Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

[pirateman54]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Don't buy an inflatable. Especially don't buy a west marine inflatable. They are made of hypalon and they get holes very easily moving them around. West marine does not honor the warrantee. The boats is made by zodiac so you muct deal with them even though it says west marine all over it. The old cruisers I know all use a 10 to 13 foort solid dinghy like a whaler, carlolina skiff ect and just tow it. I picked up an old dell quay 12 with a 25 hp motor. Unsinkable , fast , very stable. The walker bay with rid ring is a great dinghy. I had one and it lasted for years. The rid ring makes it stable and unsinkable. It is also light. You can put a sail kit on it as well. Just stay away from hypolon boats. waste of money.

 

[pirateman54]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

also just to add I have had problems cruising with a 3 hp motor or less. when dealing with tide flows you can get into real trouble with an underpowered boat as I'm sure you know.

 

[Melly2912]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Ok now i have someone saying dont buy an inflatable or west marine? Word was out im looking and a friend said he has a trusted friend selling a zodiac fastroller 310. I actually took a ride in it in he river with a 9.9 hp and it was nice. Its 1997 and he hasnt abused it at all. He said he wants 600 for it so i offered him 500. He is going to think about it. Before i go ahead with this am i making a good purchase? Its a lighter model, no patches, clean. And a good size. If i got 4-5 years out of it i would be happy. I just cant afford a trailer and bigger boat right now. This inflatable would only be used in very small lakes, rivers, and bays. Need your help guys

 

[Guest]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Ok now i have someone saying dont buy an inflatable or west marine? Word was out im looking and a friend said he has a trusted friend selling a zodiac fastroller 310. I actually took a ride in it in he river with a 9.9 hp and it was nice. Its 1997 and he hasnt abused it at all. He said he wants 600 for it so i offered him 500. He is going to think about it. Before i go ahead with this am i making a good purchase? Its a lighter model, no patches, clean. And a good size. If i got 4-5 years out of it i would be happy. I just cant afford a trailer and bigger boat right now. This inflatable would only be used in very small lakes, rivers, and bays. Need your help guys

Your fine with an inflatable, I think pirate just had a bad experience. Some of the people that here like Ronald and sea rider have been using inflatables for a very long time, I believe sea rider been boating for over 20 years

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

I've had my quicksilver for nearly 6 years and it was new old stock so it is closer to 8 years old. To show you how much faith I have in it, I re-registered it and plan to give it to my nephew, if he stays out of trouble and promises to go out with the "old man" from time to time, lol. If the boat was taken care of you should be fine. It helps that the places you will be going are a little bit more protected than open ocean (though a large lake can catch you by surprise... or so i've been told).

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

I love you videos hauling arse on the bay, watching you tear on the bay looks like fun

+1

My inflatable boat does not do that.

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Ok now i have someone saying dont buy an inflatable or west marine? Word was out im looking and a friend said he has a trusted friend selling a zodiac fastroller 310. I actually took a ride in it in he river with a 9.9 hp and it was nice. Its 1997 and he hasnt abused it at all. He said he wants 600 for it so i offered him 500. He is going to think about it. Before i go ahead with this am i making a good purchase? Its a lighter model, no patches, clean. And a good size. If i got 4-5 years out of it i would be happy. I just cant afford a trailer and bigger boat right now. This inflatable would only be used in very small lakes, rivers, and bays. Need your help guys

Did you ever get 5he boat. The Fr310 is a very nice boat. It is light to carry and you can get away with a small motor because of how it is built. It is also actually made in france and the seams are welded and not glued as the version made in china is. If you need anything for it let me know. I leave very close to a zodiac dealer

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Need help purchasing a Inflatable Boat

Pirateman, did you stepped on a West Marine sib with track shoes ? WM sells pvc and hypalon sibs as well. Inflatables are not kevlar made, so expect punctures, cuts, abrassions if you are a careless boater when moving sib around. Melly, if boat being offered is in mint condition as you say, go for it. Good purchase for 500 bucks, if seller finally accepts offer. A min 5HP to max 9.8 would be the way to go, for lady portability, if 2 strokes, much lighter. Enjoy Summer.

Happy Boating