Ever heard of these guys?

[Nemrod]

Hypalon, if you want it to last.

But, if the price is right, you can get the boat to go, learn, and even maybe luck out and with your next boat get it right. On second, third, fourth, fifth, uh, never mind. I went from an Achilles 11.5 to a Novurania 13.9 to a 17 Whaler to a 19 Whaler and--------?

Get an inflatable with a wood or aluminum floor and either an air keel or a rigid keel. Get one at least in the 14 foot plus or minus category. Get a 25 horse Yamaha two stroke (approx 100 pounds). Anything less and it will be sorely lacking in capacity, speed and comfort not that comfort is a strong point of a rubber boat--because--it ain't.

Bombard Commando C4, oooorah!

N

 

[Mr.X]

Hypalon, if you want it to last.

But, if the price is right, you can get the boat to go, learn, and even maybe luck out and with your next boat get it right. On second, third, fourth, fifth, uh, never mind. I went from an Achilles 11.5 to a Novurania 13.9 to a 17 Whaler to a 19 Whaler and--------?


Bombard Commando C4, oooorah!

N

That Bombard Commando is one mean boat. I see the utility of a rigid floor - but sometimes assembling one pain is a royal pain in the ________.

X

 

[james croft]

If you get a hard floor a trailer is the way to go. Like Nemrod said, hypalon is much better. I have used a bunch of inflatables over the years. Mostly Zodiacs and Archilles. I have used keelless such as the Zdiac Futuras with speedtubes in whitewater rivers with jetdrive engines as well as boats with inflatable keels, RIBs and Zodiac F-470 special warfare boats. I have also used the Merc Quicksilvers and have checked out Sea Eagles (we call them Sea Beagles). The hypalon holds up better than the PVC by a long shot.

Whatever you end up with store it properly and keep it out of the sun. If you store it inflated keep a constant check on the air pressure and remove the engine if possible.

When you finally have one fall all to pieces on you save the parts. The tubes make great lift bags.