Pacemaker Fishing Forum

My sister-in-law's husband just bought a very similar one, but it is the 4 seater model and for some reason twice as expensive haha: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CMBTCHW

Obviously it won't handle as well as a kayak but he bought it for the exact same reason you did. No motor and all that jazz for him though, so if you do all that I think it will be pretty nice for those places you listed. He's fit and in the military so rowing isn't a problem for him. An anchor is a must. The times where it didn't catch we were blown around easily, but when it did the boat stayed in place. The material seemed pretty sturdy, but I wouldn't go around running into every rock and driving catfish fins into on purpose If you rig it up with the plywood you should be pretty good to go. The nice thing is the separate chambers so that if you do get a puncture, you're not completely sunk.

We were able to stand on the 4 person version, and this 5 person one I assume is bigger so should be more stable. We still had to be cautious when standing but it was very doable. Also if you install the plywood floor it should be even easier to stand.

It's a good watercraft for lakes and calm rivers. If you're planning to fish Fletcher's or even just being out on the Potomac then I would say a motor is must, otherwise you'll be rowing for HOURS trying to get there. That's assuming you launch from Gravelly Point. I guess with an inflatable you could maybe launch up stream from Fletcher's but then you might have to go through some turbulent waters, then back up said waters.

It's like choosing a car; there are tons of options, some nicer than others, but they all get the job done and it depends on your means and situation. All in all I say it is a good choice given your situation. You'll have a portable boat that won't take up as much space and you can get out on the water

Look forward to seeing all the fish you land with it!

Last edited by firemunkee (May-02-17 11:38AM)

I agree with Captain Mike.  I had an Avon (much more heavy duty that took a 4hp motor) and it was a pain with wind and eventually air leaks.  It will last you maybe a year and you will look at something more permanent.  If you just want something for a year or so, go for it and hopefully have some fun with it.

As a note, my sister-in-law and her husband brought their pit bull on the boat with them and she didn't cause any holes.

$118 for an inflatable is cheap - I'd be worried about durability if a hook hits gets close to it, dragging up on shore, or the sun.

I have an Outcast Pac800 with upgraded Maxxim toons.  The toons alone list at around $800, but they are solid.

Mike's right, you will get wet, but proper clothing will fix that and in the summer, getting wet's not w bad thing

Here's my boat w/ 8' toons.  Note the ground it's sitting on.  One of those twigs could put a hole in the boat on Amazon.



With the toons deflated, the fit in a box, and the frame stacks in the corner w/ the oars.  Easy storage.

If you do get the inflatable, get a repair kit every couple years because the solvents & adhesives age, get some quick patch tape for on the water repairs, and definitely get a k-pump to top off the boat on the water because even inflated, with temp changes during the day, you'll need to add a few pumps every now and then.

I'd entertain selling this boat.  I've upgraded the oars to graphite Cataraft, two sets of toons, k-pump, straps, valve tool, valve repair kit, and a k-pump w/ extra gaskets. added swivel piece for the seal and done allot more mods on it too.  This boat will handle class III river rapids like a dream and the seat is a lazy boy on the water.  But no where close to $118.  With inflatables, you will get what you pay for.

And you will get wet in this boat

Last edited by hookup (May-04-17 7:54AM)

Best portable pump on the market

http://www.aire.com/accessories/k-pump.asp

Last edited by hookup (May-05-17 7:33AM)

So I ended up going with both a entry level kayak and an inflatable. I intend to use the kayak when I'm just trying to get out on the water, and I will use the inflatable when a friend wants to come along. I couldn't possibly swing a jon boat because I live in an apartment.

Here is the kayak I got: http://imgur.com/8nmoIVK.png
It's a Cayman 124 Angler Kayak which I got for $300 from Dicks. I thought it was a pretty good value considering the features. I tried it out and seemed really nice for my first time on a kayak. Only complaints are the seat (not much back support) and it doesn't track perfectly but that's expected with a shorter kayak.

Here is the Mariner 4 inflatable: http://imgur.com/sdWGJ1r.png
I created a hard wood floor which I carpeted, and use a pair of collapsable swivel seats. Also, got 36 lb trolling motor. Setup takes about 15 - 20 min which is a pain but I think I can get it down to around 10 min with some practice and an battery powered air pump. Very comfortable ride and stable.

thanks again for all your input.

Last edited by KnightAngler (Jun-05-17 11:38AM)