NSA 230 Given Top Award

We tested Lodestar's tiny Billy-no-Mates a couple of months back and concluded that although it was a fun and surprisingly useful bit of kit, it is too small to use as a proper tender. The same company's NSA range of inflatable keel tenders has a much broader appeal and runs from 1.95m up to 3.2m. I opted for the 2.3m NSA23O due to the limited space on board my Karnic 2250. It weighs just 24kg but is rated to carry three adults and accept an engine of up to 5hp.

Both the design and build quality are excellent for such a comparatively inexpensive craft. Details like the slide-shut drainage valve, spray deflector, stainless steel lifting rings, double-skinned tube bottoms and all-round rubbing strip make this an unusually well-thought-out and durable little workhorse. It has been subjected to hours of abuse from assorted family members rowing, motoring, towing and even dragging it up pebbly beaches and has nothing but the odd scuff to show for it. As the photograph shows, I even let the local marine police borrow it to inspect a couple of suspected stolen boats that had drifted into the shallows near my boat's mooring.

I can't pretend that it's terribly comfortable with three big blokes on board (if you've got the space go for a bigger one) but the fat tubes means it's surprisingly stable. Unlike many small tenders, the oars and rowlocks are tough enough to use in anger and perfectly positioned. The airdeck floor is solid underfoot and raised above the inflatable keel so that water drains beneath it. With a suitable engine and light load, it soon lifts up onto the plane. Minor niggles include a valve cap that occasionally pops off unnecessarily and the unavoidable wrestle it takes to pack it away into its bag. In all other respects it is as close to the ideal tender as I've come across and at a remarkably good price.

NSA 230 Mini Gear Test

Read the 2006 Yachting Monthly mini gear test on the very capable NSA 230.

Apart from a brief encounter with a sagging, old, ex-charter Avon inflatable dinghy, piebald with patches, I have never owned an inflatable and have always used a rigid dinghy as a tender.

The three-man LodeStar NSA 230 was a revelation and proved invaluable. It inflates simply — five valves are marked in order of inflation, including the keel, and it took me just 15 minutes to pump up.

The rowing seat needs to be installed before inflating: you can't insert it in the webbing brackets afterwards. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to row the LodeStar against a Force 4 sea breeze and the tide, aided by the inflatable keel. It will take an outboard engine up to 4hp.

The oars come in two sections and are secured on the hull over spindles. They are quick to remove, but tough to insert into their rubber hull clips. The inflatable floor is a real boon, and kept me and my camera bag bone dry. The mudbanks of the Thames Estuary are soft, but treacherously peppered with oyster, mussel and cockle shells. Inevitably, I landed on foul ground, yet the tough fabric was only superficially scratched. The LodeStar is easily carried, but I may have looked like a giant hermit crab as I walked up the causeway at Harty Ferry.

Towing the inflatable behind my Contessa 32 only cost me 0.3 knots of boat speed - half as much drag as my old rigid dinghy. But the whole point of having an inflatable is that you don't have to tow it - you can stow it on deck. At 27kg (60 Ib), the LodeStar was at the limit of my lifting capacity, so I used a spare halyard to hoist it on deck, where it stows neatly, upside down, on the coachroof, ahead of the mast. It is clear for tacking the high-cut No 2 genoa and leaves room on the foredeck for anchor work.

Deflated, the LodeStar is awkward to squeeze into its bag and stow in the quarter berth, even using the pump to deflate the last breath of air inside. But now I've discovered the conveniences of a modern inflatable, I'll never go offshore cruising again dragging a rigid dinghy behind my boat.

NSA 260 Yachting Monthly Best Buy

Yep we've done it again! Read the extract taken from Yachting Monthly September 2005........

As well as building to a high standard, this manufacturer has given thought to detail too - typical of a Dutch manufacturer The aluminium seat angles down to make rowing easier and a pressure valve is incorporated in the tube structure to protect the boat from sudden impact and over-inflation. We also liked the reinforcement and fendering of high-wear areas, such as the lower tubes and keel. Further pluses were handholds and the multi-becketed lifeline.

Underway

With two people aboard it felt safe, sturdy and dry - thanks to the bow's flair. This was the best of our tested tenders to row thanks to well-positioned oars, and the angled seat meant rowers could brace themselves without catching their knees. With one occupant it took coaxing to plane but once settled she provides a highly competent ride.

Verdict

Very well built and thought out, it ran cleanly and is competitively priced - difficult to beat

• Weight 29kg.
• Max engine power 6hp.
• Test speed loaded (3/4 throttle) 4.8 knots.

NSA 260 MBM Best Buy 2005

Read the article extract below taken from Motor Boat Monthly August 2005........

As well as building to a high standard, this manufacturer gives thought to detail too. For instance, the aluminium seat angles down to make rowing easier and a pressure valve is in the tube structure to protect the boat if it gets a thump. We also liked that reinforcement and fendering covers high-wear areas, such as the lower tubes and keel. Further pluses are handholds and the multi-becketed lifeline.

Underway

With two up it feels safe, sturdy and dry; mainly due to the bow's flair. To row it was the best tested thanks to well-positioned oars, and the angled seat means the rowers can brace themselves and not catch their knees. As a runabout with one occupant it took coaxing to break free of the water but once it did the throttle could be eased back to provide a highly competent ride.

Verdict

Well built and thought through, it runs cleanly and is competitively priced. Difficult to beat.

• Weight 29kg.
• Max engine power 6hp.
• Test speed loaded (3/4 throttle) 4.8 knots.
• Flatout 12.4 knots.