inflatable boats

Submitted: Thursday, Feb 04, 2010 at 21:18
ThreadID: 75780 Views:8591 Replies:5 FollowUps:5
This Thread has been Archived
Hi all, does anyone use a inflatable boat while traveling around. have been tossing around what to get, tinnie or inflatable. troble is im a real chicken in the boat, i like to see the bottom and I like high sides. this has to fit on the roof of the patrol.
I was speaking to the boat dealer about a 4m tinnie with 900mm sides but he said it to big to go on the roof. have a winch to help load it on.

cheers Shane.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - Michael O (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 04, 2010 at 21:29

Thursday, Feb 04, 2010 at 21:29
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.

AnswerID: 402712

Follow Up By: charlie brown - Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 10:45

Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 10:45
looks great michael where did you buy it and are they expensive
0
FollowupID: 672279

Follow Up By: Member - Michael O (NSW) - Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 14:53

Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 14:53
on eBay for around $400...

Have seen them for about $650 in shops.
0
FollowupID: 672331

Follow Up By: jabiru340 - Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 16:48

Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 16:48
Michael,

Do NOT use that in croc country
0
FollowupID: 672365

Reply By: dbish - Thursday, Feb 04, 2010 at 21:43

Thursday, Feb 04, 2010 at 21:43
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
AnswerID: 402722

Follow Up By: Member - shane (SA) - Thursday, Feb 04, 2010 at 22:29

Thursday, Feb 04, 2010 at 22:29
I have been in boat all my life, I dont know what it is, whats in the water or lack of confidence in the boat or handler. If I get my own I will slowly build up confidence I hope. I know when I was in dads boat, the 15 ft centre console I had now problems but in his 12 low sided tinnie I did not feel at ease.
I could get a 15ft if I want but I have a van so its a car topper I need.

cheers shane.
0
FollowupID: 672213

Follow Up By: dbish - Thursday, Feb 04, 2010 at 23:55

Thursday, Feb 04, 2010 at 23:55
Sounds great Shane get out there & build up on the confidence & enjoy. Cheers Daryl
0
FollowupID: 672231

Reply By: macka17 - Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 04:23

Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 04:23
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
AnswerID: 402755

Reply By: Member - Tony (ACT) - Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 08:16

Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 08:16
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.
AnswerID: 402775

Reply By: Bill13 - Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 21:57

Friday, Feb 05, 2010 at 21:57
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
AnswerID: 402908

Sponsored Links