What kind of small craft would fit this need?
 

Can anyone advise on small craft?

I regularly need to cross what is to all intents and purposes, a lake
of about 4 miles in each direction. I also need to venture along
inshore waters of the sea coast, in calm weather.

I need something that I can lift onto the top of my car,
single-handed, and portage single-handed from my car to the water. I
can usually park within 30 yards of the water. I guess the maximum
length of boat I can carry on my small car is about 16ft, and the
maximum beam about 36".

I've tried using a 14-foot 60-lb Canadian-style flat-bottom canoe,
which serves well in calm conditions. I like it because I can stow a
lot of gear in it, or take another person along.

Unfortunately, the canoe feels unsafe when encountering the waves
higher than about 18", even when encountered head-on. The waves caused
by power boats are a particular hazard. I haven't been swamped yet,
but I feel it's been a close call on several occasions.

A sea kayak would be another option. However, I'm not keen on kayaks.
The storage space is much more limited, and I'd really like a boat
that I can attach a small outboard motor to. I find kayaks
uncomfortable too. I'm no youngster, so getting in and out of them is
a chore for me, and I like a boat that allows me to shift postition on
a long trip. And, unless it's a two-seater, I can't take another
person on board.

Is there any other kind of small boat that might serve my needs?

Thank you,

Al Deveron

What kind of small craft would fit this need?
 

How about a 10 ft inflatable with up to 8 hp engine.
Jim

"Al Deveron" wrote in message
...

Can anyone advise on small craft?

I regularly need to cross what is to all intents and purposes, a lake
of about 4 miles in each direction. I also need to venture along
inshore waters of the sea coast, in calm weather.

I need something that I can lift onto the top of my car,
single-handed, and portage single-handed from my car to the water. I
can usually park within 30 yards of the water. I guess the maximum
length of boat I can carry on my small car is about 16ft, and the
maximum beam about 36".

I've tried using a 14-foot 60-lb Canadian-style flat-bottom canoe,
which serves well in calm conditions. I like it because I can stow a
lot of gear in it, or take another person along.

Unfortunately, the canoe feels unsafe when encountering the waves
higher than about 18", even when encountered head-on. The waves caused
by power boats are a particular hazard. I haven't been swamped yet,
but I feel it's been a close call on several occasions.

A sea kayak would be another option. However, I'm not keen on kayaks.
The storage space is much more limited, and I'd really like a boat
that I can attach a small outboard motor to. I find kayaks
uncomfortable too. I'm no youngster, so getting in and out of them is
a chore for me, and I like a boat that allows me to shift postition on
a long trip. And, unless it's a two-seater, I can't take another
person on board.

Is there any other kind of small boat that might serve my needs?

Thank you,

Al Deveron

What kind of small craft would fit this need?
 

I'd get a trailer with rollers, and a small aluminum boat (14' or so)
and outboard (9.9 or so maybe). My experience ... it was way more work
to cartop my canoe than to trailer my 19' I/O.

What kind of small craft would fit this need?
 

On 3 Jul 2006 06:34:11 -0700, "bowgus" wrote:

I'd get a trailer with rollers, and a small aluminum boat (14' or so)
and outboard (9.9 or so maybe). My experience ... it was way more work
to cartop my canoe than to trailer my 19' I/O.

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I don't have anywhere to
keep a trailer. Hence the need for car-top transportation.

Al D

What kind of small craft would fit this need?
 

On Mon, 03 Jul 2006 12:06:38 GMT, "Jim" wrote:

How about a 10 ft inflatable with up to 8 hp engine.


Hi Jim,

What kind of inflatable boat?

I did consider an inflatable canoe at one time, but the beaches where
I need to drag the boat ashore mostly consist of sharp stones, so I
was concerned about getting punctures at inconvenient moments.

Cheers,

Al D

What kind of small craft would fit this need?
 

I agree, I don't feel safe in an inflatable either. I have a 14 ft
aluminum, with a 9.9 outboard, and it's heavier than I'd like. Dad
used to have a 2 or 3 horse on his 14" aluminum, and he'd load it in
the back of his truck if he wanted. I have a small fiberglass that's
about 4" long, hand made. Perhaps someone could make you a dingy to
fit.
Adrianne

Al Deveron wrote:
On Mon, 03 Jul 2006 12:06:38 GMT, "Jim" wrote:

How about a 10 ft inflatable with up to 8 hp engine.


Hi Jim,

What kind of inflatable boat?

I did consider an inflatable canoe at one time, but the beaches where
I need to drag the boat ashore mostly consist of sharp stones, so I
was concerned about getting punctures at inconvenient moments.

Cheers,

Al D

What kind of small craft would fit this need?
 

On 3 Jul 2006 12:00:49 -0700, "Adrianne" wrote:

I agree, I don't feel safe in an inflatable either. I have a 14 ft
aluminum, with a 9.9 outboard, and it's heavier than I'd like. Dad
used to have a 2 or 3 horse on his 14" aluminum, and he'd load it in
the back of his truck if he wanted. I have a small fiberglass that's
about 4" long, hand made. Perhaps someone could make you a dingy to
fit.
Adrianne

I have a 2hp outboar motor which I use on my canoe. It would be nice
if I can use the same motor on the next boat.

The main problem with the canoe (as far as I can tell) is the flat
bottom and the low gunwales. Those features seem to make it unsuited
to the choppy waters I frequently encounter.

I'd like to get something that my 2hp motor will be adequate for. I
was thinking perhaps a sailing dinghy hull (without the mast and
sails...)

Al Deveron

What kind of small craft would fit this need?
 

On Mon, 03 Jul 2006 21:48:52 +0100, Al Deveron
wrote:

I was thinking perhaps a sailing dinghy hull (without the mast and
sails...)

On second thoughts, that would be unsuitable, because of the keel. I
need something with a very shallow draught, for *very* shallow waters.

Al Deveron

What kind of small craft would fit this need?
 

Al Deveron wrote:

On 3 Jul 2006 06:34:11 -0700, "bowgus" wrote:


I'd get a trailer with rollers, and a small aluminum boat (14' or so)
and outboard (9.9 or so maybe). My experience ... it was way more work
to cartop my canoe than to trailer my 19' I/O.


Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I don't have anywhere to
keep a trailer. Hence the need for car-top transportation.

Al D


What happened to your canoe?

Dan

What kind of small craft would fit this need?
 

Al Deveron wrote:

On 3 Jul 2006 12:00:49 -0700, "Adrianne" wrote:


I agree, I don't feel safe in an inflatable either. I have a 14 ft
aluminum, with a 9.9 outboard, and it's heavier than I'd like. Dad
used to have a 2 or 3 horse on his 14" aluminum, and he'd load it in
the back of his truck if he wanted. I have a small fiberglass that's
about 4" long, hand made. Perhaps someone could make you a dingy to
fit.
Adrianne


I have a 2hp outboar motor which I use on my canoe. It would be nice
if I can use the same motor on the next boat.

The main problem with the canoe (as far as I can tell) is the flat
bottom and the low gunwales. Those features seem to make it unsuited
to the choppy waters I frequently encounter.

I'd like to get something that my 2hp motor will be adequate for. I
was thinking perhaps a sailing dinghy hull (without the mast and
sails...)

Al Deveron




You aren't looking to fish from this rig, right?