Inflatable Boat with floor board

[JPY]

Anybody has any experience/comments with inflatable boat with a hard floor board so that you can stand on? I am interested in a portable boat that I can fish from alone as well as taking my kids out in. Canoes and kayaks don't seem that steady, especially with a kid in it.

Any suggestions.

Thanks,
John

[Darian]

John,.... I'm not a fan of infltables with hard bottoms. So, for me, a pram is always the best choice. 8)

Depending on your intended use, car toppers are versatile, sturdy and reliable. 8) A very good fiber glass or kevlar pram is available thru Kiene's. Keaton prams come in 8' and 10' models. They can be outfitted with batteries/trolling motors or rowed. They are wider than other prams and have a very good load capaciy. For the price, you can't beat 'em. :D

I have an 8' TPL model pram (Keaton's predescessor) that's about 30 years old. Still going. I've fished in rivers and lakes from it without ever feeling unsecure.... 8) 8)

[JPY]

Thanks Darian. I thought about prams, but the problem is storage. I need something that I can put away and not take up space in the garage since I can't install a pully system. So basically the only option I think I have is an inflatable.

However, if it is difficult to fly fish out of an inflatable boat, then I don't think it will serves my intended purpose.

JOhn

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

A couple of summers ago I was in British Columbia lake fishing.

I was shocked to see so many different types of thing fly fishers were floating in.

I did see a number of nice "Zodiac" style inflatables that had a solid floor and a transom for a gas or electric motor. On small lakes they rowed them. For a motorhome this looks like a good idea.

Another possibility is the "Fould-a-boat" which is a good craft too.

I really like a 12-16 foot flat bottom Jon boat on a trailer with oars, electric and outboard.

Many just don't have a place to store a boat on a trailer.

Small prams are OK but one big enough for 2 or 3 people is too havy for most.

http://porta-bote.com/

http://porta-bote.com/images/garage.jpg


http://www.boatstogo.com/images/SD365/SD365_run1_sm.jpg

[JPY]

Bill,

The Porta-Bote is verything I am looking for. Have you fished from it before? Do you sell it at the shop? How much?

Anybody body have any experience with the Porta-Bote.

John

[Hairstacker]

John, I plan on getting one of these 2-man Coleman kayaks to take my kids out in:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Sachlil/Coleman2-man.jpg

I've been using the 1-man version for the past couple seasons in the Delta and have found it EXTREMELY stable, and I've had a blast fly fishing out of it. I wouldn't attempt standing up in one, though. You can get them at Walmart on-line pretty cheap compared to anything else. By the way, they're actually thicker and more durable than they look in photos. Anyway, just thought I'd toss it out there as another option.

[J.R. Hubbard]

Something else to consider and confuse you is to check out the boat show in Sac next weekend. Also wait until Feb and go to the Fly Show in San Rafael. I know at the fly show there will boats and watercraft specific to fly fishing. You can talk to reps and then order the boat you pick from your local fly shop. Last year I looked at all kinds of stuff at that show and it was nice to get to talk to the reps from the companies. I am in the same "boat" you're in. I want to get a boat that can do more things in one than I think is possible...

[JPY]

Mike -I seriously considered a kayak or canoe. Unfortunately I don't think my son is old enough to sit still in a kayak to fish. That's why I was considering a raft since he can move around a littie bit.

J.R. - You got to check out the Porta-Bote's website. Based on what I have read from their website, that thing is pretty amazing. Its stores well, assembles quickly, light enough for one person to pick up, and its sturdy. I'm just trying to figure who carries it around here so that I can take a look at it or have someone that owns one give me some feedback.

John

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

The 12' Portaboat is very popular.

The only complaints are it takes a little time to put together for just a day trip and the floor is a little mushy but you get use to it.

I have not tried one but have read a lot of good reports on the web.

They are in the Bay Area, CA.

[bruce mace]

Don't know exactly what you are looking for, but, I've got 2 girls that are hard core white water enthusiasts after 3 summers of stripping down my fishing inflatable and hitting certain rivers. The rest of the year, a 14 foot Avon inflatable with rowing frame, fore and aft flyfishing stations and the full rig, including rod holders and ice chest for overnighting. 3 guys fishing hard, comfortably. Contact me if any questions.. I'll try and post a photo here.

[bruce mace]

Image I hope...

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/brucemace123/fishing002.jpg

[JPY]

Bruce - Nice set up.

I am leaning towards the Porta Bote.

John

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thanks for the feedback Bruce.

Great photo of a very first class fishing boat.

Our friend at Clavey River Equipment in Petaluma sell those Avons.

http://www.clavey.com/

[Rip]

I have a SeaEagle inflatable canoe purchased from REI about 25 years ago. They are very sturdily built and the company gives good service, which I needed last year when ordering a new air valve.

http://www.seaeagle.com/default.asp

Their Sport models have the solid floor you're looking for:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e83/calinky/gianni_fishing.jpg

...and the FoldCat is an interesting pontoon model designed for fishing with seats high off the water.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e83/calinky/FoldCatStandingGary.jpg

Lots of options for accessories, too. Don't forget the life jackets!

[BruceB]

I used to borrow a friend's 12 foot porta bote to fish out of. Great little boat. The floor flexes when you stand on it, but you'll quickly get used to it. I would suggest looking for a used one on E-Bay or Craig's List. Make sure you get one with the square transom, a genesis 3 or 4.

[brad_harrington]

I have 12 ft pontoon boat that works great for 2 people. In this picture, we went on an overnight trip with 2 people and my 100 lb dog as well. This boat is made by a company called Skookum up in Seattle (www.steelheader.com). Not cheap, but very sturdy, lots of fun, and can handle class 3+ rapids. You can anchor in reasonably fast water and stand up and fish no problem..

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e299/brad_harrington/boat2.jpg

[JPY]

Thanks to all for the feedback and suggestions. JPY

[smokeater]

This is a bit late, but depending what price range you're in you should really look at Outcast. They have a pretty wide variety of styles and sizes to choose from. They are a bit expensive, but you will be getting your every bit of what you pay for. Good quality workmanship and a great warranty, everyone I know that has one loves it. From what you have said about what your plans are I would look at the Power Drifter or perhaps a two person pontoon either a Fishcat 13.0 or a Pac 1200. Outcast is a part of Aire which makes some of the best whitewater boats around. And if you decide to get rid of it later, I'm sure you can get good resale value out of it.