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Matt Johnson · 09-01-2019, 01:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by boom23

I don't think so... According to their website, the smallest Ocean Craft dinghy (2.6m, 8' 7") is 75kg.
Also, it requires long shaft outboard.

Ocean Craft Data

Thanks for somehow navigating the oceancraft site

I couldn't figure out how they could get an aluminum dinghy of that size down to 50kgs. I'd imagine the buyer interested in the OCT is also interested in low weight.

Matt

Sojourner · 10-01-2019, 02:25

Well. With who I am and how I live, I am rarely ever embarrassed, but I am embarrassed about this. The only thing I can think of is I brain-farted the weight of our outboard vs the Oceancraft.... it's not like I lift either with my back, so

My original points I think are still good: Pelagic has a big-boy boat that can handle this dink if he wants a true beast that will take him anywhere, anytime, and I still can't say enough good things about it

Pelagic · 10-01-2019, 05:02

It has been interesting to listen to the pros and cons of cruising tenders.
Probably 15 years ago, I would be buying the Oceancraft for the reasons Soujorner lists.
But my days of taking the tender out passes to dive on the outer walls, with the big fish are over.

Now it is basically beach runs or muck dives focusing on the macro stuff

The weight of it is not a problem lifting, but I like the idea of a light weight and flat bottom for beaching.

https://youtu.be/Gdims2sFK7w

**a64pilot** · 10-01-2019, 05:24

A flat bottom boat will draw less and will usually carry more and plane with less HP than a deep V, that is why Jon boats are flat bottom, but in any waves at all, you really really give up seaworthiness and ride quality, a flat bottom will slam hard.
My Zodiac RIB was pretty much flat bottom, and buddy let me tell you that thing was fast, just a touch over 30 kts., but in chop it would beat you.
Our AB is just a tiny bit longer, but lighter and a deep V, it’s an honest 10 kts slower topping out at just over 20 kts with the same motor, but in a chop it’s a Cadillac ride, nice and smooth.

Of course you can always just slow down and get off plane to avoid the slamming, sometimes that means getting a little wet though.

boom23 · 10-01-2019, 17:31

I saw the OC tenders in New Zealand and I liked the look and light weight. I even inquired about shipping them to Europe for my next boat. Shipping/packing costs were very high and I abandoned the idea.

From the video in this thread, the OC tender seems like it would be a very wet ride in choppy conditions. There is not much rocker at the bow. Also, as much as the manufacturer tried to show otherwise, I feel it is more sensitive to weight distribution than an inflatable dinghy.

Overall, a good looking light dinghy but I will stick to the aluminum bottom inflatable for now.

If they made the OC tender in aluminum, I would consider it much more. I would think that an aluminum hull would be their next step.

sailhand · 10-01-2019, 19:43

I generally find aluminium to be a short term proposition. If used fairly constantly there is issues with electrolysis and it is also difficult to repair yourself, especially in a remote area without welding equipment. It is also terribly heavy when compared to foam cored composites such as the OC Tender. Most cruisers I have known that used aluminium changed to glass after a few years when their aluminium could no longer be repaired. Once there is enough electrolysis/corrosion in aluminium it can no longer be welded very successfully. Isnt it strange that we generally believe aluminum doesn't corrode, possibly due to the fact that oxidised aluminium is white not brown like oxidised ferrous materials. One of the other issues is that aluminium work hardens and becomes brittle when welded. This means that if you crack your aluminium dinghy in general use then basically you can't use it that way anymore. If you weld the crack that you caused through general usage, usually driving hard in a chop, the repair will be weaker than the initial structure and simply crack when you repeat the activity that caused the initial problem. Conversely glass will be stronger when repaired if done correctly, and will never corrode.

cj88 · 11-01-2019, 04:58

Sail Surf Roam have released a 6 month review of their 350.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXpn53KGFrQ

toddtimes · 29-04-2019, 07:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoudMusic

I seriously considered purchasing one to deliver to the US east coast, but the delivery fees made it cost prohibitive. We have a typical Highfield as our stand-in until we can make our way to OZ and pick up an OC tender locally

LoudMusic if you and anyone else is interested in going in together to get several of them shipped to the East Coast I'm also looking to buy one and that shipping cost is crazy at 30% extra. If we got 1+ more people it starts to get reasonable, might even get a discount on a bulk order. PM me if you're interested.

Acadia · 04-09-2019, 18:38

Hi Everyone.

There is a container bound for Florida this fall with space available if you want one!!

I ordered one and over the last few months it has generated so much interest with friends and dock mates that we are organizing a container.

After owning 3 RIB - nothing compares to this. I have one in Tampa if you want to see/demo it, I’d be happy to show it to you.

PM me for details. OCTender is working on a US price list for us that would include the delivery cost in the total price.

We could probably figure something out for delivery up the east coast if some of you are up that way.

Ifitsworthdoing · 06-03-2021, 07:24

Some further relevant info on these lovely GRP dinghies:

I was smitten with the look and characteristics of the OC tenders the moment I saw them. In addition to the pros and cons already debated, I also love the look that results from the large Sunbrella rubrail which is not only very functional (obviating the need for fenders) but can be ordered in colours other than black as an upgrade. Our forthcoming cruising catamaran comes in all-white and I realised that we could achieve a paired look by having a corresponding large coloured rubrail made for the mothership, adding the colour accent we want and also making the dinghy tender unique and obviously belong to our cat - considerably reducing the risk of it being stolen.

I was going to order the biggest of the range (OC350) to be shipped to us in the UK, costs be damned. However due to my wife's spinal injury issues she needs both transverse bench seating and decent handholds for getting in and out, so I am going to install both a Highfield FCT7 bench + steering console for remote motor operation and an American (FishMaster) alloy T-Top frame Bimini. Russel and Karin Carlyon, the owners of OC Tenders were unhappy with the proposed after fits as they naturally will make the dinghy tender considerably heavier (maybe not such a bad thing given the issues discussed above).

To my surprise, Karin eventually suggested looking at a German 'pirate' copy of the OC tenders: ASTenders, available in 280 and 340 lengths. Very similar in most regards including prices, their 340 model which was a runner-up in the 2020 Best Of Boats Awards actually suits us marginally better (the OC350 was going to be a tight fit on our bathing platform) and of course the shipping costs from Potsdam are a third of those from the Bay of Islands.

Interestingly though, Catarina their marketing manager was just as set against our proposed modifications as Karin and Russel had been, making the point that any aftersale retrofits of this nature would invalidate their warranty and thereby the linked CE classification certification.

However since the modifications are non-negotiable for us we will be going ahead with an order from AST next week. Their models don't offer the alloy delta plate upgrade option, so we intend to have that custom fitted over here too. The rubrail colour we want is Sunbrella's new CELESTIAL shade - a gorgeous grey/bluegreen - which will also be afterfitted to both the dinghy and the catamaran.

We are still mulling over the engine options - it's a toss-up between Selva's petrol Piranha (the lightest 9.9hp on the market) and ePropulsion's new Navy 6.0 Evo with a whopper of a lithium battery (their E175 giving 9kWh at 87kg).

We will post pictures and report initial on-the-water experience when it's done.

Brian Pokosh · 06-03-2021, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ifitsworthdoing

We are still mulling over the engine options - it's a toss-up between Selva's petrol Piranha (the lightest 9.9hp on the market) and ePropulsion's new Navy 6.0 Evo with a whopper of a lithium battery (their E175 giving 9kWh at 87kg).

I am testing some options from Torqeedo on our carbon fibre OC350 - an 1103 and a Cruise 4.0 with the 48-5000 battery.

I looked at ePropulsion but the Navy 3 and E40 battery are both heavier than the Cruise 4.0 counterparts, and the Navy 6 is significantly heavier. I’d like to retain easy beaching of the OC350 and I don’t think that would be possible with the Navy 6.

With two adults and two kids in the OC350 the 1103 is doing about 4.5 knots and is nearly silent. The motor with battery weighs 40 lbs.

The Cruise 4.0 and 48-5000 battery with the same payload just barely gets us on plane at around 8.5 knots. It makes a bit more sound than the 1103 but it is quiet compared to a four stroke. The motor weighs 40 lbs and the battery weighs 80 lbs. The battery can fit under the seat at the bow better distributing weight vs. a 100+ lb gas outboard on the back.

The old engine was a Suzuki DF20A. It was overpowered but the 20 hp weighs the same as the 15 hp. Motor was about 100 lbs plus up to 30 lbs of fuel in the bow. I’m not planning to go back to gas but if I did I’d look at lighter options.

Ifitsworthdoing · 06-03-2021, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Pokosh

I am testing some options from Torqeedo on our carbon fibre OC350 - an 1103 and a Cruise 4.0 with the 48-5000 battery.

I looked at ePropulsion but the Navy 3 and E40 battery are both heavier than the Cruise 4.0 counterparts, and the Navy 6 is significantly heavier. I’d like to retain easy beaching of the OC350 and I don’t think that would be possible with the Navy 6.

With two adults and two kids in the OC350 the 1103 is doing about 4.5 knots and is nearly silent. The motor with battery weighs 40 lbs.

The Cruise 4.0 and 48-5000 battery with the same payload just barely gets us on plane at around 8.5 knots. It makes a bit more sound than the 1103 but it is quiet compared to a four stroke. The motor weighs 40 lbs and the battery weighs 80 lbs. The battery can fit under the seat at the bow better distributing weight vs. a 100+ lb gas outboard on the back.

The old engine was a Suzuki DF20A. It was overpowered but the 20 hp weighs the same as the 15 hp. Motor was about 100 lbs plus up to 30 lbs of fuel in the bow. I’m not planning to go back to gas but if I did I’d look at lighter options.

Good options Brian Pokosh - the Torqeedo offerings certainly beat ePropulsion regarding weight but on the other hand are significantly more expensive. I may yet opt for the Piranha and perhaps try to get it converted to LPG later to improve both its carbon footprint and carburettor reliability; sadly the new LPG outboards from Tohatsu and Mercury only have 5HP and Lehr which has a 9.9HP offering has basically gone bust. LPG use of course has its own issues - such as different countries using different adaptors and having different levels of LPG availability ... but it would avoid having yet another type of easily combustible fuel aboard.