Have a look at Aryn boats in holland - you'll need a trailer, but 100 times better than an inflatable

Carp spirit black boat 180 - small and light

I've driven from Calais hundreds of times (I've lived in the Dordogne for the last 13 years) if you get to Paris at the right time it's the quickest way by far !!

I have 10ft shimano velocities in 3lb and although they're great rods for the money I think they're quite powerful, not like broomsticks as they bend well , but I wouldn't want to be fishing for double figure carp in a 2 acre lake with them.

As said in my earlier post a 10ft rod is much easier when using a boat ,I've lost count of the number of times I've almost snapped the tip off my 13ft rods while on the boat (3ft hanging over the back) .
But I do agree that most people buying scopes Orr dwarves are just following the crowds ,but if that's want they want to do then that's all good .I'm certainly not going to judge them.
I don't agree that you would move if you had scopes but not if you had big rods

I use my 10 ft rods when using a boat ,much less cumbersome than my 13ft rods which are my preferred rods if casting and playing from the bank.
You don't always have to play fish with the rod above your head ,use side strain or even underwater if that's the only place you can get the space