Cheap rowboat?

April 20, 2008 5:41 PM

Where can I get a cheap rowboat?

I'm looking for a rowboat. Inflatable is fine; I just want something that a friend and I can have fun with on long summer days after having discovered a place to set off from. Budget is around $100, and one of us can't swim.

posted by LSK to travel & transportation (13 comments total)

Craigslist is about your best bet.

However, that being said, you're going to be hard pressed to find said boat AND PFD's for $100. And yea, you need PFD's, usually you're required to have one on board for each person.

A good trick w/ craigslist is to pick a big city near you instead of necessarily your city.
posted by TomMelee at 5:46 PM on April 20, 2008

You budget is going to limit you quite a bit - particularly considering PFDs, as Tom mentions. But, have you considered building one? Plywood construction of small craft is very doable even for those with limited woodworking experience. http://www.instantboats.com would be a good place to start if this interests you. Also, WoodenBoat Magazine (http://www.woodenboat.com/) has a classified section which every month includes a free section - someone's always giving away some sort of boat... you might get lucky!
posted by blaneyphoto at 5:51 PM on April 20, 2008

Where can I get a cheap PFD? I don't even know what price to expect to pay for them.
posted by LSK at 5:55 PM on April 20, 2008

If I were you (and I was once) I'd build a Bolger Nymph. I built mine in a weekend all by myself with hand tools using cheapo plywood from the big box building center. Adding the sailing rig took another weekend, but if you don't want to sail don't bother.
You can order the plans, or do like I did and scale them up from the book.
There are dozens of other plans for small skiffs, dingys and rowing craft available, but I have to say, having built four boats, the Nymph was the most satisfying for the money and time invested.
posted by Floydd at 6:00 PM on April 20, 2008

building plywood boats (semi-selflink) has been discussed on the blue before. The comments on that thread also include a bunch of links to other resources.

If one of you can't swim, that person needs to be wearing a good life-vest PFD at all times on the water. Practice floating and treating water near shore before you go out.
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:03 PM on April 20, 2008

treating=treading
posted by LobsterMitten at 6:06 PM on April 20, 2008

The cheap, uncomfortable orange ones will set you back about $10-$15 apiece at any given big store like Wal Mart. The more comfortable ones that you will actually be willing to wear are closer to the $25-limitless end.

Seat cushions count as PFD's in some locales. We get away with one of these in our canoe, I also like it because it's designed to be throwable. As a BSA Lifeguard, I'm very much a thrower and very little a go-er.

BTW---don't think that because you can swim you don't need a PFD. Shit happens. Heads get bonked, trees get rammed, power boats mock you by bumping you, submerged logs appear. Would that I were you, I'd demand that the non-swimmer actually WEAR his PFD until you've spent several hours on the water. It ain't a joke. Also, avoid alcohol.

One last thing...the class of PFD you want (I think, help me out here folks) is a Class III. That means that regardless of how you hit the water it will put you face up, supporting your neck.
posted by TomMelee at 6:07 PM on April 20, 2008

Type III is the most practical PFD, but it certainly won't ensure that you will float face up. Type II and I are more likely to keep you face up, but are correspondingly more bulky and uncomfortable.
posted by b1tr0t at 6:13 PM on April 20, 2008

Oh, hey! Look at this!
Add a couple of these and you're on the water!
posted by Floydd at 6:13 PM on April 20, 2008

doh! Thanks b1tr0t. My bad.

Please note that the second link that flyodd posted there isn't a PFD, it's a fishing vest.
posted by TomMelee at 6:55 PM on April 20, 2008

Oops.
Um, maybe this would be a little bit safer.
posted by Floydd at 6:59 PM on April 20, 2008

Here is a real Type-III vest. And a Type-I for comparison. No one would call West Marine inexpensive, but then how much is your life worth? On the flip side, a $150 type-III might be more comfortable than a $40 type-III, but may not provide any more safety.

Try to get some swimming lessons for the person who can't swim. Try to take boating or water safety classes. You may find you money better spent on education and safety gear than trying to buy your own boat. Get some friends with a boat. Sailboat owners often need extra crew.
posted by b1tr0t at 7:33 PM on April 20, 2008

Also recommending that, if the idea of building a boat is at all appealing to you, you go down that route. I'm just putting the last few coats of paint on one of these, which I decided to build after reading the post linked to above.
posted by primer_dimer at 5:16 AM on April 21, 2008