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robmac
13-12-2013, 06:32 PM
If anybody likes to take to the water, this may be of help, personally I love camping on islands in Scotland, I have a Canadian style canoe, but sometimes it just doesn't carry enough gear especially in Winter when I want to take a Tipi and woodstove etc.

I've just bought an Intex Excursion 5 Inflatable Dinghy which I will be taking up to Scotland with me in the near future. It is 12 ft by 5ft 6ins, which is one hell of a size for a dinghy which can fit in the bottom of the wardrobe in my Motorhome. It has a carrying capacity of 1000lbs, or 5 persons which is a lot of gear.
I paid £87 for mine, plus another £12.99 for a motor mount for the back of it. It comes supplied with 2 paddles and a fairly efficient hand pump, although it is much easier with a coleman electric pump.
Although, in the pictures, it looks a bit of a pool toy, in fact it is very well made and a very capable boat, in the USA they use them for white water rapids, or even at sea. (They have been given US Coast Guard approval).

Here is an 'out of the box' review on youtube;

www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_q2PTjPhfI

They also do them in smaller sizes (Excursion3 and Excursion 4).

The first thing I will do with mine is fit a plywood floor (in 2 halves) which will make standing and moving about easier) and a box for a petrol tank and battery which will double as a seat. (I will chuck the rear seat out, although it is quite comfortable), but I prefer a raised sitting position from which to steer the outboard.

Excellent product.

saxonaxe
13-12-2013, 10:21 PM
I'll watch for your report on the trip with that dinghy Rob. I've got a 21 foot bilge keel yacht (not the one I live on) and I've been looking for a suitable tender, trouble is, the standard inflatables don't stow very easily even when deflated. If that Intex stows in a small space it would be ideal as I would only use it in sheltered waters, estuary or river. The smaller version would do me as I'm singlehanded anyway and only need it to get ashore in anchorages.

robmac
13-12-2013, 10:33 PM
I think it would make an ideal tender (the smaller version). If you required a motor, they are restricted to 1.5 hp, although I may risk a honda 2hp and keep the revs down on mine, at the moment I have a 32lb thrust electric motor but then you are reliant on battery charging.

I'll keep you posted when I try it out on my local river. (there are also several Youtube reviews).

Others to be considered would be the offerings from Sevylor.

saxonaxe
13-12-2013, 10:45 PM
Great. I'll have a look on Youtube. I've been using a 2.3 metre cheap inflatable but even when deflated it's the size of a young Elephant, so those Intex boats look attractive. :)

Tigger004
13-12-2013, 11:17 PM
nice price

Rasputin
13-12-2013, 11:51 PM
Ive got a navigator III 400, very impressed with it. It will take a 4 hp outboard. Bought it to take in the caravan for fishing, the Intex looks the part though T^

robmac
14-12-2013, 12:04 AM
Ive got a navigator III 400, very impressed with it. It will take a 4 hp outboard. Bought it to take in the caravan for fishing, the Intex looks the part though T^

Nice, I see it can take a sail too! I plan to do a bit of fishing myself from the boat, just have to be a bit careful with the hooks. ;)

Rasputin
14-12-2013, 12:08 AM
The smaller version would do me as I'm singlehanded anyway and only need it to get ashore in anchorages. I think the seahawk would suit your needs John T^ Is my cat still afloat lol

Rasputin
14-12-2013, 12:13 AM
Nice, I see it can take a sail too! I plan to do a bit of fishing myself from the boat, just have to be a bit careful with the hooks. ;)

Yeh I have seen sails for them but I've never thought of getting one, and yeh you just gotta be carefull with the sharps,lol

saxonaxe
14-12-2013, 01:52 PM
" Is my cat still afloat lol "

Not sure mate, I've been sleeping ashore since coming back from the woods, haven't been near the moorings for a while. I'll have a look this weekend if I can. :)

Rasputin
14-12-2013, 05:55 PM
I'll have a look this weekend if I can. Dont go out of your way John Ime sure its ok, If not those stern tube repacks have failed (lol) ATVB Ken