Vespa Scooter on My Boat ?

[VirtualVagabond]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

A year or 2 back someone claimed to have a Hayabusa onboard - but pics never appeared




Di Blasi of America - FOLDING MOTORCYCLE MOTOR BIKE MINIBIKE MOTORBIKE MOPED COLLAPSABLE MOTORSCOOTER PORTABLE SCOOTER MINI-BIKES MINI BIKE PRIVATE PILOTS BOATS SAILING RECREATION TOURISTS ACCESSORIES TRAVEL AIRPLANES ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE

Thanks... looks pretty good, but can she sail? The bike looks pretty good too.

[VirtualVagabond]

Originally Posted by Aussiesuede

How do you get it to and from shore? They won't fit in most dinks. And it would seem that attempting to put a 200+ pound machine, with protruding metal parts, would be a recipe for eventual disaster in an inflatable on the load/unload shoreside. These would be my greatest concerns, but if you can overcome them, then it would be awesome to have the convenience of a full size scooter. We use these as a nice go between:



Lite, easily handled, and miserly on fuel. The even make tow behind trailers for shopping convenience.



As well as detachable seats:

This looks like a good compromise and probably won't have licencing issues. What kind of money does a basic model cost?

[thinwater]

Why not just a full size bicycle on a bike rack?

Sail Delmarva: How to Carry Bicycles Without Origami

Much easier to get on and off, and thus far more useful. I don't understand why so few cruisers carry them; I think it is a matter of feeling they out grew them as children. Everyone other than Americans realizes their efficiency, I think.

[Aussiesuede]

Originally Posted by VirtualVagabond

This looks like a good compromise and probably won't have licencing issues. What kind of money does a basic model cost?

Off brand models start in the $250 range. Actual "Goped" Models start in the $350 range. I know of no jurisdictions which have any licensing rules. Some jurisdictions have helmet requirements. Depending on model, they travel anywhere from 20mph-40mph (the kids can soup em up to go 70mph, but that's just insane). The go from 100 - 200 miles on a gallon of gasoline, depending on model.

They are good, simple, durable means of easily transportable transportation. They even have off road models with greater ground clearance and knobby tires. Best of all, the little buggers are fun, and in more remote locales count on heaps of questions about how they can get their hands on one.

[VirtualVagabond]

Originally Posted by Aussiesuede

Off brand models start in the $250 range. Actual "Goped" Models start in the $350 range. I know of no jurisdictions which have any licensing rules. Some jurisdictions have helmet requirements. Depending on model, they travel anywhere from 20mph-40mph (the kids can soup em up to go 70mph, but that's just insane). The go from 100 - 200 miles on a gallon of gasoline, depending on model.

They are good, simple, durable means of easily transportable transportation. They even have off road models with greater ground clearance and knobby tires. Best of all, the little buggers are fun, and in more remote locales count on heaps of questions about how they can get their hands on one.

That looks good to me. I like the idea of the better clearance, and I assume the knobby tyres are bigger, which could be good for 3rd world country 'highways'!

[GordMay]

Forgo the Vespa, instead utilizing the cargo capacity (weight & space) for cash; which you can use to rent transportation locally.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Aussiesuede

I know of no jurisdictions which have any licensing rules. Some jurisdictions have helmet requirements.

Recently had a friend driving a Goped while wearing a helmet pulled over by police in Grenada and had it confiscated (he eventually got it back). You need a license to drive any motorized vehicle there.

Mark

[Kefaa]

not specific to cruising...
"Some jurisdictions have helmet requirements."
even if they don't you should. There are many countries where a padded armored vehicle is insufficient protection from drivers. I feared more from cabs than entering a busy harbor on power boat day.

A motor bike (depending on the location) has a different range completely than bikes, or Gopeds, or even electric assist. That "30 mile" trip into the mountains is something beyond most of us in a single day unless we have a motorized option. However, to GordMay's point - then cash may be the better option as you bypass all the local issues (unless you do not have a drivers license at all)

Some locations require that you have sufficient insurance at home or you buy it there - often at ridiculous markup (Boston-Logan airport for example ) Regardless, you should ask your insurance company about some liability in case your Goped/bike/scooter/soda can is knocked over, and puts a 12 inch scratch into the door of the Ferrari someone parked next to it.

Another option is probably expensive except for do it yourself types. I saw guy with a folding scooter in Washington DC. A motorcycle shop had "re-engineered" it to bend so he could get it into the trunk of his compact car.

[boatman61]

I've known a few with older versions of these... great little run abouts... funny as hell when you see a 6ft+ guy around 200lbs on one tho...

[bouncingyellow]

I have done a bit of research and found the pgo ligero 150 2012 PGO Ligero 150 - Scootersales.com.au News it is the lightest and most powerful in it's class and half the price of a vespa, me and a friend sailed down the east coat of Australia with our Chinese Vespas onboard and had the best time exploring new ports but that was on the captains 160 ft converted bulk carrier, anyway I plan on fitting this scooter aft of my centre console a jarkan 10.5, loading should be quite simply as I have a folding aluminum ramp i think it would be to heavy to winch with a halyard, does anyone now what the swl of a typical halyard.

[Boracay]

What about this one - 35lb!

[S/V Alchemy]

I don't know if you have mobility issues, but a Vespa will rust like Granddad's underpants in a salt environment. I would not bring a motorized anything on deck unless it was in a sealed box.

I was going to bring bicycles, but the same problems with rust are issues. Secondly, bikes are everywhere. What isn't everywhere are modular panniers and cargo carriers you can bolt on (and off) whatever beater you acquire for the time you are requiring it.

So maybe (if you are fit enough) forgo the Vespa, and get some decent bike bags.

I dealt with this a couple of years ago on my boat blog, and haven't really changed my mind since:

The world encompassed: Two wheels good: To bring or borrow a boat bike

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

I don't know if you have mobility issues, but a Vespa will rust like Granddad's underpants in a salt environment. I would not bring a motorized anything on deck unless it was in a sealed box.

I was going to bring bicycles, but the same problems with rust are issues. Secondly, bikes are everywhere. What isn't everywhere are modular panniers and cargo carriers you can bolt on (and off) whatever beater you acquire for the time you are requiring it.

So maybe (if you are fit enough) forgo the Vespa, and get some decent bike bags.

I dealt with this a couple of years ago on my boat blog, and haven't really changed my mind since:

The world encompassed: Two wheels good: To bring or borrow a boat bike

Nice blog and good points / solutions

FWIW, as indicated in my previous posts - I have an eye on a Di Blasi folding electric moped

Having seen and lifted up one in person (When the battery is removed both are easily liftable in one hand (battery obviously easier!) - with battery fitted two hands is not a struggle) an easy transition from Dink to Boat / Dock.

My plan is to fit it into wheeled luggage (soft - not Samsonite!), both for onboard storage down below (security and salt) and also when ashore - i.e. no longer worried about leaving the moped unattended (even if locked) - as you simply take it with you .....on the road the bag will be used backpack style - either empty or with shopping (not a lot of built in carrying capacity anyway).

Not exactly a cheap solution (to being lazy / extending cruising range inland) - but plan is to also use as a substitute for a Vespa on my commute (10 / 20 minutes on the flat).

I will keep CF posted on how all that goes.........

[S/V Blondie-Dog]

I've always been an enthusiatic proponent of motor scooters but I certainly wouldn't want to have one aboard my boat.

In fact, I once purchased a virtually brand-new scooter at a heavily discounted price from a sailor who soon concluded that it was too problematic to get it on and off his boat.

I routinely rode that scooter all throughout the town of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. It was fun, inexpensive, basic transportation.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1142990...17220556841330

[Wavewacker]

Well, I was sure I asked about hauling a bike here, a 650 Transalp. Anyway, LordMay has the best suggestion IMO, rent one! Insurance and icense are taken care of, no documentation except for your license if required, may not be for 50cc jobbers.

Boatman61 has a great little bike there and with off road tires would do well on the mild stuff. I had a Bennelli 65cc that was very similar and it would hit 60mph on the road. But, the smaller the wheels the worse it is to control the bike as the slightest movement of the bars can make a quick turn. If you are thinking of getting off road, fields or open spaces at any speed fater than walking, small wheels can hurt you real quick, go with the largest diameter you can so that hitting a small bump or ridge won't pull the wheel in a different direction.

When I was trying to figure out how to use my Transalp dual sport, I heard the salt issue, you can wrap them and salt water will not get in, just humidity, you can also rinse it regularly and wipe it down, keep the chain well lubed and sprockets oiled, etc.

I also hear the weight would effect the CG of the boat and performance, well, sure it would, but no more than a fat guy on board and you can lash anything with some mods to where it would not budge an inch.

My situation is different in that I expect to be in isolated areas, if you are going from one civilized are to another, I'd rent it!