Small boat recommendation please?

[keble6]

Morning all,
I'm new to RIBs, but an experienced narrow boater, involved with canal restoration.
We are looking for an inflatable boat with the following key points:

• Low cost - no budget yet
• Carry 2 people plus some gear (oars, fuel, litter etc)
• Main use is litter picking from locks and banks
• Low speed, eco friendly engine (electric?)
• Easy to transport by 2 people when inflated (carry around obstructions)

I hope that's enough info to get started!

[Max...]

Does it have to be an inflatable? A small poly or aluminium hard boat might be more suitable.

If inflatable then you are also probably better off with a solid floor SIB rather than a deeper hull and heavier RIB.

If a SIB is the one then not sure of size or if it has to be new but an epic buy that will outlive most new PVC SIBs is this Humber flashed up on the SIBs on eBay thread yesterday - a £5k boat to buy new now but was on a BIN of £500:

Humber Inflatable Boat, like Avon, Zodiac, Bombard. | eBay

[keble6]

Originally Posted by Max...

Does it have to be an inflatable?

Not a must, but it might have to be stored in a number of places, so it would be best if compact. Inflation/deflation time isn't a big problem.
Thanks for advice re SIB. Doesn't have to be new, that eBay Humber looks good!

[Fenlander]

Welcome to the forum Keble6. Straight away I have to go with Max's first comment and I'd say an inflatable is the wrong boat for this use. I'd go for an alloy flat bottomed punt or jon boat style like this...

https://yamahamercuryoutboardprice.e...tegory=8621042


It only weigs 32kg so very easy to carry with a person each end and will easily skid up and down grassy banks, concrete steps etc far better than an inflatable with no puncture risk.

Car topping will be no problem and they can be stored tucked away so many places on the ground or hung on the outside of a garage etc.

Capacity for doing the sort of maintenance work you mention is excellent as the inside space is almost the same as the outside size unlike an inflatable where the tubes are so bulky.

It will also suit chucking tools down from the bank far more with zero puncture risk. Similarly if... as an example... you come across some brambles you want to cut back and take away an inflatable is totally unsuited.

It will also move through the water so much better than an inflatable with a very small or elec engine.

I've been knocking about the rivers on an off for 50+yrs and needing to do maintenance tasks that involve treating the boat as a waterborne wheelbarrow so the above advice is based on experience.

I think an alloy boat might be lighter but 20yrs ago the makers of this GRP punt (Granta Boats) were close to us and they were very popular workboats locally.

https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.co...a/original.jpg

[keble6]

Thanks Fenlander, much appreciated.
Makes sense; underwater and bank nasties could be bad news for an inflatable.
I know at least one lock where we have protruding metal.

[Fenlander]

>>>I know at least one lock where we have protruding metal

Yes I find that in loads of unexpected places on the river so !'m even more careful than when on the sea where overall the hazards are less. Between our nearest river launch and the pub 20mins downstream there are several bits of 1" angle just sticking out from the bank ready to catch the unwary inflatable owner.

[HDAV]

Just came across these.

BIC - Sortyak 245 Small Boats for sale in Essex, Eastern | Boats and Outboards

Look ideal for the purpose?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Just came across these.

BIC - Sortyak 245 Small Boats for sale in Essex, Eastern | Boats and Outboards

Look ideal for the purpose?

A poly boat could be a good tool for the job (and I am sure will be cheaper than aluminium). There are various brands and styles around, mostly now rotomolded from HDPE in one piece and fairly indestructible. Unless things have changed the bics are slightly different manufacture to most modern poly boats as they are injection molded in two pieces and then sealed. That leaves a weak join. I'm not sure if it brings them any weight saving though as rotomolded boats are heavier than you might expect.

If you really want portable and easily stored in polyboat form then if these are still in production (and budget) it would be good for them job you have in mind
http://www.chastheboat.co.uk/zegul_boats.htm

[HDAV]

Zegul boats £1500 and 92kg the bic is £500 and 39kg! Bic is smaller but would probably suit 2up with some tools

Bic - 245 Small Boats for sale in Berkshire, Thames Valley | Boats and Outboards