Takacat Inflatable Boat Review

Catch-up

Here's a first for my blog. Today I have a guest writer by the name of David Evans writing an article for me. David, as in husband, lover, best friend, chauffeur, photo model, dump station attendant and fisherman. Yes THAT David.

There have been many times over the last 3 years when we've been asked how we find our Takacat inflatable dinghy, so David decided to write a review of it for the blog. 

When we decided to follow our dreams of exploring New Zealand in our 5^th Wheeler home, a boat of some kind was always going to be on my shopping list. Obviously it was going to have to fit the guidelines of minimum storage size and weight, easy assembly and practical transport for two people.

Iveagh Bay, Lake Brunner, West Coast

As a previous motor-launch owner I had experienced using an inflatable tender and was quite comfortable with the air boat concept so consequently, I spent a considerable time evaluating what was available and what would easily fit across the front of the wellside on our Ford Ranger utility.  

That's the boat; ahead of the gate separator. 

There are quite a few brands of inflatable on the market in the 3-4 metre range, most have blow up keels and mainly have, either partitioned marine ply or an aluminium floor. The Takacat inflatable, however, is different and comes with a very innovative separate air floor. This caught my attention and encouraged me to take a closer look.

It's also important to set your criteria as to what use you are going to require from your boat and in my case I wanted to be able to use it off the beach where practical and on the many lovely lakes that New Zealand is famous for. 

North Mavora Lake, Southland

Trout fishing was a top priority for me, as was exploring the lakes and also having a stable platform for Shellie's photography. 

Glendhu Bay, Lake Wanaka

Safety was also paramount as I am very often fishing in the boat on my own and usually a fair distance from home base. Performance at reasonable planing speeds was a must to cover ground quickly as conditions can often change very quickly, especially on the mountain lakes.

Taking all these things into account, the unique features of the Takacat Lite were starting to add up to being the ideal inflatable for our needs. Firstly, and most importantly, the ability to re-board by coming in over the front end (that actually comes down to meet you) after an accidental dip fully clothed or otherwise, had great appeal to me being an older boatie. 

Secondly the boat is very easily driven with its raised air floor and only the pontoons in the water which would also equate to less power and engine weight being required. It is exceptionally easy and pretty quick to inflate, or deflate for that matter, into a nice small manageable package. 

Finally, a big plus was the very helpful attitude extended by the owner of the company, Greg Sowden of Takacat, to my many questions and queries. His genuine enthusiasm for his unique product was very infectious, well founded and easily absorbed into one's decision making. 

Consequently for me, little further thought was needed and a decision was made to purchase a Takacat Lite in the 3.4 metre configuration. My engine choice was a Mercury 8HP 2stroke which is light enough to manhandle on and off the boat and it also offered good all-round performance giving me a top speed of approximately 14 knots (25kms). 

With my first Takacat I also invested in a quality set of Beachmaster Dingy Wheels which transformed my life and made for simple launching and retrieving, even on very rocky beaches. Also for ease I purchased a 12volt electric pump to save my wife (haha) having to use the hand pump.

My time on the water in the Takacat to-date, whether in blustery or calm conditions, sea or lake, has been great and very pleasurable. I certainly have never been looking for more power although they are rated up to a higher 15hp. 

North Mavora Lake

I am often being asked whether water comes over the front and I can honestly say it never has in my case. However, I think I am a very prudent boatman and never push the boundaries. When planning in higher winds I always move my body weight into the centre of the boat using my tiller extension, even though in the worst conditions I have never felt it would flip backwards.

When Takacat inevitably introduced a newer model with optional beach wheels & built-in rod holders, I was very impressed with their decision to also run with an ‘open transom’ concept and a much modified, stiffer air floor. I have always been a great fan of open transoms since racing Sunburst sailing dinghies in my younger days. The open transom empties water very quickly after a capsize, through very large openings in the transom. Another excellent safety feature.

I loved the new features and it was an easy decision to upgrade. As already mentioned I have never taken any water into the boat but I feel even more relaxed now with the thought that I will never be required to hurriedly bail out in a worst case, rough water, scenario. The new floor has been manufactured in a much heavier material and also has a 3M reinforced surface bonded onto its top which resulted in much improved stiffness throughout the whole boat.

I cannot imagine how things might improve further and I continue to love every minute I spend in my boat, be it fishing or just cruising. I highly recommend the Takacat as very worthy of your consideration if you're thinking about purchasing an inflatable. 

Emerald Bluff, Lake Wanaka