There are a few options when choosing a boat to fish from that is relatively convenient when towing a van. My choice was an inflatable, a Quicksilver 340 Sports, an 11 foot multi chamber ply floor with an air keel. Rolls up to a complete package and fitted easily under the bed. The hull was Hypalon, a DuPont material that is the ultimate and almost devoid of the problems associated with ultra violet and oil degradation.
Compared to PVC is a far superior material but a lot more expensive, hand made, where PVC is welded. I had a Hypalon Archilies on the yacht for many years exposed to the elements and whether the more expensive material was necessary is a choice to be made based on usage.
I matched it with a 15 hp Yamaha and it was exhilarating and balanced but would chose again an 8 hp, ample for fishing.
Just gets up on the plane with the 8 and a much lighter unit. I struggled a bit carrying 15 at 36 kilo.
So if your van was near the water a trailer wasn't necessary. I had a jinker to wheel it to the waters edge, if firm ground with the motor mounted, otherwise separately. I was told by Mercury Marine that an air floor instead of the ply was much lighter but if you get punctures the millions of support fibres become tangled and create unevenness after patching. I kept it pumped up as a unit for as long as I could and had a cover over it.
Very stable, excellent to fish from and felt safer than in a Hobie, fear of sharks after viewing videos on You Tube.
Had an esky strapped down in the middle to keep things dry, an extension tiller, a cushion to sit on and used the esky as an arm rest and enjoyed my unit immensely. Plenty of room for two to fish comfortably.
My only fear of blow up Dinghies is getting a hook in the side,dropping a knife or even sharp fin in the side..
I have an 11'6 Alum dinghy powered by a 6hp Yamaha (for weight reasons as well).....and lift them onto the roof with a Rino boat lifter (with the greatest of ease)
Hi, it's good to get a response on this subject. If you consider the quality of Hypalon as an option you would not be disappointed. Quicksilver, is a Mercury Marine product, and if you Google the product and study it you will see that Hypalon versions are less available and now produced mainly for the commercial market. I recently had to sell mine and will guarantee the satisfaction you will get from it. On the yachts many years ago tinnies replaced the ply tenders and cleaning the top sides on the mooring was a very unstable process. With the inflatable you can sit on the side dangling your feet over into the water, with confidence it won't flip. That's why divers like them. The air keel has 6psi and the hull chambers 3 in all have 3.5psi. You barely can dent your thumb into it at those pressures. Rigidity is the key, performance is reliant on the rigidity and confidence is reliant on the quality. Sales people will confuse you but there really is no option if you can afford it. Worth waiting until you can. 6 years ago at the Adelaide Boat Show I purchased my dream, and the Sydney Mercury Marine lady was impressed of my insistence on Hypalon. The 340 sports was $2600' about $800 dearer, she suggested the ply floor in relation to your fears and although the weight difference is noticeable and assembly wise a bit harder, it's worth it because you will have a product to pass onto your kids if not a very good resale value.
Pat and I lived in our van at Semaphore for a year or so so I made a jinker out of Unistrut, that could be broken down and used to walk it down and take off. 25 miles and return down the coast to Port Noarlunga, and waited for the sea breeze to enjoy the bigger seas for a slower return trip. If you are young and fit enough I reckon the 15 Yammy was perfect but if fishing mainly 8 hp is enough and lighter to handle. Used 2 wheel barrow tyers each side for the soft sand and in the transom area a jarrah pad covered in boat carpet.
So, in my opinion, be wary of PVC or many different names they use. There is only one material DuPont Hypalon. Ask the experienced yachties and marine workers advice on the forums.
Igloo Marine sell about a 40 litre ice box that with the ply floor allows tie downs from the handles an corner locators too. There are great lifting points for davids and I used a plastic milk carrier to hold the anchor, rope and chain. There is a grapple anchor available, the smallest one in the range, not the straight rods, cheaper version that you bend yourself. To retrieve a snagged anchor I always had attached a trip line wrapped around the foam storage float. I also had a permanent bridal with a net float secured each side with a bowline knot and lashed.
The icebox lid I glued on a piece of marine ply to strenghen as a seat when fishing.
See attached photo.
Good luck,
Graham.
Have a look on Gumtree at our van for sale, Concept 22ft Adelaide, you may help us spread the word.
-- Edited by Technomad on Friday 28th of March 2014 08:32:41 AM
-- Edited by Technomad on Friday 28th of March 2014 08:34:14 AM
-- Edited by Technomad on Friday 28th of March 2014 08:46:40 AM
-- Edited by Technomad on Friday 28th of March 2014 08:47:08 AM
