Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: dennisK on June 15, 2007, 10:07:20 AM
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Been thinking about getting a zodiac type boat - I like the lightness and how much faster they can go with 9hp then a regular rigid boat.
Curious about how long it takes to inflate a zodiac (12ft) with a high pressure air pump - could avoid using a trailer?
(http://www.everybodyfitness.com/images/airpump.gif)
(http://images.craigslist.org/010110010202010411200706126bfc7830db4755d8a200c5b7.jpg)
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I got a Zodiac Fish'n Hunt 11'6". Inflating is the easy part less than 5 min. Trying to deflate and pack with that heavy wood flooring is another story. I end up tieing the boat to the roof, it's alot easier.
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I see. That makes sense.
It's just that I think I'd have huge wind resistance driving on the highway with a giant honking zodiac tied to my station wagon.
Damn I was really trying to avoid getting a trailer.
What size engine you use?
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I use a 5hp Yamaha. Actually I find wind resistant not bad it's actually better than towing a trailer. With my can usually hwy consumption is 11L/100km w/ boat on the roof it's just shy of 12L/100km but with trailer it's 14L/100km.
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5hp enough for the fraser in August?
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Not in the main channel only good for back water with little current. For main channel I would suggest having at least a 20 hp motor. Mind you for soft bottom inflatables motor rating is mostly restricted to 10hp. So for Fraser you probably need a rigid hull type zodiac, to accomodate higher hp rated motor. Take a look at this link http://www.zodiacmarineusa.com/the-zodiac-range/pop.classic.cfm (http://www.zodiacmarineusa.com/the-zodiac-range/pop.classic.cfm)
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I owned a 10.5 ft Zodiac and had a wooden floor.It only took me 10mins to pull out of the trunk to fully set up.I used a foot pump which is about the same as the hand pump in your picture.
Even the floor boards wern't that big of a deal to store in the car.
Just factor in the extra time(10-15mins Max) to your outings.
Dave
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I have a 10 foot (give or take a foot) zodiac inflatable, has wooden floor boards...takes me around 15 mins to inflate and put the boards in. (i use a foot pump to inflate)