Inflatible boats

Al-one

I posted a similar question several months ago when i was looking to buy one. The general consensus then was they are great.
I bought one and have used it several times and i would agree. They are very stable and easy to use.

Its a bit odd at the start beofre you get use to the flexing and twisting but you get used to it.

I keep it inflated all the time and use my garden tariler to take it to the river. I havejust fitted two boards on the top for the boat to sit on. Mine is 3.8mt and i can slide it on the trailer by myself.

I am yet to disassemble it, and i have heard a comment that they are a pain to put back togethor. But that was only from one person and as mentioned i am yet to try doing so.

Alan

Hi Al-one,

Personal don't like them after seeing Albie Mengle in world safary when his mate put a hole in one with a gaff. Here is a link to a guy that thinks they are great, have a look,

Shark fishing

Kind regards

Hi Al-one,
I have a 3.1 metre Avon with a 15 HP outboard and it's been a fantastic boat. Prior to that I had two Zodiacs and they both delaminated and were stuffed in less than 12 months. The Avon is twice the price of a Zodiac but the difference in longevity covers the price difference many times over.

I think the bigger, professional Zodiacs are much better than their smaller boats.

Also, it's worthwhile to get a white one. They are a lot cooler when left in the sun.

Cheers Frank.

What ever you do, DO NOT buy a Sevylor. My one lasted 3 trips before the composite nylon / stainless bolts that hold the transom broke. I have been trying since April to get new ones. Your post prompted me into calling again. The answer, ?WE DO NOT IMPORT THAT MODEL ANY LONGER? so no spares for the ones that have been sold.
So anyone out there looking for an inflatable, DO NOT BUY a Sevylor.
Apart from that, inflatable are great for trips as you can fold them if you have to. Used ours on the Cooper, no fish but what a wonderful experience
.

Vince

Al
I have one of each, tinnie and inflatable.
Both have their good points.
I use the tinny when I do not have the van and the duck when I have the van.
Reason = Rubber Duck is easier to stow 8ft job and is easily driven by a 4 hp motor and will plane with one but not 2 persons, plus the 4hp motor has the fuel tank inbuilt and uses only a tank full in 4hrs at full throttle. the wife and I can fish out of the boat quite comfortable but is not big enough for any more although it is ok for 4 people according to the transom data. Takes from stopping the vehicle to complete set up and running 15min on my own. ( I have an electric inflator 12v.)
= Tinnie is driven by a 10hp motor and will plane with up to 3 people and is good in rocky/ oyster country, plus it easily fits 4 people with all the gear and is 12ft long. Takes from stopping the vehicle to complete set up and running 15min on my own. Off the car roof or trailor.
My preference is the tinnie however the Duck is great with the van.
I have been around the block with both and will stick with the duck.
At a lot of places others who have had a boat are often looking for a mate as I have on many an occasion so a boat is not all important,IE If you just want enough for a feed and not a freezer full.

storage problems? i had a inflatable before the hanes and would say you probably should not look at an inflatable as being able to deflate to store somewhere. they can last a long time but when you stress the seams by defalting and folding up you will likley get them coming apart and leaking air.

I have had a Quicksilver for about 3 years now, with a 15hp mercury outboard. It's been great, although not as fast as a tinnie of similar length. In windy weather, you get wetter than a tinnie too, but if the weather deteriorates, the inflatible is much more stabe & seaworthy than a small tinnie. I am about to tour with the inflatible on top of my camper trailer, so will see how that goes.. Good luck with your decision.
Dave

Hi,
I have used inflatables mostly in surf, the soft hull ones are good until you start punching decent waves where they flex quite a bit. We run 25 hp motors with a prop guard. you wouldn't be required to have the prop guard so could have a quite capable boat with maybe a 15 or 20. Might be worth an inquiry to member eric as I believe he races them down at Gunnamatta.
NickR

Hi Al-one,

As Fred-troopy mentioned above, I would suggest you buy an Avon, Achilles or one of the other couple of brands that are made from the Hypalon fabric. You will see a few other fancy names and they will quote that the fabric is as good as Hypalon. Don't believe them. You will find that any of the genuine Hypalon infalatables will have a 10 year warranty as it is the only fabric that can stand up to the U.V. rays.

I have a 3.7 metre Quintrex Tinny as well as a 3.1 metre Avon inflatable. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. For example I won't let the kids go fishing in the inflatable but for everything else I know that they are much safer as it is much harder to flip. (You know what 15 year olds are like) I have the Avon as we have a small yacht and it is much less drag when sailing if we just have the Avon inside the yacht (deflated) and when we get to our destination we just inflate it and away the kids go to leave us in peace.

I would definately recommend the Avon, but I probably wouldn't be using it up in croc country that is all.

Cheers,
Brett

T/D 80 Series Landcruiser

I to have been thinking about an inflatable. Not wanting to hijack the post but has anyone had any experiance with folda-boats, just as an alternative between an inflatable and a tinny? Are they stable and rigid? , are they more comfortable than siting on the pontoon all day?

Athol.

inflatable boats have there use, but if you have to unpack, blow it up and let it down and pack it away they are a mega pain. If you go to one location and stay there for a time then they would be ok. For going to a creek for a days fishing they are not suitable. You need to think carefully what your application is and if it is suitable for your needs. Personally I would not buy an inflatable boat again.

We have a "portabote" and love it. Only takes about 7 minutes to put together. It either sits on the roof rack or we tie it on top of the trailer. We have an engine mount on the drawbar of the trailer (5hp).

Also heard recently that a company in WA has a foldable boat too - I think they are called flatout boats or similar. The same principle as the portabote but theirs folds totally flat. Similar cost to the portabote. Our boat weighs about 26K and is easy to carry around. www.portabote.com. Do an archive search on folding boats. I am sure that's where I read about the one they are making in WA.

Oddy

Hi Al-one,
I have a Quicksilver 2.7Metre ai-rdeck with a Mercury 8hp lightweight outboard. It is great, ideal for two people.
The air-deck allows the unit to fold up for easy storage and makes the boat light to move around. The 8hp lightweight gives excellent performance and is also light enough to eaisily lift and move around.
There are some great deals on these depending on were you are.
Regards

I know someone in Darwin with a Zodiac for sale if you want to chase it up.

Hi everyone,
Thanks four you comments. I am still considering on what to do. My main concern with the inflatable at the moment is that I will be a bit vulnerable if I ventured into rivers in the north that are inhabited by salties. Although I do see they use an big inflatible boat, launched from one of those expensive cruise boats, to take tourists up inlets in the Kimberley for croc viewing !
Cheers,
Al-one