Looking for advice on new boat/motor purchase

[GarfieldRoss]

Hi,
The only boating I've ever done has been in a canoe. My wife and I enjoy camping and we travel a lot with a small trailler. I haul the trailler with a 4 cyl Tacoma. When we saw some inflatable boats at a boat show recently, we thought it would be a convient way for us to do some boating and haul it around with us by deflating it and throwing it in the back of the truck. In keeping with a light weight, portable boat, we decided we needed a light weight motor to go with it. We're considering a Zodia 310S. It's 10'2" and weights about 75 lbs. We looked at a 4hp 4 stroke Yamaha motor @ 48lbs and a 8hp 2 stroke Yamaha @ 60lbs. Between my wife and I and some gear, we're looking at carrying about 500 lbs plus the weight of the motor and fuel in the boat.
Can anyone give me some advice or share their experience with me to help me decide what I need and how practical it is to actually deflate this boat everytime I need to transport it?
Thanks for your help.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Looking for advice on new boat/motor purchase

Hi, welcome to iboats ...... the zodiac 310S is a good choice (not too big, not too small) they are easy to fold up with their interlocking floorboard system, just remember that it is easier to install the floor boards everytime when the boat is lightly inflated, also remember to never un-inflate the boat like most people do, they should be inflated "as hard as an un-opened plastic coke bottle" that is the best way I can describe how hard it should be pumped ...... try to stay away from a 4 stroke, as a 4-stroke needs to be stored in a specific way and side up etc. and what you want to do with it I recommend a 2-stroke cause you can let it ly on any side with no problems, a 8hp yamaha 2-stroke should do the trick nicely, they are great motors and all inflatables loves a yamaha, what I normally do with my small outboards before packing up and taking the boat out the water, is pulling the fuel line and running the motor till it dies, so all the fuel is out the carbs, then the fuel won't mess in your truck when the motor is lying on it side, and it pro-longs the time before a carb clean ....... anyway, it will not take more than 10 minutes to roll the boat away etc. and it fits fine on the back of a truck or trailer ......

 

[GarfieldRoss]

Re: Looking for advice on new boat/motor purchase

Thanks deejaycee for the feedback. That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. The saleman I'm buying the boat from said they were easy to handle and would suit my purpose but it's better hearing it from someone who isn't trying to sell me something and who has some hands-on experience. I placed a deposit on the boat and motor during the boat show so that I could get the show price. I'll be picking it up from the dealer on the second weekend in May and hope to try it out the weekend after. I'll let you know how I make out. Thanks again for your help.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Looking for advice on new boat/motor purchase

Always happy to help ... keep well and enjoy ......

 

[breezeway]

Re: Looking for advice on new boat/motor purchase

I have an 11.5ft Zebec Armada. Started with 8hp Yamaha 2 stroke. That would get the boat up to plane with 2 adults. Max speed was 13 mph. That was okay except that performance would suffer in some of the colder and higher altitude mountain lakes that we like and we could not get the boat to plane. Put another 2 adults in the boat and the speed was cut by at least half with no planing. After the mountain lake experience we decided to trade in the 8hp and go to 15hp Yamaha 2 stroke. At 20 lbs. more than the 8hp it is at the max amount that I would want to regularly have to mount and unmount. I have only had it out once at the end of last season but the increase in power was immediately evident. I am looking forward to the difference. Still have to wait another month for the lakes to clear here in Alberta.

 

[GarfieldRoss]

Re: Looking for advice on new boat/motor purchase

Thanks for the info. I haven't had my little Zodiac in the water yet and don't know how I'll like. But, it's interesting to know that the 8 hp Yamaha will do 13 mph. I may do a little better with the 10 ft boat? Anyway, mostly it will be just my wife and I putting around on some of the small bays and rivers around Nova Scotia and PEI. Hopfully I'll get to try it out soon.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Looking for advice on new boat/motor purchase

enjoy ..... have fun .....

 

[BooBuBu]

Re: Looking for advice on new boat/motor purchase

I too have just "jumped-in" for the first time. I was given a healthy 15hp 2-stroke yamaha, so I had to buy something to go with it.
I found a 2000 Zodiac 340 w/airfloor, in good condition.
I am having the Zodiac evaluated by a shop specializing in inflatables.
I plan on using it from a fairly calm beach (sea of Cortez)
Should I wash it down every day with freshwater after I bring it back to my house? Should I flush the motor every day?

Is there an "owning and operating inflatables for dummies" booK?

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Looking for advice on new boat/motor purchase

hahahaha, no there is no such book .... no need to wash the inflatable, unless it is dirty .... but the motor you will need to flush, I won't say everyday if you are gonna run the motor everyday, but definately before the motor is gonna stand for a while you will have to flush it ......