River and canal exploration boat?

[rcx132]

I wanted to see some of our canals and rivers from the water side, so I got super excited when my friend said he's selling his motorised inflatable. I had some amazing days on it with the kids, we've explored from London to Windsor and seen beautiful areas that we'd never have seen otherwise.

But problems quickly started showing up. The 4.3m long x 2.0m wide boat and 25hp engine is too heavy and big to pack down. It doesn't fit into the boot of a car like people say, not even close. Boat trailers use rollers against the hull which doesn't work with a hull-less inflatable. The floor is ply and needs to be removed each time to dry out and that means taking the engine off as well, it can't just stay on a trailer.

And then there's the wake. Fine at idle, and fine when planing, but anything in between it's hella big, way bigger than other boats, and disturbs other users, fishermen, rowers. Well I can't just idle my way down the river because it's a two stroke and needs to burn the oil off the plugs. And I certainly can't plane on an urban river.

So I can't keep the boat

I've started look at alternatives. Something smaller, maybe with a solid hull, I don't know yet. I wanted to see what your experiences and tips are ? Something low cost, trailerable (no mooring), low maintenance, can fit young kids.

 

[Migmac]

Friend has just bought a boat to explore lochs. It all fits in the boot of his car. I’m pretty sure he bought it at Costco. Outboard came from a dealer but it’s not a very big one

 

[FoxZulu]

Have a look at Ribnet forum for info on all things RIB and SIB related.

 

[addjunkie]

This would do nicely

Any boat designed to plane will be pants when not up on the plane.

But Southhampton boat show is on soon, go see how much money you could spend, while there remember the saying

Bring
Out
Another
Thousand.

 

[voipio]

How about a canoe or kayak, ideally solid, rather than inflatable. The latter aren't allowed on (some?) canals, owing to the greater risk of crushing by narrowboat. Good exercise, eco-friendly, and quiet. I went across on the world's tallest aqueduct earlier this week, in a canoe. A very pleasant way to spend time outdoors. Kayaks and canoes allow traversing rapids, for that adrenaline rush. Outboards don't seem to like rocks very much.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Bring
Out
Another
Thousand.

Not heard that one before! My brother-in-law has been in Perth ('Straya) for nearly thirty years and he told me they have a saying over there - something along the lines of 'Owning a boat has two great days; the day you buy it - and the day you sell it...'!

Saying that, I did briefly consider living on a canal boat in my late 20's.

 

[addjunkie]

Owning a boat has two great days; the day you buy it - and the day you sell it...'!

Probably for a lot of people, but In my experience Id have to disagree. Ive owned a few my self and racing power boats was more like ripping up 20 pound notes, but had some great experiences and memories.

I was brought up in a house hold with a yacht…….So for 50 years of my 61 there was always one to play with, dont ever remember the bad emotions that you highlight…..think a lot of it, is why you buy a boat, its a bit like buying a farm, its a lifestyle choice!

 

[Pond frog]

Sounds a great pass time, I think I would look into an electric outboard for propulsion very portable and lovely and quiet. I think they have about 20 miles range

 

[rcx132]

Sounds a great pass time, I think I would look into an electric outboard for propulsion very portable and lovely and quiet. I think they have about 20 miles range

I did look at electric. I have a 52v 17ah bicycle battery which is as big as bike batteries get, it does easily 60 miles. But I think boats are far more power hungry? I'd also need to step down the voltage as boats go to 48v max.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I did look at electric. I have a 52v 17ah bicycle battery which is as big as bike batteries get, it does easily 60 miles. But I think boats are far more power hungry? I'd also need to step down the voltage as boats go to 48v max.

Remember to have oars aboard.

 

[jenki]

+1 for a canoe consider a Canadian style if the kids are small I'd be a little cautious of canals I bottled out of paddleing a canal in Devon due to the film of 2 stroke oil covering the water. I owned a speedboat with 50 HP Mercury in my 20's (70+now) and decided it was a quick way of parting me from my money it was fun for the couple of years I kept it.

 

[Migmac]

This is my friends boat

 

[Tangledfeet]

Probably for a lot of people, but In my experience Id have to disagree. Ive owned a few my self and racing power boats was more like ripping up 20 pound notes, but had some great experiences and memories.

I was brought up in a house hold with a yacht…….So for 50 years of my 61 there was always one to play with, dont ever remember the bad emotions that you highlight…..think a lot of it, is why you buy a boat, its a bit like buying a farm, its a lifestyle choice!

I honestly wouldn't know myself; I've never had any experience with sail yachting. I know he had one for a while and regretted buying it so he's probably a bit jaded.

I get it if it's, like you, been in your blood from childhood.

Both Mrs TF and I have been watching lots of GazTube on various large luxury yachts, the crewed ones, that cost circa £350k/week and it's been fascinating seeing how wealthy spend their money - and getting to see the behind the scenes, etc.

https://youtube.com/@motoryachtloon

 

[Morrisman]

.... Well I can't just idle my way down the river because it's a two stroke and needs to burn the oil off the plugs. And I certainly can't plane on an urban river....

We used to use Yanmar diesel outboards when I worked offshore. They came in either 27 or 36 horsepower versions, but predictably weighed twice as much as their 2 stroke equivalent.

No petrol was allowed onboard because of the dangers.....

 

[8ob]

No trailer needed

 

[rcx132]

This is my friends boat
View attachment 416378

That looks more manageable. Maybe I ended up with something too big?

 

[Migmac]

That looks more manageable. Maybe I ended up with something too big?

Possibly

He’s had himself and wife plus two kids in it

 

[Misterg]

 

[Gareth J]

You could mount a wee outboard on a Canadian canoe. We used to do it with an old British seagull. Although a little 4T honda would be a bit less obnoxious

 

[mike os]

Must admit I quite fancy something for 1-2 that I can chuck in the boot ...