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Started By
Message
Inflatable boats for fishing and messing around
Posted on 2/25/14 at 9:04 pm
Posted on 2/25/14 at 9:04 pm
Anyone have experience with these or know someone who has? I'm considering getting one mostly for fishing on lakes. I'd prefer one big enough to hold 4 or 5 people so I could take a few friends out with me just for fun. I'm looking for any help or advice concerning whether they're worth the time, money, effort, and if so, which one I should get. Even if you haven't had experience with them, I would like your input.
From the research I've done so far, which isn't much, it looks like the Intex Excursion 5 is the largest inflatable in my price range (<$500). They are only $150 just for the raft, cushions, and a couple throw-away oars.
Another option is the Intex Mariner 4 which is a little smaller but made to be more durable. The Excursion 5 is made of 30 gauge vinyl while the Mariner 4 has 3 layers, with the two outer layers being made of a tougher vinyl material (not exactly sure what makes it "tougher" besides the extra layers, but that's what I've read). Also, the Mariner 4 has a plastic hard floor that makes it more stable and easier to stand up in for fishing.
Each has multiple air chambers so safety is not my biggest concern. I would prefer avoiding having to do patchwork as much as possible, but I realize with an inflatable it's bound to happen if you use it.
The Mariner 4 runs at $270.
While I obviously prefer the Mariner 4 for its better overall quality, I really want that extra space, especially since I would put on an electric trolling motor with the battery taking up room in the boat.
Photo of Excursion 5 to show size:
Here's an Excursion with a motor attached:
Mariner:
From the research I've done so far, which isn't much, it looks like the Intex Excursion 5 is the largest inflatable in my price range (<$500). They are only $150 just for the raft, cushions, and a couple throw-away oars.
Another option is the Intex Mariner 4 which is a little smaller but made to be more durable. The Excursion 5 is made of 30 gauge vinyl while the Mariner 4 has 3 layers, with the two outer layers being made of a tougher vinyl material (not exactly sure what makes it "tougher" besides the extra layers, but that's what I've read). Also, the Mariner 4 has a plastic hard floor that makes it more stable and easier to stand up in for fishing.
Each has multiple air chambers so safety is not my biggest concern. I would prefer avoiding having to do patchwork as much as possible, but I realize with an inflatable it's bound to happen if you use it.
The Mariner 4 runs at $270.
While I obviously prefer the Mariner 4 for its better overall quality, I really want that extra space, especially since I would put on an electric trolling motor with the battery taking up room in the boat.
Photo of Excursion 5 to show size:
Here's an Excursion with a motor attached:
Mariner:
This post was edited on 2/25/14 at 9:07 pm
5
Posted on 2/25/14 at 9:09 pm to Jon Ham
Sharp hooks....inflatable....
Seems like a bad idea
Seems like a bad idea
Posted on 2/25/14 at 9:12 pm to KingRanch
Buddy of mine used to take one of these out to the Prop Stop, then deflate it and go catch Amberjacks out of Fourchon. When deflated, it would easily roll up in the hatch of his Prius.
Seriously, fish hooks and underwater obstructions would tear that thing up in no time. A vinyl boat would probably be a little on the hot side on summer days in Louisiana.
Seriously, fish hooks and underwater obstructions would tear that thing up in no time. A vinyl boat would probably be a little on the hot side on summer days in Louisiana.
This post was edited on 2/25/14 at 9:15 pm
Posted on 2/25/14 at 9:17 pm to KingRanch
quote:
Sharp hooks....inflatable....
Seems like a bad idea
Definitely something I would try to be mindful of. They come with rod holders attached and I figure most of the fishing I'll be doing is by myself or with one other person who I would drill into to be careful about hooks. From the reviews I've read it seems like a lot of people use them for fishing so it seems like they hold up pretty well for that purpose.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 9:25 pm to Shexter
quote:
fish hooks and underwater obstructions would tear that thing up in no time
I imagine that it would get torn over a sharp rock or stick, but with multiple air chambers it would stay operable long enough to get back on shore and patch it and get back out. As long as it isn't super sensitive to where I'd be doing patchwork every other trip I could deal with it.
For as cheap as they are, if they get ripped really bad once or become worn out over time, it wouldn't kill me just to buy a new one and transfer my motor and motor mount over to the new one.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 9:29 pm to Shexter
quote:
A vinyl boat would probably be a little on the hot side on summer days in Louisiana.
Everything is a little on the hot side for Louisiana summers. I'm up in the northeast now, so I don't think it would be too terrible.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 9:36 pm to Jon Ham
quote:Go to Academy and get a 10 foot alum. one. I'd fish in an kayak before I'd fish in one of those. In fact, there's NO way I'd fish in one of those.
in my price range (<$500).
Posted on 2/25/14 at 9:39 pm to Jon Ham
My experience with these things is they end up with lots of patches, then get tossed.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 9:44 pm to Geauxtiga
quote:
Go to Academy and get a 10 foot alum. one. I'd fish in an kayak before I'd fish in one of those. In fact, there's NO way I'd fish in one of those.
I would but as an apartment dweller I just don't have the space for one at the moment.
Any reason you wouldn't fish in an inflatable other than it could be punctured? Of course I would rather have a real boat, but when you have space and budget limits, this is really my only option if I want to fish offshore without having to rent a boat or be invited by a friend. Plus I think it'd just be cool to invite some friends out for some drinks and chilling on the water on a warm day.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 9:46 pm to NYCAuburn
quote:
My experience with these things is they end up with lots of patches, then get tossed.
How sensitive were they, and do you remember what brand/model they were? If you mean after a couple summers of extensive use they get tossed then I'd be fine with that, but if you mean after a few uses they get tossed, then I definitely want to stay away.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 10:00 pm to Jon Ham
Just watched a video on the Mariner 4 ( mariner 4 video) which said it's constructed like a white water raft - polyester layer is in between 2 extra think vinyl layers. It comes with a rock guard that goes all around it.
While I'm sure it is still susceptible to punctures, I think these were made to handle moderately rough conditions and with fishing in mind - although I realize that's just their marketing and in actuality they could be pieces of crap.
While I'm sure it is still susceptible to punctures, I think these were made to handle moderately rough conditions and with fishing in mind - although I realize that's just their marketing and in actuality they could be pieces of crap.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 10:01 pm to Jon Ham
quote:There's gotta be a friend/place nearby that you could park a 10 foot boat on a trailer.
I would but as an apartment dweller I just don't have the space for one at the moment.
quote:If you've ever fished on the front of a boat with a comfortable seat and a foot-contol trolling motor you'd understand. Course, I do know a guy who stands the whole time and doesn't sit. Just no way I could be comfortable in that thing, fishing.
Any reason you wouldn't fish in an inflatable other than it could be punctured?
quote:You could afford a 10 footer at Academy.
and budget limits
This post was edited on 2/25/14 at 10:04 pm
Posted on 2/25/14 at 10:02 pm to Jon Ham
Why not get yourself a kayak?
Posted on 2/25/14 at 10:13 pm to Geauxtiga
quote:
If you've ever fished on the front of a boat with a comfortable seat and a foot-contol trolling motor you'd understand. Course, I do know a guy who stands the whole time and doesn't sit. Just no way I could be comfortable in that thing, fishing.
I see what you're saying. Definitely not ideal for an all day fishing trip. But for just 2-3 hours of putting around it would be fine for me. With the hard floor on the Mariner, I could put in a fishing seat if I really wanted.
The cost of the aluminum boat plus the trailer, plus having to use someone else's property to store it just won't work for me at the moment unfortunately.
This post was edited on 2/25/14 at 10:15 pm
Posted on 2/25/14 at 10:18 pm to boom roasted
quote:
Why not get yourself a kayak?
Haven't given much thought to that. I would ideally like to have a motor and be able to stand - plus the storage issue again although I realize a kayak is more feasible than a boat. I've never used a kayak, are they good for fishing and do they work well with a motor?
This post was edited on 2/25/14 at 10:32 pm
Posted on 2/25/14 at 10:26 pm to Jon Ham
You can get them with a trolling motor but it would be out of your price range. Kayaks are good for short distance. It all depends on where you want to fish.
Do you feel safe going out into the marsh with an inflatable boat? It'd be scared of puncturing it with a hook, knife, fish, oyster bed, etc. All kinds of shite out there to frick up an inflatable boat. I would lean toward an aluminum boat and try to find a place to store it.
Do you feel safe going out into the marsh with an inflatable boat? It'd be scared of puncturing it with a hook, knife, fish, oyster bed, etc. All kinds of shite out there to frick up an inflatable boat. I would lean toward an aluminum boat and try to find a place to store it.
This post was edited on 2/25/14 at 10:31 pm
Posted on 2/25/14 at 10:28 pm to boom roasted
Kayaks are tough to beat IMHO.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 10:51 pm to boom roasted
quote:
You can get them with a trolling motor but it would be out of your price range. Kayaks are good for short distance. It all depends on where you want to fish.
It would mostly be for lake use is what I'm envisioning. Kayak would be cool to have, but I just want to relax on the lake for a few hours, not give myself an upper body workout that will make me ready to get out of the water in half an hour.
I would feel safe in a well made inflatable with multiple air chambers, I just don't want to take the time dealing with it if they puncture all the time. From the reviews I've read elsewhere and how they are marketed, they seem to be pretty durable.
I would try to stay away from structures in the water and areas where I couldn't tell what was right below the surface which would hinder my fishing, but it's more about the experience of getting out on the water and doing some fishing than trying be serious about fishing.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 10:53 pm to Jon Ham
10-4. But look into an aluminum boat. It's a more long term purchase than an inflatable boat.
Posted on 2/25/14 at 11:50 pm to boom roasted
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