Help decide between two boats; getting back into boating.

[I Ate Queequeg]

Looking to get back into boating and starting cheap. I'm thinking an Inflatable or Aluminum in the 12-14 foot range. I've had an Achilles before and liked it with the exception of bow rise and struggling to get up on plane. I had no idea about proper prop. pitch or even if my engine was in its proper RPM range at the time so that could have been the problem

I'm looking at either an Alumacraft T12V with a 10hp or a Saturn Catamaran PB430G with a 10-15hp. I'd be using a basic GPS/Sounder and would like to charge a battery so even a low output alternator from that size engine would be fine.

The biggest problem would be towing. My car is a Scion xA , so we are talking Class 1 hitch and a light trailer. The good news is either boat with engine and trailer would be no more than 450-500 lbs.

I would mostly be using this boat in lakes or along the Intercoastal Waterway or in tidal bays along the South Carolina coast and along the beach.

http://alumacraft.com/traditional-bench-seating-v-boats/t12v.php
http://www.boatstogo.com/inflatable_boat_pb430.asp

Thanks for any advice and hopefully the links work.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help decide between two boats; getting back into boating.

the Alumacraft is a great inland boat, i would not get on the ocean side with it. either boat with tiller controls, and just one person is going to have a bow rise problem with out weight in the bow. imho, i would prefer, the alumacraft, with a stick steering, and remote controls,

 

[I Ate Queequeg]

Re: Help decide between two boats; getting back into boating.

Thanks for the reply. I'm used to seeing a steering wheel but the lever makes sense as well. I can also see how easy it would be to rivet accessories to the boat as needed where an inflatable not so much

As for long life I would think the Aluminum would hold up better than the PVC most likely. I like the idea of the inflatables "speed tubes" but as long as the aluminum can get up on plane and go somewhere around 20mph with a 9.9 pushing it, I think it would work.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help decide between two boats; getting back into boating.

my little boat would run 25 with just me, 1955 15 hp rude. you will see close to 20 with a 9.9. i just bought a used Gheenoe, but i think it is too narrow for your needs.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Help decide between two boats; getting back into boating.

I would go with the aluminum boat just for the sake of duarability, no chance you will get out in it and find out you are leaking air or hit something submerged and rip it, much harder to punture aluminum and it would be easier to repair if something did happen to it.

Had 12' jon with a 64 Johnson on it and with the weight balanced like TD said that thing would fly, it was a real blast.

I put a long gas hose on it and had the gas and battery up front and me in the rear, didn't have a gps at the time but I would say it ran close to 20.

 

[DJ]

Re: Help decide between two boats; getting back into boating.

I would seriously rethink your weights.

Boat-300#

Trailer-300#+

Engine-100#+-

You'll be under 1K# but not by much, especially considering gear, fuel, etc.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help decide between two boats; getting back into boating.

we pulled my 3 person PWC, with the same vehicle, it was about the same weight. no problems.

 

[kandil]

Re: Help decide between two boats; getting back into boating.

I have the Saturn it is fun to ride and I love it and I Carry it on top of my trucks rack and it is not the same as the one that boatstogo sell now!!I use a 25HP Tohatsu 2 strokes and it goes at 32mph GPS speed with 2 people on board I think that a good aluminum boat will out last the PVC but if you want speed for cheep go PVC read this http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=269759

 

[I Ate Queequeg]

Re: Help decide between two boats; getting back into boating.

The boat is 164lbs, the engine would be around 100. The trailer is the only question. I'm going to post in the Trailers and Towing forum to see what kind of recommendation I get for a good manufacturer for one.

Funny note, when I had the Achilles up in Alaska I took it up to Finger Lake before all the ice had gone and used it with a trolling motor as a makeshift icebreaker

No punctures or anything and one of the homeowners commended me for trying. Would I try that again with an inflatable? Defiantly not, age has hopefully make me wiser though I'd still like to go exploring with a boat.

(edited for spelling )

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help decide between two boats; getting back into boating.

the boat in my pics is a 1960's boat, the aluminum boat will be around long after the inflateable has deteriorated. there are a lot of used boats around, save a buck.