Looking to pick up a collapsible/inflatable boat and electric motor. Any one have and info on these pertaining to performance, ease of set up and duration of battery life? We currently have a Bass Tracker 17' with a 50hp Merc but there are areas that we'd like to fish where the Bass Tracker isn't practical.

Thanks

Carl

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I have the large fish hunter inflatable and it is pretty good.  Once you inflate it a few times it can be blown up in about 10 minutes assuming you buy a decent inflater. I also suggest you either make or buy the floor board.  You also will need to buy a transom mount for a trolling motor.  I have a Minn Kota Endura 50# trolling motor and using a decent trolling battery I have yet to run out of power and have been out all day.  I have used this on coves on Kentucky lake with no issue (just make sure you inflate fully or it gets a little wavey).

Around my area there are a few waters that prohibit inflatable craft, so it is worth checking the regs where you fish before a purchase. Tom

Greatly appreciate the responses. I was at the Hartford Connecticut Boat Show on Friday. Porta Boat had a display! I was pretty impressed with the construction and durability of the craft. I'm looking at inflatables also. I have till spring to decide.

Thanks again!

We have the smallest size Porta-bote.  We can put it together an less than 10 minutes.  Our 8 ft. model can go in really shallow areas, but can't handle moderate waves on lakes;  they splash over the sides.  We have a MinnKota trolling motor to power it, along with paddles, but have to use a smaller battery size than recommended because the weight is too great for our boat.  However, the motor has worked fine for hours this way.  If I was doing it over again, I'd probably get at least the 10 ft. boat with more room and support for more weight.  That said, the Porta-botes are sturdy and low-maintenance and stay remarkably dry inside, since the boat body doesn't leak.  The only water is either off an anchor or net pulled out of the water, or splashing over the side if its rough.  We just strap the folded boat to the luggage rack on our car and carry the seats, transom, motor, etc. inside.  We even have a bimini top for it which is really nice in hot sun.  They are a very handy portable boat to use and seem to be quite durable.  We've had ours for about 1 1/2 yrs.

Thanks! I was looking at the 12 footer. The current snow storms in Connecticut and my snow blower dying and out for repairs is dictating my expenses at the moment. We have two more storms on the way in the next five days on the way with another 17 inches predicted.

I know what you mean. Our snow blower still works, but we're going to need a new one fairly soon. Got a foot of snow in this last storm. The 12 ft. boat should be really nice. Hope everything works out for you.

Not to change the subject but my wife thought I was a nutcase when I insisted on the biggest snowblower we could afford last spring. I look a whole bunch smarter now after the 20" of snow we got on Tues night. Not only was I able to get us dug out before our street was passable, I was able to do the neighbor's drive also! Tom

Thats funny! My 20" lasted me five years before repairs were needed. The dealer told me 4 weeks. Thats why I bought a new one. They're predicting 3 storms in Connecticut this week alone. The first tomorrow and Thursday they're predicting "BIG." Fishing has o take a back seat till spring.