Inflatable boat recommendations

[The Quadfather]

I am asking around for opinions from people who are experienced with owning inflatable boats.

( I am not asking for myself, it is for a friend and his wife who are considering one)
They will be two adults, NOT CARRYING FISHING GEAR. Not fishing Just rowing along looking at the sites.
I am not a fan of the old "Sevlor" boats that you used to see at places like Fred Meyer, etc. I am keenly aware that even if it is used by two people, you really want a "3-person" sized boat.

Some people on here, Natetreat?? Use a "Seahawk" brand boat.
"Mariner brand??"

So, what do you guys think is reliable boat, as far as holding up, not leaking, etc. I realize a solid platform flooring is great, but they might go without that.

Thanks

[gpacho]

Hi Quadfather,

This is my first reply/post here on WL but I thought I might have something to offer as far as the size of these inflatables. I have one of those Sevylor boats but it is the newer blue and black one, not the old green and yellow one.

I have the 6 person 1200 lb capacity model and let me tell you that is still a 2 person boat. While I don't have anything to say about the Sevylor (it is what it is, not much more) I will say biggest is always best. Anything smaller than a 6 person inflatable is really a one person boat.

Also, rowing is really, really hard on most inflatables as the tube the oars are mounted on flex compared to a row boat. You won't be able to stand or move much without a hard floor.

With that being said I have enjoyed my inflatable on many trips but I had to put a trolling motor on it. Even for a youngin rowing into the wind on one of these is futile.

I would looking into the nicer Mariner style ones but I have no experience with those but they do have an inflatable keel unlike the seahawk and sevylors.

Good luck to them

[DavidA]

I have owned (and used a lot) both the Sevylor HF360 and the Intex Mariner 4. If you're considering boats by either of these two companies, go for these models. They are the largest, ~12' on the outside. I know you say no gear and only 2 adults, but don't go smaller. You won't regret it. The number of people they are rated for is based on weight they can carry only, not comfort/positioning. The HF360 holds 1200 lbs and the M4 holds 800lbs. Tubes for the HF360 are much larger, and since they are the same outer length, the M4 has almost double the inside (usable space). I can provide comparison photos if you'd like. These 2 are the low end cost-wise and some refer to them as pool toys, but they are far above that. There are many other differences I'd be happy to go into if there's interest. If the intended use is smaller lakes (200 acres), for leisurely exploring or even fishing, both of these are rugged enough as far as tube material. Rowing an inflatable has some problems, as they are very subject to wind, and don't exactly 'slice' through the water. A simple electric motor (Minn Kota 30lb thrust ~$100) should suffice though. The new valves of the HF360 are a serious flaw. As I said, I'd be happy to detail more if there's interest. Good luck. Dave

[natetreat]

I have the Seahawk 400. It's plenty big for two people. The oars are squishy a little, but I've rowed it up and down lake cle ellum (see my ancient report forr how that went) fine. With a 30 lbs minn kota on the back it scoots around great. If I had it to do over again, I'd get one with a hard lay in floor, because it does get a little squishy. But it's super comfy to lie back in and take a nap and get sunburned in.

But if you're on a budget, that's a great direction to go in. Depending on what they're doing with it, a car top kayak would be another option, my dad has one (see my ancient baker lake report) and it's awesome for scooting around the sound and lakes.

[Bodofish]

First as a sight seer (sp), any inflatable boat (not kayak/canoe-ish style) is going to be a huge disappointment for anyone. Just try and row one! I used one for years going from the big boat to the dock or shore. None of them (and I'm sure there's a few that I missed) are worth two cents as a row boat and yes I've owned a few from a Zodiac on down to the Sevylors and Intexes. None of them row! Fishing is a different story, you're out with a purpose and I know all of you will let nothing stop the pursuit of catching the fish. They must have a motor or it will never get used. They just have too much wetted area and do not glide one inch, probably not even a half. Then there's the wind...... Tell them not to bother with a blow up, get a hard boat or a kayak or canoe. A blow up will be a waist of time and money, they'll hate you for it.

[rseas]

We use to have a 10' West Marine RIB. It was the shore boat for our offshore rig. Even with 3 people in it you could row it with confidence. In the evenings we would often row it around a given moorage visiting with the other boats. It was very stable and did great with a 2.5 HP kicker. Sometimes when we were offshore chasing tuna or yellowtail we would chum up a meter mark then launch it to fish from. There's nothing like catching a 100 pound yellowfin out of a small inflatable.

[natetreat]

First as a sight seer (sp), any inflatable boat (not kayak/canoe-ish style) is going to be a huge disappointment for anyone. Just try and row one! I used one for years going from the big boat to the dock or shore. None of them (and I'm sure there's a few that I missed) are worth two cents as a row boat and yes I've owned a few from a Zodiac on down to the Sevylors and Intexes. None of them row! Fishing is a different story, you're out with a purpose and I know all of you will let nothing stop the pursuit of catching the fish. They must have a motor or it will never get used. They just have too much wetted area and do not glide one inch, probably not even a half. Then there's the wind...... Tell them not to bother with a blow up, get a hard boat or a kayak or canoe. A blow up will be a waist of time and money, they'll hate you for it.

I agree.

[wlai]

I have an inflatable kayak that takes two people and am quite pleased with it after 4-5 years. It's an Innova Sunny; google it and you should find some information.

It's pretty fast and tracks straight with the fin installed. It's tough material and if you are careful about scrapping bottoms you should have no problem with it. Super stiff when properly inflated. The only thing suboptimal is the seating position but I'll be trying to rig up some hard seats for myself.

[MotoBoat]

I have an inflatable kayak that takes two people and am quite pleased with it after 4-5 years. It's an Innova Sunny; google it and you should find some information.

It's pretty fast and tracks straight with the fin installed. It's tough material and if you are careful about scrapping bottoms you should have no problem with it. Super stiff when properly inflated. The only thing suboptimal is the seating position but I'll be trying to rig up some hard seats for myself.

Is the model your speaking of?


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Innova-Sunny-Ta ... 19eef898ed" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am not certain of the model, but the wife and I paddled around in a inflatable kayak/canoe very similar to this. The boat was offered for use, to us from a gent moored in the harbor on hood canal. We were lodging for the weekend in a house boat.

Looking at the picture of the Innova, it looks very similar to what we paddled. The sides and bottom are inflated, seats are the same type with the ability to reposition the seats for load balancing of the boat (for occupants and gear). We were told by the owner that the boat was a "sea" version. No idea what qualified it as such. Was very stable with two adults paddling in the sound, with choppy waters and lots of boat traffic near us.

For one of us, it was the first time in a canoe or kayak, that person is not easily swaded into a craft like this. But she could see the mom and her teenage daughter paddling around, and that was helpful in her ultimate decision to embark on our tour of Pleasant harbor and the eventual paddle to open water.

I do not see them in the pictured Innova, but there were 6 or more rubber flapper valves evenly spaced on the floor from stem to stearn (perhaps the "sea version" of kayak?). At some point in our peaceful paddle, one flapper opened, and another was not properly closed so water came in quickly. Luckily these flaps were close to me, and could be closed with proper thumb pressure. After that, all the flappers were checked for proper closed positions. Our butts got wet, but the adventure was a pleasant one for both of us, and the panic (for one of us) calmed after a quick assessment and damming of the incoming water.

I do not recall there being a fin on the bottom of our kayak. I, at the rear and in the steering position, did struggle with the tracking but we were dealing with light wind and varying currents, for that reason I can only assume that the fin would have helped.

What stood out was the ability to paddle in very shallow water, see various creatures on the bottom, ease on getting in and out of when held next to a floating dock, and maneuver (sight seeing) amongst the many boats moored in the marina.

Another observation was the heavy duty outer shell material. This was "NOT" a Intex (sp?) or similar entry level "inflatable" boat. Very durable materials throughout, plus the ability to deflate for minimal required storage space.