Pros and Cons

[Billaridoo]

I wanted to refer the question to my trusted fellow Sealiners before I buy a bargain.

What are the pros and cons of using an inflatable as fishing boat.

It's a 4,1m Aquarius semi rigid with a 30hp tiller arm motor.

Cheers.ad::

BTW, I have a mini Raven Bass converted hull and trailer for sale. R3k

PM if ya interested mon!

 

[JanA Venter]

Hi Billaridoo,

A RIB does not look that impressive as that of a state of the art bass boat, but it certailnly can do the job!

I got rid of my Splash Bass and invested in a 4,5m Gemini Waverider with 2 x motors, which I have converted into an all-rounder - lifewell etc. I can now use the boat for Bass / Artlure as well as for off-shore fishing.

The challenge is to fit a bracket to the nose in order to fit your trawling motor. With some planning this can be done easily.

A RIB is a very stable (and higher) platform to work from and with small motors very economic to operate. You also do not need that a strong trawler motor.

I can now handle bad water conditions and need not to run as with the Splash Bass. Floatation is not a problem as you have 3 x seperate chambers to keep you afloat.

I have strenghten the nose and sides with extra protections strips / ribs against trees and other objects - possible punctures are the one most serious thread to an inflatable, but yes you can repair it on the water in case of an emergency. Before buying the boat I would advice that you take the boat to a dealer to inspect the pontoons for punctures and proper adhesion to the hull, as a new pontoon can cost you up to R13000-00.

I will send you photos of my boat by next week if you are interested to see.

 

 

 

 

 

[Billaridoo]

Thanks Jan! Would love to see some pics and grab an idea or two. The Aquarius is not a semi rigid as I thought, but a great buy anyway. R3500 for the boat and a neat trailer. Inspected every inch, and I can return it if it has damage to the pontoons.

Thanks for the interest and advise!

BTW, fish don't look at the boat, they look at the bait, hehhehehe

 

[Droomvanger]

I don't think ducks are suited for artlure / bass angling. The pontoons can get punctured very easily if you fish between trees. A duck also is very light and it is a hassle to compete against the wind when fishing artlure - almost like a sail boat. The pontoons take much using space. You need to stand on a deck if you want to do sight fishing - need the height. I think maintenance cost on the patoons are high. I know a duck is light to pull behind a vehicle and can be used on the sea as well.