Looking for boating advise- Maxxon Inflatable

[Yukon Cornelius]

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to all. I am a new member and stumbled across this site as I am looking for a boat for the upcoming summer. I am a teacher in the Alaskan Bush on the Yukon River. I am looking for a boat to get out of the village and hit the sloughs for the salmon run (set net/drift net fishing), pike fishing, and moose hunting as well as general exploring. Most people use jon boats or something similar, however getting the set up I want is not possible at the moment financially. I have thought about getting an inflatable Maxxon 13' with a 25hp 2 stroke. The thread that brought me here was a mixed review and it was a few years old.
I know that UV rays can be damaging to pvc boats, and this would be a short term boat until I know for a fact that I will be here long term (student population will determine if my family stays here).

I do need a boat for any travel outside of the village b/c of the tundra. Basically the rivers (Yukon and Innoko) and the sloughs are our road system. I would be using this boat to haul myself and my camping gear plus my hunting gear and fish or moose I kill. I want to stay economical. The concerns I have are the 20 hrs of sunlight in the summer.

With my budget of 2k would a 13' used maxxon with a 25hp motor be fine?
Things to consider is the cost to get what I need. Whatever I decide to buy I have to barge out or float 500 miles down river to get to my village (I'm 350 miles from a paved road). I do have the options of buying locally (used) but often times the boat is junk by then.
What should I look for when I check out the inflatable boat? It has one patch on the top left hand side. It is also the model with the aluminum floor.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Looking for boating advise- Maxxon Inflatable

WELCOME.

the question you are asking sounds like one that is best answered by local advice...... You won't likely find many people here who are 500 miles by water from paved roads or who need to get groceries and a dead moose home in their boat in the environment you are in..

I would say that as far as UV damage I would think a person could build a crude boathouse to store the boat in but otherwise I'm afraid I can't be of any help.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

Re: Looking for boating advise- Maxxon Inflatable

WELCOME.

the question you are asking sounds like one that is best answered by local advice...... You won't likely find many people here who are 500 miles by water from paved roads or who need to get groceries and a dead moose home in their boat in the environment you are in..

I would say that as far as UV damage I would think a person could build a crude boathouse to store the boat in but otherwise I'm afraid I can't be of any help.

Thanks. I have seeked local advise and that advise was to buy 17' jon boat with at least a 70hp motor.
Unfortunately I can not build a boathouse (I'm not native) so I will have to deflate and reflate every time or periodically.
I don't have to boat supplies in, we mail it in. My options are to either buy locally or in town. I like the inflatable boat idea simply b/c it is lighter and I could pay for cargo with the air provider.
There is one guy in the village that used an inflatable boat for a few years. He says it is a good way to start getting out. He recommends a solid bottom, and eventually upgrading (which is the plan). But everyone else says no (but they have never owned one).

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Looking for boating advise- Maxxon Inflatable

A 13' inflatable with a small motor is not very safe on the Y River. No way will it move you and a moose carcass against current. I have hunted moose in AK and would never consider a 13' or even 15' inflatable. Listen to the locals. A 17' jon with enough power if you want to LIVE there.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

Re: Looking for boating advise- Maxxon Inflatable

A 13' inflatable with a small motor is not very safe on the Y River. No way will it move you and a moose carcass against current. I have hunted moose in AK and would never consider a 13' or even 15' inflatable. Listen to the locals. A 17' jon with enough power if you want to LIVE there.

Thanks. That the plan eventually, but this past season I had a student take me out in a 16' Jon with a 30hp motor. We were able to make it from moose camp to the village. Took awhile. Lol.
The only local who has owned one had no problems with it. Used it for 5 years. But not sure if it was a PVC or other type.
Budget dictates what you do. That is the only problem. Maybe I should just save up a few yeArs and get the boat I want. In the mean time, beg a ride.