OC Tender Owners - would you buy again?

[rslifkin]

Of the similar hard tenders (the lightweight, expensive variety), the ASTender designs look to me like they'd ride significantly better in a chop than the OC Tender. Maybe a little slower in calm water with the same power, but in general, the shape strikes me as a better set of compromises (and closer to what I'd build if I were doing a DIY dinghy).

[Tortuga's Lie]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

Of the similar hard tenders (the lightweight, expensive variety), the ASTender designs look to me like they'd ride significantly better in a chop than the OC Tender. Maybe a little slower in calm water with the same power, but in general, the shape strikes me as a better set of compromises (and closer to what I'd build if I were doing a DIY dinghy).

I looked at the AST website and saw a YouTube review or two on them, but when I enquired about them using their website contact info............crickets. I Googled if there was a US distributor for them but came up empty, of course, this was a little over 3 years ago so maybe things have changed. Not sure of the build quality.
I would still buy my OCT again even though it isn't great in a chop, but we just come off of plane and it's fine, so we go 6 knots instead of 20. It is still a really well thought out dinghy.

[JustMurph]

I really don't know why cat tenders aren't more popular. Light weight, can take a large load, very efficient and are buttery smooth through chop. Really really good expedition tenders.

[thesauvage]

After owning my UP Boats tender UP300 dinghy for some time and using it extensively as a liveaboard cruiser I'm very pleased with the dry & comfortable ride in choppy conditions.

I've talked to the owners of the UP340 model in St. Martin and they hade an equally positive experience with theirs after two years in service.
They ordered it with the beach wheels which work really well.

[Tortuga's Lie]

Originally Posted by thesauvage

After owning my UP Boats tender UP300 dinghy for some time and using it extensively as a liveaboard cruiser I'm very pleased with the dry & comfortable ride in choppy conditions.

I've talked to the owners of the UP340 model in St. Martin and they hade an equally positive experience with theirs after two years in service.
They ordered it with the beach wheels which work really well.

It looks like a direct copy of the OC Tender, I went to the UP website but do not see any images of the bottom. I would like to see this and how it compares.

[thesauvage]

The hull of my UP Boats has a slight V shape throughout the entire length of the hull.

Actually the rounder bow shape deflects spray very efficient and makes it a lot easier to hop on and off as well.

I rode on OC before I ordered my UP and they were quite rough in even light chop. I'm an older guy and I guess my back would have screamed after a longer ride on a flat bottom tender. :-/

I ordered mine on the US East Coast and OC would have been significant more expensive with a longer lead time to get it delivered.

For me UP Boats was the best 'bang for the buck'. But of course everyone has different preferences. :-)

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by JustMurph

I really don't know why cat tenders aren't more popular. Light weight, can take a large load, very efficient and are buttery smooth through chop. Really really good expedition tenders.

Which one specifically are you referring to?

[JustMurph]

https://www.capecatamarans.com
https://www.instagram.com/capecatamarans/

Very cool boat!

[JustMurph]

There's also an Aussie one that's optimised for efficiency with low power at lower speeds. I can't remember the exact numbers, but something like 10 knots w 3HP. Super simple, but not fancy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA6cDk2Imb0

The cape cat is a damn nice bit of gear. All carbon, very light, very well built and will out perform pretty much anything else on the market.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by JustMurph

https://www.capecatamarans.com
https://www.instagram.com/capecatamarans/

Very cool boat!

Very cool indeed, now if it would be avaliable with a sailing rig too, that would be great.

[Wandering1]

Originally Posted by thesauvage

The hull of my UP Boats has a slight V shape throughout the entire length of the hull.

Actually the rounder bow shape deflects spray very efficient and makes it a lot easier to hop on and off as well.

I rode on OC before I ordered my UP and they were quite rough in even light chop. I'm an older guy and I guess my back would have screamed after a longer ride on a flat bottom tender. :-/

I ordered mine on the US East Coast and OC would have been significant more expensive with a longer lead time to get it delivered.

For me UP Boats was the best 'bang for the buck'. But of course everyone has different preferences. :-)

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
I saw one of the UP tenders this winter in Antigua. First impressions were its big and ugly.
I can't ever imagine owning something like that.

[Leadfree]

Surprised actually at how heavy, relatively, the cat tenders on the market are. Given that a fully-rigged foiling 18 foot A-class catamaran comes in at 53kg:

https://dnaperformancesailing.com/ou...ing-catamaran/

Maybe I should get Mischa Heemskerk to build a tender