Fishing from an inflatable

[Gaz56]

Good day Everbody - a nooby here posting for the first time.

I am looking to buy an inflatable and outboard to fish off the coast on the leeward side of St Vincent & The Grenadines, a largish island in the Caribbean.

I do not intend to go much more than a mile offshore - the coast has many little outcrops and small islands that attract the fish, so its mainly to get to those spots.

For clarity to those who are kind enough to read and respond to my post: I do not want a RIB, I will not use a trailer and the max length I will consider is 12ft if alternative vessels are suggested; deep down I know I should be going for a 10 footer for ease of handling but I think I will be glad of a bigger boat.

I don't have any fixed views on the type of deck but something tells me that the airdeck type might be too light for a boat that is going to be used on the sea? Is Ali the right choice or is wood better?

I am considering importing a boat from the USA and have my eye on the Saturn SD330W because of its extra wide inside beam. I have a perception that a wider beam will make the boat less liable to 'bob' on the water.

This leads me to ask those who fish on the ocean and would care to reply, does an inflatable 'bob' more than a fixed rigid hulled boat?

My nephew is advising me that this is the case and I should not be buying an inflatable for this purpose, full stop. He reckons we would be seasick in no time and would not be able to cope sitting there bobbing up and down for hours on end.
Plus he is dubious about having to row if necessary, believing the oars to be rubbish and the boat hard to row.
Is he right?


The motor I intend to buy from the Yamaha dealer on the island purely for warranty and servicing reasons -I am not a technical person and would need expert support.

I am unsure as to the most suitable motor. I am not really interested in being able to go fast but would still want a reasonable turn of speed - at least to plane. I would be the main user but on occasion there would be 2 of us.
although the boat choice may look cheap, money is not an issue providing I don't exceed US$10k by too much for the whole rig, and that has to include all extras like folding seats (if they can be fitted), stowage, launching wheels, bimini top.

In the future I may add a console. Can this be done on any boat with a suitable deck?

I would be using boat mainly at the w/e for the next couple of years then when I retire it would probably get more use.
I would also like to use the boat just for excursions with the wife and young son sometimes too.

Any suggestions on motor size would be appreciated. I think 9.9 would be ok but a 15 might be better. I would like to be able to carry it myself - in fact the over-riding consideration is being able to handle everything myself. I will probably leave the boat inflated and transport on the roof of my Escudo V6. Traffic regs are relaxed over here...

Well thanks for reading I know it's a long post but having read the forums for a while I understand there is a lot you have to know and a lot yet still to know, I will really appreciate any thoughts from you guys, especially about the 'bobbing' issue and thank you in advance.

Gaz

 

[Gaz56]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

Apologies everyone, my budget is US15k, not 10 as I posted.

Gaz

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

Check other side of the Pond....

Happy Boating

 

[ssobol]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

I will really appreciate any thoughts from you guys, especially about the 'bobbing' issue and thank you in advance.

Gaz

I have a RIB (not a SIB like you are looking for). However, some comments on the bobbing thing.

An inflatable boat is much lighter than other types of boats. They also tend to be a bit wider and have more surface area in contact with the water. This results in the boat floating more on top of the water than other types. The advantage is that the boat is very stable. You can stand on one side (the tube) and the boat will be fine, try that on a small hard boat. An inflatable boat (SIB) will weigh a fraction of what a similar size fiberglass boat will.

The end result is that on flat water you will have a very stable platform. If you are floating along in rough water the boat will ride the top of the water (whatever shape it is). If you are driving in rough water you can expect a pretty bumpy ride because due to the weight and the shape the boat will not cut through the waves, but go over them.

A RIB will improve the ride somewhat, but its ride will still not be a smooth as a hard boat.

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

This leads me to ask those who fish on the ocean and would care to reply, does an inflatable 'bob' more than a fixed rigid hulled boat?

My nephew is advising me that this is the case and I should not be buying an inflatable for this purpose, full stop. He reckons we would be seasick in no time and would not be able to cope sitting there bobbing up and down for hours on end.
Plus he is dubious about having to row if necessary, believing the oars to be rubbish and the boat hard to row.
Is he right?


The motor I intend to buy from the Yamaha dealer on the island purely for warranty and servicing reasons -I am not a technical person and would need expert support.

I would be using boat mainly at the w/e for the next couple of years then when I retire it would probably get more use.
I would also like to use the boat just for excursions with the wife and young son sometimes too.

Any suggestions on motor size would be appreciated. I think 9.9 would be ok but a 15 might be better. I would like to be able to carry it myself - in fact the over-riding consideration is being able to handle everything myself. I will probably leave the boat inflated and transport on the roof of my Escudo V6. Traffic regs are relaxed over here...

Gaz

I don't think a SIB would be anymore puke-ridden than a hard boat. In fact, if it's that rough you probably wouldn't want to go fishing anyway in a small craft. Personally, I like riding waves (anchored) in a inflatable. Very gentle in a water-bed kind of way.

I've used hard deck and air deck for all manner of stuff. Including hauling around scuba gear. With fishing gear I would want to make sure I had knives, lures and such stuff neatly packed away because an errant sharp would not be fun. Whereas on hard boat - no biggie. If you're thinking of adding console....not going to be so easy. Better to buy one with already.

All I can say is that handling a boat and motor single-handedly can be a chore. Especially if it is a larger one as boat engine (15hp) and SIB which can weigh in excess of 100 pounds. So, smaller is definitely a lot easier to deal with single-handedly with a smaller SUV like your Suzuki. And especially if no one is helping you and you have impatient passengers - like my wife or younger kids.

I would advise - see if you can hook with some local who goes fishing using a small set up first and see how they do it vs. plunking down some cash on a SIB because if you haven't used a boat much you may find your initial setup, or the inherent hassle less than worth it. I say this because as much as I like running around in boats - they can be a pain in the butt. Even the little ones. Clean/hose off, licenses, taxes, fees, stow away out of the sun, work on the motor, patch & get sunburned etc. :lol: Sometimes more fun just to pay a guy for the day and go on their boat.

Cheers,

CapeAnn

 

[Gaz56]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

ssobol - I will be looking to get a wooden floor - both for rigidity and I think as I will be doing a lot of fishing, knives and hooks can't hurt it. Also we tend to catch a lot of eels or "congos" as they are known locally and they need to have their heads bashed in quickly or you might get bitten and lose a digit. A hard floor as opposed to an inflated tube is probably a better bet to carry this out on!!

CapeAnn - I'm with you - I like lying back and riding on the waves. I suspect my nephew might be prone to seasickness and is getting his retaliation in first!!
In respect of handling the boat on my own, I am now persuaded to get a trailer. I did not know that fold up versions are available so I'm currently researching these. I hope my father in law can make one for me!
My problem is that I do not want to have the boat parked in front of my house attracting unnecessary/unwanted attention. It now seems possible that I can hide it all away and with a trailer I can set up at leisure at home ready to go when I hit the beach.

I note your comments re hooking up with a local. In St Vincent people fish to eat - it's a poor country in general - and my Vincy neighbours and friends have trouble understanding that I fish for fun and it's no big deal if I don't catch anything. Any fish I catch I tend to give to my good Rasta friend who struggles to make ends meet.

So most boats are operated on a commercial basis, selling direct to the local fish market. I will be almost unique on the island with an inflatable. The tourists coming in on their yachts are the only other persons with inflatables. I have been out on friends' boats but these tend to be speedboats with large - expensive to run -motors on them going along the coast to reach secluded spots. This is why I have decided to solicit opinions from experienced boaters like yourself to help me in my decision making.

I have also been advised to go for a brand name hypalon boat owing to the amount of sun we get here - teamed with a Tohatsu 2 stroke 18hp if I can find one and a trailer.
However, I will not be leaving the boat out in the elements so I feel I can get away with a pvc type. I intend to fish along the coastline and if I do want to go game fishing there is a guy who has a boat I can hire to do that. But for my day to day pleasure I just want to run up and down the coast reasonably quickly and in a little bit of style.

My thanks to you both for your comments.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

Seven thousand budget gives you everything you need. A 15 hp Yamaha 2-stroke, a PVC 11 to 12 soft bottom inflatable, and whatever passes for a trailer on the island. All of your concerns are unnecessary and you should keep in mind the following:

Any PVC fabric boat should be considered disposable and it is doubtful it will see its tenth birthday.

Your nephew does not know what he is talking about and should be ignored.

You want an airdeck as no one buy's deck boats anymore. The difference in performance is so slight as to be a non issue and if you are going to transport it on your roof you will thank your lucky stars you didn't get conned into plywood floors.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

Some boating issues .

1-Wooden floorboards scratches much worst and have sliperry behaviour than alum panel floorboards, wooden being probably a tad less in weight, both assembles easily.

2-If you intend to have that sib completely assembled all the time and shaded under a tree, will need to get launching wheels to take to shore and backwards to tree with engine living at transom. Get a sib cover as well, tree & bird issues.

3-Would not advise you go for an air floor Saturn 11" fishing sib, tech issues with air floor.

A-In order to use it as a suitable fishing platform and "stand well" will need to have that air mat topped to it's full 10-12 psi working pressure, if using a foot pump will only achieve max 4.0 psi, if using a hand pump at the most 7.0 psi, that if you are a standard weight person, if being a heavy weight or sumo slight more. The fastest inflation solution would be a 12/110/220 Volt electric air pump to air top that wide air floor. Store a 12 V battery under or pull an electrical oulet to the tree..

B-Air floor pressure varies with sun's heat, what air topped in the morning will deflate by mid afternoon, will need to top that air mat again if wanting to fish in the afternoon. Unless you like standing on a very unstable air mat floor which could led you to falling into sea in the event of a lucky big catch...

4-If wanting tough PVC fabrics would recommend to have a look at JP Inflatables, much better thick fabric than standard 0.9 mm Saturn fabrics. Will last longer and suffer less sun & abrassion punishment. Could begin with a alum 380 grey color sib, black tubes are very hot to sit on and more suceptible to overinflation than grey color specially in plain summer at open unshaded hot environments.

5-With respect to engines, had the opportunity to cruise the Virgin Islands for 2 weeks, 8 out of ten engines seen mostly in small sib/ribs were Tohatsu 2 strokes 18 HP, 1 Yam, 1 Mercury, don't know if there's a Tohatsu delaer in your area, if there's one go for the 18, outperforms any 15 HP and usefull if future planing to move to a larger sib or rib, will cruise a 420 much better than any 15.

10 photo - Luis Montero photos at pbase.com

6-West Marine sells a device that's worn on your wrist to avoid sea sickness, or look straight forward to the horizon line while cruising or fishing, in most cases avoids or lessens sea sickness issues...

Happy Boating

 

[Gaz56]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

Tohatsu Guru and Sea Rider - Thanks for your thoughts.
If I get a trailer I am leaning toward a 12 or maybe a 14ft.er with an ali floor.

I think Sea Rider's comment in respect of maintaining high pressure for an air deck is a valid one, with all due respect to TG, as my experience with anything inflatable is that the pressure is never maintained and as I and a relative will be standing up on it perhaps more frequently than non-anglers, it seems common sense to have something 'solid'.

Is it likely I will need rear lifters or a hydro-foil if I buy the Tohatsu 18hp 2 stroke?

The boat's going to be stored under the house under a cover.

If I do deflate it, I intend to set up at home at my leisure, load up on the trailer and drive the short distance to the sea ready to rock.


I checked out JP and they look pretty rugged. I am considering Seamax's Ocean 380t/430T and the Newport Catalina 12'6".

Nice pics btw. Looks similar to where I live, and we have a Cane Garden.

Gaz

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

If you're going to get a trailer, buy a 2nd hand small RIB instead-and even if you're getting an inflatable try and get a Hypalon one-it'll last far far longer.

I was playing with a West Marine 3.50 hypalon RIB in Florida a few months back. It had been on top of a Tradewinds since '96 with noi cover and barely used with no protection. It was fine after a clean.

It went quite well with the 15hp Yam on it too

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

Gaz,

Wouldn't want to go for a Seamax, have 2 at shop with unglued oars locks, holders, handlles and those 2 are not even 2 years old, sems poor quality glue used, unless you like to re glue in short time. If you don't want an Hypalon sib/rib go for a tough 380 JP sib, or a more trasportable smaller rib as recommended by Nos4r2. With that huge budget, better invest well first time, don't experiment on the cheapo side. How much is a 2 strokes 18 HP in your area ?

There's a huge size difference beween a 380 and a 420, 420 is longer, much wider, has wider diam tubes and heavier floorboards, so know it's volume and weights differences before you buy..

Happy Boating

 

[filthy]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

Hi Gaz, I have a small 10ft SIB with an old 15 and it goes ok, when money and wife permits I will also be upgrading to the 18hp tohatsu, as the weight difference between the 10, 15 and 18 is minimal seeing as they all have the same block, As per the floor material for fishing timber or ali is the only way to go and if you can get yourself a pair of wetsuit type booties traction will be no problem at all, prob also help with those congers too! As long as you match the outboards leg length with the height of the transom you wont need a tabs or a foil but it is very important so make sure you buy boat first and then outboard to suit. As for the bobbing issue I have a 17ft glassy and I have to say in roughish weather it is far more comfy in the inflatable than the glassy as you dont get rocked side to side but more just the up and down of the waves, Hope all this helps, I had to find out the hard way what works and what didnt but when you do get it right you will have a ball!

 

[Gaz56]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

hi to all - I am going to go for JP Marine Patrol series with the Tohatsu 18hp 2 stroke motor, plus a trailer and some accessories.

I cannot thank you all enough for the good advice. I know I would not have reached this decision without all your good advice.

 

[Gaz56]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

whoops - should have mentioned it will be 3.8m size.

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

hi to all - I am going to go for JP Marine Patrol series with the Tohatsu 18hp 2 stroke motor, plus a trailer and some accessories.

I cannot thank you all enough for the good advice. I know I would not have reached this decision without all your good advice.

Keep us all apprised. Very cool and look forward to any pics.

Cheers

CapeAnn

 

[Gaz56]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

I will. But you will have to wait a couple of months - awaiting some early pension money................I'm still waiting on prices for the motor. I hope I'll get that today.

CapeAnn, I read some of your other comments in another thread re your dog. I have to say I thought your avatar was a photoshoppped pic of a dog but I now know different. My dog would freak out if I tried that.
Gaz

Gaz

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

Gaz,

These guys have good prices for the Tohatsu 2 strokes 18 HP short shaft :

Check with them if they have round ear muffs for flushing your 18 horse after use and Aerospace Protectant 303.

The Caribbean's Leading Chandlery - Budget Marine

Check : Outboards and Engines

Have many stores through the Caribbean, probably one near you.

Happy Boating

 

[Gaz56]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

Hi Sea Rider

This is whom I am in contact with. The St Croix branch.
Where did you see their prices?

Thanks for the tip re the ear muffs and protectant.

 

[Gaz56]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

Please ignore the comment re prices.

 

[Gaz56]

Re: Fishing from an inflatable

Tohatsu Guru
You seemed very definite in an earlier post that air decks are ok. I have also read that it is possible that after a few hours they lose a little pressure and would need to be topped up.

This makes me wonder:
1. Do they lose pressure and, if so, how much needs to be lost before the deck loses its integrtiy, i.e., it becomes too soft to stand on?
2. Does this mean I will need to carry a pump with me when afloat - or is it good practice to carry one anyway?

Gaz