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In reply to Post #10
There's some mega tips on this thread on the pros/cons of inflatable vs rigid. I'm only speaking from my own experience, I bought a BARK 2m infltatable with no floor off ebay a few years ago for a lake in the UK & combined with a lithium battery (100ah) and 30lb Minn Kota it was golden.
Now I'm based in Amsterdam & fishing more of the open pits here, I've just upgraded to a Raptor X-Wide 230m with airdeck & it's honestly worth every penny given the types of waters I'm fishing here. I've paired this with a 60lb motor from Aliexpress (same model as Raptor motors but without the badge) and it's a dream. The raptor is 0.9mm thickness & has extra protection on the underside & crucially, a keel, which helps prevent the spinning (my Bark was very prone to this).
If I was buying again, the parts I'd focus on:
- Life jacket (goes without saying but do not scrimp on this, I bought one of the self inflating ones for sea fishing/boat usage & it's saved me at least once on a UK water where I went in & the cold water shock was like nothing I'd experienced, pretty sure I'd have been in real trouble without it)
- Batteries (Lithium are the way to go here, you get way more juice out of them & they're lighter, can pick up goods ones for sub £200)
- Boat with a keel & solid floor, aluminium lasts longer than air decks in general but are more faf to put away and store, based on what you mentioned I'd go for 2 or 2.3m X wide models, the inside space is worth it IMO - especially if you can drive to the swims
- Motor (go for one with more juice than you think you'll need, can always dial back where needed to conserve juice)
Additional comments
- Deeper should suffice for what you're looking for
- Markers referenced below are perfect (I'm actually going to copy some of these) can make loads and have these made up in the boat
- Prodding stick or donking rod (small rod for feature finding)
- Aquascope (if the clarity is good)
There was a wicked set of everything in the sale section recently, not sure if it's still available
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This is my boat marker bag, a small Aqua stalking bag.
These are the contents:
Large H markers. I use these on huge lakes or when pootling around and find an area that I want to investigate more I just throw one out on the spot and then come back to it for a detailed search.
Mini H markers. These I use to mark my spots more discretely when finalised.
Fox Euro Markers. These are illuminated, Ideal as they are easy to find or cast to at night as long as you don’t mind showing others where you are fishing
Water bottle markers. I make loads of these so I’ve always got some in the bag and some in the boat.
Couple of tips:
The water bottle markers. Simple to make with a swivel mounted in the base. They have a strip of reflective material taken from a Hi Vis jacket. I have loads of these both in the bag and left in the boat. I have been known when I’ve found a prolific spot to plant these away from the area to deceive prying eyes
Fox Euro Markers: remove the old fashioned AA battery and bulb and get some illuminated glow sticks from eBay. You can buy rechargeable batteries as well including a USB charger so they are re-useable. I switch them on before dark when I bait up, leave them on all night and through to the following evening then when baiting up just replace with fresh batteries and recharge the flat ones. They are only tiny.
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In reply to Post #3
If I was 6'1" and 17 stone regarding an inflatable I wouldn't consider anything smaller than a 2.00 boat with airdeck at that I would probably opt for the 2.3, slatted floors are not great it's like walking on the water below the boat and can be a touch wobbly if your not very stable on your feet and alloy decks are just a hassle that you can do without when you have an airdeck option it will undoubtedly save a few pinched fingers or blackened nails.
Most inflatables are generally 0.7mm material but look for one with the added 0.9mm rubbing strips underneath especially for gravel margin lakes, theres plenty in the UK with airdecks for around £400 upwards but they are all standard width starting at 600mm and going to around 750mm internal width but by then your usually upto a 3.00mtr plus long boat and most haven't got the the added protection of rubbing strips, Bark, Waveco,Tahiti boats are all in this price bracket.
With long legs and standard width boats at 2.00mtrs or under you will struggle and probably find yourself removing the seat and sitting on the side wall to stretch your legs a little unless you fancy an X-wide, I've looked and I cannot find anything in the UK for this type of inflatable or something large enough and quality for a decent boat in the UK it is silly money look to the NL for Raptor or Spartan inflatable boats, Spartans are on sale at the moment and a 2/2.3 wide are around 600/670 Euros very good price atm considering the Raptors you can add another 100/150 euros to that and they are practically like for like plus the Spartans come in a bit lighter.
Below is my 1.6mtr Raptor just to give you an idea a 1.8/2.00 standard is not a great deal longer and the width will hardly increase.
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In reply to Post #8
Great posts.
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Continued:
H blocks, marker poles are useful. I have a set of the old Fox Euro illuminated markers but with the proliferation of GPS devices don’t use them as much, however seeing 3 markers out at night faintly glowing in different colours is very pleasing, if not very secret squirrel. Prodding sticks are easily made.
Fish will always try and foul the line around the prop or prop shaft. It’s the law.
You will soon find that you have been born with an arm short. 3 arms are required for all but the simplest tasks when out onthe water
I’ve never owned or used a inflatable so can’t help much with size, choice or make I’m afraid 👍
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Chris, I think you’ve decided that an inflateableis the way that you are going👍
However don’t underestimate the size of it packed in its bag and when you add air deck or solid deck, rigid transom battery, motor oars etc it soon fills a car.
Outboard wise the Bison is OK but if you can stretch to it Minn Kota are better. With regard to its size it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Bigger engine, more power consumption. For over 10 years I used a MK 28lb thrust motor on a BIC boat on a windswept 26 acre mere. Head onto the wind it was a bit slow but always got there. This was in the days of lead acid leisure batteries and for 5 days of use I’d need 2 x 85 Ah batteries. I now use a 36lb thrust MK with a single 85Ah Lithium battery and with mixed usage get a week out of it easy. A lot of people say go for 55hp motors but you then have to upscale you batteries accordingly. Don’t forget an inflateable presents a bulkier and less aerodynamic shape although marginally lighter than a solid boat.
Battery wise go for the biggest Ah you can afford versus size and weight. Re waterproof box, there have been reports of some batteries leaking in water. Ihave an Ultramax which is supposedly one of them although I’ve had no issues. However I have taken the precaution of siliconing the top seam which is the only join onthe battery shell and then using adhesive tape arounddtbe join. This is then housed in a plastic purpose built box. The bonus of this is you can then mount a battery meter, usb sockets and cigarette lighter fitting to make it a superior power bank for off boat use. I also have a handful of moisture dessicator sachets inside.
Lithium batteries don’t slowly run down - they just stop. Buy a battery meter from eBay for under a tenner.
Buy some Anderson connectors for your battery and motor. Some clip on connectors or crocodile clips can degrade the power output whereas Anderson’s don’t
For life jackets Seago is your friend. Lots of choice but beware of the difference between a life jacket and a buoyancy aid. Life jackets that have co2 charged lungs are populat but every 3 years or so activate the mechanism , check the lungs and replace the co2 canister. They are not hideously expensive but can save your life.
Seago will also list all your minor chandlery requirements - replacement row locks, oars, drain plugs and a plethora of small plastic bits that you will need.
Couple of tips. A large plastic milk container cut at a diagonal to the handle with the cap still on makes a good ( and free) baler. Not as much for if you’re sinking but for rain water in the bottom of a boat. A good rain downpour can dump a surprisingly large amount of water in the bottom of a boat - great if you wearing crocs or bivvy slippers.
Always take oars in the boat even if you have a motor. Glue ( or pop rivet if it’s a solid boat) some Velcro straps to keep the oars in place in the row locks when not in use. This will reduce the amount of swearing when you keep knocking them off the boat into the water when landing that special fish.
Don’t have a full sized landing net handle in the boat. A shorter one is easier to handle ( no pun)
Anything like balers, seat cushions etc that don’t weigh a ton, tie it to the boat otherwise once out of the Lee of the bank it will blow away.
Make sure your painter ( the rope on the front not your mate who decorates your house) is long enough for pulling in and tiding up the boat.
This pic shows old lead acid battery, crocodile clips on battery and oars not Velcro strapped . I learnt he hard way over the years.
A simple anchor can be made from a mid size plastic container filled with concrete or small anchors can be bought. Bear in mind it’s not the grappling effect which anchors a boat unless very weedy but the weight of it. This can be added to by a length of chain to lie along the bottom.
And old unhooking mat in the bottom of the boat helps to deaden noise which travels a long way in the water.
If you have a solid transom fix a bank stick to it with a rod rest head fitted. If you are dropping rigs it allows you to rest the rod, tip in the water and feather the line one handed as you motor back in.
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In reply to Post #5
Hey Neil - BICs are solid and make sense over many others but Its a small lake that's a fair journey so I don't want to be banging down the motorway with a trailer etc . . . . also leaving a boat at the lake means potentially annoying others having to 'get it' once I've picked a likely swim so negates the flex of being able to drive (and park) by each swim to unload etc
Suppose I just need advice on an inflatable and essential accessories tbf - ie
1 - Size (to support my weight / an outboard and battery pack / 10kg bucket of bait etc) 180/200/230? I'd prefer the smaller end but worried about real world stability (eg when using a viewing scope etc)
2 - Deck - is an air-deck essential for stability?
3 - Outboard? Will a cheap Bison 40lb suffice?
4 - Outboard battery? What size / AH rating / Type / does it need a waterproof box etc?
5 - Any other 'essential' boats bits (with the exception of Echo's / Prodding sticks / Marker blocks etc) eg. Mushroom Anchor / Dog stake with tether / any other useful boat related bit of kit!
6 - Best life jacket?
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I would recommend that unless you can’t physically transport a solid boat only then look at inflatables.
Ihave a BIC 252 and also in the past have had a Newbourne Sniper and both fitted on on estate type cars and with a couple of poles angled from the roof rack to the ground at the side mainly to protect the car and make it easy one man slide up and onto the roof.
When I changed to an SUV this was the solution I used
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In reply to Post #3
Sounds like a blow up it is for you. But I have no experience with them.
What I would say is get some h blocks or canes depending on the lakes depth and learn how to interpret a spot and then mark it.
Maybe a proding stick and aquascope if the clarity is good.
Also decide on what type of life jacket or floatation device you are going to use.
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In reply to Post #2
Can poss leave at lake but its a long round trip so would prefer to bring it with me - can also access lake with car so no need for barrow (making space in motor) Are you inferring inflatables are a hassle? Was thinking of going for a 180-200 size (although I'm 6'1" 17 stone atm!)
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In reply to Post #1
Can you leave your boat at the lake.
A small motor on the boat will make your life much easier.
Sounds like a deeper will be perfect.
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Other than messing around on syndicate BIC boats (freeing / landing weeded fish etc) and a few similar events on French trips I'm potentially about to join a new water that allows boats, but only for feature finding / baiting up / landing fish etc - bait boats are banned.
What kind of boat/size should I be looking at and what is a definitive list of requirements / accessories etc? Water is mature and around 12 acres so not massive, its also fairly protected from wind etc and banks have decent access throughout (vehicle) so won't need to barrow about etc
Already have a deeper (don't want to invest in a 'propa' fishfinder unless absolutely necessary) but would maybe consider a small outboard as my rowing is below average!
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Boats