Small boat for small ponds 1/2 adults and 2 small kids

masraum · 02:10 PM

There's a small pond in a small park near our place. When we bring the grandsons to our place this summer, the missus was thinking that they might have fun going out on the pond in a small boat. (they are about to be 3 and 6, so it doesn't take much to entertain them). There's a chance that this thing may only get used once or twice, so we don't want to spend a ton.

My first thought was a canoe or small row boat that we could throw on the top of the Outback. But then I found one of these, and thought that it might fit the bill.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

oldE · 03-26-2022, 02:13 PM

Last March I dragged home an 11 ft Skunk sailboat. It has a sliding Gunter rig, but can be rowed easily. I got it to knock about on the river with my grand daughter. I had one 30 years ago but sold it when our kids grew up.
I don't think you would enjoy rowing the inflatable.
Have fun.

Best
Les

Seahawk · 03-26-2022, 02:44 PM

I think the inflatable is a great idea. I would go a bit bigger:

Same basic concept with room to grow.

You can also inflate/deflate with minimum extra expense (I am sure Subaru has options) and keep things off the top of your car.

Have fun!

masraum · 03-26-2022, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I think the inflatable is a great idea. I

You can also inflate/deflate with minimum extra expense (I am sure Subaru has options) and keep things off the top of your car.

Have fun!

That was exactly my thought, compressor that runs on 12V, and since it's inflatable, it wouldn't need to go on top.

KFC911 · 03-26-2022, 02:52 PM

LOL ....Seahawk doesn't like the little Seahawk

!

The kids are gonna love whatever you pick... get 'em out on the water and go have a blast

tdw28210 · tdw28210's Garage

I'd avoid a 100% inflatable, especially if fishing with kids unless getting totally swamped is OK with everyone. What about a folding boat? Like Port-a-bote or a Seahopper?

https://www.smartmarineguide.com/boats-for-sale/porta-bote

Or I think you can make your own with plans for sale.

masraum · 03-26-2022, 02:55 PM

The pond is probably only 40-50' x 80-100' if I had to guess (although I'm crap at distance estimation.

masraum · 03-26-2022, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911

LOL ....Seahawk doesn't like the little Seahawk

!

The kids are gonna love whatever you pick... get 'em out on the water and go have a blast

That struck me as well. The Seahawk 4 is supposed to hold 4 adults, so I was thinking one or two adults and a 3 and 6 year old would probably fit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdw28210

I'd avoid a 100% inflatable, especially if fishing with kids unless getting totally swamped is OK with everyone. What about a folding boat? Like Port-a-bote or a Seahopper?

https://www.smartmarineguide.com/boats-for-sale/porta-bote

Or I think you can make your own with plans for sale.

I don't think we'll be fishing, just floating around.

Yes, if fishing, I'd definitely avoid being in a balloon (with a 6 year old and fish hooks).

flatbutt · 03-26-2022, 03:11 PM

The inflatables are very popular here on my pond. They are gonna sing your praises Gramps. Especially if you let them jump into the water off of that thing and swim around with you. They are wearing vests of course.

masraum · 03-26-2022, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatbutt

The inflatables are very popular here on my pond. They are gonna sing your praises Gramps. Especially if you let them jump into the water off of that thing and swim around with you. They are wearing vests of course.

Good to know.

unclebilly · unclebilly's Garage

My in-laws had a similar idea. They live on a cliff above the ocean.

Neither my MIL or FIL can swim nor do they have any boat sense.

We all made it clear to them that none of the grandchildren would be going in a small boat with either of them. Ever.

To put this into perspective, my MIL was on our towed inflatable with my 2 kids and my niece. Somehow she managed to flip the thing before we even left the dock. Instead of helping her 3 grandchildren, she actually pushed 2 of them under water as she panicked and then insisted on swimming around the docks at a busy lake instead of climbing out using the ladder on our boat.

Same day, she had a freak out when my son was driving the boat too fast (he was maybe doing 20).

Are your kids ok with this plan? What wildlife lives in that pond?

Fast Freddy 944 · Fast Freddy 944's Garage

Boat size depends on the size of the body of water you put it in. If you are going to wade in a puddle, might I reccomend floaties? For me, the big bodies of water does the trick...Yeuuuupppp..ahhhhhh...sniff..

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Inflatables are great until you leave them out in the sun and they over inflate then burst.

An inflatable might be harder to launch and bring ashore as you cannot build up any speed to beach (assuming no dock).

Don't overload an inflatable with people/cargo, near impossible to maneuver/move. Something to consider as those kids grow and put on weight.

With all in consideration the larger inflatable posted will be better than the smaller one, both short and long term.

https://www.nrs.com/learn/raft-overinflation-uv-damage-from-sun

Quote:

The main things you need to be concerned about with your inflatable boat’s relationship with the sun are overinflation caused by heating of the air in the tubes and material damage from UV radiation...........................

On a hot day, let air out of the tubes when you’re pulled up on shore. And let air out of the various chambers evenly, to avoid putting undue pressure on interior baffles. That’s one of the reasons you need to pack a hand pump with you, even on day trips.

masraum · 03-27-2022, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclebilly

My in-laws had a similar idea. They live on a cliff above the ocean.

Neither my MIL or FIL can swim nor do they have any boat sense.

We all made it clear to them that none of the grandchildren would be going in a small boat with either of them. Ever.

To put this into perspective, my MIL was on our towed inflatable with my 2 kids and my niece. Somehow she managed to flip the thing before we even left the dock. Instead of helping her 3 grandchildren, she actually pushed 2 of them under water as she panicked and then insisted on swimming around the docks at a busy lake instead of climbing out using the ladder on our boat.

Same day, she had a freak out when my son was driving the boat too fast (he was maybe doing 20).

Are your kids ok with this plan? What wildlife lives in that pond?

Yep, their parents are OK with it. I think about the only thing at the pond is fish. It's possible that there could be snakes as well.

masraum · 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Freddy 944

Boat size depends on the size of the body of water you put it in. If you are going to wade in a puddle, might I reccomend floaties? For me, the big bodies of water does the trick...Yeuuuupppp..ahhhhhh...sniff..

My dad always wanted a boat, and wanted something big enough for being in the Gulf of Mexico, but ended up settling for a pontoon boat for going on the Black Water river in the FL panhandle. I had a college buddy that had a boat, 23' trihull Kris Kraft that we took out in Tampa Bay. I find that kind of thing pretty boring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kach22i

Inflatables are great until you leave them out in the sun and they over inflate then burst.

An inflatable might be harder to launch and bring ashore as you cannot build up any speed to beach (assuming no dock).

Don't overload an inflatable with people/cargo, near impossible to maneuver/move. Something to consider as those kids grow and put on weight.

With all in consideration the larger inflatable posted will be better than the smaller one, both short and long term.

https://www.nrs.com/learn/raft-overinflation-uv-damage-from-sun

Good info, thanks. I suspect this thing won't get used much. Kids this young are likely to get bored and want to get out and run around vs sitting in a boat. I also can't imagine a cheap inflatable lasting long enough for the kids to double in size, but if they did get older bigger and still wanted to be on the water, we would then probably get something a bit more permanent and rugged.

Bill Douglas · 03-27-2022, 11:53 AM

Plastic is fairly much indestructible.

And if you want to have more fun this kitten sized outboard on the back of the plastic boat will really take you places.

Fast Freddy 944 · Fast Freddy 944's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

my dad always wanted a boat, and wanted something big enough for being in the gulf of mexico, but ended up settling for a pontoon boat for going on the black water river in the fl panhandle. I had a college buddy that had a boat, 23' trihull kris kraft that we took out in tampa bay. I find that kind of thing pretty boring.

Good info, thanks. I suspect this thing won't get used much. Kids this young are likely to get bored and want to get out and run around vs sitting in a boat. I also can't imagine a cheap inflatable lasting long enough for the kids to double in size, but if they did get older bigger and still wanted to be on the water, we would then probably get something a bit more permanent and rugged.

10-4!