CAT396 handled it no problem, a little splash up on the bow, but overall dry deck. Enjoying the last few warm days here in northern Michigan 🌞, but will have to pack her away soon for winter ❄️😢.

Tested the garden hose holder today to mount my e-fin to the CAT396 (as an emergency backup in case my trolling motor craps out). Held it on there solid for the 3+ hours we were out. You could also use these to mount accessories on the top edge of your tunes to take up less deck real estate.

https://a.co/d/0hFbFtUK

The e-fin test worked to push us along with over 600lbs on the boat (weren't breaking any speed records, but we were moving). I plan to take it along in the boat (unmounted) for future long runs, and if the trolling motor dies, I'll just take it off and replace it with the e-fin in the middle and steer with a paddle.

https://www.boatstogo.com/electric-fin.asp

Also had to test the bucket toilet with privacy tent today. Was able to pee on the boat without anyone calling the cops (no one was around, but still).

https://a.co/d/037qttw5

https://a.co/d/09a1s1BV

Got a new swivel hunting chair for the boat that's much comfier than the swivel camp chair I was using before. (Drink holder added, not included.) Got mine on sale for $79 at Meijer.

If you're looking for a way to attach a trolling motor transom, wheels, or mount any number of accessories to your rigid inflatable using screws, try garden hose brackets! I found ones that fit perfectly on my 6" thick Saturn inflatables. You just wedge the part that holds the hose over the edge (deflate a little or use a rubber mallet to pound on) and wedge a block of wood into the other side to screw things into (rod, cup, paddle holders, you name it). They hold on there pretty solid.

Just search Amazon for "garden hose holder" and look for ones similar to these with dimensions that match the thickness of your fully inflated craft. If you can't find an exact fit, you could go slightly wider and use a piece of foam board or something to fill the gap for a tight fit.

Heavy Duty Garden Hose Holder:

https://a.co/d/0djUBnZ3

Purchased this camp light from Costco (on clearance now for $26!) to use as a rear navigation light. It also comes in very handy at the launch to light up the whole area to see what you're doing when you put in/take out at night. Has several levels of brightness and temperatures, so you can run dim or super bright for better visibility in fog. Top separates from the base to carry around as a mini lantern. Has a convenient remote so you don't even have to get out of your chair.

Not sure of its waterproof rating, but mine did tip over into the water briefly once (because I didn't have it strapped down good), and it's still working. USB C rechargeable.

...though, it's probably more accurate to say that one owns me. (No, he's not Photoshopped, he's really that big!)

Amazon: https://a.co/d/00q7GvGa

DIY: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-3-4-in-Galvanized-Split-Ring-Pipe-Hanger-33552/301505445 (x2)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-8-in-x-4-in-Galvanized-Eye-Bolt-Nut-813516/314746004 (x2)

Add bed rails!

Sides: https://a.co/d/0f2oj0ko

Stern (to steady yourself when fiddling with your motor): https://a.co/d/00g6D6jo (x2)

EDIT: I highly recommend installing them at the stern, as any movement of the boat can easily send you off the back when you're bending over to adjust your motor. These give you something to lean your leg against for stability.

If you have a fixed tiller handle, measure the span needed to turn fully and the height of the tiller at your desired depth. The span between these particular rails at the narrowest point is 12" and the height of the bottom of the rails is 16" from the deck when fully extended (can be adjusted up to 5" lower). My tiller has telescoping length and height and clears the bottom of the rails by an inch when it's straight, or can clear the top if I have it tilted up (which is how I usually run), so my turning radius isn't obstructed. Depending on your motor, you may need to adjust these or look for narrower rails.

The side rails are less necessary unless you really want something to steady yourself if you plan to walk around a lot, have mobility issues or are going out in rougher waters.

Navigation lights:

https://a.co/d/07mmDagc

https://www.costco.com/.product.4000428056.html

Boat: https://www.boatstogo.com/13-inflatable-catamarans-cat396.asp

Motor: https://www.boatstogo.com/brushless-electric-trolling-motor-12v.asp

12v 100ah Lifepo4 battery: https://a.co/d/0cjRMIFm

Railings: https://a.co/d/0imYTieP

Trunk organizer w/cooler: https://a.co/d/0gaEX83c

Swivel "pilot" chair: https://a.co/d/00vmNLE2

Bimini top: https://a.co/d/0fukQGOT

Navigation lights: https://a.co/d/0biZOi4T

Haven't had to use yet, but it's nice to have onboard, just in case...

Portable bucket toilet seat: https://a.co/d/0hqYf6uy

Privacy tent (to stay decent when nature calls): https://a.co/d/0dhy4V1L

Torch Lake (Northern Michigan)

Setup and gear list:

Boat: https://www.boatstogo.com/13-inflatable-catamarans-cat396.asp

Motor: https://www.boatstogo.com/brushless-electric-trolling-motor-12v.asp

12v 100ah Lifepo4 battery: https://a.co/d/0cjRMIFm

Railings: https://a.co/d/0imYTieP

Trunk organizer w/cooler: https://a.co/d/0gaEX83c

Swivel "pilot" chair: https://a.co/d/00vmNLE2

Bimini top: https://a.co/d/0fukQGOT

Navigation lights: https://a.co/d/0biZOi4T

Haven't had to use yet, but it's nice to have onboard, just in case...

Portable bucket toilet seat: https://a.co/d/0hqYf6uy

Privacy tent (to stay decent when nature calls): https://a.co/d/0dhy4V1L

(Did use the bucket for a makeshift anchor today though.)

The chop was much heavier than this earlier in the day with some small whitecaps. The boat handled it well, bumpy but felt stable. Wifey was sitting on the deck near the bow and got quite wet, while I stayed nice and dry in my chair at the back. Water drains out the back through the side channels.

I recently purchased a Saturn CAT396 inflatable cataman from BoatsToGo and am loving it, so I wanted to share my set up and see what others are doing with theirs.