Sevylor Super Caravelles

[eastwoom]

Hi all,

Please excuse my silly questions as I am a newbie to boating and need some advice. I have a very limited budget being a novice and would like to get some kind of inflatable pleasure boat able to carry wife and 2 children on small inland lakes and possibly a bit of short sea cruising close to the beach and sheltered bays in the UK. I have been looking at the Sevylor Super Caravelle 6 man inflatable boats which seem to be a very cost effective starting point and can have up to a 3.5HP engine mounted on to them via an optional mounting board. I have no experience of whether these boats are suitable for sea use so if anyone has one or knows anyone with one, could you please give me your opinion as to whether you can do a bit of sea cruising in them or should I be looking at a Zodiac type boat at more expense ? Also is a 3.5HP engine enough power for sea cruising if the weather is fine ?

Can anyone reccomend a low cost outfit for mostly lake cruising with some sea work as well ? What would it comprise of ?

Thanks,

Mark.
(North-West UK)



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[Davy_S]

Do NOT! buy one! They are a toy and nothing else. You can fold them in half if you give the engine full throttle. Also they rip easily They have a seam near the transom and this also splits. You would be better buying a second hand Avon Bombard Zodiac ect. Do not take your family out to sea in one you would be safer in a pigskin bladder!

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[Gordonmc]

Take a dek at Ebay in Boats and Watercraft. There's a good selection of ribs and inflatables from manufacturers like Avon, Achilles Yanmar etc who know their business and produce robust sea going craft.
3.5 hp sounds about right for flat water in sheltered bays or for a tender used for short hops, but with four up I think I would be happier with more guts to push against a blow if it comes up.


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[philip_stevens]

There is a decent inflatable for sale in the "For Sale" forum.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip