9 replies to this topic

[clikrf8]

Our camping expeditions need an inflatable raft for fishing and exploring our Pacific Northwest locations. I like this the Sea Eagle SE8 with the electric motor setup. We have the aluminum rack on our FWC Eagle and it would hold the weight and can be securely strapped down in a stow bag. What do you all think? Do any of you have an inflatable raft/kayak? Your recommendations? There is a showroom about 20 miles away from us. Thanks for your help.

[craig333]

I had an inflatable kayak. Thats what convinced me I enjoyed kayaking and that I needed a plastic kayak.

[clikrf8]

The showroom was a private residence, a home business whose owner didn't answer the phone or our knock on the door. Hubby and I discussed it and decided to get a good quality boat as you don't want to develop a leak from torn fabric. We are still evaluating brands so will let you know what we choose and why. There are many lakes and rivers around here even several within a few miles and also we live near salt water beaches, world famous Chuckanut Drive and Bay.

[Ted]

I'm not familiar with that raft but like Craig we owned an inflatable kayak at one time. As long as you are using the motor for propulsion you will probably be fine. but if you will be visiting lakes that don't allow motors and will have to paddle, Id suggest avoiding inflatables in general. They don't track or glide through the water very well and can be a bit frustrating. If you need something large enough to carry equipment along with the two of you, a canoe may be a better option. And I agree with you on this particular dealer. Someone in business out of their home that doesn't answer the phone or door raises lots of red flags.

[Phird05]

Our camping expeditions need an inflatable raft for fishing and exploring our Pacific Northwest locations. I like this the Sea Eagle SE8 with the electric motor setup. We have the aluminum rack on our FWC Eagle and it would hold the weight and can be securely strapped down in a stow bag. What do you all think? Do any of you have an inflatable raft/kayak? Your recommendations? There is a showroom about 20 miles away from us. Thanks for your help.

Hey clikrf8,

I own and guide from an inflatable 14' cataraft and I also own and guide from a 16' drift boat (river dory). These are both rowing boats and are very river worthy (class I, II, III, IV). The raft you have linked in your post seems like a very minimal recreation craft limited to lakes and ponds. When it comes to rowing rivers, IMO it looks very limited in its ability to handle rougher water should you get into that situation. I think you will regret getting something so limiting as you feel more comfortable on the river and want to try something a bit more challenging. There is some great fishing and rowing on rivers in the west that I would not put that raft on. I would suggest looking at some of the rafts from NRS (Northwest River supplies) or DRE (Down River Equipment). The main issue you need to look at is the thickness of the material. Not only for puncture resistance, but also for the stiffness of the raft when inflated. This stiffness will create stability of the craft while on the water making rowing the raft easier. You may want to consider getting an inflatable I described and putting an aluminum rowing frame on it. This creates a custom fit for you and you can also put a electric motor mount on the frame as well. There are three basic types of rowing rafts out there, Cata-rafts (inflatable pontoon boats) with an aluminum frame mounted on it, which is what I have. The other two are different types of inflatable rafts. First is a raft commonly called a bucket boat. This is a raft you have to bail out when water gets in. The other is called a self bailing raft. This type of raft has openings at the edge of the floor and walls and self bails the water if any gets in. Sorry this is so long winded, but I thought you would want the feedback. I just think the boat you are looking at is probably more suited to lakes and ponds. Let me know if I can answer any other questions, I'd be glad to help. I also just looked at the price of this boat. I will be very honest with you and say that for under $700.00 for a boat you want to use on rivers for recreation and or fishing, you are not going to get much for that price.

Good Camping,

Paul

[clikrf8]

Hi all,
Thank-you for the thoughtful and thorough responses. Unfortunately, our recreation budget was blown with the purchase of our 2011 Eagle. We don't run rivers anymore although there are a lot of them are near where we live. We have a river canoe that has seen action on the Nooksack and Skagit Rivers but since we are older now, we are selling it to buy an inflatable to putz around in placid lakes, ponds and wetlands. Since we are photographers we need something stable (this one offers floorboards). And, roomy for us and our equipment. There are also shallow bays nearby that we can explore here (5 miles away to launch) and in and around Puget Sound. We have both been on the water all our lives. My grandparents had waterfront property for 25 years on Whidbey Island and as a kid and young adult I would float on a log as the canal emptied as tide was going out. My grandma and I would take out the small rowboat my grandpa built from Alaska yellow cedar and row out in front of the house trying to troll for salmon. Hubby also used to fish the locals rivers but fish runs are decimated so we just want to explore small lakes and wetlands. We plan to hit eastern Washington, Idaho and western Wyoming this fall so hubby may pick up a lake fishing license-more research into that, also. We always wear life jackets and are good swimmers and are probably overly cautious in our old age. We are thinking of just getting the package without the electric motor for now and maybe pick up an electric motor in the future. There are lakes around here that only allow electric motors including the one a mile from our house. Also, we want to row for exercise and just get a better look around us. The electric motor they offer is for fresh water use so I am not sure if an electric motor would even be okay for salt water use. More research. The world is so big and there is so much to explore. Thanks again,
Judy

[MarkBC]

Off topic, but...
Haven't heard from you here in a while, clikrf8...glad to see you back.

[joez3]

Have you looked at the boats at west marine yet, I have a ru-260, I can't find it on the web site but this looks
close: http://www.westmarin...&classNum=50604
I think it cost more then what you are looking for but I think its better built and with better materials. I had one of the cheaper boats and it split a seam on the 2nd trip and I could never fix it. So far I have had this boat for about 3 years without any problems. Also think about how you want to use the boat. If you want to mount a gas/electric motor how will you do it? I currentlly have a 4hp Merc. that I use to get around the lake, I also use a trolling motor some times. I can also mount a small downrigger on the Transom

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Ted has some good points about inflatables. I carried a small one for lots of years tent camping,but it wasn't fun as soon as any breeze came up. We went to a 12' canoe that carries nicely on out ATC Bobcat. We don't use it much on some of our trips,but it 's nice to have along. Have taken on some rides without ever taking it off the camper. It's not a problem since I have roof lifters to help raise the top. The canoe only weighs #60.Just a thought.
Frank

[joez3]

Something I forgot to include in yesterday's post, if you think you will have 2 people in the raft most of the
time get something bigger then 8ft. There just isn't that much floor space in a raft