Hi All,
I am in the market for a boat/dingy, however there's many different types and sizes out there and I'm feeling rather lost.
I don't want to go out and spend a fortune on a boat that is too big for my requirements or again too small nor do I want to buy a make others wouldn't recommend.
The boat will be used for moving equipment between swims on French Lakes, public and private, we do have another smaller rigid boat between us for playing fish however would like if possible for the boat to be of a size I can do that too incase my fishing partner doesn't attend a trip.
I have been looking at a Raptor 230? does that sound suitable?
What are you all using?
I am in the market for a boat/dingy, however there's many different types and sizes out there and I'm feeling rather lost.
I don't want to go out and spend a fortune on a boat that is too big for my requirements or again too small nor do I want to buy a make others wouldn't recommend.
The boat will be used for moving equipment between swims on French Lakes, public and private, we do have another smaller rigid boat between us for playing fish however would like if possible for the boat to be of a size I can do that too incase my fishing partner doesn't attend a trip.
I have been looking at a Raptor 230? does that sound suitable?
What are you all using?
In reply to Post #1
What is your budget ?
I would call the Tackle box up on 01322 292400 and ask their advice for your budget.
They have an impressive range of both the Jochym Marine Fishmaster inflatables and Fox inflatables.
Did notice these boats on the recent Korda program at Lake Cassein.
What is your budget ?
I would call the Tackle box up on 01322 292400 and ask their advice for your budget.
They have an impressive range of both the Jochym Marine Fishmaster inflatables and Fox inflatables.
Did notice these boats on the recent Korda program at Lake Cassein.
In reply to Post #1
Hi have a Bark 260NP which is 30cm longer than the Raptor 230, but the Raptor is slightly wider and I can fit the below gear in it in one run. Cost me 310 on amazon, it does the job. I have been looking the Raptor 230 fast and really like it, its gonna be my next purchase. With all the gear it would be difficult to fit 2 people in it, without the gear no problem. For one person and gear I wouldnt go smaller than a 230. If you are looking to move 2 people and gear I used to have a 330 and that just about did the job.
Bivvy.
Wrap.
Bedchair.
3 rods, net and sling.
Small cooler box.
Bait boat bag.
Food bag.
Fox FX rucksack.
Rig station.
86AH battery.
Hi have a Bark 260NP which is 30cm longer than the Raptor 230, but the Raptor is slightly wider and I can fit the below gear in it in one run. Cost me 310 on amazon, it does the job. I have been looking the Raptor 230 fast and really like it, its gonna be my next purchase. With all the gear it would be difficult to fit 2 people in it, without the gear no problem. For one person and gear I wouldnt go smaller than a 230. If you are looking to move 2 people and gear I used to have a 330 and that just about did the job.
Bivvy.
Wrap.
Bedchair.
3 rods, net and sling.
Small cooler box.
Bait boat bag.
Food bag.
Fox FX rucksack.
Rig station.
86AH battery.
In reply to Post #2
Hi,
Thanks for your quick reply, I don't really have a budget right now, I will set that depending on what my needs are. Would still be good to hear from others what they are using although I will definitely give the tackle box a ring too.
Regards
Luke
Hi,
Thanks for your quick reply, I don't really have a budget right now, I will set that depending on what my needs are. Would still be good to hear from others what they are using although I will definitely give the tackle box a ring too.
Regards
Luke
In reply to Post #3
Hi thanks for the reply,
I have also been looking at the BARK BT-290, its very cheap at only £380.
What was the build quality like for yours? I'm worried about the age old saying "buy cheap buy twice" and if I'm going to be buying another one in a few years because its not up to the job or it keeps getting a puncture I think I would rather just outlay the cost for a decent one right from the start, that saying however if they are good quality I would rather spend my money on other bits I will need for PL fishing like and echo etc.
Hi thanks for the reply,
I have also been looking at the BARK BT-290, its very cheap at only £380.
What was the build quality like for yours? I'm worried about the age old saying "buy cheap buy twice" and if I'm going to be buying another one in a few years because its not up to the job or it keeps getting a puncture I think I would rather just outlay the cost for a decent one right from the start, that saying however if they are good quality I would rather spend my money on other bits I will need for PL fishing like and echo etc.
I've had a few and by far the best boat I've ever owned is a raptor.
Nowhere as cheap as a bark, but the material is thicker and the air deck is invaluable.
Nowhere as cheap as a bark, but the material is thicker and the air deck is invaluable.
In reply to Post #5
I am happy with the quality. Ive hit it off the side of the stand many times, against overhanging branches and it has not punctured yet, Ive had it almost a year now and use it every week. The material on the Raptor would be better for sure. The raptor is twice the price but its twice the boat. The bark one I have only has a slatted floor and a flat bottom. The Raptor has the inflatable floor and a V-keel.
I am happy with the quality. Ive hit it off the side of the stand many times, against overhanging branches and it has not punctured yet, Ive had it almost a year now and use it every week. The material on the Raptor would be better for sure. The raptor is twice the price but its twice the boat. The bark one I have only has a slatted floor and a flat bottom. The Raptor has the inflatable floor and a V-keel.
In reply to Post #6
Hi can you explain why the air deck makes a difference please? is it just the weight when carried overlong distances?
Hi can you explain why the air deck makes a difference please? is it just the weight when carried overlong distances?
In reply to Post #8
An Air deck is an all round more stable platform and can be stood in with ease.
I would be looking well away from the Boats aimed at Carp Anglers with the silly tax you will pay and look at a quality 2nd hand craft.
For example, , I have an Air deck and Air keel Quicksilver 270 that will actually get onto the plane with and 55lb thrust outboard and cost me £102 from Ebay .
An Air deck is an all round more stable platform and can be stood in with ease.
I would be looking well away from the Boats aimed at Carp Anglers with the silly tax you will pay and look at a quality 2nd hand craft.
For example, , I have an Air deck and Air keel Quicksilver 270 that will actually get onto the plane with and 55lb thrust outboard and cost me £102 from Ebay .
In reply to Post #1
In reply to Post #1
Had an inflatable dinghy and on large lakes you are simply blown about.
And they are a real pain to row about.
For our fishing we bought a rigid 3,6m jeanneau with a dedicated trailer.
No more worrying about rocks and punctures, unsinkable, decent to row, it will take all your gear and then some.
And you can even enjoy a days fishing from the boat.
In reply to Post #1
Had an inflatable dinghy and on large lakes you are simply blown about.
And they are a real pain to row about.
For our fishing we bought a rigid 3,6m jeanneau with a dedicated trailer.
No more worrying about rocks and punctures, unsinkable, decent to row, it will take all your gear and then some.
And you can even enjoy a days fishing from the boat.
In reply to Post #10
I bought a 270 inflatable with ally floor an I can just about get me and all my gear for several nights fishing in one hit (super useful if your own your own)
However I've had it now for nearly 8 years and this year all the glue starting to come unstuck and the transom was literally falling off. Glued it all back together again but it was a p.i.t.a.
Doubt I'd ever buy an inflatable again because of this, I'll probably keep my eyes out for a decent rigid when this one eventually become no longer worth repairing.
I bought a 270 inflatable with ally floor an I can just about get me and all my gear for several nights fishing in one hit (super useful if your own your own)
However I've had it now for nearly 8 years and this year all the glue starting to come unstuck and the transom was literally falling off. Glued it all back together again but it was a p.i.t.a.
Doubt I'd ever buy an inflatable again because of this, I'll probably keep my eyes out for a decent rigid when this one eventually become no longer worth repairing.
In reply to Post #11
Thanks for your input. Is the only reason you won't get an inflatable just because of the glue issue? What make is you boat? 8 years seems like not bad mileage out of a dingy in my opinion
Thanks for your input. Is the only reason you won't get an inflatable just because of the glue issue? What make is you boat? 8 years seems like not bad mileage out of a dingy in my opinion
In reply to Post #1
Got a zodiac myself.
It's not Carpy green but in my opinion outshines carp made inflatables these days.
Used on the big ressies in France a fair few times now and wins over most others. My pal is changing from a Fox 290 to a zodiac after seeing mine on chantecoq this summer. the Zodiac looked a lot better made / sturdier in the water. The Raptors are good but I'd still take the zodiac.
Good luck in choice
Got a zodiac myself.
It's not Carpy green but in my opinion outshines carp made inflatables these days.
Used on the big ressies in France a fair few times now and wins over most others. My pal is changing from a Fox 290 to a zodiac after seeing mine on chantecoq this summer. the Zodiac looked a lot better made / sturdier in the water. The Raptors are good but I'd still take the zodiac.
Good luck in choice
In reply to Post #14
I used to have a 320 zodiac well before I wanted to go exploring, was a solid boat tbf. I'm glad there has been a few people on here own boats that arnt dedicated carp boats, it's made my mind up that I'll just get a non carp tax model of boat and save myself a bomb, if it lasts me 8 years I'll be chuffed.
I used to have a 320 zodiac well before I wanted to go exploring, was a solid boat tbf. I'm glad there has been a few people on here own boats that arnt dedicated carp boats, it's made my mind up that I'll just get a non carp tax model of boat and save myself a bomb, if it lasts me 8 years I'll be chuffed.
In reply to Post #15
We were fishing France before the carpy brands invented boats, tripods, cooking shelters, gas cookers, toasters and whatever they can slap their brand name on.
Everything is catered for these days by the carpy brands,... but there is a whole world of tackle and tactics out there when we take off our carpy blinders.
We were fishing France before the carpy brands invented boats, tripods, cooking shelters, gas cookers, toasters and whatever they can slap their brand name on.
Everything is catered for these days by the carpy brands,... but there is a whole world of tackle and tactics out there when we take off our carpy blinders.