Hi,
Going to buy a boat. In the first instance for fishing a small lake in France to put rigs and bait out.
In the longer term to be used in the uk on 90 acre pit which would also occasionally entail being used to transport my gear.
In this instance I won't be taking the kitchen sink and will be buying one of them raptor unhooking mats that double as a boat trailer or similar that I'll Be able to load with a bit of gear. So with that I basically want a boat as compact as possible to stay stable with a medium Barrow load of gear and 1 person on it.
In an ideal world I'd like a rigid boat but storage won't alllow for that so will need an inflatable.
There's far too many options so can I get a few options of what size to get and then a few brands to choose from.
I'm thinking 2.4m or 2.7m looks a decent size with my preference for the 2.4.
Going to buy a boat. In the first instance for fishing a small lake in France to put rigs and bait out.
In the longer term to be used in the uk on 90 acre pit which would also occasionally entail being used to transport my gear.
In this instance I won't be taking the kitchen sink and will be buying one of them raptor unhooking mats that double as a boat trailer or similar that I'll Be able to load with a bit of gear. So with that I basically want a boat as compact as possible to stay stable with a medium Barrow load of gear and 1 person on it.
In an ideal world I'd like a rigid boat but storage won't alllow for that so will need an inflatable.
There's far too many options so can I get a few options of what size to get and then a few brands to choose from.
I'm thinking 2.4m or 2.7m looks a decent size with my preference for the 2.4.
200/230 are ideal for putting rigs/bait out, you might get away with a 230 size with towing a raptor mat depends how much kit you take, I have a 270 JRC inflatable which will ferry me and my kit for a week in France but then just a little on the large size for baiting and rig dropping had it a few years now and will be getting rid shortly as I dont do much of that kind of fishing now where I have to ferry my kit I will be looking getting a Raptor X-wide in 230 just for mainly spot finding and bait and rigs, the Raptor X-wide 200 is very stable my mates got one and I used it last October bit on the small side for me and far too small for ferrying any kit you wouldn't get a lot in it.
In reply to Post #2
Thanks mate.
So yeah a 2.4 sounds like what I want. I'll get one of the mats to tow some gear if and when I need to.
What about motor size for a boat like that? 55lb good enough or need an 80lb?
Thanks mate.
So yeah a 2.4 sounds like what I want. I'll get one of the mats to tow some gear if and when I need to.
What about motor size for a boat like that? 55lb good enough or need an 80lb?
In reply to Post #3
55lb is what I use and find it more than adequate on my 2.7 although its getting on a bit now and I have been looking at the 65lb thrust from fox with the tilting head as a newer option I like the fact it stows easier for transport and storing as most outboards are an awkward shape.
55lb is what I use and find it more than adequate on my 2.7 although its getting on a bit now and I have been looking at the 65lb thrust from fox with the tilting head as a newer option I like the fact it stows easier for transport and storing as most outboards are an awkward shape.
In reply to Post #4
I use a 35lb (I think) Minn Kota & it tows my gear fine on a 40 acre UK pit, can imagine it'll be a pain if the winds got up & white capped - reckon you'd be fine with a 55lb.
One lesson I learned was invest in a decent battery, I bought a cheap one online (think it was 60 or so quid) and no word of a lie the thing weighs a tonne & holds as much charge as an iPhone 2
wish I'd have spent a little more & got a decent one or splurged and bought a lithium version
I use a 35lb (I think) Minn Kota & it tows my gear fine on a 40 acre UK pit, can imagine it'll be a pain if the winds got up & white capped - reckon you'd be fine with a 55lb.
One lesson I learned was invest in a decent battery, I bought a cheap one online (think it was 60 or so quid) and no word of a lie the thing weighs a tonne & holds as much charge as an iPhone 2
wish I'd have spent a little more & got a decent one or splurged and bought a lithium version
In reply to Post #1
55 lb will do the job for you I have 300 size dingy and 55lb min kota max
Recommend strongly.
Also if you don't mind to ask me what lake do you going to fish ?
55 lb will do the job for you I have 300 size dingy and 55lb min kota max
Recommend strongly.
Also if you don't mind to ask me what lake do you going to fish ?
In reply to Post #2
On the raptor boat which deck do you prefer the air deck or the aluminium one?
On the raptor boat which deck do you prefer the air deck or the aluminium one?
In reply to Post #7
I prefer airdecks as they're so simple and quick which is what I currently have in my JRC, I've had experience of boats with ally decks which my previous ones were as well as helping mates with theirs which obviously will outlive an airdeck but assembling them and getting them in the bottom of the boat can be a ball ache, some fit well others can be a wrestle mania session.
I prefer airdecks as they're so simple and quick which is what I currently have in my JRC, I've had experience of boats with ally decks which my previous ones were as well as helping mates with theirs which obviously will outlive an airdeck but assembling them and getting them in the bottom of the boat can be a ball ache, some fit well others can be a wrestle mania session.
In reply to Post #8
How firm are the air decks?
How firm are the air decks?
In reply to Post #8
Thank you for the reply
Thank you for the reply
In reply to Post #9
Inflated fully they're very firm.
Inflated fully they're very firm.
In reply to Post #9
Air decks are firm but your need an electric pump to achieve the desired pressure
Air decks are firm but your need an electric pump to achieve the desired pressure
In reply to Post #12
I wouldn't be kicking around pumping my boat up anyhow 😂
I wouldn't be kicking around pumping my boat up anyhow 😂
I use a 3m raptor ali deck for towing. I've also just purchased one of the new nash 240 inflatables for general use (dropping rigs, playing fish etc) which comes with an airdeck. I've also got a raptor 180 with airdeck which I use as a spare should I need it.
I've got something to cover the majority of situations. In terms of what deck to use, I always go with air decks. The flooring can be a pain in the ass to put together sometimes, especially if it's been used a few times. Air decks are very sturdy and never had an issue with them.
You don't have to mess about lining pieces up, especially in bad weather conditions
I've got something to cover the majority of situations. In terms of what deck to use, I always go with air decks. The flooring can be a pain in the ass to put together sometimes, especially if it's been used a few times. Air decks are very sturdy and never had an issue with them.
You don't have to mess about lining pieces up, especially in bad weather conditions