Inflatables... again

[Kelpie]

I'm looking for a low-price inflatable that is small enough for me to carry around inflated, and also packs up pretty neatly. The idea is that I can keep it in the car 'just in case'.
Most models seem too big- I would never need to carry more than two people max.

A cheap option is the Intex 'Seahawk II' at 18kg and only £100 without motor mount.
http://www.inflataboat.350.com/boats_page.htm
But it seems quite big (3m long) so I'm wary of its low weight- maybe it's made of tissue paper! However at that weight I could probably carry it over my head and avoid dragging it across the shore at all, so durability wouldn;t be as much of a problem.

Another option is a 'Compass' only 1.8m long and £180, quite a bit heaviery though at 24kg.
http://www.compass24.com/web/catalog/shop/technology_motor_boat_equipment_dinghies/1205799
I'm inclined to go for the more expensive, smaller one- I presume that that extra weight means it's better built? And being so small I should be able to carry it quite easily.
The same site also has a small 16kg dinghy at £200... but that's starting to get out of budget and you doesn't seem as good value...

Anybody used these boats? Any others out there I could consider?

 

[Pete7]

Rob, the tubes on the 1.8m Compass look a little small with a diameter of 10" /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Pete

 

[Kelpie]

Crikey, so they do. I think I liked it cos it was red /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[SK700]

I have a plastimo P180 which appears to be similar to the compass one. The tubes are very small and unsuitable for using in any sort of chop. I use it on the river where it is great. I dont use the seat or floor so this reduces the weight down significanlty. Also the small tubes mean less pumping up.

Meant to be rated for sea use with 150KG but with 2 of us (about 150 ish) I would get wet in waves more than a few inches.

I did see an advert or article for a small dinghy which looks like a standard 220 but the outboard mount rigid part is only about a 1/4 of the width of the boat. I cant find it now but would consider looking for that style if I was going to buy another.

edit: mine is like the £200 one. I notice that "All our prices include VAT at the current rate (17,5 %). " so the web site may not be that up to date.

 

[gandy]

I had to use a small Compass inflatable once. Not the same as that, this one was a round tail. It was horrible. The oars fitted into some sort of strange articulated peg which didn't give a proper pivot for rowing - as the load came on with each stroke the fitting would sort of buckle into a new position, twisting the oar in my hand and shedding the load. No way could I make progress against the tide.

 

[landlockedpirate]

The Seahawk is still just a kids dinghy IMHO. The floor is terrible and the length combined with the light weight means it will bend like a banana the moment you get in it.

My brother has a EMS 180 inflatable (Similar to the Compass) which he keeps in a locker on his day boat, it hasnt got massive tubes, but I would rather be in that then the Seahawk anyday.

As you can see, hes not the smallest person in the world, but the boat was still stable and usable in the calm conditions.