Small Dinghy/Tender
Discussion
After three years of use I’ve decided to sell my Sealine S25 and will be upgrading to a Jeanneau Prestige 32. This will give us much needed space, opportunity to go further afield and will be more practical when we have kids.
I’ve decided to sell the Sealine first then go looking for the Jeanneau as I’m not comfortable paying a £2k deposit, survey and lift out and then lose the purchase because my own boat has not sold.
Potentially I’ll then have no boat over the summer season (shock horror, first world problems and all that). I will not cancel my mooring so will be paying £2250 per annum until the new boat arrives. My solution is to therefore buy an inflatable/dinghy in the meantime which I will then use as a tender for the bigger boat.
I’m looking for a a small boat that can seat 4 people, 2/3 hp engine, budget £1,800. I’ve also been thinking it might be nice to sail. A friend of mine has a Walker Bay 10 that you can swap from outboard to sail within ten minutes but it is limited to 3 people. Fine for sailing as only two of us would go out but must be able to take 4 when under power.
Does anyone have any ideas or links to any options please? River use mainly so doesn’t have to be particularly well built or sturdy.
I’ve decided to sell the Sealine first then go looking for the Jeanneau as I’m not comfortable paying a £2k deposit, survey and lift out and then lose the purchase because my own boat has not sold.
Potentially I’ll then have no boat over the summer season (shock horror, first world problems and all that). I will not cancel my mooring so will be paying £2250 per annum until the new boat arrives. My solution is to therefore buy an inflatable/dinghy in the meantime which I will then use as a tender for the bigger boat.
I’m looking for a a small boat that can seat 4 people, 2/3 hp engine, budget £1,800. I’ve also been thinking it might be nice to sail. A friend of mine has a Walker Bay 10 that you can swap from outboard to sail within ten minutes but it is limited to 3 people. Fine for sailing as only two of us would go out but must be able to take 4 when under power.
Does anyone have any ideas or links to any options please? River use mainly so doesn’t have to be particularly well built or sturdy.
Thanks CubanPete and Searider. I’ll take a look at those. Preference is for power especially if having both causes too much of a compromise.
I’m confident the S25 will go quick as it is in very good condition. Also unlike many of the boats I’ve seen for sale I’ll make sure not to leave dirty bedding, toilet roll, cupboards full of crap on board. I can never understand that, unless it is people who have just had enough and want to get rid.
hidetheelephants said:
Unless your S25 is a floating skip it's unlikely you'd have any difficulty selling it in the current market, there are people queueing to buy decent used boats.
That’s the problem I’ve had. Find a boat and within 1 hour they have already booked three appointments for viewings. I’m confident the S25 will go quick as it is in very good condition. Also unlike many of the boats I’ve seen for sale I’ll make sure not to leave dirty bedding, toilet roll, cupboards full of crap on board. I can never understand that, unless it is people who have just had enough and want to get rid.
Searider said:
Look out for a Tinker Tramp.
I’d second this, is my current tender. Has been for a good 20 years. It’s reliable to motor, and hilarious to sail. We regularly load up with stuff and 4 adults under motor and sailing with a couple is fine. Brilliant little things and even fits in the boot of my Leon if needed. The traveller is bigger if you decided to go up a size.
guillemot said:
I’d second this, is my current tender. Has been for a good 20 years. It’s reliable to motor, and hilarious to sail. We regularly load up with stuff and 4 adults under motor and sailing with a couple is fine.
Brilliant little things and even fits in the boot of my Leon if needed. The traveller is bigger if you decided to go up a size.
That’s good to know thanks. Will be something we keep for a number of years so anything that is reliable is a bonus. Brilliant little things and even fits in the boot of my Leon if needed. The traveller is bigger if you decided to go up a size.
Robert-q32ja said:
Would an Enterprise dinghy work?
Outboard on the back, but decent sailing craft for up to 4 people is what is was designed for.
Have a 1971 model ashore with a brand new combi road/launch trailer if it does.
Just had a google and they look to be a very good option. Are they a bit hairy/good for sailing though? I don’t think my wife would trust me heeling over at an extreme angle on what should be a gentle sail to the pub. I’ve got previous form for this!Outboard on the back, but decent sailing craft for up to 4 people is what is was designed for.
Have a 1971 model ashore with a brand new combi road/launch trailer if it does.
Audis5b9 said:
Where is your current mooring?
Based in Brundall, Norfolk. Despite the nice facilities it is much cheaper than being on the coast. No silly marina charges for independent mechanics or selling and I just have to pay £70 per foot over 30ft. Free lift out every other year as well. 
minipower said:
Robert-q32ja said:
Would an Enterprise dinghy work?
Outboard on the back, but decent sailing craft for up to 4 people is what is was designed for.
Have a 1971 model ashore with a brand new combi road/launch trailer if it does.
Just had a google and they look to be a very good option. Are they a bit hairy/good for sailing though? I don’t think my wife would trust me heeling over at an extreme angle on what should be a gentle sail to the pub. I’ve got previous form for this!Outboard on the back, but decent sailing craft for up to 4 people is what is was designed for.
Have a 1971 model ashore with a brand new combi road/launch trailer if it does.
minipower said:
Thanks CubanPete and Searider. I’ll take a look at those. Preference is for power especially if having both causes too much of a compromise.
I’m confident the S25 will go quick as it is in very good condition. Also unlike many of the boats I’ve seen for sale I’ll make sure not to leave dirty bedding, toilet roll, cupboards full of crap on board. I can never understand that, unless it is people who have just had enough and want to get rid.
A friend put his boat up for sale back in March this year and in short order received 5 offers at the asking price without anybody even setting foot onboard. hidetheelephants said:
Unless your S25 is a floating skip it's unlikely you'd have any difficulty selling it in the current market, there are people queueing to buy decent used boats.
That’s the problem I’ve had. Find a boat and within 1 hour they have already booked three appointments for viewings. I’m confident the S25 will go quick as it is in very good condition. Also unlike many of the boats I’ve seen for sale I’ll make sure not to leave dirty bedding, toilet roll, cupboards full of crap on board. I can never understand that, unless it is people who have just had enough and want to get rid.
L_G said:
A friend put his boat up for sale back in March this year and in short order received 5 offers at the asking price without anybody even setting foot onboard.
That’s good to know. I’m meeting the broker this weekend so if it goes quick, I should be in a good position to move quickly on Jeanneau if/when one comes up. NickCQ said:
A word of caution - bona fide sailing dinghies do not make good tenders, primarily because they have hard edges and bows that will crash into the mothership when you slow down or try to park. They also get a bit squirrelly when towing as the rig makes it top-heavy.
Most likely with me beforehand shouting to my wife “watch this!”Maybe I am best for now just buying a tender with outboard.
minipower said:
Most likely with me beforehand shouting to my wife “watch this!”
Maybe I am best for now just buying a tender with outboard.
There was some good recent knowledge on SIBs on this thread:Maybe I am best for now just buying a tender with outboard.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
From your description, a Blue Peter dinghy would be a perfect fit. My first boat, my brother and me had some adventures in ours when we were lads! That said, no idea if they're still made or indeed if someone makes an equivalent. We had a 2.5hp Mariner in ours. It eventually succumbed to being dragged up a beach hundreds of times, but we got a good 15 years of pretty hard use out of it. Great fun under sail in a chop too 
NickCQ said:
A word of caution - bona fide sailing dinghies do not make good tenders, primarily because they have hard edges and bows that will crash into the mothership when you slow down or try to park. They also get a bit squirrelly when towing as the rig makes it top-heavy.
That's why I suggested the more classic style boats above.Gaff / lug rugs generally lower and rigging is easier to drop in and out.
Hulls generally more stable too, and Hull shape more suited to be either driven or sailed.
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