Hi Guys
Planning for my first cruise outside of the heads.
It will be a 'cruise in company' and the exact destination will depend on the weather patterns at the time.
Hopefully we will be able to turn left and head towards refuge cove.
I currently don't have a tender and I will be attempting to beg borrow or steal something for the trip.
As a fallback I will purchase if necessary.
I am currently looking on ebay at the Seawiz range however my mentor has suggested not to buy PVC.
Any opinions?
I think something about 2.4m will meet the compromise between weight, capacity and storage.
What size engine is recommended 2, 3.5 or 6?
Looking forwrad to some interesting discussions.
Ken
I have a light 2.4m with a 3.3hp Mercury. It isn't PVC, some other heavy duty material. I think a heavier 2.4m with the Mercury is better. I had one but it was too bulky for my boat, the reason for getting the lighter dinghy.
I have an Islander air deck inflateable with a Johnson 3.5. Can put the inflateable on the foredeck on my own so I don't have to tow outside the heads. I personally believe inflateables are more stable to use as a tender, they're much harder to capsize.
Used, cost me all up, $700.
I bought a 3.5 metre inflatable "canoe" off Gumtree for $60. Been used 3 times but looks new. New they are $600. Its like an inflatable dinghy but the ends are the same except one end has an outboard mount. 3.5m long and and 1 m wide. The idea was to carry it folded up in the forward cabin but it is a bit bulky and heavy! Getting it through the hatch will be a major evolution.
My neighbouring yacht just had his inflatable stolen, they are one of the most common items stolen next to anchors. He is looking for a hard dinghy to replace it but as an interim measure, has bought a vinyl inflatable for about $90 new. Very impressive bit of kit for the money and not to be confused with kids blow up dinghies. I have one of these too, I paid $20 for and its handy.
I purchased an aspre 250 with a timber slatted deck from whitworths several months ago for $600 on special. They are now back up to $1000 on their website, however they are a quality product.
I personally don't use a motor, just oars. However on some windy days I almost wish I had some horse power as the inflatables don't track well (no keel).
I hope you???re not planning your trip for today. Weather reports some pretty swampy conditions. Strong westerlies with 4m swells.
Select to expand quoteSirJman said..
I personally don't use a motor, just oars. However on some windy days I almost wish I had some horse power as the inflatables don't track well (no keel).
Didn't you know?? Inflatable tenders are the best downwind sailing boats in the world.
The only inflatable I know that rows reasonably is the Avon Red Crest.
^^^ 10 HP on the back of that thing!!!! More like "Da Zang" zan "Da Fang".
It would need 3 people in it to keep it in the water. My 3.1m Zodiac used to tail walk with a 6 HP Johnson on it.
