Boat in a bag?

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Boat in a bag?

Expidia,

The "squishy" floor factor is something to consider, but the inflatable floor is actually better than the slatted floor in this regard. When inflated properly, and that's the key word, "properly", the inflatable floor is very rigid and almost imperceptable from a solid wood floor. The slatted floor models do give a little bit and gaps between the slats have no support at all. That's why they can't plane. The inflatable floor option is a more stable platform for your passengers. It just adds an extra step to set up and take down. It also requires a high end pump to get enough PSI into the floor. Your average inflatable toy pump will not do the job. Plan on spending another 80 to $100 for an adequate hand pump.

 

[jspringator]

Re: Boat in a bag?

Expidia,

Plan on spending another 80 to $100 for an adequate hand pump.

I have an electric "set and forget" that cost about $250. Floor pumps up to 11 psi in almost no time.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Boat in a bag?

Thx for the responses. Ya, I was already targeting an electric pump for speed of setup.

If I go with my Minn Kota the deep cycle battery is about 50 lbs so I figured slats would support that better than an inflatable floor.

Ideal would be a collapsable wood floor that I stored in the trunk of my car to place over an inflatable or slatted floor for the times I'll be fishing off it.

A search of 2.5 to 4 hp 4 stroke outboards show for less than $1000 for a Yammy, Tohatsu (Nissan) models that only weigh just over 40 lbs.

If I went with an outboard to avoid lugging the battery (I'd probably be storing the deep cycle on the 24 footer anyway), the 5 hp 4 stroke Honda I sold would have fit the bill, but I never liked it because even though it was only a 5 hp it was not light at 50 lbs and because it was still bulky to toss from trunk to boat, noisy and shaky.

I'd rather move down to lesser hp's and get one that idles smooth, if that's possible for a 1 cyl and lesser in weight because that will have to always go from trunk to car every outing? At least I'd like one that was quieter.

I already own a stainless folding cart like the ones you see on the docks to move stuff from boat to car. But even with using that I'd rather have a lighter outboard.

Trolling all one needs is a small hp but if you get far from the boat and the skies turn ugly it's nice to have a few extra hp's to get you back to the boat before the lightening starts! I figure the Yammy 4 should move it along decent.

I'll have to ask how quiet they are in the outboard forums here.

 

[amendegw]

Re: Boat in a bag?

Quote:
Nice direct marketing advertising on this site as there is now showing a RedStar 9 footer on the right siade of the page for $599 with free shipping, looks like a reasonable price but any of these online vendors can order them from China and slap a name on them. No info listed on the site so it's probably a cheapy.

I own a Red Star inflatable - It's the Buccaneer III 500 that has the inflatable floor (think iboats is selling them for $999). The quality seems very good, however, I'm the first to admit I'm also a newbie and have nothing to compare the quality to. I will say that I got very good customer service from Red Star when they replaced the floor because of a slow leak around the valve.

see: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=279522

Quote:I like the slatted roll up floor option because my Wife is not going to step on a squishy inflatable floor. I know her, I'll have to listen to her complain "every" time she gets into to it (if she doesn't fall overboard, or be pushed hahahaha).

My inflatable floor is anything but squishy. As a matter of fact, I was amazed at how "solid" it feels.

...Jerry

 

[jspringator]

Re: Boat in a bag?

I figure the Yammy 4 should move it along decent.

I'll have to ask how quiet they are in the outboard forums here.

I have a 2003 (I think) Tohatsu 3 1/2hp 2 stroke. Single cylinder. VERY light. VERY easy to start. Seemed quiet to me. These are all over e-bay for $300 to $400. I doubt you could wear it out in a lifetime.

It doesn't have a reverse, but does have a neutral.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Boat in a bag?

I have a 2003 (I think) Tohatsu 3 1/2hp 2 stroke. Single cylinder. VERY light. VERY easy to start. Seemed quiet to me. These are all over e-bay for $300 to $400. I doubt you could wear it out in a lifetime.

It doesn't have a reverse, but does have a neutral.

Ya, that's what I'm in the market for. But 4 stroke. I don't care about reverse because the smaller outboards I've used you just spin them around for reverse!

Thing one has to be careful about with a used small outboard is that who would ever sell a small good one? They usually get passed down to a family member or sold to a fishing buddy.

The used ones for sale a sometimes lemons or ones that fell into the water or were stolen. New ones are only $800-900 for a decent brand in the smaller hp's and probably a safer bet.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Boat in a bag?

Just my 2 cents, but I think Suzuki makes the quietest outboards in the 4 stroke market anyway. Don't know why, just my experience.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Boat in a bag?

Just my 2 cents, but I think Suzuki makes the quietest outboards in the 4 stroke market anyway. Don't know why, just my experience.

Thx for the response. Problem is actually hearing one. Not many places rent real small outboards.

A search just pulled a this nice review of the Honda 4 stroke 4 hp. I was not a fan of the 5 I owned but at 27 lbs for the 4 it's worth a look. Maybe a store will have a tank to test it. MSRP price is decent to. Might be able to pick up an 07-08 new cheaper.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewhondabf2d.html

Here is a neat mod this poster did to the Honda 4 to add an external tank since some brands have this option but Honda does not.

http://homepage.mac.com/storm_boy/iblog/LearningtheRopes/C1642073231/E20060808165218/index.html