need help selecting boat--dog concerns

[florida gramps]

Looking for advice on 10 footer with probably a 6hp that will be frequently disaasembled and stowed. My boating companion is an 85 pound golden reriever. We would like to be able to plane. Is that realistic with 6hp?

I have been out of boating for 15 years. In a previous life I owned several trawler type boats and had a 10' Avon RIB with 10hp Johnson.

I now live in Florida and will vacation in NE this year. 1 month in Essex Ct and another month on a Maine lake. When in Florida, the boat will be deflated and stored after each use. Probably once or twice per month.

Should I rule out air floors because of dog?
Should I get an air keel with a hard floor for performance?
Any recommendations or suggestions much appreciated

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: need help selecting boat--dog concerns

The six isn't realistic, but should plane the average 10" with a keel with a load of less than 300 lbs. As long as you round the dogs nails it will not be a problem. Just keep in mind that triming the nail leaves a sharp edge...Round them off. No one buys a boat with floor boards anymore, unless it is a budget issue.

 

[Jgweb2000]

Re: need help selecting boat--dog concerns

Our 10' zodiac gets on a plane with our 6hp single cylinder suzuki. It planes beautifully with one person or ~170 lb + emergency equipment in the boat and it takes a little while, but gets on a plane with around 300 pounds in it. Motor capacity for this boat is 10hp.

 

[qzyn]

Re: need help selecting boat--dog concerns

Hi!!

My Quicksilver 270 sport ( 9ft) with mercury 4hp, purchased last year was able to plane with one person on board (165lbs) only.
I preffered wooden floorboards and yes, it is a bit heavier than airdeck model, both of them fitted with inflated keel.
Few months ago updated engine to 6 hp and boat planes quite nicely with abt 310lbs of load. ( two average adults, which means me and my wife).
Puting a little more weight ( like my son, 70 lbs ) and you are stuck to abt. 8mph only.
So I have decided finally to go for more power and ordered brand new Tohatsu 9.8hp from local dealer, expecting delivery this weekend hopefully.
6 hp is 57lbs, 9.8 hp is abt 82 lbs, difference 25 lbs ( I need to work out!!)


CU

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: need help selecting boat--dog concerns

The dog will be fine. It takes quite a bit to puncture one of those boats. I take my two dogs on my PVC boat all the time, never a problem.

Some people still buy the floor boards as it's the only way to mount equipment to the floor, but if you don't need to do that, the air deck is a great alternative and will also be fine with your dog.

 

[AaronG]

Re: need help selecting boat--dog concerns

I would skip the air floor. I bought a new Mercury Airdeck last winter at the boat show. The second trip out, the 6 gal fuel tank bounced down on the plastic male end of a lifevest snap and punctured the air deck. It wasn't even sharp! I was really dissapointed to be patching a 4 month old boat. I also have a 28lb dog. I worry about his nails going through it. They are sharper than the lifevest snap.

 

[cstellwagen]

Re: need help selecting boat--dog concerns

The High Pressure Air Floor will plane the best with the smaller outboards. I had a customer that had a Rotty in an Avon Airfloor ( PVC Floor) and after repairing it 3 times he inserted a piece of indoor outdoor carpet to help with both UV protection and the dogs nails. This worked for him and he used the boat cruising for 6 years. I would recommend going with an Achilles as they are currenyly the only manufacturer using a Hypalon airfloor which will be a bit more abrasion resistant.

Hope this helps.