Inflatable Boats-Advice Needed

Rivers North

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Feb 28, 2003, 10:53:30 AM2/28/03

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Inflatable boats are...stable...safe...portable... with an outboard motor
you can use them in lakes and rivers...My Zodiac had a 40hp motor...I used
to pull my kid's water-skiing...I made an Oak seat for it and used it for
Drift fishing....the oars that come with it are great and the boat handles
great...nothing like fall steelheading from a drift boat....some of the not
so good things about the boat....it is made of rubber and it will
eventually die...if you hit something sharp enough it will leak air...the
enemy of your boat is sand and or anything that will rub a hole...12 seasons
I used my Mark3 and then my brother in law used for four more years and he
sold it...I have been told they can last for twenty years...hope some of
this helps...peace Gord Parfitt www.riversnorth.bc.ca

Jack

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Feb 28, 2003, 12:44:08 PM2/28/03

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Thanks Gord... but since you mention you have a 40 HP motor, I guess we're
talking about two very different inflatable boats! I need something light
and small, with an even smaller motor, which I can pack into my rather
smallish car. From all the feedback I've received it seems inflatables are
heavy and have some drawbacks. Perhaps I should buy a canoe then... with a
small motor... In any case, I will have to make more research before making
the purchase.

Jack

"Rivers North" <riv...@uniserve.com> wrote in message
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vb

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Mar 2, 2003, 8:13:49 PM3/2/03

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"Jack" <torw...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:CcN7a.14398$wG3.36...@news.primus.ca...

> Thanks Gord... but since you mention you have a 40 HP motor, I guess
we're
> talking about two very different inflatable boats! I need something light
> and small, with an even smaller motor, which I can pack into my rather
> smallish car. From all the feedback I've received it seems inflatables
are
> heavy and have some drawbacks. Perhaps I should buy a canoe then... with
a
> small motor... In any case, I will have to make more research before
making
> the purchase.
>
> Jack
>

Jack, I has a 3 meter inflatable which you could put on top of a car, had a
6 hp on it, and used it to fish for muskie. They are a great deal if you can
take being wet in rougher water.

V.B.

Jack

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Mar 3, 2003, 4:04:16 PM3/3/03

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Thank you for your info. A few days ago somebody suggested that I take a
look at a foldable boat... I went to the Porta Bote web site, then it
turned out there was a RV show nearby and yesterday I was actually able to
see a foldable Porta Bote! I think it's a great alternative to an
inflatable boat--it's sturdy, rigid, light and roomy.... even though I'm
not going to make any purchase until this summer, I have to say I'm really
impressed with Porta Bote and it's likely I'm going to get one.

Once again, thank you for all your comments.

Jack

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Jon Splane

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Mar 6, 2003, 6:22:46 AM3/6/03

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I used one of the Porta-botes several times a few years back and was
very impressed by the stability. It was almost impossible to tip. Easy
to haul and setup was quite simple and fast at the destination and the
weight was very easy for one person to handle. We just used this with
oars and it move right along. With about a 3 horse moter I'm sure it
would zip. If I could find a cheap used one I would buy it in a flash
as a second boat.

Jon

Jack

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Mar 11, 2003, 12:08:40 PM3/11/03

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Thanks, Jon. So far, I've received extremely positive feedback about the
Porta Bote; I've already been to a show and seen one. I think I will get
one soon. Now I'm still researching outboard motors--it seems a 3.5 HP
Johnson weights about 13 kg., whereas a 4 HP jumps to 20 kg. But I think
3.5 HP will be enough.

Jack