Running lights on inflatable and other questions

SupraTurbo

Recruit
Joined
Nov 3, 2008
Messages
2
Hello all, long time reader on this forum first time post and hate to start it with a long post and questions but might as well do it right the first time or not do it at all.

After a long search and wait, I finally picked up an 8hp Yamaha 2 stroke, short shaft outboard, 1988, model 8SG.
Runs good so far on the stand, compression checks out, water stream is nice and strong, new spark plugs and CDI ignition box.
no issues that I can tell other than the wear and tear for an old engine.

I have been doing a lot of reading on inflatables in the last 2 years and almost set on getting a Saturn SD365 with the launching wheels from Saturn as well, I know the boat is not hypalon, and there are other PVC Boats around of higher quality,..etc but I recon if I take care of it to a certain degree it should last at least 5 years which is more than I would ask out of a 1k boat.
Its going to be mainly 2 people fishing at all times, no more than 3. I am in Orlando so neither coasts are that far and will be fishing both if everything works out.
Boat will be inflated/deflated on every trip as I don't have a trailer or truck so the air floor works out perfect for this purpose.
I will be getting the K100 pump and the cheapo walmart electric after advise from fellow members.
I didn't buy the boat yet and will be few weeks before I could anyways so I have all the time to plan this through.

I have several concerns, none of them speed related as I know I will be lucky if I get 10-14 knots with 2 people and gear.
alright, now to the questions if I may,

1- those of you that fish/boat at night, what do you about navigation lights. The outboard has an alternator/generator but I don't believe its regulated and will end up burning lights if hooked up to it, do you guys use the clamp on battery powered style or any other options? Can I use the outboard alternator to power the lights and/or perhaps a fish finder?

2- how would you go about securing a chain/rope on the outboard to the boat in case it falls off for whatever reason, to rephrase, how do you secure the rope or chain from the outboard to the inflatable?

3- What do you consider a must take kit for emergency on the water repair? not USCG equipment as that's a given, but actual spare parts/tools,.e.tc?

4- on a decent day with relatively no wind/waves, would you take it for offshore fishing, not talking 40 miles out but still far enough? I know from first hand experience that weather in FL can turn any second so I will be on the watch all the time but it would be nice to target the bigger fish in deeper water.

5- for those of you that anchor, how do you go about securing the anchor rope to the boat and make it easy for retrieval?

6- the bench seats on the boat will be very uncomfortable as we go out for 8 hours at a time fishing, do you sit on the tubes, make-shift cushion? bean bags? other options?

7- I am worried about puncturing the tubes with hooks or fish spines, any under-boat covers or anything I can do to further protect the PVC or is thick enough? I see the new Saturns now have an extra layer on the bottom so that eases up my mind a bit but I had a cheapo inflatable before, and that was that, cheapo that didnt even hold pressure right that ended up in the garbage, that was over 12 years ago though and inflatables came a long way since then.

Any other tips, advise, recommendations,..etc are greatly appreciated.

Tight lines and happy boating.
 

azzurro

Seaman
Joined
Mar 26, 2010
Messages
69
Re: Running lights on inflatable and other questions

Nav lights: you can purchase in iboats (I did) a 360? white and a red/green one with suction cup (also remember to tie them) to fix them on bow and outboard case. They run on batteries and leds (long last).

Securing outboard: a rope strong enough tied to lifting rings on transom.

Security equipment:3 flaws; signaling mirror; personal floating devices (SOLAS certified: 100 Newtons) for everyone on board; fog horn; lantern; mobile phone on waterproof bag; air pump; anchor and rope; oars; small medicine box; tools: this is the basic kit for me.
Other useful things:
I think a clamseal is much better than a PVC emergency repair kit.
Pointless knife for cutting away nets from the propeller.
Manual drain pump.
Ladder (getting back to the boat in case of fall may be hard).
Spare spark plugs.
Spare start chord.
Spare man-overboard chord.
Water.
Candy.
VHF (stick small instructions on it! Better if waterproof).
Swimming goggles.

Anchor tie: I have a rope tied to 3 bow rings (in case one breaks, the other 2 will work, and also reduces strain on them). This rope is called "painter". "Painter" is shorter than boat to avoid messing with propeller. I use a carabineer in the free end.
Whenever I use the anchor, I tie the rope to the carabineer in the proper length of the anchor rope. I use an "alpine butterfly" knot which I think is fast to tie/untie, easy and secure.

Hope it helps. I'm a bit of OCD-paranoid on security!
 
Last edited:

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
Re: Running lights on inflatable and other questions

Will add : people are more concerned adjusting both clamp screws tight and forgetting all about them, have seen lost, drowned engines because of this, manual states you should watch them and re tight them ocassionally, in most cases due to engine vibration will need to do so. I'm of the idea to adjust them once for the whole outing. If possible tight both clamps with holes facing each other, pass a small rope, lock, tie wrap to hold them secure at that position. A good idea is to glue a piece of pvc, tire bladder, inside metal engine plate, clamps will tight better. The plate usually has a ring at lower side, secure a rope between ring and engine too for peace of mind.

About spare safety lanyard, could use a piece of electric 12 wire gauge, just pull big knob and wrap around. Usually place mine rolled on shift gear. Don't forget to take oars and inflation pump with you, along emergency patch kit.

Happy Boating
 

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SupraTurbo

Recruit
Joined
Nov 3, 2008
Messages
2
Re: Running lights on inflatable and other questions

Thank you both for your help, I bought the bow and stern lights mentioned, I think I should be able to ziptie the bow light to the rope on the front of the boat without having to use the suction cup, the stern light I can just clamp to the transom.
also bought the uniden MHS125 for a great deal on ebay, its submersible and floating VHF and seems to have decent reviews.
went to basspro and bought several things as well, all whats left is few small things here and there and the actual boat it self which will take a while.
Thanks again for the help
Happy Boating :)
 
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