Portable Sailboat for Campers

[adamis]

There are many mountain lakes that a powerboat is not permitted and paddling but are large enough that paddling around them is tiring. I've been on the hunt for an inflatable sailboat that can easily fit in my camper but give me something to enjoy these lakes with. There are a few commercial products already on the market, some just a few hundred dollars that are nearly useless and others in the $5000+ market that look awesome but of course are expensive.

Trying the middle of the market, I purchased a ~$1200 "inflatable sailboat" last year thinking it would do the trick. Sadly, I was greatly disappointed as my dad and I's maiden voyage nearly turned out to be like the Titanic's... our last. The concept works, but the design has some flaws that needs some fixing. In preparation for this summer, I'm working on fixing the issues I encountered while still having something that can easily be stored inside of my camper but can be setup in about an hour and give decent performance to cruise around a lake for an afternoon.

My question for this thread is, has anyone else looked at an inflatable sailboat as an option for their camper setup? Is there something on the market that is in the $2000 range that I missed in my search? Is this something people might even have an interest in if I eventually did get to the point of having something that works?

Edit: Link to what I currently have...

http://www.boatstogo.com/inflatable_catamaran.asp

[Buzzcut1]

My Revo 13 Hobie weighs 70 without the drive or seat on board, makes it ok to lift or haul to the roof (one end at a time with a rope) I also pull it around on a wheelie set. some of the launching I go to require a half mile walk from the parking area

[Ski_Pro_3]

Hobies are heavy, but they do pedal instead of paddle.

I have one of the heaviest Hobies, A Pro Angler 14. It weighs about 140 pounds and I have a dolly to roll it around. Using a dolly, it's pretty easy to move around.

[GoinThisAway]

I like that Hobie kayak but at 82 lbs it's a little heavy for me. I've got my eye on the Sea Eagle 385FT Fast Track kayak. It weighs 32 lbs, packs up small enough to easily stow in a TC, and can be used by 1 or 2 persons. Sea Eagle has a sail kit but not as nice as the Hobie sail kit. It might be possible to make the Hobie sail work on the Sea Eagle.

[adamis]

Here is a link to what i already have:

http://www.boatstogo.com/inflatable_catamaran.asp

It is a 14' catamaran that doesn't quite do the job because the inflatable hull isn't rigid enough. My plan is to add a rigid aluminum frame which I think will address most of the issues I have encountered.

I wasn't aware of many of the options posted so thank you for the many suggestions. It certainly gives me some homework to do tonight studying if it's better to build a frame or just shift gears entirely.

[errante]

We have owned several hobies including our current adventure island sailing trimarans. But to the point, we had 2 adventures that we fitted with the sidekick ama kit( a hobie option) which is essentially two inflatable amas. These are side stabilizers that reduce the need for a ballasted keel. I have not looked recently but these were available for their inflatables. It would still be good to use the blades on the pedals as a sort of centerboard. For limited space this is a good option but be aware that for an experienced sailor there is a big difference. That is why we now tow a trailer with our adventure islands. I do not know current costs but hobies are expensive, but worth the cost IMHO. After further research it appears that the amas were not designed to fit on their inflatables. What I have seen must have been semi-custom. Still, the ama kit is inflatable and can be easily stored.

[Dick_B]

We had a Portabote for awhile thinking it would do what you want but it didn't. I'm thinking a catamaran might work. Do a Google search for `portable sailboat' to see what's out there.
As an option put a small hp motor on the Portabote for some fun or just use the oars.

[Ski_Pro_3]

Every Hobie kayak is built to mount a sail. They also make inflatable kayaks. Hobie kayaks use a pedal drive instead of a paddle. Seeing as your leg muscles are at least twice a big as your legs, makes sense. Add a sail to your Hobie peddle kayak and there's really nothing too large to enjoy.

I belong to a kayak fishing group; NCKA Northern California Kayak Anglers. We take 'em out on the open ocean, so if the Pacific isn't too large, then any lake isn't gonna be either! Ha!

Here are a couple photos of inflatable Hobies with sails;





This is a photo of a 14' inflatable Hobie. Notice the pedal drive works as a keel. Just hold the foot pedals so the drives are facing straight down, and there you go! There's even a rudder for help with steering.

[WNYBob]

Rover Bill, is obviously not a sailor! I would not own a stink boat (power boat)

There are many types of light weight sail boats, personally I prefer Catamarans. (I own a 15' catamaran called a Dingo)

Now on subject!
There are many light weight (under 150#) plastic or fiberglas sailboats that may need an ultra small trailer, search day sailors.

[exhaustipated]

Thanks, Eric, for providing the information for the Porta-Bote website. This looks just like what the OP is looking for. I'm going to have to check this out myself if it's not too expensive, but I'll probably be shocked at the price of one of those.

[Buzzcut1]

Hobie Kayak with the Mirage pedal drive. I regularly go 8-10 miles in it on lakes and rivers with my hands free to fish, take photos etc. it also has a sail kit

Hobie Kayak

[moebedick]

I,too am a fan of sailboats. I currently have a 17'4" Compac Suncat that I tow when I know I have a good boat launch near my destination. Other times I go to places you've described (Rangey Lakes,Grand Lake,etc in Maine)and I bring my 14' inflatable Hobie Mirage tandem kayak with pedal drive and a sail kit.It is a wonderful little sailboat and a great flat water kayak. It is easy to put 10's of miles on in a day without becoming exhausted. The tandem Mirage drives act as center boards,while the wide (3+') beam and small sail area make for a very little heel. Since you are essentially sitting at the water line,you become the boats ballast. We carry it on a flat rack on our trailer hitch.
My wife and I have always felt perfectly safe in our little boat,except for our encounter in Pleasant Bay,Chatham,Ma with a great white. Fortunately,it was a very brief encounter.

[skipbee]

We carried a Porta Bote for many years it was a very useful tool. They have a sail rig that should solve your problem nicely.

[kohldad]

Two things to look into would be a Porta-bote which would allow for an engine where allowed and a sail where not allowed.

Other option would be a kayak with an outrigger and sail.

I have no first hand experience, but have looked into them as options.

[Rover_Bill]

Sailboats require a heavy keel to keep them upright in the wind which makes them less desirable as inflatables. IMHO you may want to look at an inflatable “fishing” boat with a small battery powered trolling motor. Easy to store, allowed on most small lakes, rechargeable battery – wind not required.