Anyone else have an inflatable boat?
Rightly or wrongly (too late now), I've bought an inflatable boat. It is to be used as a multi-purpose fishing, snorkelling, diving, cruising vessel. I realise it has some short comings when it comes to fishing (not much interior space, fairly flat bottom, hook/tooth/gaff/spine attracting air-filled pontoons) but I am determined to work around these and make it into a usable fishing vessel
Does anyone else have an inflatable that they use for fishing? At the moment, I'm trying to find ways to set it up for fishing i.e mounting a fish finder, rod holders etc but not sure about the best way to go about this.
Would also be helpful to know the best way to launch - dolly wheels, folding trailer, carry? Things to watch out for? Ways to avoid punctures?
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
I think Inflatables are
I think Inflatables are great , but I would go for a RIB if I got one. Would love to have one for days when I don't want to take the bigger boat out.
I think you will be surprised how hard it is to puncture one.
tigerfish
Posts: 88
Date Joined: 20/08/10
Yeah, RIB would have been ideal
Yeah, RIB would have been ideal but to be honest $ was the main factor at the time and the roll-up has the additional bonus of not having a trailer. The boat folds up into a largish bag that I can chuck in the back of the ute and wheel down to any beach on a sack trolley. OUtboard is another story - got a bit greedy and got a 25 (actually a restricted 30) and it's a bit of a hernia maker carrying that down. Will definitely look at RIBs when upgrade time comes though.
fisho-ron
Posts: 2539
Date Joined: 26/09/09
what did you get the donk
what did you get the donk for $, only asking as i am chasing a new donk for my tinny around that size.
also what is the donk like?
tigerfish
Posts: 88
Date Joined: 20/08/10
Got the Tohatsu 2nd hand
Got the Tohatsu 2nd hand with quite a few hours on it for just over $1000. Have only had it running on the muffs sofar as I was waiting to get skippers ticket sorted, so can't really comment on how it goes but suspect that unless there is an issue with it, it will make the inflatable go like the proverbial sh!t off a greased shovel.....
fisho-ron
Posts: 2539
Date Joined: 26/09/09
yes mate i have a 25
yes mate
i have a 25 evinrude on my 13ft deep sided tinny and that is quick enough even with 4 adults in it, so yours will fly, maybey to fast.
see how you go and if it is to big, i have a 15hp honda i might trade you thats just had a full service by the shop, if your interested.
we got it as a replacement donk for the 25 and i think its a bit small, but as i am partners with my bro-in-law it would need to be ok by him.
cheers ron
fisho-ron
Posts: 2539
Date Joined: 26/09/09
it looks like a decent size,
it looks like a decent size, could you not get a tinny or a small glass?
you can get some cheap trailers from the local caravan places that are foldable and can be rego.
Tony Halliday
Posts: 2500
Date Joined: 14/06/07
get some thin conveyor belt
get some thin conveyor belt off cuts, and use them to make flaps to protect the sides when fishing, Also a good floor mat from Clarks rubber will save the bottom as well.
loads of guys fish big game and dive from ribs, so you have loads of options on how to do it.
google the USA and RSA websites for people with ribs and ridget inflatables etc...
Tony Halliday: ~Meals on Reels ~
It takes a strong fish to swim against the current. Even a dead one can float with it
"It is always in season for old men to learn." Aeschylus (525-456 BC)
"In a mad world only the mad are sane." Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998)
kempy
Posts: 810
Date Joined: 28/05/09
hey i am lookn for one as a
hey i am lookn for one as a tender how much did it set u back
Dinkum Auto Electrical A/C & Mechanical Unit 10/16 Kent way Malaga 0438755754 Also Mobile
Open 7 days except when we are fishn For all your auto electrical needs
tigerfish
Posts: 88
Date Joined: 20/08/10
Hey kempy,
Hey kempy,
Mine is one of many Chinese made imported inflatables. I did a bit of research before buying this and there were quite a few different companies in WA that import them (google Dhuwest, Aakron, RibsWest, Dragon Marine). Quality seems to be much of a muchness between the different makes - they're not up to the standard of the Zodiacs, but then they are a fraction of the price (worthwhile noting that the Zodiac budget range is also Chinese made). The price does seem to vary a bit so pays to shop around. I got mine at the boat show for under $1500 but had quotes of almost double this for what seemed like similar boats. Mine is the 3.8m which is probably a bit on the large side for a tender. I assume you could get a sub 3m model for under $1000. Can't really vouch for the quality of mine until i've put it to the test properly, but seems okay at first glance.