Light weight boat for fly in hunts

[vip_ruger]

Just looking for light weight boats or ways to cross lakes on a fly in hunt any ideas ? How does everybody else cross these lakes ?

[BiG Boar]

i bought a 9 foot inflatable zodiak style boat, can bring in a 2-4 hp motor then too. We did try an inflatable canoe thing. I would not recommend that, unless its a small lake. Also, many pilots are willing to fly you in with a canoe or even a row boat attached to one of the pontoons. Talk to your pilot about if they will rent you a boat.

[Ry151]

there are boats that fold down, not sure of the name of them (prota boat maybe). Once they are folded down, they attach to the float spreader bars.

[digger dogger]

Get an aluminum grumman, I think pilots charge a $80 lashing fee.. I have a inflatable canoe, as big boar said small lakes with minimal wind.

[Everett]

http://pakboats.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86&Itemid=147

This is what we use, we have the 165 managed two people two dogs and a boned out moose last year.

[Everett]

Here is a picture of it in use recovering a Caribou

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/North_trip_2011_030.jpg

[Rackmastr]

I have a friend who owns one of these (old model) and we fished out of it for several years, he`s had it in the ocean in a small bay, we have hunted down the river in late season for ducks and geese as well.

THey work great and would be an option...

http://www.porta-bote.com/

[Buck]

I have a 12 Sevylor fish hunter that i have used for small lakes worked ok not fun to paddle to far but will do the job.It has a motor mount option and if you put a two horse on it should be ok this is a cheap option.This year i have an 8'6" zodiac Cadet with a four horse should be much better.



Question.Going to leave the boat at base camp and wondering how best to protect the raft do porcupines eat rafts and would wrapping it in chicken wire help?

[1899]

A real Zodiac, while pricey, is a good bet. They have large diameter tubes and can carry a very heavy load. They are also stable, light weight and can fold up to very compact dimensions. A fellow could even strap one to his packboard and hike to a different body of water. I'd get one with the H2P high pressure air floor, as they are very easy to set up and take down. I've had two before (340 and 310 Acti-V) and was very happy with them.

For example, the Cadet Airlite 260 weighs 64 lbs and is rated for an 816 lb payload. The 285 Acti-V weighs 77lbs and can carry 992 lbs. They are exceptionally stable - you have to try it to believe it.

[Inlander]

^^ excellent advice from 1899 and BB. Nothing lighter and as stable than a zodiak. Only other advice is, go with 4hp. Not much extra weight for double the power. 2hp will do the job, but 4 will be more than 2x as fast. Lastly, stick with 2 stroke. Maybe they have changed, but the 4 strokes I have dealt with are heavier and more finicky in the reliability department.

[yama49]

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq79/JEARL49/IMG_6934.jpg


2.5 hp yama 4stroke 11 foot liberty

[vip_ruger]

I have a zodiak 12'6 but was looking for something just to cross the lake but it sounds like ill be taking it thanks

[David Heitsman]

I flew in and floated a few hundred kilometers in my 12' Zodiac from Mayfield to Fireside a few years ago. Rock stable. Weight is under 100 pounds less engine. Rolled into Beaver along with 9 hp. Carried me, my bud, our gear, two tanks of gas and an elk with no issues. I had a Kevlar floor installed to beef it up some but otherwise it's well built.

[kako99]

I have a real zodiac not the PVC one I would sell it for 750
its a 10' with a ribbed floor