RE: Using a rubber boat to access hunting area?
 

I think it is a great idea, especiallythe trolling motor. You don't need to get all sweaty.

RE: Using a rubber boat to access hunting area?
 

Been looking into it myself. I'd say nothing short of a light weight aluminum that is able to carry the load. Learn the laws before buying one, many require some form of licencing.

RE: Using a rubber boat to access hunting area?
 

I've had the same thought. I was thinking about getting one of these inflatable boats from Cabelas. You can hook up a small gas or a trolling motor. I could throw this in the back of my truck with no problem. The capacity is as much as 1200 lbs, so I could easily throw a deer and all my gear in there.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=search&id=0001377010841a&a mp;navCount=6&podId=0001377&parentId=& masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=I H&rid=&parentType=&indexId=cat601995&a mp;hasJS=true

RE: Using a rubber boat to access hunting area?
 

If you're going to paddle, a canoe is the only way to go. Paddling a rubber inflatable is a very frustrating experience. With no keel, it is impossible to travel in a straight line and being so light it is blown around by the slightest wind. After your first adventure in the raft, you'll want to put a broadhead through it. If you choose a canoe, the fiberglass or plastic ones are light and quiet. Aluminum is light, but definitely not quiet. If you are going to use the trolling motor, a square-sterned Ghenoe type boat is a good choice. They are usually a little wider and more stable than most canoes. Personally, I like to paddle a canoe into those out of the way, water accessible spots. It just gives me a little more satisfaction to do it the old fashioned way. In choosing a paddle, a long handled two-bladed kayak paddle works much better than a standard canoe paddle for me.

RE: Using a rubber boat to access hunting area?
 

i would maybe think about an aluminum canoe. at least where i'm at there are many cypress knees and other obstacle that could go to work in a bad way to the bottom of a rubber boat

RE: Using a rubber boat to access hunting area?
 

I would get a canoe or even a small alumanum boat and put a trolling motor on it,one fully charged marine battery will get u there and back no problem.

RE: Using a rubber boat to access hunting area?
 

I used an aluminum canoe with great success. I would rather have had a fiberglass one but all I had was alum.. There was some public land that had a boat access across the lake, 2.5hr walk in from the road access, 3 min canoe ride. I actually timed it. The amazing thing was how far you can paddle in 3 min.. Some advise, always tie everything to your canoe, put carpet inside to quiet noise, take a chain and lock so noone can steal it, put the foam floaties on the rails to keep them from being banged by the oar. I stuffed foam sheeting under the center rail in case I ever flipped, so it would keep the canoe afloat. I never flipped but had someone tell me about drowning a $1000 gun and never finding it. If you have a canoe - I highly recommend it. Let the other hunters push the deer to you. Opening day of rifle/ muzzleloader are great times.

RE: Using a rubber boat to access hunting area?
 

Well, has anyone used one of those fold-up style canoes? I could put that thing in the back of my SUV, no trailor, no one knowing how I'm accessing the place, they'd just think I was walking inas usual. I was actually looking at that fishunter rubber boat from cabela's but dragonslayer1 brought up a good point. It would be difficult to paddle that thing.

Also, if I hada canoe with a small trolling motor, could I use it in a river too? Itsa 20-30 yard wide river, not real swift current but enough to make me nervous ( I can't swim, but ALWAYS wear a life jacket). Or would that be an accident waiting to happen?

Thanks so far for all the replies.