Inflatable boat on a TC24
- Thread starter FRED & DEB
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FRED & DEB
New member
I just returned from a fantastic road trip through the Smokey Mountain on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Fall foliage was absolutely spectacular this year and I suggest the ride to anyone who loves scenic drives.
While down there I spoke to a friend who suggested that I install a small electric motor on the TomCat and use it exclusively to back unto the beach (stern first) thus saving my props and main engines from harm. MY dog can easily jump on and off the boat using the dive platform without the need for a ramp or dingy. I don't know if this will work but I do think it has great potential.
I am still afraid that my dogs nails will tear a soft bottom inflatable and that a hard bottom is too heavy for me to handle. I also think that a davit will add too much weight to the stern of the my boat.
I guess there is no easy solution but if anyone has any experience with an electric motor for this application I could sure use some input.
Also, I am curious if anyone is planning to be in the Florida Keys or the Bahamas this winter. We hope to go down later in the winter and stay cruise for a while.
FRED & DEB :shock:
While down there I spoke to a friend who suggested that I install a small electric motor on the TomCat and use it exclusively to back unto the beach (stern first) thus saving my props and main engines from harm. MY dog can easily jump on and off the boat using the dive platform without the need for a ramp or dingy. I don't know if this will work but I do think it has great potential.
I am still afraid that my dogs nails will tear a soft bottom inflatable and that a hard bottom is too heavy for me to handle. I also think that a davit will add too much weight to the stern of the my boat.
I guess there is no easy solution but if anyone has any experience with an electric motor for this application I could sure use some input.
Also, I am curious if anyone is planning to be in the Florida Keys or the Bahamas this winter. We hope to go down later in the winter and stay cruise for a while.
FRED & DEB :shock:
see the Bahamas thread for potential plans.
I use a 46 lb trolling motor for a 12 foot skiff--It would fit fine on the bracket which I use to keep my dinghy motor on--and which fits into the bracket of the TC 255 swim ladder.
As for dog claws in a dinghy--use ozite carpet cut to fit the bottom of the inflatable--if you use a high pressure floor or the slat bottom inflatable. We had 2 labs crawling in and out of the RIB daily x 3 years and no serious damage to the pontoon of the Avon inflatable. There is minimal surface screatching
Backing to the beach works in sand or a bank which is deep. The dog still has to get up the height of the swim platfrom--and you may need the pet step or other ramp for that (see previous posts).
I use a 46 lb trolling motor for a 12 foot skiff--It would fit fine on the bracket which I use to keep my dinghy motor on--and which fits into the bracket of the TC 255 swim ladder.
As for dog claws in a dinghy--use ozite carpet cut to fit the bottom of the inflatable--if you use a high pressure floor or the slat bottom inflatable. We had 2 labs crawling in and out of the RIB daily x 3 years and no serious damage to the pontoon of the Avon inflatable. There is minimal surface screatching
Backing to the beach works in sand or a bank which is deep. The dog still has to get up the height of the swim platfrom--and you may need the pet step or other ramp for that (see previous posts).
Fred and Deb,
We are planing to be in Florida just after the first of the year. Plan to cruise the Gulf side down to the Keys, and possible stay for a Bahamas crossing, in late winter. Would love to be able to spent some time cruising with you. We had the TomCat Cygnet, we visited with you in Richfield, Utah at the KOA, a few years ago.
We are planing to be in Florida just after the first of the year. Plan to cruise the Gulf side down to the Keys, and possible stay for a Bahamas crossing, in late winter. Would love to be able to spent some time cruising with you. We had the TomCat Cygnet, we visited with you in Richfield, Utah at the KOA, a few years ago.
FRED & DEB
New member
Bob of Thataway: Thanks for your input about getting my doggie on and off the TomCat. I will definitely look into ozite carpert if we go the inflatable route. I reread the previous posts about using a ramp off the stern and I too believe that could be a very workable in the right weather conditions. I am, however, getting very concerned that we may need a larger boat to carry all this stuff or find a way to teach him to relieve himself while on the boat. I guess if it was easy; everybody would be doing it.
Brent; Hi and thanks for the heads up. Of course we remember you and Dixie, as well as your son, who flagged us down while towing our TC through Utah and made our meeting possible. We would love to cruise with you in Florida or the Bahamas. Last year we rented a place with a slip in Marathon Key for 5 months. This gave us an opportunity to cruise and fish in some really terrifiic waters. We have not made any definite plans for this winter but are open to suggestions. This is a really great area and the everglades and 10,000 islands are just an hours ride (35 miles) in a Tom Cat. Your time table sounds very doable for us too. I have never traveled with another TomCat before which could make it even more special. I hope we can put something together.
FRED
Brent; Hi and thanks for the heads up. Of course we remember you and Dixie, as well as your son, who flagged us down while towing our TC through Utah and made our meeting possible. We would love to cruise with you in Florida or the Bahamas. Last year we rented a place with a slip in Marathon Key for 5 months. This gave us an opportunity to cruise and fish in some really terrifiic waters. We have not made any definite plans for this winter but are open to suggestions. This is a really great area and the everglades and 10,000 islands are just an hours ride (35 miles) in a Tom Cat. Your time table sounds very doable for us too. I have never traveled with another TomCat before which could make it even more special. I hope we can put something together.
FRED
I purchased a Tom Cat inflateable kayak made by Aire. It is rugged stable and you could shoot some rapids and play with it in the waves on the ocean. Then deflate it and stick it in a box or bag. They are self bailing and you can find them for about $400. I was wondering how many kayaks and how much helium it would take to float over the waker?
phil
Here where I got mine:
http://www.gravityplay.com/aireindex.htm
phil
Here where I got mine:
http://www.gravityplay.com/aireindex.htm
Fred & Deb,
The Everglades 10,000 Islands areas are both places we plan to spend a lot of time. There are a couple of C-Brats in the Naples area, that should be able to give us more info. What were the particulars on the accommodations at Marathon Key. Did you rent something on shore, and a slip? Lets keep in touch.
The Everglades 10,000 Islands areas are both places we plan to spend a lot of time. There are a couple of C-Brats in the Naples area, that should be able to give us more info. What were the particulars on the accommodations at Marathon Key. Did you rent something on shore, and a slip? Lets keep in touch.
Fred and Deb,
We carried the Pet step and an inflatable on the C Dory 22--so boat size is not critical--but where you put it is... We carried the step on top of a dry box and an ice box in the cockpit--the inflatable on the roof, deflated, or upside down over the radar inflated. With the small dog we just need the inflatable, so are not carrying the Pet Step on the TC 255.
We carried the Pet step and an inflatable on the C Dory 22--so boat size is not critical--but where you put it is... We carried the step on top of a dry box and an ice box in the cockpit--the inflatable on the roof, deflated, or upside down over the radar inflated. With the small dog we just need the inflatable, so are not carrying the Pet Step on the TC 255.
FRED & DEB
New member
I guess with enough helium you wouldn't need an inflatable. Just fill up the TomCat and fly off. I will take a look at the Aire models; thanks.
We rented a house on the water on Marathon that had a 50' dock just outside the rear patio door. We were only 3 blocks from the ocean and 3 blocks from the gulf so getting around was an absolute piece of cake. The Gulf stream was only 4-15 miles off shore all winter so you didn't have to go very far for some really great fishing. Also,the beaches around the southwestern coast of the everglades are spectacular. A must see.
The roof of a TomCat is much shorter than a 22 cruiser so I'm not sure that an inflatable will be able to fit up there?
FRED
We rented a house on the water on Marathon that had a 50' dock just outside the rear patio door. We were only 3 blocks from the ocean and 3 blocks from the gulf so getting around was an absolute piece of cake. The Gulf stream was only 4-15 miles off shore all winter so you didn't have to go very far for some really great fishing. Also,the beaches around the southwestern coast of the everglades are spectacular. A must see.
The roof of a TomCat is much shorter than a 22 cruiser so I'm not sure that an inflatable will be able to fit up there?
FRED
FRED & DEB
New member
Bob:
You have me very curious. What is an eyeblow awning and where do I purchase such a device? Also, are you plannning to cruise the Keys and/or the Bahamas this winter?
FRED
You have me very curious. What is an eyeblow awning and where do I purchase such a device? Also, are you plannning to cruise the Keys and/or the Bahamas this winter?
FRED