Avon red start mariner 2hp

nyx2k · 14 February 2006, 18:12

I've just been given this Avon and engine and i wondered whether it's suitable
to use on the sea on a nice calm sunny day or is it too small and underpowered. i live in Thorpe bay south end and i see lots of fast ribs going by and would like to get out on the water for a while until i can get a small rib for myself.
regards Nick .

codprawn · 14 February 2006, 18:38

As long as your careful and don't go too far - beware of tides - doubt you will get very far against a strong tide.

I have been across from Swansea to Devon - distance of about 25 miles in my Quicksilver 3.1m but it does have a 15hp engine - still people thought I was mad....

nyx2k · 14 February 2006, 19:53

would a 4 hp or thereabouts make it a safer prospect. i looked on the avon site and apperantly a 4hp is the max size.

timboli · 14 February 2006, 20:27

You may find a 4hp too powerful,does it have the floorboards as they will help.I have used the avon redcrest extensively as a yacht tender and they are quite wet,very little freeboard but very well made,a lot will depend upon how many people you carry but any sort of small wash could prove a problem,wash from ships etc usually tends to be longer in wavelength so not so much of a problem.Make sure you know where the end of the painter is as it can go overboard easily and wind itself around the prop.It is definitely displacement,not designed to plane so very slow,always take oars and keep in sight of land as it is really for sheltered waters only IMHO

Downhilldai · 14 February 2006, 21:03

I would just sell it and buy a 'proper' SIB around 10-11 feet long, with transom and inflatable keel. There's loads of them for sale and they're much more seaworthy than a Redcrest. Plenty of demand for Redcrests from yotties wanting them as tenders, so you should be able to move it on quite easily, as long as you're not too greedy.
Budget on anything from around £600 upwards, for a half decent second hand SIB and outboard. When you're ready to buy your RIB, you can always sell it on and get (most of) your money back

nyx2k · 14 February 2006, 21:14

yes it does have the floorboards and a central spine that screws to the boards. i used it yesterday on the river witham when visiting friends and it did about 6 mph..i would only use it on fairly flat water but i would like something a little bigger maybe a 3 mtr with 10hp or so..

ADS · 15 February 2006, 00:24

Am I right it saying the Redstart is the donut shaped one with a bracket that attaches to the back. If so then I had one in the shed, they don't plane and theres little point putting anything bigger than a 2HP on it, you open it up and the outboard dissappears over the back

Having said that, they are fine as a yacht tender and cool for exploring rivers and harbours. I would recommend something a bit bigger with a transom and inflatable keel / air deck, combined with a 10-15hp this will provide alot of fun. A number of members including Phil Davies, Codprawn, and MeMe all have boats along these lines, may be worth a PM to see how they find them.

Alex

columbiachop · 15 February 2006, 04:00

i have a 10ft avon red seal (donut shape). the tubes are fairly small in diameter and yes, very wet ride.

i use it to flyfish high mountain lakes with an electric motor on back.

that little motor mount doesn't like much hp.

andy

nyx2k · 15 February 2006, 08:11

i'll keep the redstart for rivers and local canals etc. i think i'll start looking for something around 3 mtrs and 10hp so i can feel safer and have a bit more speed.
thanks for all the replies.
nick

ADS · 15 February 2006, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyx2k

i'll keep the redstart for rivers and local canals etc. i think i'll start looking for something around 3 mtrs and 10hp so i can feel safer and have a bit more speed.
thanks for all the replies.
nick

Best of luck, if you haven't already found it Boats and Outboards, is full of adverts:
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/p...nflatables.php

The freeads etc are also good places to loook, and there are some bargains to be had.

Alex

This one isn't a too bad a deal: http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F88937/

nyx2k · 15 February 2006, 13:40

looks a good prospect..have send a pm to them to check if sold or not

Andy Moore · 15 February 2006, 14:39

A tiller extension is a great idea. That way, you can move your weight forward more and into the middle of the dinghy if you are out on your own. This will result in the stern 'dragging' less and you will be proceed quicker and more comfortably.

nyx2k · 15 February 2006, 15:05

great idea..i know this boat will never be fast. just would like to safely use the sea near our house when its calm. i have wetsuit/lifejacket. will get a bigger sib and 10hp when ive finished paying for the new kitchen in the spring

Andy Moore · 15 February 2006, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyx2k

great idea..i know this boat will never be fast. just would like to safely use the sea near our house when its calm. i have wetsuit/lifejacket. will get a bigger sib and 10hp when ive finished paying for the new kitchen in the spring

I have been in some pretty choppy seas in our little Avon tender. Excellent little things. Just remember to get the weight balance right. I used to kneel behind the seat with the tiller extension.

Had many happy hours pootling about.....

Hugh Jardon · 15 February 2006, 23:25

here is a pic of our quicksilver 340 airdeck which is brill, has a 15 yam, the wheels are superb for dragging over soft sand. lots and lots of fun and as you can see we are a multiboat family!!

even the 2 yr old has a little boat!

jwalker · 15 February 2006, 23:54

Jeez Hugh, that's a home from home if ever there was!

Hugh Jardon · 17 February 2006, 15:21

you would not believe how much we take away with us!! caravan was full to the brim and its not a small caravan either, it exploded when we opened the door, haha. but the campsite in cornwall is excellent with huge pitchs, and you can slip the boat into the sea at the campsite either by yourself if a hand launch sib or they have a tractor put it in for you. the Mevagissy area is such a pretty place. our pitch we get is right on the beach in that you look out over the beach, every morning we are up fishing at 6-7 having huge fun. Cant wait to get the osprey down there

nyx2k · 17 February 2006, 18:47

ive been to that campsite a few times. one of the best places in uk i think for all round family fun and beach access...we are thinking og going again this year for a week or two

Hugh Jardon · 17 February 2006, 19:03

the place is pentewan sands in cornwall just south of st austell and is fab but you have to book up early, from nov 1st to secure a week of the dates you prefer and a pitch of your needs

here is a link

http://www.pentewan.co.uk/

we have been there lots of times now and cant fault the place

kernow has a place as well and will go there if i can secure a nice discount!!

it would make a brilliant venue for ribbers from here who also go camping and caravanning and i know there are a few of us out there. perhaps we could arrange a week or two next year there!! or perhaps a ribbers meet at kernows place this year

nyx2k · 17 February 2006, 19:29

that would be a fantastic venue for a rib meet..plenty for all to do..