Got to have:
Galvanized Bunk trailer for a 14ft boat
Saturday, May 13, 2006
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Got to have:
Lift handles mounted on the transom outside on each side of the engine, you can use it for lifting the boat to adjust/positiioning on the trailer or use it to clip things onto the boat with.
Lift handles mounted on the transom outside on each side of the engine, you can use it for lifting the boat to adjust/positiioning on the trailer or use it to clip things onto the boat with.
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Got to have:
Life lines all around the boat, especially at the bow
Life lines all around the boat, especially at the bow
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Got to have:
Soft or hard Keel
Soft - less damage when you run over things in the ocean but there's tendencies of slight sliding when running forward. Even though called soft keel, when pumped up to 5lbs of pressure it'll get the job done.
Hard Keel - does a better job of biting into the ocean water when driving forward.
Soft or hard Keel
Soft - less damage when you run over things in the ocean but there's tendencies of slight sliding when running forward. Even though called soft keel, when pumped up to 5lbs of pressure it'll get the job done.
Hard Keel - does a better job of biting into the ocean water when driving forward.
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Got to have:
Paddle storage on lower sides of tubes on the inside of boat
Paddle storage on lower sides of tubes on the inside of boat
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Got to have:
25-40HP capability - ideal outboard 25HP due to light weight (2 stroke under 105lbs 4 stroke 125lbs). Choices priority: Mercury, Yamaha, Evinrude, Nissan, Tohatsu. Watch out Suizuki is too heavy! 4 strokers will use 50-60% less gas then the 2 strokes. Which one would you buy?
$500-$800 more for a 4 stroker. For Lake use - check! 2 strokes may be banned.
25-40HP capability - ideal outboard 25HP due to light weight (2 stroke under 105lbs 4 stroke 125lbs). Choices priority: Mercury, Yamaha, Evinrude, Nissan, Tohatsu. Watch out Suizuki is too heavy! 4 strokers will use 50-60% less gas then the 2 strokes. Which one would you buy?
$500-$800 more for a 4 stroker. For Lake use - check! 2 strokes may be banned.
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Got to have:
Aluminum (1st choice) or wood floor with aluminum framing and stringers
Aluminum (1st choice) or wood floor with aluminum framing and stringers
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Got to have:
Payload of 1800-2200 lbs - the more weight the boat can handle the better it will handle in the ocean. My allowance per person is 150-200lbs + 100lbs of dive gear.
Payload of 1800-2200 lbs - the more weight the boat can handle the better it will handle in the ocean. My allowance per person is 150-200lbs + 100lbs of dive gear.
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Got to have:
Min. of 4 grab handles on sides of tubes - more handles means more people helping you lift your boat to the water. Great to use for clip lines to hold your gear while beginning or returning from a dive. Also great for attaching your equipment leashes to keep it in your boat if a big wave washes over or if your boat ever gets flipped (hope this never happens to you).
Min. of 4 grab handles on sides of tubes - more handles means more people helping you lift your boat to the water. Great to use for clip lines to hold your gear while beginning or returning from a dive. Also great for attaching your equipment leashes to keep it in your boat if a big wave washes over or if your boat ever gets flipped (hope this never happens to you).
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Go to have:
Pressure relief valves - you need this if you boat will be in the hot sun a lot. Worth adding to your boat if you don't have it yet.
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Go to have:
Overall length of (12feet 6inches or 13feet 6inches or 14feet) is a good size for a non-RIB! Size matters!
Considerations:
How big is your garage/storage area
Bigger boat may mean bigger trailer
No trailer means you need to pump up or break down the boat each time you use it
3 divers in a 13 or 14footer is comfortable, 4th diver needs organizing but balances the boat load out
Overall length of (12feet 6inches or 13feet 6inches or 14feet) is a good size for a non-RIB! Size matters!
Considerations:
How big is your garage/storage area
Bigger boat may mean bigger trailer
No trailer means you need to pump up or break down the boat each time you use it
3 divers in a 13 or 14footer is comfortable, 4th diver needs organizing but balances the boat load out
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Got to have:
Extra layer of material on the bottom of the tubes - some dealers call this Grizzly Claw protection. Note that the center keel is also covered with the extra material.
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Got to have:
Hypalon or PVC material? Well, some of the higher end inflatables offer a hybird of both. PVC is the new material of late. 2 years ago, I found boats with 1000 denier pvc. Today most of them are 1100 denier sandwiched with other materials to make up something they call Decitex/Dtex. If you look hard, you'll even find newer materials that are 1300 denier with another new weird name. I think the PVC boats are fine, as the manufacturers have all switched to this material now. It'll be hard but not impossible to find a hypalon made boat these days. More info in another post.
Hypalon or PVC material? Well, some of the higher end inflatables offer a hybird of both. PVC is the new material of late. 2 years ago, I found boats with 1000 denier pvc. Today most of them are 1100 denier sandwiched with other materials to make up something they call Decitex/Dtex. If you look hard, you'll even find newer materials that are 1300 denier with another new weird name. I think the PVC boats are fine, as the manufacturers have all switched to this material now. It'll be hard but not impossible to find a hypalon made boat these days. More info in another post.
My Inflatable Boat Requirements (Dream on?)
Got to have:
Wide beam of 6ft. 7inches! That means try to get a boat with 36-40 inches as a minimum for the inside width!
A lot of boats have only 30-34inches of inside width and that's very cramped! But if it's the boat you think you like, try sitting in the back of the boat where you would steer the outboard and place the items you would have during your dive outing to see how much room it takes:
6 gallon gas tank, 3 scuba tanks with BC's , weightbelts, anchor and rope, anything else you normally would bring!
Wide beam of 6ft. 7inches! That means try to get a boat with 36-40 inches as a minimum for the inside width!
A lot of boats have only 30-34inches of inside width and that's very cramped! But if it's the boat you think you like, try sitting in the back of the boat where you would steer the outboard and place the items you would have during your dive outing to see how much room it takes:
6 gallon gas tank, 3 scuba tanks with BC's , weightbelts, anchor and rope, anything else you normally would bring!
Saturday, May 6, 2006
Craigslist Ad for 25HP Mercury 4 Stroke New $2700
Wow!
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-04-13, 8:00AM HST
25hp mercury 4-stroke,manual,starting,tiller & trim
2007 25 hp Mercury outboard 4-stroke,still in box - $2700 (honolulu)
Reply to: see below
Date: 2008-04-13, 8:00AM HST
25hp mercury 4-stroke,manual,starting,tiller & trim
Friday, May 5, 2006
A good deal! But on the wrong island for me.
*******Ad will be over with by the time you read this so it's just for example of what you can find here in these islands as far as used inflatables. This looks to be fine. You would just need to check the bottom of the tubes and see if they are still glued well to the fiberglass hull.
2006 nice 13'2 Mercury Marine inflatable w/30hp evinrude - $4000 (HAIKU MAUI)
Reply to: sale-607346685@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-03-15, 10:20AM HST
2006 nice 13'2 Mercury Marine inflatable w/30hp Evinrude. Fiberglass bottom, trailer, and all the stuff you need to have fun with this boat. Motor like new.
 |
Thursday, May 4, 2006
OK I give up, time to get the inflatable locally?
Searching thru Craigslist for Honolulu did find me some used inflatables to think about. But in general if the seller is not leaving the island (no pressure to sell) then the sell price is very high.
For those used inflatables ads I did look at that had pics to show the condition of their boat and trailer:
Very Bad shape! The sun UV rays damage is relentless out here in Hawaii. Anything with color just fades! The red or blue or black colors make the inflatable look like crap after a couple years. Gray or White or Biege colors don't show the Sun wear as much.
And the amount of rust on anything metal or the trailer was another issue. If it's not galvanized, then forget it! The inside of the hollow core of the trailer frame may have rusted out and you may not notice until the trailer breaks or starts to bend under stress load. Hopefully the galvanizing got on the inside of the hollow channel too when the trailer was dipped.
Since I'm living here permanently, my considerations should be for longevity of the trailer, inflatable, and the outboard.
Sometimes there IS a real good DEAL to be had! (in the next message) Too bad it's on the wrong island for me.
For those used inflatables ads I did look at that had pics to show the condition of their boat and trailer:
Very Bad shape! The sun UV rays damage is relentless out here in Hawaii. Anything with color just fades! The red or blue or black colors make the inflatable look like crap after a couple years. Gray or White or Biege colors don't show the Sun wear as much.
And the amount of rust on anything metal or the trailer was another issue. If it's not galvanized, then forget it! The inside of the hollow core of the trailer frame may have rusted out and you may not notice until the trailer breaks or starts to bend under stress load. Hopefully the galvanizing got on the inside of the hollow channel too when the trailer was dipped.
Since I'm living here permanently, my considerations should be for longevity of the trailer, inflatable, and the outboard.
Sometimes there IS a real good DEAL to be had! (in the next message) Too bad it's on the wrong island for me.
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Rant and Raves about my old Yukon Inflatable
Did you catch that my inside width at the transom was 40inches! That a lot considering that most other inflatables have only 30-36 inches. Don't understand why none of the inflatable designers didn't pick up on incorporating this nice feature of extra space in the back of the boat?
It's made of Hypalon! Had only a 5 year guarantee, but Hypalon is known to last up to 30 years.
The PVC Decitex stuff doesn't hold up that long, maybe 10 years if you are careful.
My Tubes are FAT! 22 inches and great to sit on, but it's harder/higher to get back into the boat with.
My payload is 2250 lbs! I've had 4 divers with full gear in this boat and it was more than fine.
Should have gotten electric start for my 25HP Yamaha 2 stroke outboard, but starts on the first pull every time if you have gas in the fuel bowl of the carburetor.
Sectional Floor is in a total of 4 pieces, the last part being the largest piece so the boat has less flex and klacking sounds when the boat is in motion.
Oars/Paddles are strapped to the inside lower part of the tubes, out of the way and easy to get to. Don't expect to row the oars/paddles; there are no pivoting hardware to mount the paddles on so don't run out of fuel!
Transom has a cut out section or dropped down U section to allow me to use a short shaft outboard, keeping the weight down. I used stainless steel bolts to keep the outboard from ever falling off during operation; easy to take on and off - just use a air powered wrench!
Remember this boat was made in 1990 in Hungary from an Italian design. Yukon is no longer in business, the guy who was President of Yukon Inflatable boats is now working for Zodiac.
+++++++++++But this boat will have to stay in California now sooooooooooo I need another boat for Hawaii use!
It's made of Hypalon! Had only a 5 year guarantee, but Hypalon is known to last up to 30 years.
The PVC Decitex stuff doesn't hold up that long, maybe 10 years if you are careful.
My Tubes are FAT! 22 inches and great to sit on, but it's harder/higher to get back into the boat with.
My payload is 2250 lbs! I've had 4 divers with full gear in this boat and it was more than fine.
Should have gotten electric start for my 25HP Yamaha 2 stroke outboard, but starts on the first pull every time if you have gas in the fuel bowl of the carburetor.
Sectional Floor is in a total of 4 pieces, the last part being the largest piece so the boat has less flex and klacking sounds when the boat is in motion.
Oars/Paddles are strapped to the inside lower part of the tubes, out of the way and easy to get to. Don't expect to row the oars/paddles; there are no pivoting hardware to mount the paddles on so don't run out of fuel!
Transom has a cut out section or dropped down U section to allow me to use a short shaft outboard, keeping the weight down. I used stainless steel bolts to keep the outboard from ever falling off during operation; easy to take on and off - just use a air powered wrench!
Remember this boat was made in 1990 in Hungary from an Italian design. Yukon is no longer in business, the guy who was President of Yukon Inflatable boats is now working for Zodiac.
+++++++++++But this boat will have to stay in California now sooooooooooo I need another boat for Hawaii use!
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
My Old Inflatable Specs & Cost
I have the Yukon Alaskan Sportboat 14:
13ft. 6in Overall Length
6ft. 9in. Overall Width
9ft. 7in. Inside Length
40in. Inside Width
22in. Tube Diameter
202 lbs total weight - boat 132lbs Wood Floor 70 lbs.
Payload 2250 lbs.
Hypalon material
3 main tubes + inflatable Kneel
25HP 2 Stroke Yamaha
18ft EZloader wide bunk trailer
the boat itself cost me $2359 in 1990 and still commands a used price of $1500
Total everything price was $6000 out the door of the store.
13ft. 6in Overall Length
6ft. 9in. Overall Width
9ft. 7in. Inside Length
40in. Inside Width
22in. Tube Diameter
202 lbs total weight - boat 132lbs Wood Floor 70 lbs.
Payload 2250 lbs.
Hypalon material
3 main tubes + inflatable Kneel
25HP 2 Stroke Yamaha
18ft EZloader wide bunk trailer
the boat itself cost me $2359 in 1990 and still commands a used price of $1500
Total everything price was $6000 out the door of the store.
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