How to utilize what small space we have...

[Pack Rat]

Well it's the middle of winter up here and we just had our January thaw 2 weeks late and the tease of an early spring replaced with a good old fashioned blizzard, 30mph winds and a foot of snow. But the good news is the wife still doesn't care I have the new SIB inflated in the livingroom and its been over a month!!!!

Getting serious...I'm thinking of using the SIB for a lot of 2 night island hopping gigs and looking for idea's to utilize what little space I have on the JP-380 (12.5'). I found cat litter containers are the perfect fit under my seats, waterproof, and can carry up to 35 pounds in them.

What do the rest of you use? Dive bags, all purpose waterproof bags, etcetera...? Any pic's?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

My previous sib was a 380 and max available space was a must have issue. Placed the gas tank secured with side o'rings, probably will need to extend gas hose some centimeters to pass sideway tube to engine. Place a bow bag, can me purchased in boating stores. Keep plastic cans under wooden seat, doing so will have an empty social free space from seat to transom.

Check overall idea;
http://www.pbase.com/locozodiac/image/110572205

Happy Boating

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

If you are maxing out your load to go camping in the boat containers are definitely the way to go. It is so much easier to load and unload everything that way. Depending on your gear you might find the kitty litter containers a bit small. I bought a large Rubbermaid storage container that fills the space between my bench and the outboard. It was cheap and a bit flexy, but straps down great when near full. Sucks up a bunch of the ridiculous amount of gear we camp with. Then I stack lighter stuff on top. Everyone camps with a roll-a-cot don't they? I'm definitely taking my blender to Lake Powell this year!

Do you get more clearance between the kitty litter container and the seat when the tubes are topped off? Unless it is pretty smooth water your bench may bounce of the container when under way. The clearance looks a little tight.

Anything that absolutely can't get wet goes in a dry bag. The dry bag is my regular carry all when I don't try and take the world with me. Bins get busted, dropped in the shoreline water, pop a top. Maybe thats just me :facepalm:

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

I've decided to not use the seats and went with waterproof bags. I still have to get a cooler and anchor crate in.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

You could place gas tank strapped to bow's side d'rings. extend gas hose from outter bulb onto engine, can pass hose line by lower small d'rings located on left tube, when tank is full, will give about 23 Kg of weight for better bow balance, or place tank aft, so to have the most available social space on middle deck.

Depending on your bow's shape, round, point or square, could hung & secure anchor on bow's life line, my rib has a square bow, a perfect place for anchor & 50 ft rope organizer.

Happy Boating

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

Here's the Pack Rat fully loaded for a three day run.

 

[partskenn]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

That's one heck of a load. Does the dog have to ride on the tube, or is he allowed inside the boat?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

So you will use a second sib to tow that one along with crew and doggy... You are missing the engine and fuel tank...

Happy Boating

 

[ZIZON]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

Here's the Pack Rat fully loaded for a three day run.

you have a lot of fishing stuff on your boat, please show me your picture when you are in fishing. nice stuff.

 

[jondavies]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

Your boat is nicely rigged. Where are you heading?

Here's my daughter playing captain in my boat loaded for an amazing four-day trip to Lake Powell that my son and I just returned from (full report to follow separately).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20500808@N03/5644239707/lightbox/

Next time I might put a plywood deck across the Action Packer boxes as the lids sometimes slipped off when the plastic got warm and soft. Other than that, I wouldn't change much.

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

partskenn "Rudy" is quite daring and I am sure he will ride the tube to see what's going on.

Sea Rider I should have gotten the 14' for sure! The fuel tank is hidden in front of the fishing poles.

ZIZON I'll definitely be posting pictures of fishing. Hope to make a sturgeon fishing trip up on Canada border next spring. They get very big there...50 pounds plus!
By the way...are you on "Flickr" and go by the user name Tran Quang Vinh? I have a Flickr account for all my photography and a set specifically for my boat. http://www.flickr.com/photos/railroadweasel/sets/72157625750055744/

jondavies Lake Superior...and since I live right next to Mississippi river I'll go there too for over nighters catfishing. I see your on both flickr and photobucket.

 

[ZIZON]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

Your boat is nicely rigged. Where are you heading?

Here's my daughter playing captain in my boat loaded for an amazing four-day trip to Lake Powell that my son and I just returned from (full report to follow separately).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20500808@N03/5644239707/lightbox/

Next time I might put a plywood deck across the Action Packer boxes as the lids sometimes slipped off when the plastic got warm and soft. Other than that, I wouldn't change much.

Thank you for the picture, you have a lovely girl as mine, your boat look nice, it has a radio and fishfinder, I have walkie talkie only. What is that fishfinder, can have a closer picture of it and the back of the boat where you attach the transducer. I'm planning to buy this fisdfinder, it has a clam for easy to attach to the boat
http://cgi.ebay.com/Humminbird-New-...639?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27ba73d7ef
im using it for the deep and the rock in the seabed rather than for fishing.
. I really enjoy a long several days trip as yours in the lake for fishing and camping, in Vietnam there is not much place for you to do that.
My boat is just for touring around Vung tau coastal area, will keep you all updated with the picture soon.

 

[ZIZON]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

partskenn "Rudy" is quite daring and I am sure he will ride the tube to see what's going on.

Sea Rider I should have gotten the 14' for sure! The fuel tank is hidden in front of the fishing poles.

ZIZON I'll definitely be posting pictures of fishing. Hope to make a sturgeon fishing trip up on Canada border next spring. They get very big there...50 pounds plus!
By the way...are you on "Flickr" and go by the user name Tran Quang Vinh? I have a Flickr account for all my photography and a set specifically for my boat. http://www.flickr.com/photos/railroadweasel/sets/72157625750055744/

jondavies Lake Superior...and since I live right next to Mississippi river I'll go there too for over nighters catfishing. I see your on both flickr and photobucket.

hihi how do you know my account on flickr? yes that is me. i have not posted any boating picture on it yet, there is a lot of boating picture in photobucket for posting.

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

ZIZON You commented on one of my video on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/railroadweasel/5364669766/in/set-72157625750055744 and I looked at your profile. I'm on photobucket too but I mainly use it for off site storage in case of computer failure, home fire, and posting pictures on the Internet. http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l89/dmkilbride/

Do you use Google translator or do you speak English as a second language. I've been using Google translator but find it doesn't translate very well.

 

[ZIZON]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

ZIZON You commented on one of my video on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/railroadweasel/5364669766/in/set-72157625750055744 and I looked at your profile. I'm on photobucket too but I mainly use it for off site storage in case of computer failure, home fire, and posting pictures on the Internet. http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l89/dmkilbride/

Do you use Google translator or do you speak English as a second language. I've been using Google translator but find it doesn't translate very well.

Oh. i have not tried Google translator, i'm speaking English as a second language.

 

[jondavies]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

Zizon,

I only got the fixed radio because I sometimes take the boat to Catalina Island (25+ miles offshore) and I wanted the extra range of a 25 watt unit and fixed antenna. Most of the time a handheld radio is fine.

As for the fishfinder, I have an Eagle Cuda 350 S/Map which is a combo sonar and GPS unit to save space. For the price, it's hard to beat the features as long as you don't mind the B&W screen. To be honest, I need to spend some time with the manual learning more about using the fishfinder features. Up until now, I've mostly use the sonar as a depth finder for diving but it would have been helpful to spot fish when we were at the lake.

Here's a picture of the transducer mount:

I wanted the transducer to be removable so I modified a bracket for a bait well pump, however I don't ever take the transducer off so if I did it again I'd screw it directly to the transom. After mounting I learned it's better to position on the starboard side to avoid interference from prop wash, but I'm not that bothered to move it.

Yes, I'm very fortunate to live in the United States -- there's so many amazing places to explore here. It was a 10-hour drive to Lake Powell but it was well worth the effort. We covered a lot of ground in four days but we didn't scratch the surface of this vast lake and it's many canyons. We'll be back!

From what little I've seen of Vietnam it looks like a beautiful country as well. I notice on Google maps that there are some small islands off t he coast of Mui Ca Mau National Park and near Rach Gia. Would it be possible to take your boat out there to camp and explore? How about a trip through some of the areas of the Mekong Delta?

FYI -- I've taken the boat over to Catalina and slept in the bottom. It's a little cramped but if you bring minimal gear it works very well and you don't need any reservations.

Cheers,

Jon

 

[ZIZON]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

Zizon,

I only got the fixed radio because I sometimes take the boat to Catalina Island (25+ miles offshore) and I wanted the extra range of a 25 watt unit and fixed antenna. Most of the time a handheld radio is fine.

As for the fishfinder, I have an Eagle Cuda 350 S/Map which is a combo sonar and GPS unit to save space. For the price, it's hard to beat the features as long as you don't mind the B&W screen. To be honest, I need to spend some time with the manual learning more about using the fishfinder features. Up until now, I've mostly use the sonar as a depth finder for diving but it would have been helpful to spot fish when we were at the lake.

Here's a picture of the transducer mount:

I wanted the transducer to be removable so I modified a bracket for a bait well pump, however I don't ever take the transducer off so if I did it again I'd screw it directly to the transom. After mounting I learned it's better to position on the starboard side to avoid interference from prop wash, but I'm not that bothered to move it.

Yes, I'm very fortunate to live in the United States -- there's so many amazing places to explore here. It was a 10-hour drive to Lake Powell but it was well worth the effort. We covered a lot of ground in four days but we didn't scratch the surface of this vast lake and it's many canyons. We'll be back!

From what little I've seen of Vietnam it looks like a beautiful country as well. I notice on Google maps that there are some small islands off t he coast of Mui Ca Mau National Park and near Rach Gia. Would it be possible to take your boat out there to camp and explore? How about a trip through some of the areas of the Mekong Delta?

FYI -- I've taken the boat over to Catalina and slept in the bottom. It's a little cramped but if you bring minimal gear it works very well and you don't need any reservations.

Cheers,

Jon

Thanks for you info and picture, I?m not dare to bring my boat to that far to explore, this trip is likely an adventure for me than a touring trip. I?m not much in experience in boating and my engine is 9.8hp so i can not so to far from shore. Please show me your any adventure trip on inflatable boat? May be your picture encourage me to go explore in future. Thanks

 

[jondavies]

Re: How to utilize what small space we have...

Thanks for you info and picture, I?m not dare to bring my boat to that far to explore, this trip is likely an adventure for me than a touring trip. I?m not much in experience in boating and my engine is 9.8hp so i can not so to far from shore. Please show me your any adventure trip on inflatable boat? May be your picture encourage me to go explore in future. Thanks

I'm writing up a report of the Lake Powell trip right now. I'll post a link when it's finished.

In my experience, a well maintained inflatable boat with proper equipment is a very seaworthy and safe vessel but there are some caveats before embarking on a longer range trip.

1. Marine weather forecast is good for the duration of my trip + at least 1 day.

2. Engine is running reliably and has had regular service.

3. Boat US towing insurance is valid (is there an equivalent service in Vietnam?)

4. Radio is working (plus backup handheld radio).

5. Satellite EPIRB/Personal Locator Beacon is working (US Coast Guard will respond in a life-threatening situation -- is there an equivalent in Vietnam?)

6. Appropriate emergency gear (flares, PFDs, food & water, fire extinguisher, space blanket, flash light, first aid kit, spare anchor, sea anchor, etc.)

7. 50 percent more gasoline than I expect to use.

8. If possible, make long-distance trips with a buddy boat to provide assistance if necessary. If not, travel in areas where there are likely to be other boats who can offer help in an emergency.

With all these precautions, I think an off-shore trip is reasonable but only if you're comfortable. After all, boating is supposed to be fun and it's no fun if you're worried about getting back home, right?

It's absolutely best to start out with small trips and see how it goes from there. After a while, as your experience and confidence in the boat grows, you might be ready to gradually extend the range of your trips.

Cheers,

Jon