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Dinghy / Tender / Inflatable

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Created by JonE A week ago, 20 Jan 2025
JonE
VIC, 330 posts
20 Jan 2025 11:56AM
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Need some kind of tender for very occasional exploration and cruising. Talking maybe 5-10 nights per year max.

Only need to get 2 people in it. Don't mind rowing.

Easy stowage is the most important factor - i.e. I need to put it below decks when not in use and probably keep it in the shed whilst not racing.

Thoughts please?

Ramona
NSW, 7651 posts
20 Jan 2025 2:30PM
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I have just acquired a two man inflatable canoe. I have not used it yet and I will the next couple of days and see how hard it is to get onboard. Stores easily below.

Kinora
VIC, 181 posts
20 Jan 2025 3:51PM
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I bought a second hand Takacat (the small one) and a 2.5 hp Honda. It's not dry but it does pack down into 2 bags that store neatly in the forward storage area. Takes 20 minutes to inflate or deflate and pack, faster if you have an electric pump (or leaf blower). 2 not-so-heavy people are OK.

Cheers,
Kinora

julesmoto
NSW, 1558 posts
20 Jan 2025 4:08PM
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Select to expand quote
JonE said..
Need some kind of tender for very occasional exploration and cruising. Talking maybe 5-10 nights per year max.

Only need to get 2 people in it. Don't mind rowing.

Easy stowage is the most important factor - i.e. I need to put it below decks when not in use and probably keep it in the shed whilst not racing.

Thoughts please?





I have an inflatable dinghy which takes an outboard but on the trailer sailer last time I took an inflatable canoe which I bought from RTM. It is considerably lighter as it doesn't have a timber transom and although, like Ramona, I haven't used it yet it looks reasonably sturdy unlike some of the toys which are advertised online. It has an inflatable floor like my dinghy not just single skin. I expect it to be considerably easier to row into a headwind than a full width dinghy and I expect the directional stability to be much better as it comes with a detachable bottom fin. 199 dollars or 179 for the single person (180kg limit) which is a foot or two shorter and slightly lighter. At one stage I bought a paddle board to get out to my yacht but one day a considerable breeze sprang up and I had some difficulty getting back to shore due to my own wind resistance. I traded that for a plastic canoe type thing (BCF) which you sit in rather than on which I have found to be very good and dry but of course it doesn't collapse.

Whirlybird3
5 posts
20 Jan 2025 2:06PM
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Mercury Inflatables.
I have the 240 model, but the smaller one 200 may suit.
Great quality' welded seams, inflate easily and roll up to fit in a bunk.
Mine fits in the bunk on my Columbia 22.
No association with company but very happy.
waves.com.au/collections/mercury-inflatables/products/mercury-200

MAGNESIUM
173 posts
20 Jan 2025 3:48PM
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I have a 12ft Porta boat , folds down to a surf board size gives you the biggest tender on the smallest boat.
there is a few things I don't like about it I row it but it easily takes a 5hp outboard and goes like a tinny, you can get the 8ft one also.

EastCoastSail
257 posts
20 Jan 2025 5:01PM
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Two drop stitch kayaks. I had them on my old boat and they work well if you aren't in the crocodile zone. Seaworthy, paddle well, carry a bit and very easy to store. If in warmer waters an inflatable stand up paddle board works well.

I have had hard and soft floor Zodiacs and a 12ft Porta Bote, the Porta Bote is the best compromise but not for your usage.

JonE
VIC, 330 posts
21 Jan 2025 8:16AM
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Thanks lads.

i got lucky and picked up an Avon Redcrest with no leaks for beer money.

Actually, being a race boat with a long cockpit the Portaboat would work well, given the long low stowage space under the cockpit (about 14 foot of bunk space currently.)

Now I have to solve the anchor problem.

Ramona
NSW, 7651 posts
21 Jan 2025 8:24AM
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I regularly watch a bloke row an inflatable 100 metres to his moored vessel. 15 knots of wind and it's getting marginal!

cisco
QLD, 12348 posts
21 Jan 2025 9:06AM
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Inflateable dinghies are the best downwind sail boat in the world. The only model I have found that can be rowed effectively is the Avon Redcrest. Hard to find these days.
The only place I would ride in an inflateable without a motor is a swimming pool.

JonE
VIC, 330 posts
21 Jan 2025 10:51AM
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Select to expand quote
cisco said..
Inflateable dinghies are the best downwind sail boat in the world. The only model I have found that can be rowed effectively is the Avon Redcrest. Hard to find these days.
The only place I would ride in an inflateable without a motor is a swimming pool.



Yep, feeling like I got lucky with this one. It was literally round the corner from me, on Gumtree. Didn't look until after I posted the query here... I need to fabricate some floor boards, thinking some marine ply, round the edges and glass-tape and epoxy the edges (whole board) then sand off smooth.

If anyone has an outboard bracket for a Redcrest, please PM me.

cisco
QLD, 12348 posts
22 Jan 2025 8:19AM
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It will not work with a single board. One large board with a stiffener piece 200 mm wide screwed and glued down the middle and a bow piece is what I had. You can buy plastic "H" joiners from inflateable shops.
Outboard bracket will be hard to find as they rust out. I have seen fabricated ones.

Madmouse
406 posts
Wednesday , 22 Jan 2025 2:01PM
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I have a Mercury 2.4. It's pretty small but ideal for occasional use in a TS or small keeler. It's about 20kg or something. I row it ashore no drama. Had it 10 years.
Best innovation is using a makita blower to inflate it.



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"Dinghy / Tender / Inflatable" started by JonE