Long, narrow beam inflatable

jlastofka · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:59 pm Post subject: Long, narrow beam inflatable

I wish I had made a better note of the name on a dinghy I saw this weekend. It was about 12 ft long and only three feet wide I guess. Standard dinghy diameter tubes. Three people would fit, one in front of the other, and it had an engine mount built into the transom. I think the name was GR_AEBER or GR_NEBER or something along those lines, with some letter in the blank space, or maybe not. My scribbled notes are almost unusable. I saw three people in it using kayak paddles. I'd really like to know more, but my Google searching isn't doing it.

Any clues? This was a serious duty quality looking product, not a light duty PVC model. I think a lighter narrow PVC like maybe a Seyvlor might be OK for what I'm thinking, but I'd like to look into this other one first.

Jeff

Doryman · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject:

Could you perhaps have seen an AIRE Super Lynx or an Outcast Power Drifter (latter probably does not come close enough to your description)?

Warren

thataway · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject:

Wonder how the boat could be three feet beam, with normal inflatable tubes? Inflatable tubes in the 8 to 12 foot size boat are usually 15" to 17" in diameter--so this only leaves a few inches for the people. This sounds more like an inflatble kayak--but not one that I have heard of.

jlastofka · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:53 pm Post subject: Narrow dinghy

Nope, not one of the ones suggested. I was estimating and rounding off sizes. It looks just like a normal inflatable dinghy if you took maybe a one foot wide slice right down the middle from bow to stern, leaving just enough width for a person inside. And an engine at the inset transom, just like usual.

I think it would roll up pretty small and I like the idea of using kayak paddles instead of oars, which usually suck on any inflatable. I've seen.

I also have a Walker Bay 8' boat with the tube kit, and it rows wonderfully. Too big for my 22' C-Dory. Even on the 36' sailboat, I tow the dinghy if I use it instead of the regular inflatable.

Jeff (looking forward to Lake Powell) Lastofka

Doryman · Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:02 pm Post subject:

Check out the Zodiac Futura. Same width over several length options.

Warren

Ron on Meander · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:31 am Post subject:

Check out Soar Inflatables. I have the 14 ft canoe and it does pretty much what you describe. Works well, is very strongly built and paddles quite well with either canoe or kayak paddles.
www.soar1.com
Ron

jlastofka · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:11 pm Post subject: Soar inflatables

Thanks. Those look pretty useful. Not what I saw last weekend, but better in some ways I think. I'll have to check them out carefully. They have an optional engine mount, but I'd be using it mostly without, so having it not built in would make it roll up nicer.

This looks promising. Thanks again.

Jeff

jlastofka · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject: Aha - Found It!

It's a Grabner brand Power Canoe from Germany.

http://www.grabner-sports.at/index.php?id=195&L=2

I haven't sorted out the price and other details. I'm sure it's expensive. The Soar canoe from northern California is looking pretty good, too.

Thanks for the tips which eventually completed my search. Plus I've learned there are LOTS of manufacturers and models of inflatable boats I didn't know about.

snal · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: Aha - Found It!

timflan · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:18 pm Post subject:

Wow, I can sure see what you'd like about this. Who carries them in North America? I've never seen one in person.

jlastofka · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject: Grabner

On their website I can't find any mention of US dealers. I didn't study the one I saw closely, but it impressed me as being very well built on casual inspection.

Considering the prices, I'd probably lean toward the Soar and add an engine mount from time to time. I believe I'll travel up north of San Francisco some time and try to visit them and maybe try one.

The Grabner is pretty attractive, though. It looked like their shipping charges might be quite reasonable, considering the size and weight involved. Maybe I didn't read it right. Looked like 30 Euros to the US.

Maybe they just paddle them across.....

If the Soar paddles well enough, I might even ditch the kayaks.

Jeff

Ron on Meander · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:51 pm Post subject:

jlastofka · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject: Euro to Dollars

No, I meant the shipping charge looked like 30 Euros, for shipping to the US. I was aware of the Euro to dollar conversion rate. I do see, however, how the sentence I wrote could be read as you read it. Pretty funny....

Jeff