Inflatable with side console ok?

DLL

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Hi, Anyone familiar with this type of boat? I am not up to speed on the "console steering".
Aluminum floorboards can be good or bad, depending on condition, etc.
1990 30hp Yamaha with Electric Start. Isn't 30hp for a 13 ft inflatable a little light on the hp? Maybe not.

Removable launch wheels? Why have those if you have a trailer? Maybe it is easier to launch, downhill and all?

Inflatable bench seat doesn't sound too good, but maybe it really is stout enough for a 200 pound man to sit on. Most I remember don't work out too well.

A buddy of mine found it, knew I was looking for one of these awhile back and emailed me about it. We hope to look at it tomorrow. (Saturday).

Anyone familiar with these boats and equipment? Info appreciated, thanks, Dave

Avon 13' S400 Sportboat, Hypalon Fabric
1990 30HP Yahama Elec Start, Console Steering
Alum Floor Boards, Inflatable Bench Seat
Removable Launch Wheels, Bimini Top
Shoreline Trailer, Always Covered / Garaged
Awesome Condition, Low Usage
 
Don't everyone jump on all at once --- NOT EVEN A GUESS???

Tell me a lie then, heck, we have at least a dozen people who fish, professional prevaricators...but we still luv ya.
 
30 HP, sounds great to me. I just have a 10'er soft bottom, no console and the 9.5 2 stroke pushes it to 20 MPH. I don't think you'll be disappointed in the power, how much is the asking price?
 
First, I have a 10 ft Caribe hard bottom, 9.9hp and it goes "ok". But a 13ft with a console and aluminum floor boards might require significantly more hp.

This boat probably is not what I am looking for. It is $3650 on Craigslist in Sacramento.
The boat is located in Orangevale, CA. The gentleman who owns it seems like a nice guy, you can email him if you want.

It looks like a good price, but the boat is not what I want.
 
DLL,

"Console steering" means that you have a dashboard with a steering wheel--though that sounds a little unusual for a boat with only inflatable seats.

"Launch wheels" vary, but they are often larger, balloon type wheels attached to the transom that let you walk the boat directly into the water over the beach or grassy shore. (I don't recommend trying it over mud, even if the balloon tires will do it--your feet will get stuck in the mud.) Advantages over a trailer include more launching opportunities, not having to move the trailer after the boat is in the water, and, if used exclusively, you can keep your trailer, wheels, and bearings dry.

BTG
 
BTG, thank you, all are good points. The boss wants a center console dinghy or a "See-Doo" of some kind.

My main concern here was --- what type of steering it had, but after reading about the inflatible seat I decided against it. It is a good deal for someone.

I really would have to have a center console that would hold my E bottles and have a biminy top, and if I had to, I could unroll or put up the isenglass side panels. I have been out in our Tolly and ran through things in the air that left me reaching for the oxygen. I just guessed someone was plowing a field or something.

I can't do anything without planning for the worst and hoping for the best. That is not a pity party, just a fact I have learned to live with.
 
"Removable launch wheels"

You use these to launch a boat where there is no ramp or vehicle access.

Rod
 
The question is what do you want to do with it. The bigger tender will need davits to launch and retrieve from your boat. Smaller 8' tenders can be hand launched. The bigger tender will have a much higher speed and greater range than the smaller boats. The small tenders are for getting ashore. For more range, a small 3 to 5 hp OB can be mounted. Generally, boats made of Hypolon will last longer than those of PVC. Many people don't want a helm mounted to the deck of their tender.
A 13' tender is a large boat. For this size, I would probably go with an Klamath or Gregor aluminum boat. It would last a lot longer than any fabric boat. For a true tender, I would get something smaller made of hypolon.

Ayala_cove_Beach_trip_030_Small.sized.jpg
 
Thanks for the info. The boss reaffirmed she wants a center console, so I guess the bargain is out.

Thanks again
 
I've seen several RIBs with center consoles. Have you looked into those?
 
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