Al D wrote:
Excuse the novice question, but I need an inflatable boat of some sort
for the purpose of crossing a 1/2-mile wide river estuary
occasionally. The water flow from the river is very slow, (it's not
much of a river, despite the width of the estuary. The water is fairly
well sheltered from the ocean waves. The tide rises and falls quite
quickly. The boat ideally needs to carry myself, plus a rucksack full
of camping gear. Occasionally, I'd like to add one other adult and
rucksack. The boat needs to be light enough to be carried by one
person for short distances (when inflated but not laden), by one man.

I would also like to do longer trips occasionally (a few miles) along
the shoreline of the wider parts of the estuary - sort of leisurely
exploration trips. I'd also like to take the boat out along the
shoreline of the local beaches (outside the estuary) when the weather
is calm.

The boat needs to be an inflatable, since the only place I have to
store it is the trunk of my car. Folding boats were also of interest,
until I discovered the cost.

Budget is limited, so I have been looking at the Sevylor Tahiti (10 ft
2-seater inflatable canoe) and its 12-foot 3-seater version (both
under $200). My main concerns about these are that I they get blown
around by the wind and track terribly. If a wind blew up when I was
half-way across the estuary, there's no telling where I might end up!

So I'm wondering if I'd be wiser to go for some other kind of
inflatable with an outboard motor. What do you think? Any help would
be appreciated... While I have a small amount of sailing and
navigation experience, I have almost zero experience of canoes and
small craft.

Many thanks,

Al D
I would steer clear of the inexpensive inflatables, and look for a used
canoe or Jon Boat.

--
Reggie

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

On Fri, 02 Jun 2006 12:37:34 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers"
wrote:

I would steer clear of the inexpensive inflatables, and look for a used
canoe or Jon Boat.

Thanks... Out of the two, it would have to be a canoe. I *definitely*
cannot store a jon boat anywhere. A canoe is possible, though... by
stringing it up from the ceiling in my hallway... (That's what I used
to do with my kayak...)

Al D

"Al D" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 02 Jun 2006 12:37:34 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers"
wrote:

I would steer clear of the inexpensive inflatables, and look for a used
canoe or Jon Boat.

Thanks... Out of the two, it would have to be a canoe. I *definitely*
cannot store a jon boat anywhere. A canoe is possible, though... by
stringing it up from the ceiling in my hallway... (That's what I used
to do with my kayak...)

Al D


You can also see if you can find as used Porta-Bote that fits your budget:

http://www.porta-bote.com/

On Fri, 2 Jun 2006 15:25:55 -0400, " JimH" jimh UNDERSCORE
osudad@yahooDOTcom wrote:


You can also see if you can find as used Porta-Bote that fits your budget:

http://www.porta-bote.com/

Thanks... I like the concept... Will look out for affordable ones.

Al D

"Al D" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 2 Jun 2006 15:25:55 -0400, " JimH" jimh UNDERSCORE
osudad@yahooDOTcom wrote:


You can also see if you can find as used Porta-Bote that fits your budget:

http://www.porta-bote.com/

Thanks... I like the concept... Will look out for affordable ones.

Al D


Here is a used 12 footer with accessories presently at $455 on ebay:

http://tinyurl.com/jtthg

JimH wrote:
"Al D" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 2 Jun 2006 15:25:55 -0400, " JimH" jimh UNDERSCORE
osudad@yahooDOTcom wrote:


You can also see if you can find as used Porta-Bote that fits your budget:

http://www.porta-bote.com/

Thanks... I like the concept... Will look out for affordable ones.

Al D



Here is a used 12 footer with accessories presently at $455 on ebay:

http://tinyurl.com/jtthg


mmmm..that's almost do-able for me. I could get down there in less than
12 hours plus pop into L.L. Bean for some shopping.

"Don White" wrote in message
...
JimH wrote:
"Al D" wrote in message
news
On Fri, 2 Jun 2006 15:25:55 -0400, " JimH" jimh UNDERSCORE
osudad@yahooDOTcom wrote:


You can also see if you can find as used Porta-Bote that fits your
budget:

http://www.porta-bote.com/

Thanks... I like the concept... Will look out for affordable ones.

Al D



Here is a used 12 footer with accessories presently at $455 on ebay:

http://tinyurl.com/jtthg


mmmm..that's almost do-able for me. I could get down there in less than
12 hours plus pop into L.L. Bean for some shopping.

LL Bean at Freeport, ME? I used to travel up to Waterville, ME 2/year to
visit the Chinet Company, starting out in Providence, RI to visit their cup
factory. I would always make it a point to stop into LL Bean on the way up
to Waterville from Providence. Great store!

On Fri, 2 Jun 2006 18:09:03 -0400, " JimH"
jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote:

Here is a used 12 footer with accessories presently at $455 on ebay:

http://tinyurl.com/jtthg

So they do exist within my price range; that's good to know; thanks..
But then, asuming I could find one locally, I'd then need a motor for
it... I'm not sure how tiring it would be to row one of those for 1/2
a mile, especialy if the wind was against me... What do you think?

Al D

"Al D" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 2 Jun 2006 18:09:03 -0400, " JimH"
jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote:

Here is a used 12 footer with accessories presently at $455 on ebay:

http://tinyurl.com/jtthg

So they do exist within my price range; that's good to know; thanks..
But then, asuming I could find one locally, I'd then need a motor for
it... I'm not sure how tiring it would be to row one of those for 1/2
a mile, especialy if the wind was against me... What do you think?

Al D


It may be a bit more of a chore than rowing a canoe but you have the added
features of better stability, extra passenger space and more room for cargo.

6 of one, half dozen of the other. Tough decision. ;-)