Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

[Melly2912]

Hey everyone,

Im a newbie and need some advice and opinions please,

I used to have a 19 ft for downrigging and a 14ft aluminum boat for fishing in the bay and know that lm single l still want to do some fishing from time to time and just plane getting out on a boat to enjoy some scenery.

Since l don't have the help for muscle from my ex lm looking for something light, something maybe a couple gales can move from truck to water when my dad or bro cant help me out.

I did some research and l was thinking cheap inflatable at first for around 400 then l got looking at better quality and thought for another 300-400 l can get something that's going to last and not puncture and be safer which l think is very important and worth the extra bucks.

Ok so heres are some lm looking at, the Bombard Typhoon is used btw.

2006 Bombard Typhoon 305 10', he is asking 750 for it, 99 lbs
New Aquamarine 8.8 DYL 270 Alum floor, asking 779, 103lbs overall weight
New Duras Dx86 (wood Floor) asking 999.00, 8.6 ft, 105lbs
New Saturn SS260 8.6' with Alum floor 720.00, 75lbs
Maxxon Cs-230 7.6, 899.99, 57lbs or the Cs270 8.9' is 86lbs

those are what lm looking at so far. I wont be using this boat a lot and only with me or 2 pple. Mostly for when lm up north on a small lake for small fishing and boating around.

thanks for everyone reading and replying,
Melanie

 

[Guest]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Hey everyone,

Im a newbie and need some advice and opinions please,

I used to have a 19 ft for downrigging and a 14ft aluminum boat for fishing in the bay and know that lm single l still want to do some fishing from time to time and just plane getting out on a boat to enjoy some scenery.

Since l don't have the help for muscle from my ex lm looking for something light, something maybe a couple gales can move from truck to water when my dad or bro cant help me out.

I did some research and l was thinking cheap inflatable at first for around 400 then l got looking at better quality and thought for another 300-400 l can get something that's going to last and not puncture and be safer which l think is very important and worth the extra bucks.

Ok so heres are some lm looking at, the Bombard Typhoon is used btw.

2006 Bombard Typhoon 305 10', he is asking 750 for it, 99 lbs
New Aquamarine 8.8 DYL 270 Alum floor, asking 779, 103lbs overall weight
New Duras Dx86 (wood Floor) asking 999.00, 8.6 ft, 105lbs
New Saturn SS260 8.6' with Alum floor 720.00, 75lbs
Maxxon Cs-230 7.6, 899.99, 57lbs or the Cs270 8.9' is 86lbs

those are what lm looking at so far. I wont be using this boat a lot and only with me or 2 pple. Mostly for when lm up north on a small lake for small fishing and boating around.

thanks for everyone reading and replying,
Melanie

Do you plan on deflating or keep it blow up, I have a zoom 350s with wood floors and its a pain in the arse to carry around by my self. Are you planning to put A gas engine or electric ie: minn Kota, are you using it in salt or fresh water ie lakes or bays? We can give you a better quality answer if you can please answer these questions for us

 

[Melly2912]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Do you plan on deflating or keep it blow up, I have a zoom 350s with wood floors and its a pain in the arse to carry around by my self. Are you planning to put A gas engine or electric ie: minn Kota, are you using it in salt or fresh water ie lakes or bays? We can give you a better quality answer if you can please answer these questions for us

I would have to deflate it and put in a vehicle, I live in Ontario Canada. The drive to the cottage is 4.5 hrs so l would be using it on small freshwater lakes and or rivers. I have a buddy who is letting me borrow his Minkota 45lb thrust.

I may get a small gas 2-4 hp later on if l do like the boat but for now just thought it be cheaper then renting a boat everytime l go out fishing or just boating.

Hope this helps for anyone replying

Melanie

 

[Guest]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Hey everyone,

Im a newbie and need some advice and opinions please,

I used to have a 19 ft for downrigging and a 14ft aluminum boat for fishing in the bay and know that lm single l still want to do some fishing from time to time and just plane getting out on a boat to enjoy some scenery.

Since l don't have the help for muscle from my ex lm looking for something light, something maybe a couple gales can move from truck to water when my dad or bro cant help me out.

I did some research and l was thinking cheap inflatable at first for around 400 then l got looking at better quality and thought for another 300-400 l can get something that's going to last and not puncture and be safer which l think is very important and worth the extra bucks.

Ok so heres are some lm looking at, the Bombard Typhoon is used btw.

2006 Bombard Typhoon 305 10', he is asking 750 for it, 99 lbs
New Aquamarine 8.8 DYL 270 Alum floor, asking 779, 103lbs overall weight
New Duras Dx86 (wood Floor) asking 999.00, 8.6 ft, 105lbs
New Saturn SS260 8.6' with Alum floor 720.00, 75lbs
Maxxon Cs-230 7.6, 899.99, 57lbs or the Cs270 8.9' is 86lbs

those are what lm looking at so far. I wont be using this boat a lot and only with me or 2 pple. Mostly for when lm up north on a small lake for small fishing and boating around.

thanks for everyone reading and replying,
Melanie

I would get something with an air floor, it is much easier to carry, weight is a huge let me repeat huggggeee factor. I don't know what's available in Canada, I've seen some people have problems buying boats from American shipping companies. We have a member named Ronald that I'm sure will share his professional advice which is truly valuable. So: as light as possible, try to find the newer the better, air floor,and I would recommend at least an 11ft boat. I bought a zoom by zodiac new for 1200. With my wife on a beach chair and me on the bench I don't see how comfortable 3 people would be. But for 2 amazing! I'm sure sea rider will also comment with tons of experience between them 2 they will lead u in the right direction. If u read my first time experience in earlier threads that might help you also

 

[fbpooler]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Generally speaking, owning a boat and motor is not cheaper than renting unless it is used often. It does offer the freedom to use at your own schedule plus the pride of ownership. With an inflatable, you might end up purchasing wheels, an electric inflator, all safety equipment, and other things which add costs to ownership.

When you add all this up including the cost of a motor, you will find spending a little more on a quality boat is money well spent.

I second your choice of between 8 and 10 ft by the way.

 

[Guest]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Generally speaking, owning a boat and motor is not cheaper than renting unless it is used often. It does offer the freedom to use at your own schedule plus the pride of ownership. With an inflatable, you might end up purchasing wheels, an electric inflator, all safety equipment, and other things which add costs to ownership.

When you add all this up including the cost of a motor, you will find spending a little more on a quality boat is money well spent.

I second your choice of between 8 and 10 ft by the way.

Agree with pool 100%
I found an inflatable mattress pump in my parents house hope it works, other wise pumps can cost anywhere from 80-150 dollars+ wheels or a dolly 5 Hp propane lehr is 1800, + pfd+ reg of boat. Remeber that the weight of the boat does not seem a lot but when you can't get a good grip because the boat is big rolled up it makes it feel a lot heavier

 

[Melly2912]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

l have pdfs, pump,saftey equipment from my previous boats so lm good in that department. My good friend says l can use his electric motor anyime and he has a battery, battery box and charger for it l can take with me. I don't mind spending some money on quality it comes down to weight. Im not a very big woman and that strong. I will have a friend with me when we travel to the cottage but lts the weight lm concerned with. I have been thinking of different ways to get the boat form A the care to B the water without too much hassle. Since my friend is letting me borrow some of his stuff when l wanna go out maybe l will be lucky enough if he has a dolly? lol.

I am renting a boat for one day with a for fishing for walleyes but that does cost some money too for a full day. I will be up at the cottage for 7 days and l do live around water back at home. Like a couple of you guys said it comes down to i would like to be able to get up in the morning and take a little boat ride a watch the sun come up and maybe do a little fishing and relax on the water.

I guess l thought picking a inflatable out would be easier then this, there's alot there!

Thanks guys for all your replies, anyone else wanna help me out l am all ears

 

[fbpooler]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Check out the West Marine 9 ft or 10 ft air floor for flat water at

WEST MARINE 2013 HP 275 High-Pressure Inflatable Floor Rollup Sport Boat at West Marine

It will be cramped with 2 people but doable. It is light weight but should hold up well (made by Zodiac I believe). Because of the air floor, a high pressure electric pump such as the Bravo would be highly recommended. Throw a pad of some kind on the floor to protect it and away you go.

I would hesitate to recommend anything larger than these for your purposes.

 

[Guest]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

l have pdfs, pump,saftey equipment from my previous boats so lm good in that department. My good friend says l can use his electric motor anyime and he has a battery, battery box and charger for it l can take with me. I don't mind spending some money on quality it comes down to weight. Im not a very big woman and that strong. I will have a friend with me when we travel to the cottage but lts the weight lm concerned with. I have been thinking of different ways to get the boat form A the care to B the water without too much hassle. Since my friend is letting me borrow some of his stuff when l wanna go out maybe l will be lucky enough if he has a dolly? lol.

I am renting a boat for one day with a for fishing for walleyes but that does cost some money too for a full day. I will be up at the cottage for 7 days and l do live around water back at home. Like a couple of you guys said it comes down to i would like to be able to get up in the morning and take a little boat ride a watch the sun come up and maybe do a little fishing and relax on the water.

I guess l thought picking a inflatable out would be easier then this, there's alot there!

Thanks guys for all your replies, anyone else wanna help me out l am all ears

I would check the diameter of the boat rolled up... It might fit into one of those granny shopping carts that you can fold up and throw into the back seat once you get your boat to the area your gonna launch from then once your done pull out of water deflate roll up put into cart get to your car drop it in the trunk.. Remeber I have a small SUV it barely fit! There are photos on my other thread of how a zodiac fits in my car

 

[Melly2912]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Check out the West Marine 9 ft or 10 ft air floor for flat water at

WEST MARINE 2013 HP 275 High-Pressure Inflatable Floor Rollup Sport Boat at West Marine

It will be cramped with 2 people but doable. It is light weight but should hold up well (made by Zodiac I believe). Because of the air floor, a high pressure electric pump such as the Bravo would be highly recommended. Throw a pad of some kind on the floor to protect it and away you go.

I would hesitate to recommend anything larger than these for your purposes.

Wow you guys have been so helpful! thank-you so much! those boats are pretty good in weight. With 2 of us and some kind of mechanism l'm sure we can get it from the car down to the water. Not too sure what you mean by a granny cart? lol....I'm in my 30's not there yet!

I see you had your vehicle pretty cramped up! I like that dolly you made up of PVC tubing, cheap and it looks like it does the job.
I see there is some West Marine stores in Ontario by Toronto area, i will be up there for a ball game in a few weeks. Will have to stop in and see if l can make a steal.... deal

I didn't realize you could put such a big OB on some of these inflatables! My good friend has a 7 hp i could borrow too. but i may need a bigger vehicle!

thanks again

 

[Guest]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Wow you guys have been so helpful! thank-you so much! those boats are pretty good in weight. With 2 of us and some kind of mechanism l'm sure we can get it from the car down to the water. Not too sure what you mean by a granny cart? lol....I'm in my 30's not there yet!

I see you had your vehicle pretty cramped up! I like that dolly you made up of PVC tubing, cheap and it looks like it does the job.
I see there is some West Marine stores in Ontario by Toronto area, i will be up there for a ball game in a few weeks. Will have to stop in and see if l can make a steal.... deal

I didn't realize you could put such a big OB on some of these inflatables! My good friend has a 7 hp i could borrow too. but i may need a bigger vehicle!

thanks again

Haha, I guess that reference only works in New York , every time I go to the supermarket I see elderly women use there own carts instead of what the store provides. Ill send a link to one Folding Shopping Cart with Double Basket- Jumbo size 150 lb Capacity Black:Amazon:Home & Kitchen

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

As a NYer I get the reference, lol. I would suggest that you start with the biggest of the small boats you think you can handle. They are huge in your livingroom/ Backyard, but get really small fast.. when you start adding creature comforts. a 310/320/330 is a great size in that it's still not very heavy but you have a good deal of room for two and tons of room for one. The trick is learning the tricks to make it easier on you. Launch wheels are a must. A dolly/ granny cart (lol) of some sort also helps. I am currently working on modifying a cargo rack (hitch mounted) to have wheels underneath so I can load/ unload the rack and use it as transport!! I figure I will kill 2 birds... don't have to fill up my van (though it is more the fumes that bother than anything else) and I will always have the transport handy, since I am using it (the rack w/ wheels) to get the boat wherever i'm going! If I am successful, i'll add pics.

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

And as for OB size... I currently have a 15 that spends (or will spend) it's time powering one of 2 boats 340 or 365 size. I can do 21mph and have hit 23 (once) on the 340. Not sure what it will do on the 365... the coolest or scariest thing (depending on your perspective) is the 365 is rated to 30hp!!! I should easily be able to do 30+, but i'm not that brave (or strong... motor weight). If you care to get an idea of how fast the 340 seems with the 15hp. Check the link below. Mind you, I was not at full inflation at air deck (lazy)!! Probably right around 19/20 mph. The link also gives you an idea how quickly a 340 size boat fills up with stuff (launch wheels, GPS/fishfinder/ batterybox and radio combo, cooler, net, anchor etc.

Memorial Day on Jamaica Bay(2) - YouTube

 

[fbpooler]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Even a 2 cycle 15 HP would probably be too much for the ladies to handle. A 15 HP 4 cycle would be in the "forget trying" category. She is looking for an easy way to get on the water and a larger boat than 9 ft would be harder to handle.

We have a 285 Acti-V Fast Roller which would probably be fine, as we fish two people from it. It is 9'-4" long with 6'-3" inside x 2'-7" inside width. Powered by an 8 HP engine, it would carry two people at a decent speed, but for short range work, a lesser HP would be fine. It is an air floor design and weighs 78 lbs. Two people man handle it with no wheels required. In the bag it is roughly 23" x 14" x 3'-4" in size including the attached floor system.

We also have a 10 Ft Avon with plywood floor. It uses transom wheels, as it is heavier and more trouble to handle on dry land. It is technically only 100 lbs or a bit more, but the extra weight is noticeable.

The diameter of the wheels required to move the boat around would be limited by the terrain, so small wheels which would be sufficient on pavement would be too small on dirt. A shopping cart may be too much trouble on dirt.

 

[Guest]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

And as for OB size... I currently have a 15 that spends (or will spend) it's time powering one of 2 boats 340 or 365 size. I can do 21mph and have hit 23 (once) on the 340. Not sure what it will do on the 365... the coolest or scariest thing (depending on your perspective) is the 365 is rated to 30hp!!! I should easily be able to do 30+, but i'm not that brave (or strong... motor weight). If you care to get an idea of how fast the 340 seems with the 15hp. Check the link below. Mind you, I was not at full inflation at air deck (lazy)!! Probably right around 19/20 mph. The link also gives you an idea how quickly a 340 size boat fills up with stuff (launch wheels, GPS/fishfinder/ batterybox and radio combo, cooler, net, anchor etc.

Memorial Day on Jamaica Bay(2) - YouTube

I love you videos hauling arse on the bay, watching you tear on the bay looks like fun

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Thanks. The fishing wasn't so great that day so I made it a explore the bay day. Went around looking to spot birds on bait. Never materialized Fun day nonetheless!

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Figuring you should be in the same ball park with the Zoom and a 15hp. They are definitely fun little craft. The work required is made up for by the fact that I would not otherwise be able to afford a boat. Mooring and maintenance and fuel... oh my!! Lol.

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Just reread an earlier post. I wasn't suggesting the young lady get a 15!!! I have trouble with mine over any great distance. Just commenting on how large a motor you can get on one of these boats and how the speed increases correspondingly. I have a little back up 2.5 and that or a 3.5 would be perfect for what she has in mind.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Hi Melanie.

If you are going to invest on a West Marine 2.75 Mt. sib, better invest wise in same 310 size model, both are air deck sibs, the weight difference should be minimum and much roomier and confy than the 275. Bear in mind that those sibs are the M model, have the worst bow availble deck space from all sib models. The 2.75 only handles a 8 HP, the 310 as much as a 15 HP.

If doing light cruising and fishing a min 5 HP to max 9.8 HP engine would be the way to go, if 2 strokes are still availble, much lighter. A 3.5 Hp although is very portable, is too basic, just good for slow displacement speed, which will bore you soon and take longer to take you there.

Get along a good high pressure electric inflator, a good high pressure foot or hand pump to top air deck, tubes and keel to factory recommended working psi for good water performance, top air to specs again once sib is resting floating for some minutes, for pressure to stabilize.

Happy Boating

 

[Melly2912]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

thanks again for all the info, gotta love summer projects well the fun ones! that is one thing l will invest in is a good electric pump. For now l may just get the inflatable then look into a O/b of my own next year. I am lucky to have a friend that has a 5hp and a minkotta to try for now, and its light to handle for 2 of us. Im not really lookiing into going super fast, just miss being out on the water so much! l used to be fishing and on the water atleast 4 times a week and more when there was a tourny on. This is not a big boat like l used to have but its something to get that feeling back until l can afford a big one again hope everyone is having a great summer, l'm in southwestern Ontario Canada and all its been doing is raining here! thanks again for helping out