I am expecting new inflatable tomorrow. Intex Excursion Pro. It is 12 ft 7 inches, tandem or up to 3 persons. Sturdy boat with lots of features i.e. moveable foot braces, utility bar for cameras, fish finders, rod holders e.t.c. I may add a trolling motor at some point, I have a few ideas for motor mounts one of which uses an Iron Gym, push up bar that I saw online by a guy in England named Moses Napoleon I believe. Looks made to order by replacing the plastic cross piece with wood for mounting block. You can google the boat (use the title).
Not quite ready to go BTB, but it looks like it would suffice.
Update: Boat arrived, good condition. A few things to do before the maiden voyage.
I will be outfitting it with a hard floor out of 15/32 plywood, continuous /piano hinge, water seal, pipe insulation. This will give me portability and more stability enabling me to stand up.
Later on, procure a motor and fabricate a mount from an “iron Gym” chin up bar or the mount from Intex designed for their rafts. I will try to mount this on the stern rather than the side.
Also, the wood floor may provide a means for an elevated, swivel chair. A lot will depend on weight distribution. (not to mention change in the C.O.G.)
okay, just in case anyone is following. (not seeking attention mind you, but only sharing my progress in the event another soul is contemplating some thing similar.)
Pretty much got the floor ready, waiting for the sealer to dry. I did notice that with the hinge side down, the floor will bow up in the middle but only a fraction. I am thinking that making some stringers from small gauge metal conduit, or even 3/4 inch PVC would keep everything flat. I would place some pad eyes to thread the conduit through, or…find some of those rubber clips that would hold them in place. 6 feet long would still fit in the Hyundai Sonata. Minimum of three should do it as the width of the floor is 18 inches. Ideally, the conduit should go the entire length of the boat, but that brings the problem of how to secure the ends.
Okay…floor is in ! I ain’t no pro, but not too shabby I guess for 2 day job. The foam edging is not all that substantial, need to secure it in place a little better. The deck seems to stay in place very well Time will tell when out on the water.
OK first impressions from launch. The floor worked out very well. No buckling or the need for stringers. I am sure I could have stood on it, but did not attempt. I learned quickly that having a skeg is crucial. Difficult to control without one. Weather cocking big problem. With the rigid floor, it seems like you have less of a keel than without. It is for the most part a flat bottom boat.
The most problem has to do with stability. The position of the rear seat has to be just right to find the sweet spot for the center of gravity. Once I figured it out and moved the seat back about a foot or so, I was able to track very well and little effort.
Now, when I add the motor and battery weight, I do not know how that will affect things.
Conditions today were not ideal. Lots of wind and very choppy. This was my first experience with an inflatable kayak. Totally different animal than the SOT hard shells I am used to. I have paddled fairly tippy Tarpons with no problems. My last boat was a Cobra Navigator, it was just OK, although I did manage to flip it offshore, but that was my fault . I have tried Ocean Kayak scuppers, did not track well at all.
Preparation is a real PITA, having to inflate e.t.c. but it is a trade off for easy transport without roof rack. Everything fit in the small trunk of a Sonata PHEV.(except for the floor of course).
The floor is folding and will fit in the rear seat of most cars, but not necessarily a trunk. You will notice that I specified I had a small trunk of a Sonata PHEV, the space of which is limited owing to the size and location of the Hybrid’s battery.
