Janek's BOAT information !

I bought an inflatable boat for my birthday - fabulous family adventure fun

It's called 'Little Lovely'

...................................................................................................on the Thames

...................................................................................................in the sea

...................................................................................................on the car

...................................................................................................on the river bank

...................................................................................................all packd up

 

 

Intex Mariner 4 £220
Good handling, and rugged build. 3.3m long, 400kg load, packing into a family size suitcase, good for sea river and lake.
Can easily go on a roof rack, and I can pick it up on my own carry it on my back a bit.

you need a licence, but pay a reduced portion as the motor is electric
It's even cheaper without a motor....



12V Svendsen E-Thrust 36lb thrust Electric motor - is fine for speed vs battery consumption
takes the family up stream into the wind just fine - wonderfully silent for exploring.
sold for £120 here consumes about 30 Amps/hr from a battery at full speed in water
More motors info here

120Ah Victron no leak deep cycle Gel battery £235
does my 36lb thrust motor for about 4 to 5 hour boating at full speed
but never used it all up yet

here are a selection of adult automatic life jackets
and life jackets for kids

The boat has 5 seperate air compartments so it will not sink in an accident.
I was waving to my daughter as I went to pick up her and my wife from the jetty at sun down on the
River Thames one lovely summer evening... unfortunately the corner of the jetty was a sharp metal point.
Mum said - I can hear hissing - I said Oh dear, and Scarlett started to feel sad for the boat and me in it ans started to cry.
You live and learn... know I know the 2 part PVC boat glue and 2 days under a heavy weight does actually fix the puncture!

Here is the video of another family out and about on one

all this equals the most affordable way to own a decent boat and have no mooring fees, no running costs
and most importantly you can simply launch it wherever you like... including abroad !

Proper family adventure