Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: halcyonguitars on May 18, 2016, 07:03:30 PM
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I'm thinking it would be nice to have a little offshore fishing access. Ideally I would like a good fishing kayak, but the budget ain't there this year. I was in army and navy yesterday and there was a 6 person boat for 350$ which I could probably manage.
What's the scoop on boats like that? Good enough to get a line wet to start, or tragedy in waiting?
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With that budget you can make it away with a cheaper pontoon boat. You might need a truck for it though...
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I'm thinking it would be nice to have a little offshore fishing access. Ideally I would like a good fishing kayak, but the budget ain't there this year. I was in army and navy yesterday and there was a 6 person boat for 350$ which I could probably manage.
What's the scoop on boats like that? Good enough to get a line wet to start, or tragedy in waiting?
First question - do you have kids you need to support? Any you want to take it offshore? Ocean?
Or are you saying you want to take it on a little lake? The oars will be pretty crappy unless you step up and buy some real oars. If there are reasons other than budget that dictate you can only get an inflatable at this time, then go for it but always wear your PFD. if you can handle a hard boat, then find one in your price range on craigslist or kijiji or this site. A hard boat, f-glass or aluminum, at that price range will hold its value for as long as you own it and way safer.
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No kids presently.
I would imagine it for lakes and maybe ocean near shore like off Ambleside. I liked that the one I saw had a motor mount for trawling. But I could also see it being used as an entertainment device for friends who do have kids, futzing about while camping.
Inflatable for storage and transportation, no room for a trailer or hard hull boat...
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These are pretty decent, a lot better than what Army & Navy carries. Has a semi-solid floor, so you can stand in it. It's a lot more durable as well... I'm planning on making some actual floor boards for mine out an acrylic sheet or plywood eventually.
http://rubberboats.com/product/inflatable-mariner-4-rigid-inflatable-boat.html
http://abbotsford.craigslist.ca/spo/5526070921.html
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That looks alright!
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I would look used, and find the best you can. Good inflatables come up in the 300-500$ all the time. Just have to be quick, especially this time of year.
Canadian Tire has a big sale on kayaks starting on the 20th, a few decent starter options for under $400.
From my experience, both of these suggestions are better than buying those intex type inflatables.
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Thanks...
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stay away from any cheap inflatable boat sold off the internet or from discount outlets like A&N. These boats may be ok for what they are intended to be - and they are intended to be water toys or occasional use only but if you are intending to use it regularly for fishing and might be a piece away from shore with few or even no people around - they are not a good choice no mater how reasonable the cost may seem.
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Act fast. If you don't mind an inflatable type of bench seat or riding on the 'gunnel'.
http://abbotsford.craigslist.ca/boa/5594852328.html
Bombard are very high quality. This one ain't that pretty, but if it holds air and the transom isn't coming apart from the tubes, grab it.
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If you can scrap up a bit more cash ,this one would make you happy .
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/boa/5589461366.html
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That would be a set up. Its not a screaming deal, but VERY solid value in what looks to be a pretty mint condition package.
You could probably use it for a couple of years. Keep the boat and motor clean and maintained and get all your money back.
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I'd take this one over that one. New, and a wood floor sucks.
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/bod/5588050029.html
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Inflatables have a limited lifetime. Over a few years you will spend just as much in getting replacements for those bargain basement inflatables. If it is just yourself a good quality pontoon boat would be something to consider. And if storage is an issue how about a canoe. Versatile and can be transported on a car.
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I'd take this one over that one. New, and a wood floor sucks.
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/bod/5588050029.html
That's a sister to Barbi, my inflatable. I hooked her up with a 7.5 Johnson. 4 years now, no grief. The aluminum floor is good, very stable. Really heavy vinyl, I can't say much bad about it.
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I have a 2 person inflatable from Canadian Tire. I take it out by myself lots at places like Jericho, Whiterock, Tsawassen ferry causeway, and once Skaha Lake. Just be careful with the currents and fighting the wind isn't easy. Highly reccommend it though, lots of fun and great exercise. Also good to get out a ways from the piers if you're fishing the salt, much better fishing away from the crowds.
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Inflatables have a limited lifetime. Over a few years you will spend just as much in getting replacements for those bargain basement inflatables. If it is just yourself a good quality pontoon boat would be something to consider. And if storage is an issue how about a canoe. Versatile and can be transported on a car.
+1 for the canoe. But the kids do complain about it being tippy and its not that "social" all parked up in a row in it. I love our couple of trippers and both bought second hand I know I could sell them for what I paid for them no problem; the Kevlar tripper portages like a beast, can easily be managed by one person and I can get to places other boats cannot.
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I use this http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/pelican-summit-100-sit-in-kayak-10-ft-0798279p.html#srp
Comes on sale for $350, and another $50 You can add rod holders and fish finder mount, paddle holders, anchor rope holders etc.. and another $50-ish for a paddle.
I do wish I had a proper sit on fishing kayak, but this is also nice in the rain.
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Thanks, lots of good info.
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I use this http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/pelican-summit-100-sit-in-kayak-10-ft-0798279p.html#srp
Comes on sale for $350, and another $50 You can add rod holders and fish finder mount, paddle holders, anchor rope holders etc.. and another $50-ish for a paddle.
I do wish I had a proper sit on fishing kayak, but this is also nice in the rain.
There's one for sale on FlyBC
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There's a lot of boats out there you can get use out of (Army and Navy included)
BUT. It's better to pay a little more for something, for when you upgrade.
As opposed to going on the cheap and give it away when you do.
my 2 cents
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I have the 10' pelican sit-in kayak from Costco for the last 4 years (with the discount was around $250cdn comes with paddle and roof mount foam system for vehicle and spray skirt), mounted a rod holder on it and it has served well.... the only complaint I have is I wish I had a sit ON (instead of a sit IN) and a 12' instead of a 10' (a little more sturdy, but nearly double the price); fishing wise I find it a tad tough to reach around with the sit IN (also, me belly could use a workout so as not to get in the way as much LOL).
If it's a kayak you're after, Costco has the 10' pelican (don't look online, those prices are way higher than what they sell in the store) - they go on for $75 off every year. If you go to the States, there's some good deals.... Home Depot if you can believe it has some really good prices http://www.homedepot.com/s/kayak?NCNI-5 also Walmart http://www.walmart.com/search/?query=kayak HOLY WOW - just looked it up, HUGE SALE ON NOW! For the price, I was looking at Sun Dolphin Fishing Kayaks (sit on)... They're on for $278 US (for the 10' - $121 off!!!) - comes set up for fishing!!! http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sun-Dolphin-Journey-10-Sit-On-Fishing-Kayak-with-Paddle/32333500 If price is the big issue, the non-fishing, sit IN is on for $188 US. Just add a rod holder... all come with paddles.
This goes against the buy local theme we all prefer, but I don't know of anywhere you can even come close to prices like those around here (or anywhere in Canada). Sun Dolphin is made in the USA, so I don't think there would be duty on them, even if they did ask about it - I often have come across with that value (2 of us in the car usually) without being asked to pay any duties anyway.
(http://ll-us-i5.wal.co/dfw/dce07b8c-c354/k2-_c7c908d7-3435-4db2-8750-1a4510bdbb21.v3.jpg-44b977d620fc363d93d22bbaeb1c8e803f535141-optim-450x450.jpg)
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I just picked up the Odyssey 100x from Costco. When I left to go camping on the weekend they were stacked up on two skids. Must have been 30+ of them. I went shopping yesterday at the same location, there were 2 left. So I grabbed one. Comes with the paddle, skirt, light duty roof pads...in store for $399, online $499.
It will be used to hit the local ponds, marshes and estuaries....just what I needed - A third fishing boat, lol;
14' Lund w/30hp Mariner + 55lb thrust Minn Kota
17.5 G3 w/70 Yamaha + 70lb thrust Minn Kota
10 Kayak w/sore back + arms
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Buy this boat and never worry about owning another boat again:
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/nvn/boa/5613144790.html
Put on a 9.9 outboard and you can do the Fraser, the inlet...not to mention interior lakes...it won't last.
I would so buy it myself, but I can't justify having two inflatable boats
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I just want to insert some caution that hypalon boats are somehow all but indestructible. I have both a hypalon (Achilles) and a PVC (NFO). I've had to patch both. I've got 2 patches on the hypalon boat. Quality inflatables are puncture and abrasion resistant. That's it. You need to exercise some care. Hypalon and PVC boats are also prone to UV degradation. Hypalon is the better of the two but it is heavier and more expensive.
Most people who have used inflatables for a some years have at least one story about arriving at a fishing destination, inflating their boat and finding there is a an air leak. Once I fished a small lake and had to inflate the boat every hour of so because of a leak. Get a temporary patch pack like Kirch's Kwick Patch. Even some duct tape or gorilla tape may do.
Inflatables are great in terms of storage & transport (when deflated) but there are trade offs as well.
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This is a little off topic, but if you guys are looking for a good patch that's quick to apply, check this out. Really good stuff! I purchased it from MEC, not sure where else carries it locally.
https://www.tear-aid.com/
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This is a little off topic, but if you guys are looking for a good patch that's quick to apply, check this out. Really good stuff! I purchased it from MEC, not sure where else carries it locally.
https://www.tear-aid.com/
Sweet!!! Thanks for bringing that up, I'm going to grab some next time I'm in MEC
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An underinflated boat will puncture much more easily, so consider using a gauge.
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And travelling with an inflated boat when travelling through higher elevations or when it gets hot will let the air inside to expand, "POP".
Just be aware and travel with it under inflated and let some air out if it's gonna sit out in the sun.