Hi,
My wife and myself spend a lot of time camping on the beach, usually on the Sea of Cortez side. We have dive kayaks and love them, but we would like a
little more range.
What would you suggest for a inflateable, with floorboards (not a RIB), colapsable Zodiac style boat and motor?
I dont want to trailer, many places we camp I couldnt get a trailer into.
We are looking for somthing that will fit in the back of a F-250 when broken down, somthing big enough to load the 2 of us, our 2 dogs, lightweight
camping equipment, and dive gear.
We would be freediving, SCUBA, fishing, and spearfishing off of it, and would be using it to find more remote camping places.
Im thinking ~15 ft, and a 25 hp 4 stroke outboard.
What do you folks suggest?
[Edited on 10-17-2007 by Bwana_John]marv sherrill - 10-17-2007 at 10:20 AM
What you have listed is pretty much the correct size and horsepower for what you want to do - the biggest problem with inflatables is anchoring where
there is wind - we always pull ours out on wheels that attach to the back, however even our 12'6" achilles and engine is barely manageble empty with
just the two of us, a 15 footer would not be possible to pull out unless you are both bionic people. You would have to remove the engine each time
you pull it out, which is just an inconvience. Just something to consider.comitan - 10-17-2007 at 10:33 AM
I've been doing some research on inflatables, The most important thing to look for in an inflatable for the Baja is that the material be Hypalon NOT
PVC as in Zodiac saying this as an ex Zodiac owner and being part of the class action suite against Zodiac and winning, a 5% discount on your next
Zodiac purchase
That said look at this.:
[Edited on 7-26-2008 by BajaNomad]gnukid - 10-17-2007 at 10:48 AM
There are many boats manufactured in the range you refer to.
The key is to design a setup that is light weight enough for you to pull up a steep beach and one that you can load and store without injuring
yourself. As well if the overall geometry is such that the balance of the boat from front to back is even, you will see better planning performance
more quickly. Most often smaller motors are better because they pack more hp with less weight than their counterparts and you'll go more often.
I use 2 boats, both are Zodiac MK II Classic which are 13'9". I have both the inflatable hpp floor and the aluminum floor. The aluminum floor gives
more stability making the boat solid when installed. The inflatable floor is not suggested and may be discontinued.
The overall weight is about 110lbs for the hull. A motor of either 15 or 25hp is perfect though the smaller the better because it's less weight. Its
nice to have a 25 hp but honestly it's much bigger and only slightly more hp. In most cases the motors, either 15 or 25hp, are based on the same motor
case and only vary slightly. 4 stroke motors are quiet and efficient but 2 stroke motors are less weight and louder. For cruising around and diving 4
stroke is nice because you can talk without the noise and smoke.
If you are traveling with simple gear the smaller is by far better but if you want 4 bigger people loaded a larger motor will help.
The Zodiac Classic or Futura is a PVC boat and quite expensive, 4K plus or so for the hull only. Hypalon material is the better quality material and
more likely used for hot weather and durability. PVC is designed to last about 5 years but could show serious UV damage quickly exposed to summers in
mexico. Check around, other brands have shown excellent quality with hypalon at better prices as people pay premium for Zodiac PVC perhaps
unnecessarily. A simple grandrapid Zodiac foldable of hypalon in the 15' range could cost 9k hull only.
I put the the boat on the roof without the motor when I use it often and stow when not in use. This takes a matter of 5-15 minutes or so to prep. I
carry a Soprega electric air pump to help me out and always have a hand pump, not the kind they give you but one you buy for kites etc..
All systems should be designed so a normal women can rig the boat but it takes two women or one strong guy to move a loaded boat and no you can't
carry it loaded it will weigh about 250-300 loaded.
In Mex you will find steep beaches and deep sand. You need a system to get from the beach to the water. Most use Baja wheels which attach large
inflatable wheels to the back and can be clicked up or down easily. There are also little wheels which work on cement but not on sand and a dolly cart
with big wheels. The advantage of the baja fold down wheels which you will see most often is that they are always with you so when you arrive at a
remote location your wheels are there but they are big and ugly but can be removed with pins.
You'll want a cover, use UV protectorant on the material often and it will help last long. If you use wheels properly the boat will never touch the
ground. If, like me you use the boat all day, every day over big chop, expect it to last only a few years they, are designed for the average user who
never uses the boat.vandenberg - 10-17-2007 at 12:05 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
. If, like me you use the boat all day, every day over big chop, expect it to last only a few years they, are designed for the average user who never
uses the boat.
A vote of confidance for the Zodiac designers and owners.
You get 5 years out of them sitting in the garage, out of the sun.comitan - 10-17-2007 at 12:12 PM
I have one comment to make on Zodiac's, they perform well in all kinds of sea's. Ok then 2 comments don't ever use Armorall on an inflatable you will
have a gooey mess in a couple of years, I'm told it has fish oil in it.gnukid - 10-17-2007 at 12:38 PM
The zodiac futura has larger tubes than the classic and has dual speed tubes or keels where as the classic has a v style one tube keel. So the Futura
is designed for larger seas and its more expensive by $1k. For diving I prefer smaller tubes which make it easier to get in and out (still hard for
most people) use a looped rope for a step ladder.
Most dealers suggest "aerospace protectorant" "SPF 40 for your stuff" it does really help but it can be slippery for a day.
Zodiac will fix or repair the boat for manufacturer defect for 5 years and they have replaced boats that failed. But few zodiac dealers exist in baja
and you can not buy the glues easily there since terrorism laws affected shipping fluids. Purchase extra repair material in the US. In baja the rocks
make for near certain damage to inflatables.
[Edited on 10-17-2007 by gnukid]Cervisin - 10-17-2007 at 12:56 PM
I could recommend Ribcraft, got many years of commercial use (scuba operation) out of them yet larger offshore models..... they have smaller models
also. Maybe worth a look.
[Edited on 10-17-2007 by fishbuck]markshark - 10-17-2007 at 02:28 PM
our current setup is a 14'baltik with a 18hp nissan 4 stroke.the reason for this size motor is the 2 cyl. 18hp weighs a whopping 65 pounds more than
its bigger brother the 3 cyl. 25hp. thats a bunch when youre manhandling it up the beach.
as for the choice of boats my first blowup was a zodiac followed by an achilles followed by a quicksilver.all were hypalon and all were 12'5. without
question hypalon is stronger and will last longer but also PVC boats have come a long way.we opted to try one of these inexpensive korean boats
figureing we could buy three of em for what a hypalon quicksilver would cost. after a couple years of baja abuse we love this boat and have had zero
problems.you can get these 14 footers new on ebay for 950 bucks.
thats my 2 centsMarinero - 10-17-2007 at 09:10 PM
Be sure to research Baja Wheels. There are many types and many theories, but most say the bigger (wider) the better. The are a must for easy beach
launching and recovery.Martyman - 10-18-2007 at 11:21 AM
I will second the vote for a korean inflatable. I've taken mine on many baja trips without any problem. Now if I was going to leave it in the sun
all year I would go hypalon. Korea makes hypalon boats too.
As far as larger name boats I think Zodiac are about the worst. Try Acheles or Avoncomitan - 10-18-2007 at 11:42 AM
What is the name of the Korean Inflatables?jerry - 10-18-2007 at 12:14 PM
Comitan I had 22 Korean inflatables made by SamGong hopolon 18 ft long 9 valves U.S. milatary assult landing craft rated at 100+ hp not a hard
bottom but wieght was right at 300 lb dryMinnow - 10-18-2007 at 12:44 PM
Gnu, Nice pic with Cerralvo in the background. Nice looking boat, but never cared much for Mercury motors.
Oh yeah, I have a Zodiac series I 9.6, I power with a 5 hp tohatsu. It is a foldable, and I love it. I can fit the whole set up in the trunk of my
car. You should see the looks on peoples faces when I pull up in a car set up my boat and head out for the day. It sure is a lot easier than towing a boat.Baja&Back - 10-18-2007 at 01:11 PM
Inflatables? Yeech.
From the day I got a Portabote (http://www.porta-bote.com), never looked again at my Zodiac again!
12' boat is 4 inches thick folded, 70 lbs & planes 2 people with gear using a EIGHT HP outboard!!! Haul it like a windsurf board.
Unsinkable, indestructable, no deflation or ripping, twice the room, assembles in less time than a Zodiac, even has beach wheels. 10 miles offshore in
SOC? No problema!
Do yourself a favour & consider one ...
[Edited on 10-18-2007 by Baja&Back]Minnow - 10-18-2007 at 01:39 PM
Back, you are not the first person I have heard this from.
Do yourself another favor if you are a newbie. You will be able to tell because it says it under your handle. Check out 'M's story with the
Portabote. It will make your day.BajaBruno - 10-18-2007 at 03:50 PM
I have had a 12' Nissan inflatable with an 18HP Tohatsu 2-stroke OB for years. It has made many trips to Belize and lots to Baja. Having said that,
the Nissan design (I don't know who actually made them--I doubt Nissan)stinks, but the motor was wonderful until some Belizean sole it. I think the
+/- 12' size would work well for your purposes, but motor selection, as has been indicated above is an issue.
I replaced the Tohatsu with an 18HP 4-stroke, but that was a bad choice. Way too heavy. Hard to get on the boat, it deflected the transom at rest,
and was a purple bastard to drag up a beach. I then went to a 10 HP 4-stroke, which works OK, but is underpowered. I rarely use the boat anymore
because of the motor issues, but if I could find another good 18 HP 2-stroke, I'd buy it.
The moral is, consider what GnuKid and others have contributed, but worry about the motor weight:HP ratio. It's a tough one to get right and it means
everything from the standpoint of enjoying the boat.
M's Porta bote story
Yakfishing - 10-18-2007 at 04:01 PM
Minnow,
Thanks for the tip.
Did a search and found the whole story after reading a couple of threads that were incomplete.
Was that the launch ramp by Dale's bunkhouse?
I've been kayaking there a few times and when the swell is up, there's a major pucker factor when launching and landing through the "wash machine"
...
B&B,
The porta-bote sounds pretty cool. Maybe I should get one and retire my tandem kayak that I use for taking out passengers. It sounds like a good
option. Checked out the web site. Lots of pros listed, any cons?
Joe O.Bob and Susan - 10-18-2007 at 06:34 PM
they are junk
go look at one in action
on the sea of cortez you'll kill yourself
go inflatablereefrocket - 10-18-2007 at 09:24 PM
We own a 14 +/- Acheles with a 30 hp Johnsen (heavy but will put 4 guys and dive gear on plane) owned since 1990 2 trips to Santa Catilina (ca.)
[26miles one way] once each way in bad water. Never had a worry about flipping! Four times to 'Seal island' (gringo name ) out of San Carlos, Mex.
Most stable/versital dive platform made. Many mile on SOC. Sharp rock are a B%$#&. Have home made wheels (made so when down center of gravity
is under the 2 6gal fuel tank and forward of the motor {helps move some of the weight away from the bow one person can pull up on a medium steep beach
(note I said beach- bigger the rocks traveling over the harder it is)}. Narrow wheels just cut down into the sand. All said and done I doubt 2 guys
of medium stoutness could carry( it is ockward(sp?) ) it up much slope or far.
Bought a Port-a-bote last year---- scares the hell out of me--- NO WAY could a diver get on board if by himself. Tips just like a alum. boat.
Don't believe the hype on the web site of a diver getting on board-- (see the 265lb guy on the other side and in back of boat----that's what you
would need as a counter weight.) have a 6hp Nisson (4 stroke) on it and can barely get it on plane with me in it and then only if i shift weight to
mid. boat (tough to do with a tiller steer. Does row like a sled on ice :-). I will fish out of it but like I said it is a trickie beast. PS- tryed
backing it and at 1/3 throttel almost swamped it with water over the stern. Kind of flexes over waves and make for a softer ride.
Side note --- am looking at a 'Eide boat loader' to load and carry on top of PU camper shell.(too many years of hard work and time have made me
lazier??? smarter???Bob and Susan - 10-19-2007 at 05:28 AM
so...are you selling it or giving it to your mother-in-law????dean miller - 10-19-2007 at 06:35 AM
For many years we owned a 12 foot Zodiac with a 35 HP Mercury. My wife and I used it in US and Baja for for free diving, spear fishing and on
occasion SCUBA diving.
Very stable, sea worthy unit, but some what cramped with 4 SCUBA units etc.
The only modifications was 5/8 dia polyprolene tie off clips for equipment and steps for entering.
Also purchsed and often used a set of professionally made fold up wheels which I would strongly suggest for BAJA. I still have the set..If interested
PM
sdmCrusoe - 10-19-2007 at 08:25 AM
Bwana-John........Bob abd Susan give good advice. In April of 1978 while on a small sailing boat expeditition in the Sea of Cortez, we were camped
waiting out some weather near Ligui. We came across a French couple. The man had just completed a motorized surfboard crossing westabout from San
Carlos-Isla Tiburon-Isla San Estaban- El Baril. (Those wild Frencman)and he towed a Portaboat full of fuel and food as supprt. He was lucky as the
weather was flat calm for all of the trip except for the last five miles. A big Northerly sprung up and the Portaboat flipped and sank because of the
lashed in supplies. What we finally got out of them was the true story of that they had hired a mexican fisherman to go as a support vessel with the
wife never 100 ft. away and giving sandwiches and snacks. The 12' surfboard was designed so he could jettison the motor bracket and motor( a British
3hp Seagull) and his wife got pictures of him paddling the last 100 yards to shore from the Panga and claiming the "First Cossing by Surfboard".. He
was paid good money for this from some french adventure publication. We camped together a couple of days and swapped tales.He had done all sorts of
off the wall trips all over the world and kept every one lauging 24-7.. A Porteboat would be a death sentence in any nasty weather in an open Ocean
anywhere. ++C++Pacifico - 7-6-2008 at 08:00 AM
I know this thread is old, but for what it's worth if anyone is following it - I fully agree with Crusoe. Stay away from the Port-a-bote for SOC. It
might be ok most of the time, but bad weather can come up in a hurry and I would not want to be caught offshore in one of those. An inflatable is a
much safer choice. I've owned 2 with my last one ( a 15' Avon, aluminum floorboards, 30hp) being my favorite. Even compared to my 21 foot fiberglass
boat that I have now, I've never felt safer than in my inflatable. It had like a 2200 pound load rating!!!woody with a view - 7-6-2008 at 08:12 AM
since it's been resurrected....my buddy has a 12' avon with 25 hp mariner (always rinsed). many trips to baja and was originally used for the
hollister ranch.
it's still for sale with foot pump, patch kit, oars, life vests, and maybe some other swag if he wants to clean out his garage....
$2k
u2u with your inquiries.
BajaKeela - 7-6-2008 at 09:14 AM
I agree with all the posters on the comfort of the Port-a Boat... Do yourself a favor and ride in one ... they are the most unstable boat I have ever
been in.. NEVER AGAIN would I get in one.. We have an inflatable 12' with a 15hp .. It dangles at 17mph ..plenty fast enough for me..carries all our
gear (leave the kitchen sink) and feels much safer than a port-a boat.
Inflatable boat
heike - 7-26-2008 at 08:46 AM
Hello There
I am in the market to find a inflatable boat/zodiac w/small motor to just zip around the shoreline. Is anyone out there in the selling mood?
ThanksDiver - 7-26-2008 at 11:42 AM
I think you need a Zodiak 10.5 footer with a 9.9 Evinrude 2-stroke.
And I just happen to have one to sell.
$600 takes them both with homemade carry bags.
It sure is a lot easier than towing a boat.
