Distinctiveforms Loc: largo Florida

Are inflatable boats worth the investment? Are they safe for saltwater fishing. Are electric motors good? What are the safest punncture proof brands?

fishfinder Loc: Phila , no, eastern shore va

I ve been researching inflatables here in Sarasota. From what Ive seen in my readings is that boats made out of hypalon are more resistant to sun and can last 10 or more years. The boats made of pvc are apparently damaged by the sun and life expectancy is about 5 years.

I don’t know how good the electric motors are. Saw one item for a mercury electric outboard it run time was approximately one hour on the battery . I don’t think electric outboards are ready for the average guy yet
Trolling motors on small boats are a different story. I had one and could use if for hours with no problem but there was no speed.
As far as fishing in one I’ve seen YouTube videos where folks covered the inflatable floors with a rubber mat to protect it from sharp objects. I have mixed feelings right now about how feasible they are for fishing but since my HOA won’t let me park a boat in my driveway I may have to go inflatable. Hope this helps.
Just my opinion. Maybe others will reply also.
Tight lines !

Distinctiveforms Loc: largo Florida

Thanks, that was very helpful.

fetz

I used inflatables for fishing in fresh and salt water for years with no negative problems. I had three different inflatables and all were run by outboard motors ranging in size from 10-20 HP. All of the inflatables I had were fabricated from hypalon, and the last that I owned was a RIB which had a fiberglass hull, with inflated tubes(similar to what's used by state police and Coast Guard).
They are extremely stable and light weight. I ran all three, which ranged in length from 10-12 ft. in the ocean, but you have to be choosy about the weather and water conditions. I strongly recommend them but they are not cheap.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I had an inflatable as my car when I lived aboard a sailboat with my family travailing from Maine to Florida over a years period. It was stable enough for my wife two elementary school age kids and myself. We fished, carried groceries, explored, went out to dinner, surfed and went wave jumping with it. I used the same boat for fishing in Puget Sound and as my platform when teaching sailing classes years later. It was still in very good shape when I sold it after 15 years. Care must be taken to not puncture with rockfish fins, dogfish spikes and hooks, but if you use some care and preplanning (we used a large cooler with the top removed to put landed fish in before transferring them to the ice cooler or back in the water), you are good to go. I had an Avon Rover 10.4 with wood floor and a 15 hp Evinrude. (in those days, a 15 hp was a nine with different carb.). I highly suggest a strong 12 v electric pump. That takes most of the hassle out of the equation. The entire rig was easy to load by one person into the back if my pickup. Even my wife and 13 year old daughter took the boat and set it up on their own a few times for sailing practice. I am planning again to get the same boat with 9.9 OB if our plans to travel in an RV works out.

mcdclc Loc: Pomona, NY

Did you consider a Portaboat? They fold up, are not plastic or rubber. Are fairly easy to transport in pieces.
The downside is that they are quite expensive. Potentially, a lot safer than inflatable boats.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

I have some misgivings about an inflatable for fishing in salt water. Salt water fish often have sharp spines in their fins. Well, some fresh water fish too - but much less often. I had to occasionally patch an inner tube back in my SCUBA days.

Dennis Hauss Loc: Lancaster CA

Try Newport inflatable boats

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Y'all need to check out the Sea Eagle line of inflatables.
I actually own 5 !
I have a 14' Foldcat (now only available in 12') that I added floorboards to the "gaps" of the aluminum slats and basically have a 'pontoon/cataraft' that holds 3-4 comfortably, powered by either my 8hp Tohatsu 4stroke or my Torqeedo electric outboard....or rowed with sturdy oars when on the river.
I also have 2 of Sea Eagle"s 9' '285fpb' (~$799, last I checked)basically a Zodiac turned around, comes with floorboard, pedestal swivel seat, oars, and a motor mount for up to a 3hp....sweet little one-man boat, have steelhead fished in Class lll water, no problem.
In addition I have a 10'6" SE Sportboat with hard plastic floorboards , oars, and transom, canopy...great splash and giggle riverboat/lake boat for a small family. And I have SE 330 kayak.
I have fished out of all except the kayak (but could). Never worried about hooks or even rocks....sturdy, sturdy boats.
Easy transport and storage. Easy set up...like 5 minutes with the 285fpb ones or the kayak, maybe 15min for the Sportboat and about 30min for the Foldcat..... due to all the extras that I have added to that one boat. Although I now have a trailer dedicated to that particular boat and it stays inflated all the time....ready to go.
As you can tell, big fan of inflatables, just make sure you buy a quality one. Usually anything under $300 like Sevylor or Intex or Coleman ARE fairly sketchy for fishing, but once you break that $300 mark, the quality and trustworthiness are usually there.
A friend of mine jokes that the difference between decent inflatables and great inflatables is that great ones have "a really dorky, looks complicated but isn't......AIR VALVE !!".....kinda true.
Yes the great inflatables ARE rather spendy, but the 14' Foldcat is a 2009 model, has been down the Colorado River with the previous owner, down the Rogue with me several times and honestly, doesn't show ANY wear or potential problems. I am a pleased owner, to put it mildly.

Be sure to check out Craigslist for used Sea Eagle boats ...3 of mine came to me used, all with zero patches...were never needed !

And hey..... a 9' boat and 3hp motor, along with fishing and camping gear, all in the back of a Subaru Forester with plenty of room for a cooler and overnight bag ????
Why yes........yes, you can easily.

Distinctiveforms Loc: largo Florida

Is hypolon marine grade material?

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

If you mean "saltwater worthy", yes, I believe there's no problem. I, however, have only used my inflatables in freshwater, but many Sea Eagle products and other quality inflatables are regularly used as yacht tenders, bay boats for crabbing and shuttle craft, so...rinse them clean and dry thoroughly before you deflate to store, should be good to go.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I used my Hypalon Avon in salt for years including towing it from Maine to Florida behind a sailboat both inside and outside the ICW.

Corkynewman Loc: Holiday Florida

Do not get a electric motor..i made the $1200 mistake..went back to a 15 hp gas motor and man was i happy..i lost 1200 reselling the electric…the electric cant go very far unless you go super slow..its hard to get out of the way of gas boats. It also has the battery pack that loses power faster and faster as it gets used..

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

What brand motor did you have that you didn't like ?
I have a 3hp Torqeedo and am mightily impressed with it, thus far. No...it's not super fast, but I am fishing, not racing. And apparently whatever you had doesn't have the battery power (longevity) that my Torqeedo demonstrates. I have a second battery for mine, so have never been stranded....actually, have yet to fish long enough to even use the 2nd battery.
Please don't dismiss all electric outboard motors based on your one experience. They are so much quieter and cleaner and lighter in weight. I also have a flexable solar panel that mounts on my Bimini top, recharging the battery as we go. If the sun is shining.....go all day, quiet and free.
I just don't see a downside thus far, unless you truly crave speed......I certainly don't, and don't create much of a wake to disturb others or enough noise to "warn the fish that I have arrived"......hehehe

Corkynewman Loc: Holiday Florida

Epropulsion spirit 1.0