Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

[Ajm456]

Hey!

I recently bought myself an inflatable seveylor for the family, we went on it a couple of times here in Miami and it was great but I was thinking if I can do any modifications on it.. I was thinking if I can put a wooden floor for it can be more sturdy but I'm kinda nervous if it would damage it. Anyways.. I want to hear your thoughts about this and opinions! Thanks! it's a 105 k

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Not trying to rain on your parade but that is not a boat.
You cant get a Boat for $100
At best it is a pool toy or a raft.
I would be afraid to take this on a lake
In what body of water in Miami could you use this?
Please save some more money and buy an actual boat.
The rule is that if you dont have to register it.
it is not a boat.
Please do not put this in saltwater
You are putting your family in this and putting them at risk
If the Coast Guard or the Police that patrol the water ways saw you in this. You would have a problem.
For the Miami area you need at least a 10 foot registered boat with a 5 or 10 hp motor on it.

 

[Rakumi]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Just finished looking up your boat. Make the most of your boat if you enjoy it. Measure out how the size of wood you would need for a floor. Home Depot will actually put the carpet on for you if you already have your cut piece of wood (they did for me at least). I had a chance about a week ago to test out my floor with carpet for the first time. My boat is pretty big so I needed to have a hinge, clam shell design. But it made the boat so much more stable and I was able to stand on it with no problem. This was in saltwater so it had some small waves, it was a calm day though. You may want to later look into a a trolling motor. I bought just the basic Endura C2 MinnKota 30. It does what I need. I clean it and the boat off after every use because of the salt. Good luck. Enjoy your boat. Be careful because inflatables are very vulnerable to punctures. And your boat does not have thick PVC. So just watch out for rocks and never drag your boat on the hard ground.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

That's a first entry level sib, material is very thin, lateral seams are pleated like, if comes with attached pressure gauge on tube, don't inflate more than recommended or could blow the fabric next to welded pleated seam. Good for close coastal and beach enjoyment. Sevylor used to be in the good old days a low end Zodiac sub product, was sold to the Chinese moons back.

My first entry level sib was a Caravelle K-86 excactly same with thin 1 layer pvc fabric which stretched a lot and same pleated seams. Ended bursting fabric side of seams due to overinflation along a wave crashing into sib and kabum. Waterloo time..

Add whatever you want to and enjoy it, most of us have initiaded boating with first entry level cheap sibs and upgraded to bigger pro ones along the years just to find that size and HP are never enough..

Happy Boating

 

[Guest]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

I agree with Ronald and beg you not to take it into salt water. If you have a pond you want to use it in thats fine but please don't go into salt water. I was about to buy the mariner 4 and was advised against it for salt water. I have a friend who picked up an old avon for 200 bucks on craigalist so look around. Only had 1 patch.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

I agree.... You'll need a car/dolly of some sort and when it comes to a motor.... The sevylor motor mount is expensive.... Make your own... It'll be cheaper and better

 

[Ajm456]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Thanks man.. I just want to start off with the floor but nervous if it could puncture or pop the main floor In the bottom.. But I'll make sure to sand off the sides real good and put the insulations..anyways thanks!

 

[Ajm456]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Ohh and what do you need to make a motor mount ...

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Why is advised not to take it into salt water, sib will be eroded, will shrink, compress ? Oh come on, is this a manufacturer written statement inside Owners Manual or it's the store seller word of mouth advising so. Had mine for 2 years and was used on SALT WATER all year round, was not a big fan of rinsing it afterwards with fresh water.

You'll be dissapointed puting a engine on that thin fabric sib, lacks structural rigidity, that means engine will flex down against stern, worst when giving more throttle. It's the nature of the beast..

Definitely not for cruising long distances off shore, ideal for putting around near shores, calm beaches, calm lakes. Much better than being stranded on a beach on a warm summer day.

Happy Boating

 

[Ajm456]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Why is advised not to take it into salt water, will be eroded, sib will shrink, compress ? Oh come on, is this a manufactiurer written statement or it's the store seller word of mouth advising so. Had mine for 2 years and was used on SALT WATER all year round, was not a big fan of rinsing it afterwards with fresh water.

Happy Boating

Thanks! So it worked with u with saltwater? And no problems?

 

[Ajm456]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Why is advised not to take it into salt water, sib will be eroded, will shrink, compress ? Oh come on, is this a manufactiurer written statement or it's the store seller word of mouth advising so. Had mine for 2 years and was used on SALT WATER all year round, was not a big fan of rinsing it afterwards with fresh water.

You'll be dissapointed puting a engine on that thin fabric sib, lacks structural rigidity, that means engine will flex down against stern, worst when giving more throttle. It's the nature of the beast..

Definitely not for cruising long distances off shore, ideal for putting around near shores, calm beaches, calm lakes.

Happy Boating

so it would be bad if I put at least a trolling motor on it?

 

[Ajm456]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

so it would be bad if I put at least a trolling motor on it?

The place where I go is called oleta river in Miami and I just use the boat oars and ride along the river

 

[Ajm456]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Why is advised not to take it into salt water, sib will be eroded, will shrink, compress ? Oh come on, is this a manufacturer written statement inside Owners Manual or it's the store seller word of mouth advising so. Had mine for 2 years and was used on SALT WATER all year round, was not a big fan of rinsing it afterwards with fresh water.

You'll be dissapointed puting a engine on that thin fabric sib, lacks structural rigidity, that means engine will flex down against stern, worst when giving more throttle. It's the nature of the beast..

Definitely not for cruising long distances off shore, ideal for putting around near shores, calm beaches, calm lakes. Much better than being stranded on a beach on a warm summer day.

Happy Boating

The place where I go is called oleta river in Miami and I just use the boat oars and ride along the river

 

[Guest]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

What i mean is not so much salt water its more of wind and chop i am worried about. I live in nyc and went out on my zodiac at 12mph winds and it was scary. On a small lake or shore side is fine just watch for tide switches and wind speed

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Ajm,

Tired of rowing my Caravelle K-86 decided to put a motor, a friend of mine who worked for the Merc Company lended me a 2.5 HP OB, having my sib slightly overinflated the performance was awfull, too much rear flexing along best prop thrust loss. Just good for idle. fast idle displacements. Do you have already the trolling motor ? If not, try one before investing. Will need to solve the motor mount issue first to start with.

Strong winds, streams, chop is another story, that's why you should not risk your life or others going far away off-shore with such a light sib and small engine. Be safe. It's not bad puting a trolling motor, it's the nice perforrmance you'll expect that's bad.

Happy Boating

 

[Ajm456]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Ajm,

Tired of rowing my Caravelle K-86 decided to put a motor, a friend of mine who worked for the Merc Company lended me a 2.5 HP OB, having my sib slightly overinflated the performance was awfull, too much rear flexing along best prop thrust loss. Just good for idle. fast idle displacements. Do you have already the trolling motor ? If not, try one before investing. Will need to solve the motor mount issue first to start with.

Happy Boating

I haven't bought a motor yet but I'm just looking around and see what will work I was thinking a 55 lb thrust but then again I think that it's too much for the raft right?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

I haven't bought a motor yet but I'm just looking around and see what will work I was thinking a 55 lb thrust but then again I think that it's too much for the raft right?

Those light sibs max 2.5 HP. A 55 lb trolling motor is equivalent to how many HP ? You could always throttle more or less and check its water performance when giving throttle to a point you'll have the least flexing and best prop thrust and enjoyment.

Happy Boating

 

[Ajm456]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Those light sibs max 2.5 HP. A 55 lb trolling motor is equivalent to how many HP ? You could always throttle more or less and check its water perrformance when giving thrrottle to a point you'll have least flexing and best prop thrust and enjoyment.

Happy Boating

Thanks anyways.. But if the raft can't support the wooden floor you guys think I can put a bimini? Lol

 

[ssobol]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

What i mean is not so much salt water its more of wind and chop i am worried about. I live in nyc and went out on my zodiac at 12mph winds and it was scary. On a small lake or shore side is fine just watch for tide switches and wind speed

I would argue that the fresh water on Lake Michigan or Lake Superior can throw as much at you as any body of salt water anywhere in the world. There are plenty of large ships on the bottom of these lakes that can attest to that.

Part of boating is having enough sense not to go out in conditions that are not suitable for the boat that you are operating, whatever it may be.

 

[Ajm456]

Re: Inflatable seveylor caravelle 5

Is there any way you can put a fishing rod holder on it? Like some sticky pad that can hold the holder?