?).
- do you use the dinghy anywhere else - e.g. when you anchor up somewhere to get ashore (significant differences from above?) or to go creek hopping / exploring for a few miles? or to chase the grand kids in a topper or optimist dinghy etc?
- are there maximum sizes either inflated or deflated (e.g. to fit in a locker)
- you mention rowing - is that a backup to the o/board or something you actually do a lot of? how far/often etc?

[future_sailor]

Originally Posted by Orwell boy

Track an Avon Redstart down ,,,,,seen a couple on ebay recent for £125 with no frills

Thanks for the suggestion but it doesn’t have an inflatable keel or a transom. The Avon 260 air deck is a more suitable although much more expensive contender.