needing advice on first inflatable boat

[frenchface]

I am in the market for an inflatable boat. It will be used in either river or lake, no white water. Primary use to haul me, my wife, and two toddlers and gear to go camping. Secondary use would be fishing. My max budget would be 300. Which I would like to get the boat and some type of motor with it. The ones I have seen and interested in are the Intex Excursion 5 Boat Set ($120), Sevylor Fish Hunter Inflatable 6-Person Boat ($168) and the Sevylor Super Caravelle 6-Person Inflatable Boat (156). Is anyone of those (or any others not mentioned) better than the others? Which one would you buy? Also for the motor would it be better for small 2 stroke gas or electric? I heard its easier with an electric? Any advice? Thanks!

 

[dobbs571]

Re: needing advice on first inflatable boat

I have the FH 360 with a 47# min kota and love it

 

[RickVS]

Re: needing advice on first inflatable boat

I have the Caravelle 12' boat with a 36# Minn Kota. It's worked well for us for 10 or more years. I also bought the boat boot shell that stiffens it and protects from punctures. I used a wood square from a furniture door as the base for the battery that is placed at the front. I fashioned my own motor mount and extended the motor wiring to reach to the battery. Although this has worked quite well, I'm thinking of upgrading to the Sevylor motor mount that fastens into the oar holes providing the metal rods don't get in the way of my truly lounging with my feet up. I'm also thinking of upgrading my motor to 55# just because I'd like a little more power against the wind on the particular lake we frequent. But we've done well with this arrangement since the 90's I think. I also bought the Sevylor canopy but that just didn't work as well as advertised. I might try it again someday. Lastly, I leave my boat inflated year 'round. I'll just add one more thing. On this lake, everyone else has sailboats and 'real' boats, and sometimes smile at our <$400 'play' boat. But I can tell you that no one is more comfortable in their boats than we are in ours. Good luck.

 

[frenchface]

Re: needing advice on first inflatable boat

How does these boat compare to Seaeagle 9? Also if I went with the HF360 how long should i expect it to last? Does anyone know the internal measurements of either the HF360 or the intex excursion 5?