Inflatable Boat Advice Needed

[ShipOfFools]

I'll be buying the boat in the next few days, however today i ordered a bag anchor (the plan would be to fill it with rocks) since i am not sure how big of a boat ill be buying. Also ordered a life vest, high visibility from amazon. and finally a 20 foot tow rope with clamps to lengthen the anchor line if i end up with it in deep water.

[Stu Jackson]

Don't know if you've ever seen this. Sometimes going back to the basics is helpful.


https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvis...latable-Dinghy


This avoids repeating the "What to look for" posts.



I never lived in Brooklyn, but did live in Queens and went to Brooklyn Tech, had friends who sailed out of Sheepshead Bay and the marina near LaGuardia Airport, went waterskiing off Fire Island and summered out in the Moriches for many summers.


I also lived in apartments.


Them's my street creds.



Your wish list didn't say if you have a walk-up or a building with an elevator!


So, no way for anyone to answer your question without that important bit of input from you.


Good luck.


Hope your next question isn't about girlfriends...


"ShipofFools" --- how appropriate. Just kiddin'...

[ShipOfFools]

Getting women to join me on this boat - that's going to be the easy part, icing on the cake, lmao...

okay guys ive narrowed down my use case more...I've decided to can the idea of owning a jet ski because they are a bit more expensive than my budget allows... Heres a list of inflatables im interested in...

1. bris 8 to 9 foot inflatable - nice youtube vids and amazon reviews
2. newport vessels seascape - good review/ predicted speed of 20 to 25 mph
3. inflatable sports boats dolphin air floor - still like this idea, lightweight
4. bestway HydroForce Mirovia brand seems to have good reviews
5. other generic models?

Heres the requirements, revised:
boat must be able to reach speeds of 20 to 25 mph with gas engine
holds 3 people
good build quality
cost between $400 and $1100 for boat, engine will be separate
more than likely engine will be a used 8hp to 10 hp 2 stroke
weight problem - put on a metal cart and carry via mass transit to launch site
so the boat must be below 100 lbs and preferably below 80, engine below 70 lbs
i am still toying with the idea of leaving it at a marina which allows outdoor storage for several hundred $ but for now using a metal cart

Any advice on choices above appreciated. choose a pick 1 to 5

[Bill Seal]

Guys down the dock from us got one of thesehttps://www.costco.com/Hydro-Force-M...100341175.html the other day, really nice, big tubes, aluminum floor, inflatable keel, & transom looks like it could easily hold a 25hp

[Boatguy30]

Your goals are completely inconsistent with reality dinghy wise.

Good luck on the lady front.

[john61ct]

Being specific on the first part would be more helpful.

With the second, he may be a super hot babe magnet, even NY ladies will go slumming with a boy toy for fun.

[ShipOfFools]

Hey guys here we are! I purchased the hydro force marine pro for cheap. I was actually going to purchase two boats, one for rowing and a larger inflatable for accepting an engine but I was so impressed with this boat I think i may just keep it and downsize the engine size to fit on this boat. You can see that the marine pro folds up and fits fairly well inside my metal food cart and its honestly very easy to wheel it to the beach:

A few downsides, I need to purchase a new metal clamp for securing the anchor line to the back of the boat. I currently have a bag anchor but i may size up my anchor to a metal weight plate weighing 10 to 20 lbs. Also need more anchor line as i only have 15 feet now. Today the current dragged my anchor towards the waves closer and closer over a period of perhaps 2 hours. The tide which was going inland was very hard to row against (we also had a small showery storm) after which time i went home. The second problem is that when i rolled up the deflated boat there was sand all over the bottom, i need some way to unravel it and spray off the sand before i have it inside my apartment. Lastly i ended up with a leather wallet that got soaked (although i have a waterproof bag for my cellphone).





Here is me at the helm:

[a64pilot]

Where does the motor attach?

[Cadence]

Be careful. That's not a lot of boat. A good wind current could get you in trouble real fast. Enjoy yourself.

[ShipOfFools]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Where does the motor attach?

I just ordered a motor mount, right now its just oars. engine size should be between 1 hp and 3 hp will let you know.

[hamburking]

Thanks for posting pictures and telling us about your first trip! The smaller the boat, the bigger the adventure!!!

Although your shopping cart does the trick, I use a cheap (buy on sale) hand truck (sometimes called a frig cart or moving dolly depending where you live). I find it to be much more solid and capable of handling more weight and bigger bumps.

As for the sand...if you flip your boat and let it dry off in the sun for a few minutes, most of the sand will fall off or be brushed off easily as you roll. Obviously, finding someplace grassy would help too.

I also suggest you get a small dry bag to hold your wallet, keys, phone, whatever, and tie it securely to the boat. Anything in your pockets or not tied onto the boat will eventually go plop in the water. You'll also want a second bag for bulkier, less valuable items, like your lunch, shoes, towel, and water.

Your boat looks great. Reminds me of the Avon redcrest I used to explore many places with my kids when they were little. When they got bigger, I needed a bigger dinghy, and eventually got an outboard too. The worst thing that ever happened was when I broke an oar. Those cheap plastic oars and oar locks were not meant to last long...I suggest you add some duct tape to your kit. I replaced my plastic oars with cheap wooden paddles, used as oars...worked much better!!!

[ShipOfFools]

Originally Posted by hamburking

Thanks for posting pictures and telling us about your first trip! The smaller the boat, the bigger the adventure!!!

Although your shopping cart does the trick, I use a cheap (buy on sale) hand truck (sometimes called a frig cart or moving dolly depending where you live). I find it to be much more solid and capable of handling more weight and bigger bumps.

As for the sand...if you flip your boat and let it dry off in the sun for a few minutes, most of the sand will fall off or be brushed off easily as you roll. Obviously, finding someplace grassy would help too.

I also suggest you get a small dry bag to hold your wallet, keys, phone, whatever, and tie it securely to the boat. Anything in your pockets or not tied onto the boat will eventually go plop in the water. You'll also want a second bag for bulkier, less valuable items, like your lunch, shoes, towel, and water.

Your boat looks great. Reminds me of the Avon redcrest I used to explore many places with my kids when they were little. When they got bigger, I needed a bigger dinghy, and eventually got an outboard too. The worst thing that ever happened was when I broke an oar. Those cheap plastic oars and oar locks were not meant to last long...I suggest you add some duct tape to your kit. I replaced my plastic oars with cheap wooden paddles, used as oars...worked much better!!!

Thanks your boat looks nice too!

[ShipOfFools]

Hey guys an update on the speed of my boat, i found a calculator online that tells me what types of speed i should be getting however im assuming this vastly over estimates the actual speed. For my small 40 lb dingy and a 3.5 HP motor weighing 20 lbs it showing me a speed of 17.5 MPH. I have not yet taken it on the water with the engine attached (probably will on the 4th). The inputs are boat weight, human weight, gear weigh, motor HP and hull efficiency ratio 165 to 225. I assumed it would be low for an inflatable.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by ShipOfFools

Hey guys an update on the speed of my boat, i found a calculator online that tells me what types of speed i should be getting however im assuming this vastly over estimates the actual speed. For my small 40 lb dingy and a 3.5 HP motor weighing 20 lbs it showing me a speed of 17.5 MPH.

You would only attain that speed (17mph) if your boat was planing. My daughter (100 pounds) was able to get my inflatable to plane with a 4hp outboard, and could go that fast. I suppose its possible, but I have never thought of a donut getting up on the step.

My guess is that your setup will go 11km/hr at WOT. And be much more comfortable, and burn 75% less fuel, at half throttle going about 8km/hr.

I hope you have a handheld GPS so you can let us know how it goes.

FWIW, you inspired me to purchase an avon rover 2.8, and now I'm looking for a honda 2.0 to push it. I'll post my speed results too, when I get it all going.

[Peregrine1983]

Congratulations on the boat. It's an amazing feeling to be out on the water in NYC.

I sail out of that area and would just advise you to be super careful of the tidal current off Rockaway/Breezy Pt. If it's running out and you're in its grasp you'll be swept right out. You can't fight that current with just oars.

Also get yourself a little waterproof VHF radio. That's a vital safety tool in case your engine dies and you need to call for help.

Enjoy and good luck out there!