NJBasstard Posted February 24, 2011 Posted February 24, 2011 Alright so I've been looking around for something to get me out on the water that I can transport in my car. I'd be using it on lakes only, no rivers. I have a small jon boat to fish from, but unless my mom lets me borrow her truck for the day I'm unable to get it to the lake. Because of that I find myself fishing from shore 90% of the time. I began looking at some inflatable boats, like these: http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Excursion-5-Boat-Set/dp/B00177J4UC http://www.amazon.com/Sevylor-Fish-Hunter-Inflatable-4-Person/dp/B0032GM1QA/ref=sr_1_9?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1298570701&sr=1-9 The main problem I think I'd have with these boats is not being able to stand. I was wondering if anybody here has made a floor or found another cheap alternative to stand while fishing..? I've read of a few people using 1/2" plywood and indoor/outdoor carpet for added stability, but I haven't seen anything about standing & casting. I'm a small guy, 5'9" about 150lbs or less, and will occasionally have my fishing partner or girlfriend with me at most, so weight shouldn't be an issue. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Quote
polywog Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 I bought an Avon sport boat back in 1987. It has an aluminum floor with an inflatable keel. I use mine for scuba diving mostly. They are very stable and durable, but for there size not very much room. I bought a trailer for mine after a while to save time. Also not many places to mount accessories. If I didn't use mine for diving I'd just look for a good used fishing boat. Good luck what ever you do! Ron Quote
Bob Lee Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 I have a Sevylor FishMaster: http://www.amazon.com/Sevylor-Fish-Master-Person-Boat/dp/B003KG3WRY I recommend it over the Fish Hunter, because it has a canvas "shell" over the air bladders that, I feel, helps protect it from sharp rocks. I've even had hooks bounce off the canvas, and I really believe it has saved me from patching the boat on more than one occasion. I bought the boat used, and the previous owner had built a floor for it. I'll try to take pictures tomorrow if the weather clears up. it is a plywood sheet, cut to the shape of the bottom of the boat and then cut in half (for easier transporation). He put foam pipe insulation (the long black tubes from Home Depot) around the outside of the plyboard and covered the whole thing in outdoor carpet. He even mounted bass seats on pedestals where the bench seats had been. Where the seats attach, the plywood floor is doubled up for strength. I removed the rear seat and put the bench back in to give me more floor space to stand - and I'm able to stand and fish without issue. I'm a big guy at 6'2" and about 270lbs, so I'm pretty impressed that I'm able to stand up in it. If you read my other posts lately you'll see I have nothing but great things to say about this boat. The only suggestions I'd make: 1.) Get a good anchor. The boat is light, so wind pushes it around. 2.) Get the Trolling Motor Mount. 3.) Get a battery powered inflator. The air mattress types don't work. I use one that plugs in to the wall now, and it is a pain, to say the least. But this: http://www.amazon.com/Ryobi-Cordless-Function-Inflator-P730/dp/B001NJ83I8/ref=sr_1_cc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1298600236&sr=1-2-catcorr Is on my short list of things to buy this year. Hope this helps you! I'll try to get pictures of the floor tomorrow if it isn't storming. Quote
SausageFingers23 Posted February 25, 2011 Posted February 25, 2011 The Fish Hunter/Master is a good product. You might want to look into the Intex Mariner as well. Its pretty stout and it has a hard bottom floor that allows you to stand up. Quote
pitchin fool Posted March 3, 2011 Posted March 3, 2011 Check out sea eagles. I got one this last christmas. Haven't used it yet...ice, but feels really nice and I can stand up with plenty of room. Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted March 4, 2011 Super User Posted March 4, 2011 The Excursion is 3feel longer and 10inches wider this will aid in the stability. It seems to have good interior room as well. Two people in the 9' Sevylor will be cramped I think. It wouldnt be difficult to make your own floor, like you mentioned 1/2" plywood cut/sand/smooth the edges, paint your set. A Saturday project. From the pictures I looked at the Excursion would have nice floor space wide long you should be able to stand easily. For sure get a trolling motor-Right? Here is a pic of my boat standing is not an issue very stable I'm about avg size 6'1" #225. Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted March 4, 2011 Super User Posted March 4, 2011 Unless your jon is too heavy and cumbersome, roof racks might be a better solution, and cheaper to boot. Just a thought. Quote
jokerjp1301600387 Posted March 5, 2011 Posted March 5, 2011 I have a Sevylor FishMaster:http://www.amazon.com/Sevylor-Fish-Master-Person-Boat/dp/B003KG3WRY I recommend it over the Fish Hunter, because it has a canvas "shell" over the air bladders that, I feel, helps protect it from sharp rocks. I've even had hooks bounce off the canvas, and I really believe it has saved me from patching the boat on more than one occasion. I bought the boat used, and the previous owner had built a floor for it. I'll try to take pictures tomorrow if the weather clears up. it is a plywood sheet, cut to the shape of the bottom of the boat and then cut in half (for easier transporation). He put foam pipe insulation (the long black tubes from Home Depot) around the outside of the plyboard and covered the whole thing in outdoor carpet. He even mounted bass seats on pedestals where the bench seats had been. Where the seats attach, the plywood floor is doubled up for strength. I removed the rear seat and put the bench back in to give me more floor space to stand - and I'm able to stand and fish without issue. I'm a big guy at 6'2" and about 270lbs, so I'm pretty impressed that I'm able to stand up in it. If you read my other posts lately you'll see I have nothing but great things to say about this boat. The only suggestions I'd make: 1.) Get a good anchor. The boat is light, so wind pushes it around. 2.) Get the Trolling Motor Mount. 3.) Get a battery powered inflator. The air mattress types don't work. I use one that plugs in to the wall now, and it is a pain, to say the least. But this: http://www.amazon.com/Ryobi-Cordless-Function-Inflator-P730/dp/B001NJ83I8/ref=sr_1_cc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1298600236&sr=1-2-catcorr Is on my short list of things to buy this year. Hope this helps you! I'll try to get pictures of the floor tomorrow if it isn't storming. If you don't mind I'd really like to see pics of the floor, I have a fish hunter and have considered building a floor to enable standing a few times....your pictures might inspire me to actually do it Quote
Bigbarge50 Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 I got a seamax last summer. Canadian company just like zodiac or saturn. Aluminum floor allows me to stand without the slightest bit of problem. Having a keel cuts through the water and does not let the wind shove you around all day. I have posted pics of my set up before so if you do a search of my posts you can see them. I was going to post some this weekend, as I am installing and using a seat this week and can show off the new downscan I am using with it to. All that fits in my 97 honda civic...... hard to beat that. Quote
Bob Lee Posted March 11, 2011 Posted March 11, 2011 If you don't mind I'd really like to see pics of the floor, I have a fish hunter and have considered building a floor to enable standing a few times....your pictures might inspire me to actually do it Sure thing! Every time I've thought about taking those pictures it's been raining and disgusting here in TN so I haven't gotten to it yet. I'll be pulling the boat out to put the new numbers on the hull this weekend, I'll snap some pictures of the floor, then. Solid setup that I love - and I can't imagine it was difficult to fab. I've made a few minor modifications and repairs to it since I bought it, and it has been fairly easy. Quote
NJBasstard Posted March 13, 2011 Author Posted March 13, 2011 Thank you all for the advice. After doing lots of research and looking around locally for inflatable boats and kayaks I went ahead and ordered the 4 person Fish Master. Should my 35lb trolling motor work well with this boat? Also has anybody put a fish finder on there inflatable? If so, how did you mount it? Quote
Bigbarge50 Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 I use a 55lb thrust minn kotta.... without a transom you will need one of those mounts. I have a new lowarance downscan..... I bought a screw on mount used for pontoon boats from bps and mounted the transducer on that. Works rather well. Quote
Bigbarge50 Posted March 14, 2011 Posted March 14, 2011 Frogginstein is dead on, in a brutal 15-20 mph wind yesterday I got blown around some. The most brutal part was fighting back up against the wind. I had to live in the highest speed all day and it ate the battery right up. Ended up having to row it in, which was more exercise than I wanted. This last trip will probably lead to me buying a second battery this week so this never happens again. Quote
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