Spearing: Boat, RIB, Dory, Dinghy, Dive Kayak?

[foxfish]

Porta Boat what a laugh!

I bought a 12ft PortaBoat about 5 years ago. Not solely for spearfishing, in fact i never dived from her at all. I use her mainly for rod fishing & just for a laugh, they are amazing!
I did a few mods like fitting a anchor point & a stronger transom. I started with a 5 hp 4 stroke which gave about 12 to 14 knots, later fitting a 10hp 2 stroke which gives about 20 knots. Trust me this is fun, the gunnel's flare out & the floor ungulates. Now i'm not necessarily suggesting you defy the makers recommendations as the boat goes well with a 5hp.

 

[Mr. X]

Porta Boat what a laugh!

I bought a 12ft PortaBoat about 5 years ago. Not solely for spearfishing, in fact i never dived from her at all. I use her mainly for rod fishing & just for a laugh, they are amazing!
I did a few mods like fitting a anchor point & a stronger transom. I started with a 5 hp 4 stroke which gave about 12 to 14 knots, later fitting a 10hp 2 stroke which gives about 20 knots. Trust me this is fun, the gunnel's flare out & the floor ungulates. Now i'm not necessarily suggesting you defy the makers recommendations as the boat goes well with a 5hp.

The new 4+m boat is actually rated for 9HP I see. I looked at the on-line video last night. I was surprised how fast they had it going (perhaps they also use larger motors than recommended!).

They show a scuba diver getting on board over the softer profile bow -- but it looked awkward and was not well done. The sides (gun'ls?) seem a bit high -- as Miles pointed out, great for kids, fishing & passengers but not so diver friendly (ease of entry/exit for divers seems to be the C-Ski's strong suit). I have a feeling the porta boat will be quite a bit cheaper to buy and own though -- and it looks really easy to transport & store...no more space than surf board.

I found the UK importers are:
Jean and Roger Jackson,
IntraMore Ltd
28 Regent Road
Lowestoft
Suffolk NR32 1PB

Tel/Fax: 01502 583844
Mobile: 07990 554292
Email: IntraMore@spamcop.net

...and they are doing various shows including the Game Fair at Chatsworth in the Peak District start of September & boat shows at NEC & Southampton.

 

[foxfish]

There are plenty of reasons to own a porta boat however, their suitability as a dive boat will be limited. For instance traveling to reefs or islands where you can land, then do a shore dive, no problem, trying to get in & out in deep water with a swell ,that's a different matter! Having said that it is possible & they are really good fun. Choose a motor carefully as some small outboards weigh a ton! Mariner make a 6hp 4 stroke @ 25kg & Tohatsu a 9.8 2 stroke @ 29kg.
You could build you own! There are plenty of stitch & glue kits on the market, you may get what you want within your budget. Another option I could recommend is the Linder 440. A aluminium boat weighing only 85kg. (bhg marine).

Hear are some dive boats I am presently working on.

 

[Mr. X]

A forum member sent me this (images of Sevylor inflatible dive kayak from another forum - with optional motor -- some nice speargun collections too):

[ame="http://www.spearboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25094"]my arsenal - Spearboard Spearfishing Community[/ame]

Thanks for that. I must get a boat, they almost always have a bikini clad girl in the front -- must be some kind of law!

Forum member [Marwan] already mentioned they recently got on of these. The Sevylor inflatible dive kayak was one of the first I looked at as they often sell them on eBay from the US [ame="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brilliant-Dive-Yak-KAYAK-Sevylor-Quality-NEW_W0QQitemZ7205851163QQcategoryZ36122QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"](& UK apparently at twice the price:naughty :rcard [/ame]) & they are quite a bit cheaper than a regular sit-on.

I thought the engine capability might be a gimmick -- but by the looks of it it is quite practical.

I (and other potential passengers) do have some concerns about the risk of a leak or puncture (especially with a heavy, expensive motor on the back).

There is a thread on one of the Oz/NZ forums where somebody described their purchase & initial use of one. They seemed pretty happy, main issue I think was the time & effort to inflate/deflate (same as any inflatible).

Not sure what use the hatch is for -- nice idea, I have a feeling that I read it is not as useful as it might at first seem, don't recall why tho'. Also check out their spearo floats.

 

[Lockedin]

My .02. I just purchased a Ocean Kayak Malibu Two 12'6" X 34" Weight: 58lbs & cost $600USD (not the XL - it's longer, wider & weighs more = hard for single hand load / unload). It paddles easily, tracks well, but still turns and surfs easier than I expected. Mine's extremely stable, and has many places to stow & attach gear. I found it very easy to get in and out of. It rides on the stock roof rack of a Subaru Outback using 2 ratcheting tiedown straps.

Future additions: 1) Seat Backs 2) At least one 8" hatch for Lobster 3) Rod Holders (sometimes the vis and the surf suck! :vangry ).

One caution: This last Sunday we had high offshore winds in our area. I nearly visited the local islands unintentionally! :head - these things are VERY easily blown in the wind!
Also, buy the brightest color you can find - makes it much easier to find after surfacing!

I'll post some pics soon.

Enjoy,

Rick

 

[Mr. X]

Actually is 11,7, and the one that i own is not as fancy as the ones depicted in the link you posted, is made locally by artesanal craftmanship, and really are sea worthy indeed!! same as kayaks and cats, the traditional designs prove a 100% in real sea conditions ... give a panga a try, so grab one when you can ..

Hi Seaman, I was just reading the Panga story, they sound really cool. Do you have any more info. e.g. how they are made. Are they affordable? I guess it is pointless asking price when shipping costs would probably be $1000! Are they buoyant when filled with water. Do they make them in Europe too?

 

[portinfer]

Shipping can be pricey... I was after Fenn Mako or a Custom Mark-1 surfski and while the actual prices from SA were very good the shipping was horrendous ! (Still would like one... gorgeous sleek beasts )

 

[dave]

I guess it is pointless asking price when shipping costs would probably be $1000!

More like $3000

I have used a Diveyak, they are ok, but handle like a pig compared to something like a Scupper pro. They are very seaworthy but very slow, and very affected by side or headwinds. I know a few people have raved about them, but they have generally not used any other kayak
cheers
dave
www.spearo.co.uk
www.c-ski.co.uk

 

[Mr. X]

More like $3000

I have used a Diveyak, they are ok, but handle like a pig compared to something like a Scupper pro. They are very seaworthy but very slow, and very affected by side or headwinds. I know a few people have raved about them, but they have generally not used any other kayak
cheers
dave
www.spearo.co.uk
www.c-ski.co.uk

I've shipped containers back & forth to the US a few times and was quoted around $1000 to put a car in the container with my other stuff. Like so many things, of course, "it depends..." .

The C-Ski looks a little like a small panga ...is it based on the panga?

I'm thinking you might have to be more careful around harbour walls with a solid boat than with a RIB/inflatible -- would you use fenders for that?

Thanks for the info. on the DiveYak.

 

[dave]

The C-Ski looks a little like a small panga ...is it based on the panga?

I'm thinking you might have to be more careful around harbour walls with a solid boat than with a RIB/inflatible -- would you use fenders for that?

.

The C-Ski is a completely different type of hull to a panga
ramming walls at high speed is generally not a good idea in any boat, although you see ribs driven by people from Surrey do it quite oftenrofl
Fenders are to stop rubbing when you are tied up next to a quay or similiar. I never bother with them. Although inflatables bounce, they are actually more damagable than a well made fibreglass hull
cheers
dave
www.spearo.co.uk
www.c-ski.co.uk

 

[Marwan]

yeah x i have the yellow kayak in your pictures from sevylor, very portable indeed, also cool to have a nice time out with the wife real good bonus points

 

[Mr. X]

The C-Ski is a completely different type of hull to a panga
ramming walls at high speed is generally not a good idea in any boat, although you see ribs driven by people from Surrey do it quite oftenrofl
Fenders are to stop rubbing when you are tied up next to a quay or similiar. I never bother with them. Although inflatables bounce, they are actually more damagable than a well made fibreglass hull
cheers
dave
www.spearo.co.uk
www.c-ski.co.uk

I was thinking more of pulling alongside the wall. ...Those "people from Surrey" -- that'd be the same ones that dunk their new BMWs while trying to launch their new boats presumably?!rofl (There is something about Surrey isn't there!).

 

[poacher]

Heres a cheap boat i found after a 10 minute search on the net for boats in UK



Auto Marine Mechanics
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Hampton

Tel: 07971 320651


Pearly miss aluminium 12ft day boat (AUT199)



Pearly miss aluminium day boat.
Just been painted in blue.
Wooden new seats in brown.
Very lightweight fast little boat for sea work or with 5hp engine a good river boat.
Seats 5.
Teleflex steering
Choice of 15hp electric start or 4-5 hp yamaha at extra cost


Category Aluminium Boats
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Price £400 (approximately 580 euros)
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[portinfer]

Mr X have you considered a 'seacycle' ? It has sea in the name so it must be seaworthy

http://www.castlecraft.com/seacycles.htm

 

[Mr. X]

Mr X have you considered a 'seacycle' ? It has sea in the name so it must be seaworthy

Perfect! Thanks for that Portinfer.

 

[Mr. X]

Mr X have you considered a 'seacycle' ? It has sea in the name so it must be seaworthy

Perfect! Thanks for that Ed.

 

[land shark]

The biggest thing to consider is do I have a place to keep it. (winterize it if you have to ). Second "A boat is a hole in the water where you throw your money." How about access do you have it or are you gonna get pissed off waiting for 20 folks ahead of you to get ready. How about transport? Will your car tow it. And last but not least your skills as a mariner. If you have never handled a boat before guess what?!! no brakes! for one thing. With that now how fast do you wanna go? Do you you wanna get pitched out if you hit somthing? My advice is talk to guys that sell boats around your area they will help you get started if your new. They will try to get you in a balanced rig.
If the cost is prohibitive maybe a good starter might be a kayak. I started with a conoe and still have it to this day and use it! But as time changes so does your needs. I have gone through several boats over the years. and my favorite all round boat is a tri hull lts small for two passengers but it loads fast. Easy to maintain easy to store. A real stable platform for fishing and diving. Its fast and performs the way it was intended. I will also metion that with smaller boats (not inflateables no experience) get the hp motor shown on the hull label to realize the full beauty of the hull design. Its a weight verses speed thing any way. The best part of owning a boat for diving is being able to pick your spot and donning your gear and your in! No more carting all that garbage down to the shore and back again after your dive.

jim

 

[Mr. X]

Thanks Jim, you raise some good points. I'll work through them here...

The biggest thing to consider is do I have a place to keep it. (winterize it if you have to ).

Yes, in that regard I am fortunate, I have room to park a boat & trailer -- I could even garage it.

Second "A boat is a hole in the water where you throw your money." How about access do you have it or are you gonna get pissed off waiting for 20 folks ahead of you to get ready.

I work too hard to throw money away, I hate queueing & usually will not do it. Yes, I would get extremely p*ssed off (and being inexperienced, I would likely hold others up in such a situation too ).

How about transport? Will your car tow it. And last but not least your skills as a mariner. If you have never handled a boat before guess what?!! no brakes! for one thing. With that now how fast do you wanna go? Do you you wanna get pitched out if you hit somthing? My advice is talk to guys that sell boats around your area they will help you get started if your new. They will try to get you in a balanced rig.

I am not really keen on towing -- I drive a lot but I dislike driving & towing would worry me (what if I forgot I have a trailer). It happens that my car is considered a very good light towing vehicle. A guy at Portland oceaneering mentioned a place near them that allows you to store a boat for about 300 pounds a year I think -- but I am not over keen on that.

For advice, I was hoping this forum will provide the best info. on spearing boats. Seems like 4m RIB with 25HP engine seems the baseline recommendation from Miles & Spearo Dave -- both are very experienced & well known & regarded on this forum, and in a position to know. Both seem to like the C Ski 440 too (they should know, Miles is SA based & Dave is importing them). I am not looking for anything fast or flashy -- something cheap & cheerful that does the job would do. I am not even sure that I want a boat...although I think it would be handy. I am talking to folk & I have a friend who got a boat last year...so I hope to learn some from him too.

Not too keen on retail stores -- I am thinking the prices will be prohibitive. Maybe I should take a look though. Maybe I'll take a look at one of the boat shows (although that seems like a bit of slippery slope to start on!). Will prob. get something secondhand -- not much point getting something too pristine to learn in - bound to make a few mistakes. Hopefully there will be a plentiful supply of secondhand spearo RIBs around soon as everyone upgrades to the CSki 440!

If the cost is prohibitive maybe a good starter might be a kayak. I started with a conoe and still have it to this day and use it! But as time changes so does your needs. I have gone through several boats over the years. and my favorite all round boat is a tri hull lts small for two passengers but it loads fast. Easy to maintain easy to store. A real stable platform for fishing and diving. Its fast and performs the way it was intended. I will also metion that with smaller boats (not inflateables no experience) get the hp motor shown on the hull label to realize the full beauty of the hull design. Its a weight verses speed thing any way. The best part of owning a boat for diving is being able to pick your spot and donning your gear and your in! No more carting all that garbage down to the shore and back again after your dive.

jim

Got any pictures of your tri-hull? No more carting gear? Are you talking proper big boats? If so, that's beyond the scope of this thread. Or do you just stick your gear in the boat & the boat on the trailer? In that case one still has to cart the boat down to the shore (queueing up at the slipway by all accounts -- although I am an off season kind of guy myself!).

At this point, I am almost obligated to get a kayak (for reasons I won't go into). So there is a high probability that will be my starting point. As a teenager I used to canoe fairly often...and even did white water a few times. If I get a 2 seater, may be I'll have a crack at the Devizes to Westminster race (never heard of anybody doing it on a sit-on)!

 

[calicojack]

Lots of info on diving from a kayak here : http://www.kayakdiving.com/

 

[Huan]

Mr X
Modern sit-on-tops are pretty good, I used to paddle whitewater and slalom in NZ but from what I remember the scupper pro paddles every bit as good.
I looked at the whole boat deal like this:
Boat needs maintenance and engines definately need maintenance if you are to have a reliable means of transport.
A boat laid up will deteriorate faster than a boat used regularly.
While boats hold a lot and are good fun, they need to be towed and stowed when not in use.
I prefer to use a kayak because, they are silent, fast enough , good exercise for the upper body, lightweight and I can launch and retrieve the thing almost anywhere I want to.
and I really prefer to use my mates boat if i need to