Silly rubber inflatable boats

In the last two months I’ve been really goofy about rubber boats to try and get something to take on the water with the kids without having to break the bank. I’ve arrived at a rubber inflatable boat. This is going to be fun.

Step 1 buy a small boat to try it out for $200
Check

 

Step 2: Add 6hp 2stroke motor

 

Step 3: Decided small boat was too small but motor is great so got bigger boat.

 

Small one needs a MG mount.

 

Step 4: add launching wheels.

 

What’s an MG mount?

 

Machine gun

 

Step 5.
Outfit trailer and off to test on the lake.

 

Would that make it a Marine Technical?

 

How long does it take to inflate with that hand pump?

Could you use a shop vacuum with the hose hooked up to the vacuum exhaust?

 

I used a mattress inflator to 70% then finish with the hand pump. Only takes 15 minutes and I can leave it inflated it’s got over pressure valves, I’m only putting 2.6 psi in the main tubes.

 

Water

 

Hitting 11mph with 2 adults and kids ages 6 and 4. This thing is a blast.

 

Heading out to the lake again today. Left it there overnight. I want to test and tune the trim as it’s a manual position, when I am on the boat myself it seems like the prop runs out of water and revs up. There is definitely some more fun to be had with this boat. The kids love jumping off the front into the water and swimming around to the ladder. I also need to put the Bimini on.

 

Boats capacity is 5 people and 9.9hp. I am running 6hp, and with 5 people it’s not going to plane out. I have my eye on a 12hp 2 stroke that weighs less than any 9.9 4 stroke on the market.

My family consists of 2 adults and 2 kids and maybe one grandparent most every trip. If I want to explore more than just this little 50acre lake I’m going to need an appropriate engine.

We are not ready for the next engine yet just planning stages. The 6hp will be fine for the family as long as the grandparents stay home.

 

Unfortunately other priorities take over this weekend we have to flip one of our apartments for a new tenant in September they wanted new kitchen cabinets. Not a terrible cost to us and it needed to happen anyway but that means no rubber boat this weekend on the water. We did get a Bimini for it to help with the direct sun, I am able to fab up some brackets so the Bimini has a nice mounting point on the oar locks.

 

I am vicariously enjoying your journey, thanks.

 

Another weekend probably without time on the boat or water. However I got a lot done.

 

Does it need to be registered? Boat ramp nazi's give you a fit?