inflatable boats

I've got one of these...



Folds into a bag not much bigger than a suitcase.
Quick to inflate with the aircompressor.

Add a couple of collapsible paddles and we're away.
Fish. Explore creeks and lakes. And plenty of room for gear.

Shane, where do i start. I carry a 3.1M tinny with 400mm high sides p[owered with a 5Hp motor. I fish upto 5miles out to sea init. If you are going to go boating first important thing you need to be able to swim, next have some confidence in using a boat & a healthy respect of the sea (the sea is realy no place if you lack confidence) I have been boating & worked on Comercial fishing boats for 50Yrs now. Cheers Daryl

Hi.

Travelling down south. Rubbers ok.
If you coming up North anywhere.

TINNIE Only.

Rubbers don't like croc teeth.

I have Patrol. Originally had a Quinnie 3.5 traveller. Nice little boat.
but a bit low in freeboard for sea work. and needs a 15
to keep it on the plane and stop waves coming over bow.
They did with an 8hp.

I changed up to a Quinnie Dory 3.75. High transom 15hp long shaft.
use it in Darwin harbour. and dams on East coast.
Out round the local islands and creeks when not away with caravan.
3 or 4 months of the year.
Perfect as an all rounder..and quite a good sea boat. Considering.
macka17

We at present have a 3.5 Nomad with a 15hp short shaft and find this a great combo for rivers and lakes. had it for 5 years and it has never been in salt water "yet". The boat is easily carried on the roof of the Nissan, using the Auto Boat Loader to get it up and down.

Hi Shane,
I recently travelled around Australia and have a 3.0m Zodiac and a 4hp outboard.
Both of these are carried in the back of the Pajero and when inflated were carried back to camp or to the river/dam on the roof of the Pajero with 3 foam 'noodles' between the roof and the 4wd. The Zodiac was then tied to the roof bars.
Of course I did not go in the croc infested rivers but instead offered to pay for a ride in a tinny with fuel or beer which went down well with the boat owners. A win/win situation.
I went out out sea, not to far maybe 1 klm, trolling for mackeral and bottom fishing, spear fishing on the west coast of WA and nth to Cairns. Caught a lot of fish,crays and had a ball.

You will be surprised if you buy an inflatable and I find the Zodiac givs a very stable safe ride and you will soon get comfortable riding in them. If buying an inflatable, buy a quality product and you will have no trouble with them. Resale should also be no problem. Do some research and see what they can carry, and they require a low hp motor to push them along.

Sure I would like to carry an alum tinny but having spoken to numerous people who have them, unless you travel specifically to fish, having a Zodiac I personally feel, suits my periodic fishing lifestyle. A bonus is that I don't have to carry a trailer, have a roof boat carrier, carry a heavy outboard motor and don't have to register the boat as it only has a 4hp outboard.
Hope this helps,
Bill