![]() 11/23/2017 at 10:04 • Filed to: boatlopnik, dinghy, Boat | ![]() | ![]() |
Last day in the dinghy for the season, and a beautiful one. 63 and sunny on the Chesapeake in Virginia Beach. Looking back on the summer, I think I’ve confirmed that this is the most fun you can possibly have for $600. I think the dog agrees.
And the best part is I didn’t buy a single gallon of gas! For anybody that hasn’t seen the other posts, it’s powered by a big brushless motor stuffed into the body of a small outboard and a 48v battery pack. The outboard is the type of wizardry you can only find on alibaba (or at least for $300) and I was a total guinea pig since there is not a single English review of this motor anywhere.
I mostly used it on rivers and small lakes all season and this was the toughest test I’ve put it through. Covered miles of coastline and chased a pack of dolphins for 45 minutes and came back to shore with voltage to spare.
In conclusion, $600 for a dinghy that fits in your car trunk and allows you to swim with dolphins is a NICE PRICE!!
![]() 11/23/2017 at 10:11 |
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Sweet! I am also an aficionado of the PVC inflatable boat, albeit just the one Ashpower variety (French oars? Your mother was a French oar!). Total cost so far: $85. I might go with the outboard electric option for another $200 or so.
Protip: small leaks, don’t mess with patch kits — uses PVC joint compound, just like for pipe fitting. Just glue a small patch on and let it set while partially inflated.
Bonus A-10 sandcastle in there for good measure.
![]() 11/23/2017 at 10:15 |
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Love it! I bought this boat and used human propulsion for a while and still loved it. And that’s a good tip I’ve yet to get a leak but they are inevitable.
![]() 11/23/2017 at 10:22 |
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Yeah, my one leak came from having to drag to to/from the beach each day. One section of sidewalk was made from crushed shells. Otherwise, it’s been bulletproof.
![]() 11/23/2017 at 10:45 |
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Puppy!