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General Spearfishing & Diving Discussion This is where you post to discuss general spearfishing topics that could apply to any region. |
View Poll Results: What do you think about inflatables | |||
I Love Inflatables i own one! | 30 | 36.59% | |
I Like them and I would like to get one! | 40 | 48.78% | |
They are ok but not interested | 12 | 14.63% | |
Voters: 82. You may not vote on this poll |
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11-04-2009, 07:51 PM | #1 |
Pistolero Del Mar
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Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
Hello Guys, I am planning on buying an inflatable boat maybe like a 13ft-14ft for spearfishing I was wondering what do you guys think about them, and what size would you recommend.
I am really considering buying one, specially because they are so easy to transport relatively cheap, low maintenance, cheap on gas and easy to get in and out of the beach. And they look cool!!! So what do you guys think.... |
11-04-2009, 08:49 PM | #2 |
Movember
Join Date: May 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 597
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
I almost got an inflatable, but I am really glad that I didn't. For the same price you could get a 13 foot whaler. It is a much comfortable, smoother & faster ride....the gas mileage is great....don’t have to worry about hooks and spear tips......I hit spots 35-40 miles out and have never seen inflatable (have seen jet skis and aluminums). If you plan on going off shore in it you will have to get at least a 14 footer. The only downside is the difficulty in beach launching.....If you need to beach launch, I would go with an aluminum....my .02 cents!
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11-04-2009, 09:18 PM | #3 |
Pistolero Del Mar
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
How much you paid for your boat?
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11-04-2009, 09:30 PM | #4 |
you cant see mee
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SORIAPP
Posts: 2,307
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
i have a 16ft inflatable keel. I bought it used which can be very scary, not knowing if its going to pop or tear a seal. I think its all in my head though because i see these boats last for 20 years without issue.
Inflatables are super stable and dont shift weight or roll as much as a comparable sized fiberglass boat. due to the nature of pontoons and less dead rise. If you can find one in good condition like mine that holds air, its a really great boat to dive from. Doesnt need much horsepower and can handle a cooler full of fish. look for something around 1500 with everything included. Go up to peoples doors if you see one in their backyard. Thats how i scored a super deal with a neighbor
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Man In His Element Last edited by xrispearo; 11-04-2009 at 09:48 PM. |
11-04-2009, 09:40 PM | #5 |
Movember
Join Date: May 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 597
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
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11-04-2009, 09:52 PM | #6 |
Movember
Join Date: May 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 597
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
11 foot whaler and trailer.......$750.00
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/boa/1446162319.html NEW - 15HP SUZUKI MODEL# DF15MSK10 - $2300.00 Tiller model http://www.newoutboards.com/Suzuki-15-hp-outboard.html |
11-04-2009, 09:55 PM | #7 | |
Pistolero Del Mar
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
Quote:
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11-04-2009, 10:47 PM | #8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Benicia Ca
Posts: 4,456
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
I would get a RIB for my area for sure I have been in several and a RIB has a lot nicer ride.
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Will hunt for food |
11-05-2009, 09:07 AM | #9 |
MAN OVERBOARD
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Juan,Puerto Rico
Posts: 2,439
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
I have one, and i love it, they say a whaler wont sink, but will hold enough water so the engine wont start, a RIB, will yake the whaler and float it to shore
check the weight capacity of anyboat same size to an inflatable and you will see what I mean. Mine is a 18 footer, its rated for 12 people , but dont know were am suposed to fit them. Whalers are great small boats too, i also got one, inflatable will have advantages and disadvantages like everything in life. If were you go, its got rough seas, go with the RIB, the size will mostly depend on how much you want to spend, but a 16-18 footer is so light, so easy to transport and its my personal opinion that is the perfect small boat for spearfishing.
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11-05-2009, 11:30 AM | #10 |
Spearbot
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Vancouver, BC
Age: 50
Posts: 224
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
Both myself and Mike F use Thundercats. Twin hull inflatable rescue boats from south africa. He runs a Gemini race model and I got a Dux thundercat. They are about 14 feet long, mine hits 65 with a 40tohasu and his does about 80 with a merc 65.
These boats arent comfortable but we can hit every spot in the bay in one afternoon. From Sechelt to the Galiano islands. Cheap and fast and they plane instead of shlubbin along like a fast bottom inflatable. If you can deal with more weight get a rib or the surf front version.
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11-05-2009, 06:29 PM | #11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ft. Myers/Marathon
Posts: 711
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
inflatables are nice...smooth riding and easy to get in and out
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11-05-2009, 07:42 PM | #12 |
Lothario
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Palm Beach FL
Posts: 4,431
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
Inflatables are great. You will break a sweat setting up a 13-14ft inflatable, but being able to fit it in the trunk beats that. Whaler you will have to trailer, and park somewhere when not in use, etc, etc. Inflatables are reliable, easy to get in and out of, plane with small motor, and easy on the wallet. I ran 23ft RIB for 2 years commercially spearfishing and had no problems with speartip damage. Use common sense, and even smallest inflatable can safely haul spearguns, divers and gear.
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11-05-2009, 08:35 PM | #13 | |
Pistolero Del Mar
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
Quote:
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01-20-2014, 07:43 AM | #14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 865
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
I've had several Zodiacs and then a Nova Bat (bigger badder Zodiac in all ways), what you gain with an inflatable is the ability to haul about 4 or 5 times more weight than a comparable size hard boat. We routinely dove 4 big guys and all their stuff and guns all over Baja. That just wouldn't be possible in hard boat of the same size. Inflatables are great for what they are what they are designed to do. If you're pulling an inflatable any distance, or over very poor roads (baja) it's nice not to have all the weight of a hard boat behind you too. But, there is definitely a time when you need to make the jump to hard boat leave the inflatables at home.
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01-20-2014, 05:01 PM | #15 |
you cant see mee
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SORIAPP
Posts: 2,307
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Re: Spearfishing Inflatable Boat
^this thread is five years old just FYI
At one time I had a zodiac mark III and a boston whaler 13'. Comparing the two with the same engine the whaler was faster, smoother ride, more interior room despite being 2' shorter and you could slam your fish down on it or your spearguns and not have a care in the world. having said that, I think the best place for a zodiac is in the 9-10ft range with an outboard you can carry because kayaking sucks!
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