That's a good idea actually, towing the kayaks. Make the preps easier and might change the perception.cheaterparts wrote:I trailer my kayak and not roof top so do most of the guys I fish with - quicker set up and no salt water being dumped on the roof of the carSeb85 wrote: Towing is much easier and quicker.
Kayaks don't need much maintenance too, plastics don't rust, no cleaning required.
But yeah, I might find boating has it's own troubles. So far, it's money, lol. Boat+trailer, license, tow bar.
the box built on the trailer carries all my wet gear so the car doesn't smell like a fish market
Tinnie vs kayak upgrade
- Sebb
- Rank: Premium Member
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 3:30 pm
- Has liked: 3013 times
- Likes received: 1577 times
Re: Tinnie vs kayak upgrade
-
- Rank: Premium Member
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:48 am
- Has liked: 556 times
- Likes received: 258 times
Re: Tinnie vs kayak upgrade
As another option consideration Seb85 - is looking into a portabote.
I was in similar circumstances to you and opted to go this route and get one (4 person model + 5.5hp engine) + i found a metal worker who made up/engineered an outboard trolley that i can fit into my towbar (dont have to carry outboard in car). Significant pro's for me were
- having a watercraft i could take people out with me
- as a renter and not owning (aka not having guaranteed space to store a tinny), i can easily store it in a garage with minimal space footprint
- can carry via roof racks without exhaustive effort
- flexibility to fish majority of freshwater situations (+ light saltwater, havent done this yet)
- can have some of the functional bells and whistles of a tinny
- no paddling = lots less mental and physical effort in scoping and changing locations
They are listed on gumtree with some frequency in differing prices/location - but i opted for all new and did it all for under 5k. Gumtree you may be able to achieve for under 3.5k.
Havent used as much as i would have liked to, but its been a pretty fantastic improvement over my last craft (and of course a list of pros and cons vs other options all subject to your needs). There are a number of places to get more information and reviews via google, but happy to answer any questions you might have.
Cheers, Chris
I was in similar circumstances to you and opted to go this route and get one (4 person model + 5.5hp engine) + i found a metal worker who made up/engineered an outboard trolley that i can fit into my towbar (dont have to carry outboard in car). Significant pro's for me were
- having a watercraft i could take people out with me
- as a renter and not owning (aka not having guaranteed space to store a tinny), i can easily store it in a garage with minimal space footprint
- can carry via roof racks without exhaustive effort
- flexibility to fish majority of freshwater situations (+ light saltwater, havent done this yet)
- can have some of the functional bells and whistles of a tinny
- no paddling = lots less mental and physical effort in scoping and changing locations
They are listed on gumtree with some frequency in differing prices/location - but i opted for all new and did it all for under 5k. Gumtree you may be able to achieve for under 3.5k.
Havent used as much as i would have liked to, but its been a pretty fantastic improvement over my last craft (and of course a list of pros and cons vs other options all subject to your needs). There are a number of places to get more information and reviews via google, but happy to answer any questions you might have.
Cheers, Chris
- Sebb
- Rank: Premium Member
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 3:30 pm
- Has liked: 3013 times
- Likes received: 1577 times
Re: Tinnie vs kayak upgrade
Wow! Didn't know such thing exists.happyfriggincamper wrote:As another option consideration Seb85 - is looking into a portabote.
I was in similar circumstances to you and opted to go this route and get one (4 person model + 5.5hp engine) + i found a metal worker who made up/engineered an outboard trolley that i can fit into my towbar (dont have to carry outboard in car). Significant pro's for me were
- having a watercraft i could take people out with me
- as a renter and not owning (aka not having guaranteed space to store a tinny), i can easily store it in a garage with minimal space footprint
- can carry via roof racks without exhaustive effort
- flexibility to fish majority of freshwater situations (+ light saltwater, havent done this yet)
- can have some of the functional bells and whistles of a tinny
- no paddling = lots less mental and physical effort in scoping and changing locations
They are listed on gumtree with some frequency in differing prices/location - but i opted for all new and did it all for under 5k. Gumtree you may be able to achieve for under 3.5k.
Havent used as much as i would have liked to, but its been a pretty fantastic improvement over my last craft (and of course a list of pros and cons vs other options all subject to your needs). There are a number of places to get more information and reviews via google, but happy to answer any questions you might have.
Cheers, Chris
How tough/stable is it? Especially the hull.
Does it need a boat rego?? And boat licence. Specially with outboard on.
Last edited by Sebb on Tue Feb 05, 2019 1:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Bluefin
- Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 4:21 pm
- Has liked: 72 times
- Likes received: 977 times
-
- Rank: Premium Member
- Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2012 10:48 am
- Has liked: 556 times
- Likes received: 258 times
Re: Tinnie vs kayak upgrade
You might have already googled the site of the sole Australian distributor - here is a FAQ page (+others) that explains stability better than i can https://www.porta-bote.com.au/faq-stability.htm. I organised purchase though the contact details on that site - its run by an older gentleman somewhere in nsw from memory.Seb85 wrote: Wow! Didn't know such thing exists.
How tough/stable is it? Especially the hull.
Does it need a boat rego?? And boat licence. Specially with outboard on.
Needs all the cost requirements (licence, rego, minimum safety gear) associated with a solid hull boat if you are putting an engine on it - but its not that expensive overall.
- Sebb
- Rank: Premium Member
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 3:30 pm
- Has liked: 3013 times
- Likes received: 1577 times
Re: Tinnie vs kayak upgrade
Sounds awesome.happyfriggincamper wrote:You might have already googled the site of the sole Australian distributor - here is a FAQ page (+others) that explains stability better than i can https://www.porta-bote.com.au/faq-stability.htm. I organised purchase though the contact details on that site - its run by an older gentleman somewhere in nsw from memory.Seb85 wrote: Wow! Didn't know such thing exists.
How tough/stable is it? Especially the hull.
Does it need a boat rego?? And boat licence. Specially with outboard on.
Needs all the cost requirements (licence, rego, minimum safety gear) associated with a solid hull boat if you are putting an engine on it - but its not that expensive overall.
I assume will need a boat license too, once it's motorised.
I checked the website, they'll be in Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow in Flemington 20-25 Feb. I might go and check.
-
- Rank: Australian Salmon
- Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:16 am
- Location: NE Victoria
- Has liked: 19 times
- Likes received: 39 times
Re: Tinnie vs kayak upgrade
I reckon once you start talking about towing, then the argument of boat v kayak is over. Boat every day of the week and if you choose a small lightweight model, you can get into pretty much everywhere a kayak can anyway.
- SteveoTheTiger
- Rank: Premium Member
- Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2012 12:40 pm
- Location: Hoppers Crossing
- Has liked: 182 times
- Likes received: 166 times
- Contact:
Re: Tinnie vs kayak upgrade
Hey Seb85, i was in your situation a few years ago. I have a 4.1m Kingfisher kayak (i believe cheaterparts has the same Yak) and quite enjoyed it but i was always looking around at tinny's. Mostly because my fishing time is limited and i wanted something that i could use in slightly worse weather and to also get to the fishing spots fast.
In the end i made the plunge and got myself a Savage Kestrel 4.2m with a 25 Merc. tiller steer and never looked back. The ability to take a couple of mates out with me was worth the price alone IMO.
I have since upgraded to a Haines Hunter but that was only because i got an offer that was too good to pass up otherwise i would have been more than happy to keep the tinny.
I have not used my kayak at all since getting a boat.
In the end i made the plunge and got myself a Savage Kestrel 4.2m with a 25 Merc. tiller steer and never looked back. The ability to take a couple of mates out with me was worth the price alone IMO.
I have since upgraded to a Haines Hunter but that was only because i got an offer that was too good to pass up otherwise i would have been more than happy to keep the tinny.
I have not used my kayak at all since getting a boat.
The only thing better than serenity is a two stroke at full throttle!
Check out my Flickr Photostream
Check out my Flickr Photostream
- Sebb
- Rank: Premium Member
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 3:30 pm
- Has liked: 3013 times
- Likes received: 1577 times
Re: Tinnie vs kayak upgrade
Mate, that is exactly my situation, whether to take the leap or not.SteveoTheTiger wrote: ↑Wed Feb 20, 2019 7:20 pmHey Seb85, i was in your situation a few years ago. I have a 4.1m Kingfisher kayak (i believe cheaterparts has the same Yak) and quite enjoyed it but i was always looking around at tinny's. Mostly because my fishing time is limited and i wanted something that i could use in slightly worse weather and to also get to the fishing spots fast.
In the end i made the plunge and got myself a Savage Kestrel 4.2m with a 25 Merc. tiller steer and never looked back. The ability to take a couple of mates out with me was worth the price alone IMO.
I have since upgraded to a Haines Hunter but that was only because i got an offer that was too good to pass up otherwise i would have been more than happy to keep the tinny.
I have not used my kayak at all since getting a boat.
True, being able to take other people (fisho or not) is a plus.
And yes, a lot of people have told me that I can still keep and use the kayak but I doubt. Glad to hear from someone that had the same dilemma.
Thanks for sharing.