Avon Inflatable Boats for Sale

In 1998 Avon was purchased by French company Zodiac, the world’s largest RIB builder. The sale allowed both companies to develop alongside each other and expand the Avon brand internationally, and it was around this time that production of Avon Boats moved to Wales (although the hulls were built on the Isle of Wight). A life raft range was developed by Avon, which claimed one of the longest survival stories in history at 117 days at sea. 

Avon boats continued to develop RIBs into the 2010s until its closure. Throughout its long life, Avon inflatables carried the logo “Safe as the Ark.” 

Model ranges/Models of Avon Inflatables

A huge lineup of models is the legacy of Avon Inflatables, and many can still be found on the used market. Developments in materials meant that new versions pushed the boundaries of design, and as such, it is mainly later model boats that are most widely available. 

Through the 2010s, Avon had an impressive lineup. The Seasport models (which included the Seasport De Luxe and the Seasport Jet) were high-performance, stylish tenders that were popular with yacht owners. Built to high standards and good for towing, they were versatile models that allowed for recreational use as well as getting from yacht to shore safely.

In the Seasport De Luxe Series, the 3.60 (12-foot) and the 4.00 (13-foot) offered a range of luxury features, including plush seating and console arrangements, as well as bow step, navigational lights, pop-up cleats and deck lighting. The Seasport Jet RIBs, which consisted of three models, offered a supercharged 4-stroke 98 horsepower jet unit that was popular for water sports enthusiasts. This was combined with luxurious upholstered seats, teak decks, and a high-quality finish.

The Adventure Series was another big selling range for Avon, and they were robustly designed for bigger and better adventures at sea. With models ranging from the 13-foot Adventure 410 to the 19-foot Adventure 580, the series set the bar when it came to rugged, deep V-hulled RIBs. In addition to the brand’s signature styling, the Adventure range is characterized by its speed, stability, high performance, and maneuverability in any sea. 

Within the Adventure range was the Adventure Open series, which provided all the features of the Adventure range but allowed for significant customization. Some of the latest models produced by Avon included the Adventure Open 470, 750, and 850, which combined stylish features such as handmade fabrics with technologically advanced features such as removable tubes and in-built large capacity fuel tanks. 

At the other end of the size scale from the Adventure Series was Avon’s Rover RIBs. These were high-powered tenders with good-sized beams allowing for clever use of internal space and increased carrying capacity. Favored by yacht owners for their compact size (they could be deflated and the transom folded in models such as the Rover Compact), they were strong, durable, and versatile. Large diameter tubes and strong hulls offer stability, buoyancy, and comfort as well as good performance. 

While these were some of the latest models to be built by Avon, other series included the Avon Grand Tenders and eJet in collaboration with Torqeedo, which can still be found on the used market.