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Need help choosing lightweight boat for herping
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by herperadam on May 30, 2005
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I've been herping the same area for a while now but I want to explore other parts that I can't access by foot and need a lightweight boat to do so since it's a swamp/marsh area. I've been looking around and wonder if the heavy duty PVC material inflatable ones will pop from rubbing up on on tree branches and other things..not to mention theres a healthy alligator population in the area (most are under 5 feet though). It's either one of the inflatables though or a small metal/aluminum one and was wondering if anybody has a recommendation or experience with either kind. It only needs to seat two people or maybe three on some days, and will have to be carried for some distance so must be lightweight.
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RE: Need help choosing lightweight boat for herpin
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by emtnurse on May 30, 2005
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Hey Adam, you cant go wrong with the 1 man canoe from Old Town. The solo canoes weigh about 30-35 lbs. The only thing about them is that they are very unstable. All you need is a kayak paddle and they go into some shallow and tight places. Had one for years, good for fishing also. Bryan
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RE: Need help choosing lightweight boat for herpin
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by wcoley on May 31, 2005
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A kayak with a molded seat wouldn't be a bad option either. It will cost a little more than the canoe, but if you flip it over its easy to turn back over and it won't fill up with water.
happy herping,
will
P.S. Found a 3.5 foot cottonmouth crossing the road yesterday afternoon. Made my weekend!
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RE: Need help choosing lightweight boat for herpin
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by earthguy on May 31, 2005
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I'm not sure how Light "lightweight" is, but I have used both of these boats, and they are both pretty nice, but for different purposes. If you're into light, manuverable, and minimal protection, then I'd go with a phantom boat ( http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/view_catalog_page.asp?id=3729 ). If you're a little, shall we say, repectful of the alligators (which I would definitely be) then you might go with the stouter Stealth 1200 (http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/view_catalog_page.asp?id=3728). I am rather fond of the 1200 for carrying any equipment. Hope this helps.
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RE: Need help choosing lightweight boat for herpin
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by herperadam on June 1, 2005
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That Stealth 1200 is pretty good looking I really need to find a store around here to check some boats out in person. I've tried kayaks and canoes before in lakes and am pretty bad with them usually just end up going in circles so i'm leaning towards something a little wider. I was really considering an inflatable until a couple weeks ago when after 4 or 5 years of herping this place a 10 ft.+ gator popped up doing it's mating call in the water at around 1AM, that really changed my mind. I couldn't believe it since the biggest i've ever seen before around here is probably 5ft.
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RE: Need help choosing lightweight boat for herpin
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by Cro on June 2, 2005
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That Stealth 1200 is a very good looking boat. Those sealed compartments would be very good for protecting cameras and gear. Hopefully, that 10 foot gator dosn't think the boat is a 12 foot gator trying to intrude on it's territory! Would be much more stable than a canoe or kayak though! JohnZ
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RE: Need help choosing lightweight boat for herpin
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by Mustangrde1 on June 4, 2005
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The old 10Foot John boats are still my favorite and best choice in a light weight and durable boat. You can stand in them and beat the hell out of one and they just keep on keeping on. you can mount folding wheels to the back of them at a very cheap cost and tote them through most trails with your gear in them just like a pull behind wheel barrel. The one i use to use was past on from my grandfather to his kids to me and only needed a few patches here and there over the years unlike so many of these new boats and pfd's John are dependable always
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RE: Need help choosing lightweight boat for herpin
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by Cro on June 4, 2005
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Scott's point about the John boats is right on. They are light weight, inexpensive, and tough. They do make noise though if you bump them with a paddle or drop something. JohnZ
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