I have bought a 2-person inflatable and 14hp engine. What websites give advise on safe boating on the sea?
Obviously I need to wear a life jacket and have oars. But what else should I sensibly do to stay safe? Distress flares, mobile phone, do I need to let the coastguard know where and when I’m going. Food, water, first aid kit, oars,
I’m planning to use it around the Isle of Wight and Solent. It is 2 meters long, and a meter wide.
The top speed is 25MPH so in 4 hours me and my mate might be able to cross to France in it. We’d need to take our passports of course, but would we need to show them anywhere?
Any other thoughts. Do you know a website where it has answers to these and other questions.
We don’t want to faff around with courses, just learn the basics and common sense.
Thanks
Actually I’ve checked, and it is 3.4 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. Can I go to France in it now?
don’t forget drinking water (at 8.5 lbs per gallon) and a GPS navigation unit.
25mph is the alleged relative speed of your boat to the water — wind and currents will cause a noticeable variation — other words, at 25 mph you might only cover 23 miles in an hour.
The reality is, a 14hp motor powering an inflatable is unlikely to reach 25mph with a full grown man aboard, much less 2 grown men plus gear for an extended voyage.
In fact, 14hp might not be enough to control the craft in a strong wind.
Your fuel burn at top speed will be neighborhood of 1.5 gallons per hour, and you would not take to the sea without at least 2x your fuel requirement, and 12 gallons of gasoline weight about 80 pounds which will reduce your top speed considerably (sorry, for the lack of metric conversion — the metric system never really caught on in the states, unless you count the popularity of the 9 millimeter bullet).
try http://forums.iboats.com/ — the RIB & Inflatables forum isn’t as active as some of the others, but it’s a lot of knowlegeable boaters in the general boating section as well.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“3.4 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. Can I go to France in it now?”
A 10-foot inflatable with 14hp is not overpowered.
There’s still the problem of fuel. That motor is going to burn at least 1.5 gallons per hour at full throttle. It might make 25 mph with one person and 3 gallons of fuel, but load it up with 2 guys and the required safety gear you’ll be lucky to make 15 mph.
Trust me, on a small boat, even 20 pounds makes a noticeably difference in performance.
Take wind and current into account, you won’t make the crossing in 4 hours, you’ll be lucky to do it in 8, which means 80 pounds of gasoline not counting contingency, and man you need contingency fuel.
Which will slow you down even more.
Get into a strong wind, it’ll pretty much push you wherever it wants you to go.
OutdoorLeisureDirect.co.uk – Intex Pacesetter 200 Inflatable Boat
|
|
Intex Excursion 4 Person Inflatable Fishing Raft/Boat Set – Pump & Oars Included $119.98 |
|
|
SEA EAGLE 124SMB 12FT 4IN MOTORMOUNT INFLATABLE 4 PERSON INCL OARS BRAND NEW $821.45 |
|
|
Sea Eagle 124SMB 12ft 4in Motormount Inflatable 4 Person Includes Oars $1,006.56 |
|
|
Sevylor Super Caravelle 2 person Inflatable Boat W/Oars & Pump $99.99 |
|
|
NEW Coleman Navigator 2 Person Inflatable Boat Includes Dual Oars Hand Pump NR $16.99 |
|
|
Intex Challenger Boat Kit 3 Person Inflatable w/ 2 48″ Aluminum Oars & Hand Pump $97.70 |
|
|
Sevylor Colossus 3 Person Inflatable Boat w/ Oars Sevylor 2000003390 $65.99 |
|
|
Sevylor Colossus 2 Person Inflatable Boat w/ Oars Sevylor 2000003389 $38.99 |
|
|
COLEMAN NAVIATOR 4 PERSON BOAT INFLATABLE OARS RAFT $75.00 |
|
|
SEA EAGLE 124SMB 12FT 4IN MOTORMOUNT INFLATABLE 4 PERSON INCL OARS BRAND NEW $821.45 |
|
|
Sea Eagle 124SMB 12ft 4in Motormount Inflatable 4 Person – Includes Oars $678.99 |
|
|
Intex Challenger 2 Person Inflatable Raft/Boat Set – Pump & Oars Included $49.99 |
|
|
Sevylor 2000003390 Colossus 8’5″x3’10″ 3 Person Inflatable Boat w/Oars $90.99 |
|
|
SEVYLOR Colossus 2 Person Inflatable Boat Raft w/ Oars $41.99 |
|
|
NEW! (2) SEVYLOR Colossus 2 Person Inflatable Boat Rafts w/Oars – 435LB Capacity $83.99 |
|
|
SEVYLOR Colossus 2 Person Inflatable Boat Raft w/ Oars $41.99 |
|
|
Sevylor 2000003389 Colossus 2 Person Inflatable Boat/Oars 14 Gauge PVC $59.99 |
|
|
SEA EAGLE 124SMB 12FT 4IN MOTORMOUNT INFLATABLE 4 PERSON INCL OARS BRAND NEW $821.45 |
|
|
SEA EAGLE 124SMB 12FT 4IN MOTORMOUNT INFLATABLE 4 PERSON INCL OARS BRAND NEW $821.45 |
|
|
Sevylor Caravelle 2 Person Inflatable Boat with Pump and Oars 2000003395 $42.95 |
|
|
Intex Seahawk Boat Set Inflatable Boating Rafting 2 Person Fishing Camping Oars $65.98 |
|
|
World Famous 2 Person Inflatable Nautilis Boat Kit – Includes Oar Set & Pump! $59.99 |
|
|
Intex Challenger K2 Inflatable 2 Person Kayak Gear Net w/ 84″ Aluminum Oars NEW $151.34 |
|
|
Sea Eagle SE8 3 Person 9ft 7″ Inflatable Motormount Boat W Benches Oars & Pump $544.99 |
|
|
Sea Eagle 124SMB 12ft 4in Motormount Inflatable 4 Person Incl Oars $696.00 |
|
|
Intex Excursion 5 Person Inflatable Fishing Raft/Boat Set – Pump & Oars Included $139.98 |
|
|
Intex Boat Set 2 Person Boating Rafting Oars Inflatable Camping Hiking Outdoor $28.99 |
|
|
Intex Seahawk 2 Inflatable Boat Set Raft Oars 2 Person $74.45 |
|
|
Sevylor Caravelle 2 Person Super Inflatable Boat with Pump and Oars 2000003401 $70.95 |
|
|
Intex Seahawk Boat Kit 2 Persons Inflatable Boat Set w/ 1 Pair of Oars & Pump $80.05 |
|
|
Intex Challenger 2 Person Boat Kit Oar Holders Inflatable Floor 3 Air Chambers $67.13 |
|
|
INTEX SEAHAWK II BOAT KIT 4 MAN PERSON INFLATABLE RUGGED RAFT 2 OARS PUMP NEW $217.95 |
|
|
4 Person Inflatable Boat Hold 840lbs 3 Air Chambers 4 Oars Free Shipping $97.55 |
|
|
Sevylor Colossus Inflatable 4 Person Boat with Oars C002 2000003391 $90.95 |
|
|
Sevylor Colussus Inflatable 2 Person Boat with Oars C004 2000003389 $37.95 |
|
|
Intex Seahawk 2 Boat Set Inflatable Floor 2 Person Oars Camping NEW Durable Hull $64.99 |
|
|
Intex Challenger Kayak Kit K1 One Person Inflatable 84″ Aluminum Oars Hand Pump $94.59 |
|
|
Sevylor 2-Person Inflatable Boat with Pump and Oars $60.00 |
|
|
Sevylor Super Caravelle 3 Person Inflatable Boat with Pump and Oars 2000003399 $84.95 |
|
|
Durable INTEX 5 Person Inflatable Lake River Raft Fishing Boat Set Pump Oars NEW $167.33 |
|
|
Intex Kayak Paddle / Boat Oars $14.49 Intex Kayak Paddle / Boat Oars is a combination 98″ paddle converts to two 48″ boat oars. Lightweight, yet strong aluminum shaft. Oar retainer/drip rings and ribbed blades for added strength…. |
|
|
Intex Seahawk II Boat Set $94.97 Seahawk II Boat Set for up to 3 people includes pump and 54″ aluminum oars. Made from SUPER-TOUGH vinyl for durability. Rock guard trim around outer edge. Has two fishing pole holders. US Coast Guard approved.Need a Boat Certificate of Origin? Write down the HIN (Hull Identification Number) and go to www.intexcorp.com. On the first screen that pops up, select your location. Click on the “Need a Bo… |
|
|
Intex Excursion 5 Boat Set $91.97 Dimensions: 145″ x 67″ x 18″. Weight Capacity: Up to 880 lbs with 5 persons. Constructed of rugged SUPER-TOUGH(tm) PVC. SUPER-TOUGH(tm) PVC is an extremely strong and durable plastic material that is impervious to gasoline, oil and salt water. The strong molecular structure of this plastic makes it highly resistant to damage from abrasion, impact and sunlight. This special PVC plastic material a… |
|
|
Intex Explorer 200 Boat Set $19.47 78″ x4 6″ Explorer 200 Set, Includes 2 Person Boat, 48″ French Oars and Mini Air Pump…. |