Inflatable boats

Corio

Inflatables have some advantages over alloy boats such as good stability when you move about in them at rest & the ablity to handle seas that would test a alloy boat of the same length (they will float when full of water) & they will carry a bigger load as well
They can also be carried inside the vehicle as well & the ones with the inflatable floors are fairly compact when rolled up (no ply floor sections to stow) & are lighter in weight

The disadvantages are they have less interior space for a given length,you need to be more careful when fishing with hooks & lures,a good quality one is a lot more expensive,& they take time to set up & put away

I would not drag them along a surface with someone in it unless you were using some sort of wheels either or you would cause some damage to the material

I have a 11 foot achillies (circa 1983) with a 8hp suzuki & the hull & motor are still going strong (a few patches though) but unless you particually want a inflatable for the reason mentioned above a alloy v nose punt or similar might be a better choice

If you choose a inflatable try to get a quality one not a cheapie (if you talk to a inflatable specialist they should be able to guide you)

Good luck

Regards Don

I carry a 10' rubber ducky I bought off Ebay with me. It's an Avon about 20yrs old and I run a 4hp motor. The setup works well for one in enclosed waters. A bigger boat and motor as you propose should be good for 2. May be an issue to drag it with someone in it.
The ones with an aluminum floor might suite but defeats being able to store it in a small space.

We (can) carry a 3.3M Quiksilver inflatable in the back of our vehicle and it is capable of taking up to 15hp. When we go outback we usually just take a small 3.3hp to get around the creeeks etc.

Fold up in about 15 minutes, wooden floor and very robust.

Otherwise sits in our garage on a trailer fully inflated and ready to go.

We find it a good compromise between having something we use all the time versus the flexibility of taking it with us when we go away.

Cheers

We have a Porta Bote which is quick and easy to set up. 3 trips down to the waters edge - hull, seats and motor - then about 10 minutes to put it together. No worries about punctures and it planes with a 3.5 Hp outboard.

With a set of beach rollers you could assemble it near the 4by and your son could sit in it while you trundle it down to the water.

Cheers

Pete

Thank you to those people that replied.Your information has been very hepfull.

Cheers