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 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.

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

How about www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/highgate/tinnies-dinghies/inflatable-boat-2-3-metres/1331041931

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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.

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

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.

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.

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.

I regularly watch a bloke row an inflatable 100 metres to his moored vessel. 15 knots of wind and it's getting marginal!

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.

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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.

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.

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.