Inflatables....

Posted By: Tom
Date: 5/14/07 6:24a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: kayak (jim)

I've had and used a number of inflatables. Liek so many other things they have some good and bad characteristics. The good news includes: they are very bouyant, light and easy to stow. The bad news is they get leaks, aren't always inflated when one wants or needs to use it, they sun rot and when they wind blows, stay on course miserably and they are miserable to row or paddle. Carrying a five gallon container of gas or this and that kind of groceries are a chore and generallly get wet. If one goes to shore in even a small breeze, it is good if the wind is in the direction desired and very bad if not. If one is trying to get back to the boat and the breeze isn't cooperating, it can be impossible....and we've rescued more than one boater who was in an inflatable, who couldn't get back to shore or the boat in a contrary breeze. For my dingy, I'm presently using an 8 foot Walker Bay, with a factory designed inflatable collar, pushed by a Honda 2 hp. So far that has been a great combination....tough, relatively cheap, reliable, good in most, reasonable weather conditions, light and manageable when hoisting on deck or lowering to the water and if one wishes to install a sail it is sailable, or with oars or paddles, that works pretty well also....though I like the small outboard. Ferrying a couple of five gallon fuel containers is fairly simple and groceries are hard to ferry either. Inflatable or hard dingy....both have good news and bad.... benefits and problems or down sides...and the debate continues....