I rarely use this one because of the weight. It started me thinking about getting a lighter and smaller one?
Any ideas please?
This one is very stable and unsinkable but weighs thirty eight kilos.
As I've seen in Pittwater, BB's locking tender is good, but not ideal to transport and go ashore elsewhere.
My 2.3m dinghy is a bit heavy too, at 23kg, but it fits inside the car, and can easily be stored on the foredeck and deployed at a destination to explore the new harbour/creek, etc. A light motor is far easier than rowing.
The Finn Castaway has merit also: Castaway 2.4m | Finn Kayaks (finnboats.com.au)
Or an Origami folding dinghy is much more compact: Origami Folding Dinghy (woodenwidget.com)
Depends on your region.
SE Qld, mostly sand or mud so inflatable is fine
Tas, rock and oysters so need alloy
Nth Qld, alloy bottom as least.
That all means different weights, which means different way to transport.
then there is the really big question.
Plane or not.
Doing 14 knots and been able to explore rivers and the like is brilliant but the weight goes up again.
If only going short distances then 4 knots is fine.
I just purchased a 10ft porta boat, hoping it turns out to be a good choice. Going to buy a SUP cover to keep it all in one place and store it on deck lashed to stanchions. Got the idea from Free Range sailing you tube channel.
Hey BB,
I purchased a small tender recently. My prerequisites were reliability and lightweight. I already owned a 3.4m inflatable and 15hp Honda 4, but it weighs a tonne.
had a look around and picked up a near new Sirrocco 2.1 with a Honda air cooled 2.3hp 4 stroke. Crazy light, stable and can be lashed on deck or rolled up below deck. I towed it about 240 nautical miles. Very happy with it. Perfect for a single handed sailor or a couple.
DM 
Does not matter what style of tender you have as long as you can get back out to your vessel in 40 knots of Westerly with wind over tide. Also has to be stable enough alongside your yacht so that you can board safely.
Select to expand quoteRamona said..
Does not matter what style of tender you have as long as you can get back out to your vessel in 40 knots of Westerly with wind over tide. Also has to be stable enough alongside your yacht so that you can board safely.
Ouch!!! In 40 knots I'd rather stay ashore (or stay aboard)!
