Inflatable Tender Help/Guidance.

[tazkav]

Hi everybody,
As you will of noticed I am new on here but I am looking for some help & guidance re planned purchase of an inflatable tender & Outboard (I know you may say what's this guy on /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif,But it's still a boat and it's a start)for purely leisurely activities.
I plan to use the tender for odd trips on the canal (Grand Union) and for the odd seaside trips intending to cruise about not far from the shore for days out with the grandchildren and family.
I will be taking safety precautions i.e Lifejackets etc.
I also plan to take the RYA Powerboating course Level 1 before I even take to the water.
What I am needing to know is do I need to licence the boat at all before I set out on the water ?
Any other useful tips that you feel will help and make my step into the world of boats more enjoyable would be appreciated.
Please feel free to throw any comments my way I am hard to offend.........lol
Thanks in advance Taz. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[hlb]

You need nowt for the sea, but most inland want a licence. Insurance wants thinking about. There quite heavy, so size needs thinking about, air decks are good. How many folk are going to get in this dinghy?

 

[B175Chris]

You should definitely have a look at the one I'm selling, I think it'd be ideal! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PM me for any info /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F190693

 

[Csail]

Try and find a Tinker traveller dinghy.

 

[GeoffHill]

I've put my 2.4m inflatable on the roof, and a 5hp outboard in the boot, and gone to a few places. It's a good laugh.

No need to do a course, just jump in and off you go.

Lifejackets are essential. Small pack of flares, and a handheld VHF radio a good idea

 

[Channel Ribs]

Hullo and welcome.

As already said, you do not need a licence for going to sea but may well do for any inland waterway.

Your idea of doing the PB1 course is a sound one, it will give you confidence and is an excellent way to spend a couple of days.

As for boat, if you want something super portable then an airdeck is a good option but if you want something to take a family and be comfortable/capable in the sea then a solid floor inflatable will be much better.

Don't buy anything until after you have done the course, as this will change your perceptions. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[tazkav]

Good Morning,
Thank you to all that have added comments so far all very helpful. The max in boat will be 3/4 persons but obviously this will depend on the limitations of the boat I purchase,Also insurance is something I will be looking at.I know tha lake I intend to take my course at insists on Public Liability insurance before you take your own craft on the water.Any other comments will be taken on board & any others welcome.
Thanks again.

 

[gjgm]

how are you going to keep/store/launch it? The lightest set up is the high pressure inflatable floor type (see Honwave as an example). You really need a specialist high pressure pump (£80) for rapid inflating- deflating, and it can go in the back of the car. A 3.8m boat weights about 50kg.
However, this has a V floor, good for the sea, but not maybe not so practical in other ways inside the boat. Honda also do a 4m version with a level internal aluminium floor, which I think might suit you better. Trouble is it then weighs more like 90kg (in two bags), and life gets alot easier with a trailer. Outboard weights tend to jump at 10hp, and then 20 hp. The 20 is about 50kg, so its quite a weight to move about.
Hence my original question as to how to store it.
Other makes than Honda of course, its just I looked myself into this, and thought they had a good set up.
Just a small note... at 3.8-4m, and especially with small kids, you really want the sea to be like pretty smooth(and that isnt very often!) .
These come up second hand on ebay and boatsandoutboards (though the prices on the latter are often 25pt too high)£1800/2100 is enough for boat trailer and largest outboard.
As I say, I looked into this a fair bit late summer, so feel free to PM me if you wish.

 

[tazkav]

Hi,Storing of Boat will be dry stored in spare room,Transportation will be the boot of the car (That's why I want a fold up inflatable),Launching will be from any easily accessible spots we come across.I have been looking around & I think the 'V' Keel seems to be favourable to a Flat bottom boat.Only just started making enquiries into all this so early days yet but thought now would be best time to investigate so that hopefully we will be up & running by the time the nice weather comes back next year.
Thanks again for all the tips and I'm still listening to you all.

 

[Chas25]

I used to have a Quicksilver 3m dingy with inflatable floor.

It was great for 2/3 and still fine with 4 in, we ran it with a 3.3 2 stroke and with 1 in you could get it to plane (just!) which was good fun /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif it could take up to 15hp which I would guess it would fly with!!

Only downside I would say is its very bulky when deflated to the point where we had to fold the seats down to get it in the boot of our estate! Of course you can leave it on the roof inflated if you like which gets round this /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif