Marine

GoBoat folds away for space-poor fishermen

GoBoat folds away for space-poor fishermen
GoBoat is a cost effective, collapsible boat for space-poor fishermen
GoBoat is a cost effective, collapsible boat for space-poor fishermen
View 9 Images
GoBoat is currently on Kickstarter
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GoBoat is currently on Kickstarter
The whole package weighs just 15 lb
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The whole package weighs just 15 lb
The boat isn't tiny, but it's still smaller than your average fishing boat
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The boat isn't tiny, but it's still smaller than your average fishing boat
The GoBoat in its smallest form
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The GoBoat in its smallest form
The GoBoat's creators say it takes about 5 minutes to set up
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The GoBoat's creators say it takes about 5 minutes to set up
GoBoat is a cost effective, collapsible boat for space-poor fishermen
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GoBoat is a cost effective, collapsible boat for space-poor fishermen
Unfortunately, the GoBoat doesn't come supplied with a motor
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Unfortunately, the GoBoat doesn't come supplied with a motor
The GoBoat is compact, but is said to be stable
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The GoBoat is compact, but is said to be stable
GoBoat in its various states of completion
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GoBoat in its various states of completion
View gallery - 9 images

For amateur fishermen, there's nothing like getting out of town and casting a line. But it can be tough to find space for your own boat if you live in an urban area, and not everyone is able to hitch up a trailer whenever the urge strikes them. GoBoat aims to solve these problems with a stable fishing boat that collapses to save space.

The boat is made up of an integrated floor, seat and motor mounting unit, which attaches to an inflatable ring. When it's not in use, the ring deflates and the floor folds up, making it small enough to fit into an average hatchback. At 15 lb (7 kg), it's also light enough for most people to lift without trouble.

When it comes time to cast a line, it's simply a matter of using the included pump to inflate the rubber tube and attaching it to the other components.

The GoBoat is compact, but is said to be stable
The GoBoat is compact, but is said to be stable

According to its creators, the design has been honed over 8 years and is stable enough for fishermen to stand up without worrying about taking a tumble. If you're in the mood for a bit of on-water chaos, the boat's ringed design also means it can be used as a kind of dodgem or bumper boat.

Unfortunately, the package on Kickstarter doesn't include a motor, so you'll need to account for the weight and cost of a transom mounted trolling motor. We decided that, if it were us, we'd ignore the little trolling motors you'd find in a Dick's Sporting Goods store and try and attach the motors from, say, the Mercedes Arrow460.

Now that would be a collapsible boat fit for 007...

Currently, the project has raised US$61,042 of its $338,000 goal with 29 days remaining. Pledges range from $5 to $9,950, and you'll need $250 to reserve an early bird GoBoat. If everything goes to plan, the boat will retail for $499, not including the cost of a motor.

A video from GoBoat creator Dave Yonce is below.

Source: The GoBoat

The GoBoat. Personal, Portable Watercraft

View gallery - 9 images
3 comments
3 comments
Aaron Turpen
I have a dual-pontoon kickboat with oars that folds away into a checked bag-sized suitcase, frame and all. I wish the guy who'd designed it had access to Kickstarter so he could have found funding to keep building them. Ingenious design, but 20 years ago, there was no easy to way to put it out there.
Bob Flint
Are any of those users in the video wearing an approved life preserver?
Ever here of a rubber dingy.... some are 3 or more people, for a lot le$$
zardac
This seemed a little familiar, and I remembered a similar design in 1981 Mother Earth News. http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/bumper-boat-water-scooter-zmaz81mjzraw.aspx
The GoBoat is a lot spiffier.