Motorboat on a Cali : Grand Inflatable Canoe

umby27 · Jun 28, 2015

Every year I faced the same dilemma when going to Italy on the lake. Take my rigid canoe on top of the cali, buy a zodiac, get a boat on a trailer, rent a boat on the lake... ??? What to do ???

I like simple, comfy, light and economic.

This year I solved all my dilemma's

I bought a grand inflatable canoe Argus 380 that holds my suzuki 2.5hp engine. The boat weighs 20kg, the engine 13kg so very very portable, fits the cali's trunk like a charm under the rear bedshelf with some extra space left over, inflated in 5 minutes chrono. And with my little engine it actually planes on the water! I am so amazed by this little boat and I have looked at so many options that any Cali owners who like being on the water easily should at least know this product exists. I consume about 1 litre fuel per hour, so very cheap.

http://www.theinflatablecanoe.com/discovery.htm
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=grand+inflatable+canoe

ps : for benelux I bought mine here : http://www.beekmanwatersport.nl/boten/Grand-Rubberboten/index.html
They got me a very good deal.

Hotel California · Jun 28, 2015

Ha ! Umberto ....seems long time ago,seeing you visiting here...?
Off to Italty soon?

umby27 · Jun 28, 2015

was in slovakia for 3 weeks and yep, soon off to italy

saw you couple of times driving by

Skylark2.0 · Jan 4, 2016

umby27 said:
Every year I faced the same dilemma when going to Italy on the lake. Take my rigid canoe on top of the cali, buy a zodiac, get a boat on a trailer, rent a boat on the lake... ??? What to do ???

I like simple, comfy, light and economic.

This year I solved all my dilemma's

I bought a grand inflatable canoe Argus 380 that holds my suzuki 2.5hp engine. The boat weighs 20kg, the engine 13kg so very very portable, fits the cali's trunk like a charm under the rear bedshelf with some extra space left over, inflated in 5 minutes chrono. And with my little engine it actually planes on the water! I am so amazed by this little boat and I have looked at so many options that any Cali owners who like being on the water easily should at least know this product exists. I consume about 1 litre fuel per hour, so very cheap.

http://www.theinflatablecanoe.com/discovery.htm
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=grand+inflatable+canoe

ps : for benelux I bought mine here : http://www.beekmanwatersport.nl/boten/Grand-Rubberboten/index.html
They got me a very good deal.

Hi, can you post a picture of it packed up under the shelf?

motacyclist · Jan 4, 2016

Skylark2.0 said:
Hi, can you post a picture of it packed up under the shelf?

Very topical at the moment!

Hotel California · Jan 4, 2016

Still much floods...?

sidepod · Jan 7, 2016

Fab, I've been playing about with a Sveylor with a 3hp motor. These look like the biz. Good work.

johnv · Jan 7, 2016

I have a http://www.dinghygo.com/ .. - up for sale if anyones interested!!!
fits on the bike rack, small outboard in a bag in the boot

and unwraps

with engine

total bags (inc outboard)

dougal · Jan 9, 2016

Hi johnv
May be interested, how much are you selling it for? I notice you bought it back in 2014 - I'd be interested to know how it sails and how stable it is. Could be good as a wee sailing dinghy for the kids and SIB for fishing.
Cheers
Dougal

johnv · Jan 9, 2016

hi Dougal, not really sure about cost, probably about half price .. outboard by separate negotiation! I'll have to get it all up together to make sure it's all still good.
It is very stable (as both deck and hull inflate) great for kids to learn in I'd think .. I never really got to sail it in any wind as it's main use was in Lake Iseo in 2014 , and it was calm so we used the engine all the time, and a couple of times in the solent, but again, just a breeze.
I'm thinking of selling it because I can't see me using it much in the future, and it's taking up space.

dougal · Jan 9, 2016

Great, PM me the details and let's see if we can agree. Be interested to know about the outboard - age, hours, service history, 4 or 2 stroke, HP etc
Thanks
Dougal

johnv · Jan 9, 2016

ah .. well I failed to PM you as I couldn't see how to .. there was a 'conversation' option, but it wouldn't let me start a conversation with you! If you PM me I might see the way forward!

dougal · Jan 9, 2016

Sorry johnv we both have to be VIP members to PM (as you say they are called conversations on this site). Will join as a VIP and get back to you.
Cheers

dougal · Jan 13, 2016

Hi Johnv,
Sent a conversation on Saturday, wondered if you'd received it? No worries if you've decided not to sell.
Thanks
Dougal

Sp0_0k · Jan 13, 2016

I bought this one for Norway fjords fishing. http://www.gumotex.co.uk/motor-BOAT-ruby-1
Already tested last year ) Very light and stable. But I run it with electric motor.