Traveler III
Traveler III
I have a ton of experience in sea kayaks and I love them, but I need the range afforded by a motor.
Check out an Avon Inflatable. Like a Zodiak but generally a lot less $. We have a 12 or 14' w/o the rigid floor. Had it for years, used as a Dingy behind a sailboat before we got it so had lots of sun damage. We've fished from it, Trained water rescue dogs with it and gone Scuba Diving from it (difficult w/o the Ridgid floor) but for ~$650 well worth it!. Packs down into a canvas rucksack (~2" dia by 3.5" long)
Traveler III
Nice boat for the price, but I'm looking for one that will deflate and fit in the rig.
Enthusiast III
Sea Eagle has several different inflatables that you can attach an outboard motor to. They even have a platform for some of the kayaks. I don't have a motor but have a SE370 kayak and a SUP and have been impressed with the quality. Most people don't realize that the SUP is an inflatable.
The 4 and the 6 are the same engine, if you go smaller they will usually have a forward only gearbox so you have to turn the engine 180 degrees to go in reverse. The 2 strokes are much lighter and smaller in size to the 4 strokes and the 4 strokes get excellent gas mileage. When I was upgrading engines I found that a 15 hp 4 stroke weighed the same as a 25 2 stroke. What ever you decide stick with the Yamaha
Traveler III
did you ever have any trouble with the dogs claws puncturing the inflatable?
Nope. The Newfie's generally stayed on the plywood deck we installed across the transom. Most did not like walking on the "waterbed" bottom since we don't have the hard floor.
Traveler III
I had a Jack Russell for years she would walk around the zodiac tubes like a tight rope and when we were cruising up on plane she would go to the bow tip and look like a Mack Truck hood ornament. I was always worried she would fall off the front and I would run over her, but she never did. Never had an issue with her nails scratching the tubes. The PVC and Hypalon is pretty rugged material and a puncture can be repaired in minutes so be sure to take the pump and patch kit on your adventures.
Pathfinder I
2385
Traveler III
There's tons of little aluminum boats around here. They're usually referred to as car toppers in NA, though, I believe.
I agree 100% about the Yamahas, Im retired now but I used to work at Dealership down here in Florida. We sold Yamaha and Suzuki. They would bring in the big offshore fishing rigs for repower or new ones right from the factory, 30’-40’ footers. The techs would drop triple or quads on these monsters!, I installed all the electronics. Yamahas are definately the engine of choice down here. Suzuki is coming on real strong last couple of years, even less maint. than the Yamahas with timing chains instead of belts, pretty cool idea.
