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Tinker dinghy: the inflatable boat that could do it all! – Practical Boat Owner
Year: 2026
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Swarkestone sailing
We had nine boats over the weekend and three good days of sailing. Saturday and Sunday were racing with a cruise around the lake on Monday and a personal handicap race. Saturday was very windy and Saturday was lighter winds but we managed to get six races in with Al, Lindsey and Stuart taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
As always Swarkestone sailing club looked after very well.
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For Sale – Classic Tinker Traveller
This is an early Tinker Traveller. There is no number on the sale or details plate. There is a plate stating it was built by Paul Tilley. I have owned it for around 30 years and in this time it has had very little use and has always been stored inside.
All the accessories are included, electric pump, mast, rudder, daggerboard, oars, sails and launching wheels.
The condition of the hull and accessories can be seen from the photographs. It was inflated for the first time for 5 years to enable the photographs to be taken.
The Seagull outboard runs and I have a video of the motor running in a tank of water that I can send you on request.
Price for the Tinker and Outboard £375.00 o.n.o.
Collection from Canterbury, Kent.
Contact Simon Farrer
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Swarkestone rally
This is the last rally on the sailing calendar for 2026 and will be held at Swarkestone Sailing Club in Derbyshire. This club has hosted us for several years and provides an excellent venue. This is another of our extended rallies for this year and as with the previous ones you are not required to attend for the full duration .
Sailing
The usual racing will be held on Saturday and Sunday, if you do not wish to race you will be able to free sail. Safety boat cover will be provided for all on both days.
On Monday (subject to confirmation) in addition to free sailing it is proposed to run a pursuit race with individual handicaps and/or novelty event. For the novelty event please bring an empty 4pt plastic milk bottle and a 4ft (1.2m) length of strong string with which to tow it behind your boat.
Full safety boat cover will not be available on the Monday, however, the club has kindly agreed to provide a safety boat which can be moored to the pontoons which we can use in the event of an emergency.
If you have not received a entry form via Email from the Rally Secretaries then use the contact form on the events page to request an entry form. Click here for the form.
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Bassenthwaite
An interesting weekends weather. On Saturday the gusts in the morning were forecast at 40mph+ and the afternoon was 30mph+. Six boats went out in the afternoon for a general sail and although they all left the shore fully reefed and with little jibs it soon became apartment that the gusts were not as bad as expected and most shock out their reefs and opted for full mains whilst on the water.
A great meal in the evening at the Sun inn in Bassenthwaite.
Then Sunday morning arrived with a mirror finish to the lake and not a breath of wind, having talked to the local sailors they suggested it might come in around 1pm but the club races were cancelled. So in the afternoon ten tinkers went out for two races in light winds.
The plan for tomorrow morning is a cruise down the lake and back and then either free sailing or pack up.
Looking forward toi seeing everyone at Swarkestone in October.
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Sold – Classic Tinker Tramp sail number 1834
Tinker Tramp sailing version for sale.
Length 9 foot, beam 4.5 foot, 52 square foot sail area.
In good condition. Includes rudder, tiller, daggerboard, mainsail, jib, halyards, and oars.
The sailing parts have never been used. The sails are as new but have some stains from storage, see photos.
The hull base has a number of scuffs, see photos.
The dinghy has been used occasionally as a tender for our yacht to go ashore.
The digital version of the owners manual is attached to the rig.
The dinghy is currently inflated but can be deflated for transport in a car or strapped to the roof.
The pump is not included.
Price £400.00.
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For Sale – Tinker Tramp sail number 5424
Tinker Tramp Inflatable Sailing Dinghy – Complete Sailing Setup –
24hr Inflation Test Passed.Manufacturer’s plate:
- Model: Tinker Tramp
- Manufacturer: Henshaw Inflatables Ltd, Wincanton, Somerset
- Built in Great Britain
- Built by: Andrew Butt
- Maximum load: 882 lb / 400 kg / 4 persons
- Maximum engine: 4 hp / 3 kW
- Sail number: 5424
A lovely example of the classic British Tinker Tramp inflatable dinghy, offered with its sailing equipment and a good range of original/useful accessories.
The boat has recently been fully assembled and rigged so that the condition and completeness of thesailing setup could be checked and photographed. It presents very well for its age and would make a characterful sailing tender, compact family dinghy or classic Tinker for an enthusiast.
Most importantly, the dinghy has just completed a 24-hour inflation test successfully. It was photographed at the beginning and end of the test, with the time and date visible on a wristwatch, and there was no noticeable loss of pressure.
Included are inflatable Tinker Tramp dinghy, mast, boom, sails, rudder, tiller, daggerboard/centreboard, floorboards, wooden seating/fittings, oars, pump, lines and associated rigging shown in the photographs.
The tubes, fittings and sailing equipment show age-related cosmetic wear, as you would expect from a classic used inflatable, so please study the photographs carefully. It is being sold as a used boat rather than represented as restored or ‘as new’.
A particularly appealing feature of the Tinker design is that it packs down far smaller than a conventional rigid sailing dinghy while still providing a proper sailing setup.
Plenty of detailed photographs are available, including the boat inflated, the individual components, the fully rigged sailing configuration and the before/after inflation-test photographs.
Collection preferred. Sensible questions and viewings welcome. Happy to show the complete kit to a serious buyer.Price £495 o.n.o.
Located in Southampton.
Contact Carl Iszatt.
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Chichester results
Light winds and late tides restricted our racing a bit but 11 boats attended over the weekend. Below are the results.
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For Sale – Tinker Star Traveller sail number 6647
Tinker Star Traveller sail number 6647 (year 1999) in very good condition with reefing jib and standard jib that has hardly been used.
All complete plus two nice wooden oars and launching wheels.
Good working order and ready to sail.
£850.
Collection from Alfreton, Derbyshire.
Contact John Mellors.
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For Sale – Tinker Tramp sail number 2572
Reluctantly for sale. Tinker Tramp, sail number 2572. All good condition, recent new diaphragms , holds air very well. One small repair to port tube by previous owner.
Includes original foot pump, aluminium oars, rowlocks, collapsible Tinker launching trolly and recently replaced storage bag.Near Ross-on-Wye
£550.
Collection – near Ross-on-Wye.
Contact David Fairbairn.
