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neilm81301
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Inflatable vs tin boat?
Aside from being wadded up and stuffed in the trunk, do the Zodiacs, etc have any advantages over a similar size alum car-topper?
Thanks!
Neil
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captkw
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Deflatable
Hola Neil,,,you more or less hit the nail on the head..sorta...It really depends on what you want to do with your boat,,,for snorkeling and diving a
deflatable is great...but with fish hooks and a gaff your looking for trouble sooner or later.. a more rigid boat can ride better in most
cases....what are your plans for your boating ?? that's the main factor !!......K&T ...PS they are usally more stable than a small tinner (beer can)
[Edited on 5-13-2014 by captkw]
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redhilltown
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kw really nails when he asks what you are going to use it for. Having done both fairly recently...for serious fishing a tin boat. But if you are
going way off road and space is a problem and you can't car top, an inflatable at least gets you on the water and gets you the chance to do what you
want. We had a small Achilles inflatable recently and it really is a dance when you catch something you want to keep. But dang it, we were on the
Cortez and bopping around areas that small boats rarely go!! If you have to trailer it that is a whole different game but if you have the rack, and
you want to really fish I vote for the tin...
Mostly referring to off roading...no idea which is better if you have a ramp and civilization!
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chuckie
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And, inflatables seem to be harder to sell, if and when that time comes...
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Frank
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For years we drove the F350 CC with a 14' Klamath in the bed. The Klamath was great to fish out of, and the F350 was a mobile garage. The downside was
that the F350 was a mobile garage, too big, heavy, long and didn't like to turn around in a short distance offroad.
We wanted something smaller that would go anywhere we wanted to explore. Now we take the 4Runner with the Deflatable. The Deflatable is lighter to
haul up the beach and easier to climb back in of you go for a swim. I can also say that you get 10 times the excitement if you hook up to a marlin.
LOL
So basically it came down to vehicle choice and what we wanted out of the trip. Buy a good 15-20hp OB and then buy Woodys Deflatable ( if he still has
it ) and search on CL for a tin. Life's too short to own just one boat and there is never a perfect boat that does everything.
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RnR
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Depends on where you want to go and what you want to do.
I've had both and prefer the "tinny". 14 ft Klamath vs 12 ft Achilles, (non RIB). I had the inflatable for the first 6 years and the Klamath for the
last five.
The inflatable is more portable but is still heavy and takes a lot of room. With the Klamath, you can carry stuff inside of it while traveling. The
inflatable takes space rather than creates space.
The Klamath is a better ride. HANDS DOWN. It has a point on the front and handles rougher water quite well. The inflatable is a wet slow ride with
greater than 6" chop. The Klamath has real seats. In the inflatable, you get tired of sitting sideways on the hull after a couple hours. And, you
need to sit on the windward side in a cross-wind. WET!
There's much more room inside the "tinny". The outside dimensions may be similar but the hulls of the inflatable take away a huge amount of your
floor space.
And, the deciding factor for me. Fish hooks and rubber do not mix well. But, you can return three miles to shore with only three of the four air
chambers intact. Ask me how I know...?
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micah202
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.
....something to be said for more solid--mo'betta!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCUc3U8WVMo
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Skipjack Joe
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If you get caught in a storm you are more likely to survive in a raft. They don't flip over as easily and if they do, they remain afloat.
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bajabuddha
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If you do go inflatable, buy quality, not 'sale' prices. I've had a 14' Achilles for 18 years now, and still love it. It has bench seats, and I
STRONGLY suggest a boat with OARS, not paddles (if you have to row a good distance, say if the motor konks on you). You get what you pay for.
The hypalon material is no problem either, bounced many a lure off and not popped a tube yet (one must be diligent in the angle of the dangle though).
A friend recently bought a Zodiac brand with the 'plastic' material (I forget the name) and found a myriad of pin-holes just from fish spines
bouncing off the side of his boat; had to glue a 'fish-patch' where he lands his catch.
Also, the boat folds up neatly in the bed of my truck forward of the gooseneck (5th wheel). I made an A-frame trailer out of 1" square stock steel
and 2 wheel barrow tires that put together in 15 minutes for beach launching (4 WD recommended). As mentioned on other posts, if the seas get rough,
you get wet, but don't sink. Much more stable and safer than metal. Less rocking when people are moving around too. You also have shallower draft
in an inflatable than aluminum, so low tides are less dragging, and usually less weight when loaded with gear/motor, etc.
Plus side of aluminum is you can haul gear in them IF it's trailered; car-top not so easy unless you have a bottom-cage topper. Plus, there's always
the risk of flying boats on the highway. And, if one or the other does end up with a hole, I've seen a lot of aluminum owners hassling longer than
me trying to get it patched.
Cada loco con su tema! Try 'em both. BTW, I'm running a 9.9 Yamaha on mine, it's sufficient for one or two people. A 15 hp would be nicer, but I
can't manage it by myself any more. Happy hunting.
bb
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Barry A.
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I have done both, and my vote is for the Tin-boat. Inflatables are just too much hassle for me.
I agree with Rnr above.
For many years I carried my Gregor 12 foot, and then my Gregor 14 foot tin boat on top of my Callen steel-framed camper on my F-250 pickup and could
go anywhere with that rig, and launch anywhere too. Properly loaded I was never chased off the water, even with 2 to 3 foot waves, but you have to be
careful and know what you are doing and hide out behind islands or headlands occasionally until the wind dies down (hopefully). Well-made Alum boats
are tough customers, and will take a huge beating. I have popped seams by hitting a wave too hard and too fast, but the leaking is minimal and can be
repaired easily and that only happened to me twice in over 20 years.
Just my experience, of course.
Barry
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willardguy
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we've been fishing a zodiac, two achillies and a quicksilver for 15 years and by far the best boat ever is the Balkan VINYL boat we've been fishing
hard for the last 8 years. a third the cost of a hypalon boat and lighter. not a single patch on her and we fish REAL skinny water. biggest fish over
the tube was a 110# gulf grouper that we never cold have pulled inside a tin boat. we run a 18hp on the 14' balkan and like all our inflatables, we
use one piece floors.
if you can't keep from sticking a hook or a gaff in your boat, i'd shore fish! 
[Edited on 5-13-2014 by willardguy]
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Cisco
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| Quote: | Originally posted by neilm81301
Aside from being wadded up and stuffed in the trunk, do the Zodiacs, etc have any advantages over a similar size alum car-topper?
Thanks!
Neil |
Get a copy of "The Outboard Boater's Handbook". David Getchell.
Library should have it. Think it's out of print but it covers EVERYTHING and is an excellent resource to your question and full of good information on
every page.
Great book. If you can't find it let me know and I'll send you my copy.
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SFandH
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cisco
Get a copy of "The Outboard Boater's Handbook". David Getchell.
Library should have it. Think it's out of print but it covers EVERYTHING and is an excellent resource to your question and full of good information on
every page.
Great book. If you can't find it let me know and I'll send you my copy. |
Amazon Book Store
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mcfez
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neilm81301 ...what area are you planning to go boating? Launching is the big question as there are few on the Sea Of Cortez side. I have a Gregory
that is perfect for tow n fish .....and it wont sink from a accidental hole punch. I copied the boat darn near as shown in http://www.amazon.com/The-Baja-Catch-Fishing-California/dp/0...
We also have kayak fishing platforms............where are fantastic for those hard to get too locations. Great for tow n fish.
Haven t taken anything larger into our side of The Baja due to road conditions and my lack of patience for driving slow and cautiousness disregard :_)
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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captkw
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another optain
I used to run 25 miles for tuna (albie) in a 14 ft Livingston in 20 kt's wind and rad sea's ,,Dry,,stalbe, fast,fishey and they make smaller
units..gene missed the boat on that !!! I dare you to test drive in the
snot..Amazing !! 1 problem ..very few know how to rig and set them up right !!
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Pompano
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Neil, the final choice will be up to you. Whatever you decide, I'd advise taking it for a sea trial first. A full discovery before buying is muy
important. I know you realize all this, but it's useful to go over it again.
That would include a complete dress rehearsal on the boat.
On an inflatable...carrying, airing up for the water, launching, a sea trial checking for leaks and comfort, engine + equip, retrieving, airing down
and storage. Get the feel of the whole procedure.
You should put the aluminum boat in the water, check for leaks in bottom and transom, check engine, run at speed with 2 people to see if it planes,
and how dry it runs in waves.
Also, depends on 'where' you will be boating. Offshore/inshore ocean, bays, lakes, and rivers all have different situations. Where I am right
now...it's solid driftboats with shallow keels that work well here.
I've had both of your choices and have enjoyed them for different reasons and locations for many years...both work and play.
Inflatables:
Your #1 decision is whether or not you want/need to break down the boat frequently. A lot of inflatables get inflated and stay that way. In that case
the plain old wood floor over the over-inflated floor is a good value. In that case, you only have to deal with assembly once. I also think a trailer
is the best option for a larger inflatable. I bought a light trailer and kept it inflated and ready to go.
Inflatables are better for rough water, can't really sink them if you get swamped. They may ride rough as a bucking bull...but you'll stay afloat to
tell your story later.
Get used to lifting the weight. Try lifting one up and putting it in your trunk, by yourself, that and the motor... that just leaked gas all over
your back seat...
The stability of fishing from an inflatable as well as the end of season storage compactness of them is something else to consider. Saves on garage
space.
Aluminum car toppers:
I know the aluminum boats seem to last forever with pretty minimal care in fresh water...and for use in salt, keep them rinsed right after use and
you'll have fewer problems. Some hull coating can also be done to control any galvanic corrosion. Easy peasy.
You have more usable space inside the boat...for comfort and service. You won't puncture the boat with a fish hook or gaff.
From my experience, the aluminum will also hold its value a lot better.
For either boat...
I can't really recommend brands, but first go by the weight of the equipment you can comfortably handle. Then pick the largest length and most HP that
fits inside those parameters.
The outboard is best gotten as a 4 stroke. 2 strokes are lighter, but they stink and leave oil on top of the water.
So it all depends on how you use it.
For multiple launchings, I eventually got tired of the inflatable with the take down and setup and lugging the motor on and off the boat and bought a
15 ft Aluminum boat for those small boat uses. That's just me...
I would say buy the Tinny, use it for many years. If you ever decide to sell you will be able to sell it for what was invested, for the most part.
And remember....The acronym BOAT stands for - Bring Out Another Thousand.
You get what you pay for.
Good Luck Boating!
Here we are at Agua Verde with a Tinny. 1985
A collage of some inflatables over the years.
[Edited on 5-13-2014 by Pompano]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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JZ
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We've had endless fun in our Zodiac. Carrying on the back of the big boat. And small enough to fit in my truck in between two dirt bikes.
[Edited on 5-13-2014 by JZ]
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Barry A.
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JZ-----You appear to have a leak in your starboard center chamber-----a significant leak!!! 
(Sorry, I just had to do it)
Does the rifle have anything to do with it?
Barry
[Edited on 5-13-2014 by Barry A.]
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woody with a view
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I've got a 12' Avon for $400 if you need one!
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Skipjack Joe
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Were tin boats ever made of tin?
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