Spare Rib. Whaddya' think?

[whoofit]

[p]Due to an unidentified disease of mine I have attempted to satisfy our need to merge land and sea yachts. I have made a bold purchase. We started out looking for:[/p][p]
[/p][p]A nice compact folding inflatable raft to transport in the 16DB. You know, nothing major.[/p][p]Maybe some oars and inflatable seats.[/p][p]Small enough to fit in the door and store between the dinette benches.[/p][p]Trolling motor perhaps. [/p][p]Use the trailer battery to power the motor.[/p][p]Cheap, fun and manageable. [/p][p]
[/p][p]Instead, due to my disease, we ended up with this monster.[/p][p]
[/p][p]12' Rigid aluminum medium V-hull.[/p][p]Aluminum flat deck.[/p][p]Fixed transom.[/p][p]Large bow storage.[/p][p]20hp EFI Suzuki outboard.[/p][p]Trailer for around town use.[/p][p]150lbs and not able to fit in LL trailer so must rooftop carry if camping with it.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Highfield RIB CL360[/p][p]Suzuki DF20AS[/p][p]Loadrite 15' trailer[/p][p]
[/p][p]Here is it's maiden voyage to our home from the dealer. Think we will tow well like this?...lol[/p][p]
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[img style="max-width:100%;" style="" src="http://i1312.photobucket.com/albums/t521/minuteman1965/DSC01664_zpsdd2xykml.jpg"][/p][p]
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[ammobob]

Hey I like that. What a nice set-up to do a little fishing while camping. We use a canoe but have not taken it camping with us yet.

With what looks to be 18" or more hanging off the rear of your TV will it interfere with TT hook-up or hit the camper in sharp turns? Doesn't look like you can move it too much more forward without affecting front visibility either.

Not sure this would work but at 150 lbs I might consider some way to attach it to the back of the camper depending on length verses height. Reinforce the bumper and come up with a rack (similar to a drop in bike rack) that you could stand it up on and attach to camper. 

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/13461/thread" timestamp="1437581176" author="@ammobob"]Hey I like that. What a nice set-up to do a little fishing while camping. We use a canoe but have not taken it camping with us yet.

With what looks to be 18" or more hanging off the rear of your TV will it interfere with TT hook-up or hit the camper in sharp turns? Doesn't look like you can move it too much more forward without affecting front visibility either.

Not sure this would work but at 150 lbs I might consider some way to attach it to the back of the camper depending on length verses height. Reinforce the bumper and come up with a rack (similar to a drop in bike rack) that you could stand it up on and attach to camper. [/quote][p]I joke about how we were able to fit the Escape into the boat.[/p][p]
[/p][p]You know, now that you mention it, Bob, maybe we could adjust the RIB rearward just enough to contact the TT in order for the tubes to provide some sway control?... (rofl) I think you are right. The boat needs to go forward(if on the rooftop). I'll need to rig something in AL for this. Might not happen till late fall. Until then we will need to keep it local on the new boat trailer.[/p][p]
[/p][p]The rear bumper mount might be best. I can see it resting on a rear tray with the bow tube deflated. with the side tubes drawn tight to the TT for security. That would be 12' height though. I wonder how the bridges would be.[/p][p]
[/p][p]We bought this type of boat because of it's performance in the ocean. We wanted a do-it-all boat. This one is Cat C rated meaning it is designed to be capable of up to 2 meter swells...though I don't envision testing it outside harbors and bays much. We have done with less on the ocean up the coast of Cape Cod in kayaks. The outboard will be a welcome addition. Ought to push ~30mph solo.[/p][p]
[/p][p]And Thanks!
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[david]

[p]Wow, that is a challenge.

Even with just your TV and no camper your mileage must be seriously affected with that boat on top. I'll bet you won't do much better than 10-11 mpg with that monster on the roof while towing your 16DB. That will be quite a drag and will probably put more strain on your engine than it was designed to handle.

Mounting it vertically behind the camper won't help much if at all. Your camper is about 9' tall excluding the A/C and antenna, so the boat will stick up at least 2' above the camper or even more if you set it on the bumper.

You need a Quicksilver or a larger SUV to tow with that boat.[/p][p]
[/p][p]How about an inexpensive PVC dinghy that you can roll up and carry inside for when you go camping? I am a long time boater and have owned various Hypalon dinghies and used them in reasonably protected waters, so I understand your need for a big and long dinghy to stay dry. But while camping you probably will be on a lake where the cheap PVC ones will work ok.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Also I note that you planned (when you were thinking about a smaller and lighter dinghy) to charge the trolling motor battery from the TV. You can do that when hooked up to external power or while towing, but if you try that with no hook ups, it will charge very slowly and also pull down your trailer battery significantly.

David

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[gnies]

Hi Whoofit, I also have a 2014 ford escape like you and the roof rack capacity limit is 100lbs

[whoofit]

[p]David, I'm not sure about the fuel mileage yet As I've only driven home 45 mile home on the highway from the dealer. I took it slow ~55 and got 28.5 mpg. I wouldn't normally be driving that slow with only the boat so time will tell. I can tell you that on the hottest days so far, 100F, I need to watch my temp gauge as it will climb rapidly while towing the TT at 65 with the A/C on. The engine will automatically govern itself to a slower speed.  Turn the A/C off and no problem.

So you are correct, we are pushing the limits with this engine.

Yes, the boat is very long to transport vertically. Carrying it at bumper level with the bow inflated it would be 3' above the roof of the trailer. By deflating the bow tube we could shave only 17" off of that.

The shore power would be a requirement with a trolling motor. It would limit where we could go, I agree. The AGM I use on the trailer is well suited for trolling but it may be more trouble to use it than it is worth. So, I substituted in a 97lb 20hp fuel injected battery-less outboard for the ~50-60lb battery and ~20lb electric trolling motor.

So, my wife says, "I thought you were getting one to fit into the trailer?" Now, I would like to ask you for a favor David, and explain to her our need for a second inflatable boat!...heh[/p][p]
[/p][p]Oh, and this boat is also Hypalon. That decision alone took me a week of research because of my "disease".[/p]

[whoofit]

Hi Whoofit, I also have a 2014 ford escape like you and the roof rack capacity limit is 100lbs

[p]Thanks![/p][p]
[/p][p]Well that settles it then. Either a second boat, a TT rear rack carrying device, a rooftop rack for the trailer or  get my tandem license and beef up the TT.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Truth be told, even though the boat only weighs 150lbs I found it tedious to load by myself. It's like wrestling the Michelin Man Sumo style.... ([/p][p]
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[david]

Yes, when you go from 35 mpg unloaded with no trailer on the highway, to 11 mpg you are trippling the hp you are pulling from the engine which is too much for long term decent life. Not only engine temps rise but so does oil and transmission temps plus higher stresses on the engine components. For my Nissan Pathfinder it drops from 26 mpg at a steady 70 with no trailer to about 13 with our 16TBS at 60. That is about as low as I want to go.

So here is a selection of roll up PVC and several Hypalon dinghies from $600 on up. Tell your wife I said to do it ;-).

http://search.defender.com/search.aspx?expression=slat+floor+dinghy&x=7&y=6

David

[ammobob]

With that lite a boat I might even consider beefing up the rear bumper on TT, getting a ultra lite trailer and towing it behind the camper. 150 lbs and a couple hundred for a lite (maybe even aluminum) trailer and you might get away with that.

[dh50]

REALLY like the grey-on-grey!  So what if it's unsound going down the road and smokin' your engine. "It's better to look good than to feel good, dahling!", and you look good!

We've wrestled with this same disease over the years and thus far, have managed to keep it in remission.   We've thought of Hobie Cats, and also this same aluminum bottom type dinghy.  At this writing, the sillier half of us continues to toy with some baseless notion that the hauler can float and troll.  No speed needed...just float and troll.     

Have fun with your new toy!  

[shovelhead]

Whatever floats your boat :-)

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/13468/thread" timestamp="1437589888" author="@david"]Yes, when you go from 35 mpg unloaded with no trailer on the highway, to 11 mpg you are trippling the hp you are pulling from the engine which is too much for long term decent life. Not only engine temps rise but so does oil and transmission temps plus higher stresses on the engine components. For my Nissan Pathfinder it drops from 26 mpg at a steady 70 with no trailer to about 13 with our 16TBS at 60. That is about as low as I want to go.

So here is a selection of roll up PVC and several Hypalon dinghies from $600 on up. Tell your wife I said to do it ;-).

http://search.defender.com/search.aspx?expression=slat+floor+dinghy&x=7&y=6

David[/quote][p]Defender is one place we didn't make the trip to. It's a shame too as it looks like they have the best selection to compare these side by side. Defender even advertises their damaged goods at great discounts on craigslist. That's how we first learned of them. It was difficult to justify their pricing on the type of RIB we purchased (actually nothing compares favorably to the Highfield Classics IMO). Monahan's Marine in Weymouth, MA made us a deal we could not refuse.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Now that another boat may be in the works for next year we will want one that can handle the 20HP outboard I purchased. Looks like it'd be another 12'er with a rollup or AL floor insert with inflatable hull. In the meantime I'll have a load of fun with our new one... P-)[/p][p]
[/p][p]Thanks for the link! My wife said she will hold off on the hostilities for now...
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[whoofit]

[quote timestamp="1437593267" author="@ammobob" source="/post/13472/thread"]With that lite a boat I might even consider beefing up the rear bumper on TT, getting a ultra lite trailer and towing it behind the camper. 150 lbs and a couple hundred for a lite (maybe even aluminum) trailer and you might get away with that.[/quote][p]I would say this is a viable option. There are restrictions that I must investigate but heck what's another trailer back there!? Definitely time to upgrade the TV for this one though.[/p][p]
[/p][p]The boat trailer I purchased weighs in at 238lbs. I went cheapo on this as the entire boat and motor only weighs 250lbs. It does have 12" wheels (not 8") and oil bath bearings though. It's a 50lb tongue weight....lol[/p][p]
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[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/13473/thread" timestamp="1437595108" author="@gwbushhog"]REALLY like the grey-on-grey!  So what if it's unsound going down the road and smokin' your engine. "It's better to look good than to feel good, dahling!", and you look good!

We've wrestled with this same disease over the years and thus far, have managed to keep it in remission.   We've thought of Hobie Cats, and also this same aluminum bottom type dinghy.  At this writing, the sillier half of us continues to toy with some baseless notion that the hauler can float and troll.  No speed needed...just float and troll.     

Have fun with your new toy!  [/quote][p]HA! This little Ford Escape never saw it coming! Neither did we to be honest... Keep the paint all spiffy then trade it in (if it survives). [/p][p]
[/p][p]Hey, don't know if you know about these Porta-Botes. They are sort of trick. You can mount them to the sides of the trailer even. I almost pulled the trigger but they are not a seaworthy as the RIB and they cannot handle much HP or weight for waterborne camping trips. Have a look![/p][p][video src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnUKBWaFo6U&feature=player_detailpage"][/video][/p][p]
[/p][p]Oh, and another vid you might enjoy.[/p][p]
[/p][p][video src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdK4pmYEdtE&feature=player_detailpage"][/video][/p][p]
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[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/13483/thread" timestamp="1437607157" author="@shovelhead"]Whatever floats your boat :-)[/quote][p]Air! And lots of it. I'm gonna have to pat down all passengers for sharp objects before boarding. [/p][p]
[/p][p]You must have seen vids your Brothers in the Navy SEALs using this type of boat. Well, maybe five times the size, capability and strength of this one but similar. Did you know the Navy has just developed a special torpedo that is launched from a sub to combat these?[/p][p]
[/p][p][video src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoBXhJFMjMY"][/video][/p][p]
[/p][p]Note that the engine was running too...[/p][p]
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