Asda selling cheap tenders

[Nos4r2]

Our local Asda WalMart are selling the Navigator 4 dinghy complete with oars and motor mount for £100.Worth a look if you're after a tender.

[BruceB]

I am not sure I would want to use something that small or cheap as a tender. I took my Plastimo 2.3m tender out yesterday with my 2.3 Honda on it. lifejacket, wellies and the dog.
Decided to go across to maiden Island, a few hundred yards off the shore for a wander, and a laugh.
It was an interesting experience and made me think that maybe I need a bigger tender. Even with just me and the dog it wasn't exactly a dry run or very safe feeling, and thats without the wife on board as well.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by BruceB

I am not sure I would want to use something that small or cheap as a tender. I took my Plastimo 2.3m tender out yesterday with my 2.3 Honda on it. lifejacket, wellies and the dog.
Decided to go across to maiden Island, a few hundred yards off the shore for a wander, and a laugh.
It was an interesting experience and made me think that maybe I need a bigger tender. Even with just me and the dog it wasn't exactly a dry run or very safe feeling, and thats without the wife on board as well.

They aren't normally that cheap-£195 here:- http://www.inflataboat.350.com/boats_page.htm

Besides, most of us only want a tender for the odd foray ashore from 50' away when the pontoons are full.

[BruceB]

Thats really what I bought mine for, running into the beach so I can keep the RIB anchored in deeper water. I have used SIBs before but never as small as this. I was quite unpleasantly suprised just how unstable they are, wouldn't like to use one in anything less than a flat calm.
(didn't help having a daft collie runing back and forth across it though )

[Nos4r2]

2.3m is tiny though-nearly 2 feet shorter than the navigator.

[alystra]

It's the outboard that's the problem. It's relatively heavy. It forces you to sit on the after quarter of the boat and unless you've got one or two more bods aboard for balance and ballast you'll not feel - or be - safe.

If, on the other hand, you don't bother with the engine and row, you'll be sitting amidships, the boat will be balanced and you'll feel and be safe. It's often quicker too, for the short journeys from anchored boat to shore.

And you get fitter.

[karlT]

I have a wetline 180 which come pretty cheap.

No engine mount so you have to row. I removed the wooden seat as it felt perched too high and added weight. I use a waterproof briefcase as my seat which has some of my safety gear for the boat in it IE: handheld VHF, handheld flares, few tools, mobile phone etc. You can fit 2 people in it for a jaunt ashore or 1 person when it gets windy or rough. I use and ABUSE this dinghy daily by dragging it up 30ft of granite wall and over the railings have even had 3 lobster pots and myself in it which was a squeeze but OK.

Easy to row and often quicker than carrying engine down steps and fitting to transom. Dinghy rolls up to black bin bag size with wood slat floor in place and blows up in minutes.

Have seen those Navigator dinghies locally but they are quite narrow and don't think I would really want an outboard on the back when leaving it on my mooring.

[Chris]

I have a Navigator III and its great as a tender, you can easily get 4 adults on board which is pretty good. It is also well made.

The only thing I would say is it can only handle a small outboard, I use a Mariner 2HP 2 stroke and that is about all I would want on the back. No good for a heavier 4 stroke.

Otherwise for a £100 that is an excellent price

[Bigmuz7]

well I'm gonna fit a transom to my blow up life vest and see if I can 'out' do you guys for the worlds smallest SIB

[walruz]

Bruce I also have an XM 230 but without an engine. I have never had any stabilty issues and I'm a salad dodger.

Ian

[Nick Hearne]

I got this off Ebay for £100 delivered second hand, it is light at about 17kg will take a small out board & is made out of Hypalon!

http://www.achillesinflatables.com/b...s/dinghies/lt/