
Was dissaponted to read that Henshaws have stopped production of the TinkerTramp and the other little Tinkers. Something delightfully quaint about a blow up yacht but with some 10,000 made over the years quite a few of those must have had the sailing kit fitted. Cost new was up to £3000 for the Tramp with sail kit so just not competitive with the Chinese inflatable invaders - although there is as far as I know nothing to match the Tinker anywhere else. I think Metzeler used to do a sailing inflatable but long since sunk I fear. Sad to see another bit of British small boat history run out of puff.

As the tinkers are made of Hypalon they do however last a long time and as the sailing performance is a bit rubbish (but great fun) one should of course always find space on the transom for a 40- or + for when the wind does not oblige sufficiently to get to the coffee shop in time for a brew.

Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5