I am waiting for the delivery of my new 2.2 metre twin hulled tender.
I choose it for its stability and weight (around 26 kgs).
Has anyone had any experience with them?
i'd be quite happy if there was one left under the tree this year.
I am sure though that it would be gone from my mooring before the bouy had even hit the water after casting off.
The specs for the two Devilcats are:
2.2 metres length, 25 kgs weight, $1190 price plus $100 delivery in Sydney area
3.2 metres length, 45 kgs weight, $2500 price plus $100 delivery in Sydney area
You can also have the colour of your choice for a small fee (around $100) i.e. to match your boat.
Some others thought they had more right to own my last two tenders more than I did.
I am hopeful the sky blue colour plus the HIN plate may discourage thieves in the future.
It will be strapped and chained on a stand above the high water mark in front of my place (pics to come).
The stability advantage achieved by the twin hulls of the Devilcat was a major factor in my decision to buy this brand.
They are a very good tender. Very stable and seaworthy. My older one was a bit nose tippy- you had to sit further back from the middle seat when rowing, otherwise the bow would take on water. I was always able to get my boat in any weather rowing although sometimes it took at least half an hour. They are a displacement boat and sit in the water-not on top.
Although I nearly always rowed, I had a torquey 2hp Honda with it at times. With that it was unstoppable in any sea. Amazingly seaworthy. You'll be very happy with it and a 2.3hp Honda, but don't expect to get on a plane or go faster than 5or 6 knots. They are heavy- too heavy for one person to pull up on a boat or get onto roof racks, but then I'm pretty weak.
Thanks Bundeenaboy. I am sailing down to Bundeena in October (date tba) and may well take you up on your offer. Be good to get first hand experience.
Our rack is also elevated and public. So needs to fulfill all the same requirements. I did notice the website says 28kgs.
Ed,
They certainly have advantages, a mate had one that we used regularly and never had a problem. It had good load carrying, and rowed ok (the rowlocks were a weak point), generally a great tender, however we never towed it in a big breeze - especially going to windward I could imaging it'd get wind between the hulls and become 'flighty'.
Tried the new tender out last Sunday with another adult. We were able to move around and swap positions without causing any rocking. He had never been in one before. We then took his eleven year old son with us and again swapped positions from front to back, moving around his son. After motoring for a while I got out and he took his two children for a ride and had no problems at all.
I had the Honda 2.3 HP on and estimate our speed at four knots with threequarter revs. I feel I may achieve 6 knots alone.
There are rocks in front of my house and so I will need help to launch it into the water when I intend to explore by myself, but the 28 kilo weight is quit manageable for two.
This is ideal if I am taking anyone to my boat but I will still use my inflatable kayak (8.5 kilos) to go alone.
I am happy with the purchase and Ray was good to deal with. He delivered it to Bundeena.