Takacat 380 LX Inflatable Catamaran

Description

We have the Takacat 380 LX for sale, the boat many owners call the sweet spot of the Takacat range. It is a 12 foot 5 inch inflatable catamaran that carries six people, weighs about 92 lb, and is the first size in the LX series with two air chambers in each tube. It is new, it carries the Takacat warranty, and we ship it worldwide.

Fishermen like it for its stability. Divers trust it to carry heavy loads home. Families like that it seats five adults comfortably and still packs into the back of a car. This page goes through the specifications, the design, outboard choice, setup, care, shipping and the questions we hear most.

Takacat 380 LX for sale: Specifications

Specifications are for the PVC version and are subject to Takacat’s published tolerances. Your boat’s capacity plate is the final word on load and power.

Why the 380 LX Is the Sweet Spot

Smaller Takacats are light enough to toss on a yacht deck, but they fill up fast with people and gear. The bigger 420 LX and 460 LX carry huge loads but weigh more and need more motor. The 380 LX sits right in the middle.

It has a long enough waterline to plane easily with a full load, enough room for five adults and gear, and two chambers per tube for added safety offshore. Yet at about 92 lb it is still a boat one fit person can set up and two people can carry with ease. For a lot of buyers, that balance is exactly right.

Takacat itself describes the 380 LX as the big brother of the 340 LX and the first model with multi chamber tubes. It also notes the extra buoyancy and space for more passengers or bulky dive and sports gear.

How the Catamaran Hull Helps

Most inflatables use one V hull. It pushes water aside and leans when weight moves. The Takacat uses two separate tubes with a tunnel between them. Water flows through instead of being shoved out of the way, so drag is lower and the boat sits level.

Two hulls also track straight. Under oars or at slow speed, the boat goes where you aim it. At speed, air gets trapped in the tunnel and softens the ride. The idea came from Thundercat surf racing boats, and Takacat founder Greg Sowden spent years refining it in Auckland, New Zealand before the range launched in 2007.

Key Features of the Takacat 380 LX for sale

Removable Tube Transom

The transom is a stainless frame that slides in and out of sleeves in the tubes. Remove it and the tubes roll down small. The open stern also means water cannot collect on deck. Spray and rain run straight out.

Open bow

The front of the boat is open, held by webbing straps. Step straight onto a beach or dock. Swimmers and divers climb back aboard over the bow instead of hauling themselves over a tube.

Two chambers per tube

The 380 LX is the smallest LX with four main chambers. If one section is punctured, the rest keep you afloat. That extra margin is why many owners take this size further offshore than the smaller models.

Raised air floor with keel

The floor inflates to 10 psi, stays above the waterline and has a keel. Take it out and you have a stand up paddle board for the kids while the boat is at anchor.

Rubber tube protection

Heavy duty rubber on the underside of each tube resists wear from beaching and loading.

Who Buys the Takacat 380 LX for sale

Fishermen

This is a fishing favorite. The wide, flat deck lets two or three anglers cast without stepping on each other. The boat stays level when someone leans over to land a fish, and the shallow draft gets you into flats and creek mouths.

Divers and spear fishers

Dive teams like the payload and the open bow. Tanks, weights and catch bags sit low on the floor, and tired divers can roll back in over the front.

Families

Five adults fit comfortably, or a family with kids, a cooler and beach gear. The stable hull feels safe for first time boaters.

Yacht, RV and camper owners

As a tender, the 380 LX carries a cruising couple and a full load of provisions in one trip. On the road, it packs into the storage bay of a motorhome.

Rescue and coaching

With 4 + 1 chambers, a raised floor and an open stern, it suits flood rescue, safety boats and coach boats for sailing and rowing clubs.

Choosing an Outboard for the Takacat 380 LX for sale

The listing covers 2.5 hp to 20 hp on a short shaft. That range is wide on purpose.

• 2.5 to 6 hp for a tender that putters to shore and back. Light, cheap to run, easy to lift.
• 8 to 9.9 hp to plane with one or two people. A good choice for solo fishing.
• 15 hp for planing with three or four aboard. The most popular pick.
• 20 hp for full loads, divers and gear, or rough water.

The long waterline of the 380 LX helps it plane with a small outboard and a light load, which is where it beats shorter inflatables. Always follow the capacity plate for maximum power and engine weight.

We stock motors to match: Tohatsu 6 HP outboards, Mercury 9.9 HP outboards, Tohatsu 15 HP outboards and Suzuki 20 HP outboards. Prefer silence? Our Torqeedo electric motors are a great match for the efficient hull. Ask us for a package price on the Takacat 380 LX for sale with a motor.

How the Takacat 380 LX Handles

Open the throttle and the boat lifts onto the plane without the bow pointing at the sky. You can see over the front, and passengers stay comfortable. The catamaran hull holds a straight line, so steering takes little effort.

In a light chop the ride is drier than you would expect from a 12 foot inflatable. The tunnel between the tubes cushions landings, and the open stern clears any water that comes aboard.

At rest the 380 LX is steady. People can move around, stand to cast, or kneel at the side to look over a reef without the boat rolling much.

Rowing is realistic too. The supplied oars and low drag hull let you row a fair distance if you prefer a quiet approach or the motor is out of action.

Setting Up the Takacat 380 LX for sale

There are no floorboards or heavy transoms to assemble. With the supplied manual pump, setup takes roughly 8 to 15 minutes. An electric pump cuts it to about 5 to 8 minutes.

1. Inflate the tubes to 3 psi.
2. Slide in the Tube Transom bars. Rub soapy water on the sleeves to help.
3. Fit the motor mount boards with the supplied eye bolt.
4. Insert the floor and pump it to 10 psi.
5. Strap the bow D rings together.
6. Fit the oars.
7. Mount the outboard.
8. Check safety gear, local rules and the weather.

Packing up takes about the same time. Deflate the floor, pull the transom, roll the tubes from front to back and bag everything.

Storage and Transport

Rolled up, the tubes measure about 130 x 40 x 30 cm. That is small enough for a hatchback, a sail locker or a cupboard. You avoid trailer costs, ramp fees and the space a rigid boat needs.

For summer use, many owners keep the boat inflated and fit Takacat’s quick release wheels so they can roll it down the beach. Others carry it assembled in a pickup bed for the season and roll it up when it gets cold.

Build Quality

Standard tubes are welded from 0.9 mm, 1000 denier PVC, which is light and tough. Hypalon tubes are available at extra cost and last longer in strong sun and heat, which suits tropical cruisers.

Pressure relief valves come standard. A rubbing strake protects the sides. The transom is 304 stainless and the motor board is waterproof painted plywood. Takacats from 2.5 m and up carry CE certification and are built to ISO 6185 2.

New Tubes, Same Boat

Tubes are the part of any inflatable that wears out first. With a glued transom, worn tubes usually mean a new boat. With a Takacat, you buy a replacement set of tubes and fit your existing transom and floor. It is quicker and far cheaper, and it keeps the Takacat 380 LX for sale valuable for years.

Takacat 380 LX for sale vs Nearby Models

380 LX or 340 LX? The 340 LX is lighter and a great two person day boat. The 380 LX adds length, an extra seat and multi chamber tubes, which matters for heavier loads and trips further out.

380 LX or 380 S? Same length and capacity. The LX has the open bow for easy boarding and beach landings. The Sport (S) has a closed, tapered bow that throws less spray in open water. Pick the bow style that suits how you use the boat.

380 LX or 420 LX? Step up to the 420 LX if you want bigger 22 inch tubes and more stability at rest for fishing or hunting with three or more people.

Fishing From the Takacat 380 LX for sale

Anglers get the most out of this boat with a little planning. Run a short anchor line from the bow D ring so the boat swings head to wind and stays steady. Strap a cooler in the middle of the floor where it doubles as a seat. Clamp on rod holders along the tube handles, or use a simple rod rack across the transom.

The shallow draft is the secret weapon. You can slide over sand bars and weed beds to reach water that bigger boats skip. Kill the motor and row the last stretch, and the twin hulls glide in quietly without spooking fish. When you hook something big, the wide stance means you can stand, fight and land it without anyone grabbing for the side.

Diving and Snorkeling Tips

Dive crews often load the Takacat 380 LX for sale close to its limit, so weight placement matters. Lay tanks flat along the centre of the floor and strap them to the D rings so they cannot roll. Put weight belts forward to keep the bow down on the way out. When divers return, pass up the gear first, then let them climb in over the open bow. It is far easier than climbing over a tube from the side, especially in a swell.

Fly a dive flag, keep a boat tender on board when divers are down if you can, and anchor clear of the reef to protect it.

As a Yacht Tender

On a cruising boat, the Takacat 380 LX for sale earns its place. It tows straight and does not hold water thanks to the open transom, so it will not swamp behind the yacht. At anchor it carries a crew of four and a week of groceries ashore in one run. On passage it deflates and rolls into a cockpit locker, which keeps the deck clear and the boat safe from waves.

If you prefer to lift it onto the foredeck inflated, the light weight helps. Two people can hoist it aboard with a halyard and a bridle clipped to the D rings.

Electric or Petrol Power?

Petrol outboards give the most range and speed for the money, and they are easy to refuel anywhere. Electric motors are silent, have almost no maintenance, and are welcome on lakes and reservoirs that ban fuel. The efficient twin hull of the 380 LX stretches battery range further than a heavy monohull would. Many owners keep a small petrol motor for long runs and an electric motor for quiet fishing and lake days.

Popular Setups

Weekend fishing boat. 15 hp tiller, rod holders, anchor and a cooler. Planes with two anglers and gear.

Dive tender. 20 hp, tanks strapped low on the floor, dive flag, anchor in the bow. Divers climb back over the open bow.

Cruising couple’s tender. 6 hp, wheels for beach landings, waterproof bag for shopping. Light enough to haul onto the deck.

Quiet lake explorer. Torqeedo electric outboard and a spare battery. Silent, clean and legal on lakes that ban fuel.

Through the Seasons

In spring, unroll the Takacat 380 LX for sale, check the valves and do a shakedown run. Through summer, keep it shaded when parked and watch tube pressure in the heat. Autumn is prime fishing and diving time, and the stable deck shines. Before winter, wash and dry it, roll it loosely and store it somewhere cool and dry, safe from rodents.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Soft floor. Pump to 10 psi with the gauge, or the boat flexes and slows.
• Too much motor. Stay inside the capacity plate for power and weight.
• Weight all at the back. Move gear forward to keep the bow down.
• Storing it wet. Dry it fully to avoid mildew.
• Dragging over rock or shell. Lift it or fit the wheels.

Care and Maintenance

• Rinse with fresh water after salt water trips.
• Dry completely before rolling up.
• Keep it shaded when parked and use UV protectant on PVC.
• Let a little air out on very hot days.
• Check valves and the underside rubber every season.
• Carry the repair kit for quick fixes.
• Service the outboard on schedule.

Before winter, wash and dry the boat and store it loosely rolled in a cool, dry place away from rodents. Service the motor at the same time and the Takacat 380 LX for sale will be ready for spring.

Safety on the Water

Carry a life jacket for everyone, plus a bailer, horn or whistle, light and anchor. Registration and equipment rules vary by country and region, so check yours before your first outing. Never overload beyond the plate, and tell someone ashore where you are going. You can read more about the full range on the official Takacat website.

Takacat Warranty

PVC and Hypalon tubes are covered for 3 years against defects and deterioration that affect usability, such as ageing, cracking or delamination. Air filling pipe seams are covered for 2 years. Parts and equipment, including the high pressure deck, carry handles, D rings, bow, seat, lid, paddles and oars, are covered for 2 years from purchase against defects in material and structure.

What Comes in the Box

The Takacat 380 LX for sale ships with the tubes, the Tube Transom and motor boards, the high pressure floor with keel, an inflatable seat, a manual pump and gauge, a repair kit, two oars and two carry bags. Adhesive is not in the repair kit because it cannot travel by air, so buy a tube locally. Useful extras include an electric pump, beach wheels, a bow bag and an anchor kit.

Shipping Worldwide

We ship the Takacat 380 LX for sale to buyers around the world. Packed in two bags, it costs far less to freight than a rigid boat. Tell us your country and nearest city and we will quote door or terminal delivery, with a matching outboard in the same shipment if you like.

Please review our terms and conditions and refund and return policy, and see our customer reviews.

Quick Buying Checklist

• How many people will usually be aboard?
• Mostly fishing, diving, tender work or family fun?
• Do you already own a motor? What power and shaft length?
• Where will you store the boat?
• PVC or Hypalon for your climate?
• Open bow (LX) or closed bow (S)?

Buy the Takacat 380 LX for sale From Us

NJ Marines Outboard Engines is based in Fresno, California, and supplies boats and outboards worldwide. Call or WhatsApp +1 209 690 5983, learn about us on our about page, or message us through the contact page. Tell us how you plan to use it and we will suggest the right motor.

More Takacat Boats

• Takacat 460 LX for sale
• Takacat 420 LX for sale
• Takacat 340 LX for sale
• All Takacat inflatable catamarans
• The full shop

FAQ: Takacat 380 LX for sale

Is the Takacat 380 LX for sale new?

Yes, new with the Takacat warranty.

Does it come with a motor?

No. The $2,824 price is for the boat. Ask us for a package.

How many people can it carry?

Up to 6 people or 1,410 lb.

What is the best outboard size?

15 hp suits most owners. The range is 2.5 to 20 hp on a short shaft.

How heavy is it?

About 92 lb complete.

Is it safe offshore?

It is built for inshore and coastal use. Its two chambers per tube add a safety margin, but always watch the weather.

Do you ship the Takacat 380 LX for sale worldwide?

Yes. Send your location for a quote.

Final Word

If you want one inflatable that fishes, dives, carries the family and still fits in the car, the Takacat 380 LX for sale is the one to beat. Order today, or message us first and we will help you pair it with the right outboard.

Browse more Takacat inflatable catamarans or see all our outboard engines for sale. Questions? Call or WhatsApp +1 209 690 5983.