Inflatables

This may be a stupid question but are inflatables any way suitable for fishing?? :oops: - Just in summer time in calm waters off the beach? - Or can they pierce too easily!

I take it you don't mean one of the ones you blow up by mouth for the kids paddling pool!

A "zodiac" style inflatable will be grand for fishing within reason. I wouldn't like to test it with an 8/0! A bit of care will be necessary but it will do fine.

Hey if the kids one work that'll do! :lol: - It's all about keeping the cost (and weight) down!!

Yea something like the zodiac... i can still foresee it ending in tears tho!

I have a 12 foot inflatable with a small outboard motor mount that can take up to a 3hp engine. The only place I tried it was touring up and down the river Finn in Donegal which it did with no issues. It cost about 150 euro on Ebay as far as I remember, not sure I would want to do too much in the sea with it to be honest but I'm sure it would be fine in very calm conditions. You would want to be serious careful with hooks though.... Must give it a try at some stage over the summer off one of the beaches as that was what it was bought for. You would want to have the little engine as they are a bugger to row.

When not out in our Warrior I often fish from a small 3m RIB with a 15hp outboard. It’s great for trolling and dashing out for a few mackerel for the tea! Never had a problem but as I say you have to be careful, but not so careful as to spoil the fishing.

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Cheers lads
Yea don't worry - I certainly wouldn't have been planning to row the thing! How much would you pick up a suitable outboard for roughy? - Was looking at a few on apolloduck for boat & board for 1k - 1.5k - Would that be about average?

Been thinking of doing this too, as it would solve all the storage problems associated with a 'real' boat.

A friend has been using one for fishing, and has punctured it at least twice with smallish hooks. He reckons that the hole only allows air to leak out slowly - if the hole is above the water it can be temporarily fixed with an emergency patch, and if below the water, you can keep it inflated with regular top-ups with the foot pump while you motor back to safety.

I guess that a rip or tear would be scary though.

sorry about the double post