Strongly Considering an Inflatable

[trekker9]

Hello All, First post.

I am in the beginning stages of research on an Inflatable boat. I really don't know much about them but am intrigued by the idea of having an affordable boat that I can use on the larger great lakes Rivers for Steelhead fishing, some limited trips out on the big water, and also reaching remote Vancouver Island river's (via salt) for steelhead and Salmon.

I have done alot of research on Saturn, Seamax, and Zodiak. I like the Seamax Ocean 430T (14 foot) but am not sure about the quality of the boat. Can anyone tell me where it is made? I am obviously wanting to avoid anything from China. I am also liking the Saturn's in the 15 & 16 foot models. i also like the higher end boats, but am on somewhat of a budget. I plan on putting a new 4 stroke (probably Honda) on whichever boat I end up with.

My main quetion is: Are these boats realistic for 3-10 hours of fishing on the chopy waters of the great lakes? After talking to several people on various Fly Fishing site's, I would be comfortable buying one for river transport but A big part of the reason I want one is to put my father on lake erie for Walleye. It's not something We would do often, but I want something that i can use a few times a year 9weather permitting) to get him out there on the lake.

Thanks in advance for any advice. I have a lot of questions.

 

[Mlmg]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

I went with a Zodiac over Saturn, Seamax and Newport. I have a Zodiac warranty station within 15 miles of my house and it has a 5 year warranty. Saturn was 3 hours away, seamax to far..and a Newports, well, the folks are nice but I have not heard good things about their boats.

As to the Great Lakes, we may take it out on Lake Michigan but only on very very calm days, so maybe twice a year. It is a very dangerous lake! Most of our running will be on local lakes and rivers..

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

Welcome to the forums,

Saturn are Korean made, not Chineese, both Zodiac and Saturn uses pvc fabrics. A 430 is a roomy sib for large outings for 3-4 passengers and fishing gear, larger is useless unless you will be carrying more passengers and gear all the time, but will need at least a 30 HP engine to move that larger combo. New inflatables should not have tech issues, if going for a Saturn tell dealer to inspect/inflate sib prior to delivery to check for any flaws.

Happy Boating

 

[Spikeo]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

I bought my first inflatable this year "14 ft Mercury 430 Ocean Runner" I was able to get one made of Hypalon for about the same price as PVC. It was a 2011 model year.Comes with a 10 year warranty. I was surprised at how stable these boats are. You can stand and the boat does not list at all. I plan on taking mine out in the ocean off New England when it gets a little warmer.

 

[trekker9]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

Thanks for all of the advice. As far as size, am I gaining a level of safety/stability with a bigger boat that would justify spending the extra money on a bigger motor, or can i expect a similar ride in a 12.5 compared to a 15?

Most of my trips will be 2 people max.

Also, Is there a minimum size tube I should look for?

Thanks.

 

[ssobol]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

I have had my Zodiac on Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. Certainly calm days are more comfortable. You can go fast with a smooth ride. However, an inflatable boat is quite stable and buoyant. When it gets rough, just go slowly. The boat should have no trouble with medium size waves.

A RIB is probably better than a SIB when on bigger water. However, a RIB usually requires a trailer for transport.

A decent used RIB can be found at reasonable prices if you get it second hand.

Other advantages to an inflatable are ease of handling do to low weight, decent (even good) fuel consumption, and ease of towing. A 16' inflatable uses a much smaller motor than a 16 FG boat.

Get the biggest boat you can afford/handle. You'll appreciate the extra room especially on longer trips. You'll also be more comfortable when there are more than two people onboard.

Generally the tube size scales with the boat size. The designer sizes the tubes according to the size of the boat and the expected use. A 15' boat will have ~18" tubes.

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

Where are you storing this thing and how do you plan to transport it? Without a trailer you will get very tired fast of the set up time needed. But having said that I don't use a trailer and only use my 12.5' (JP Marine) in Lake Superior and am two weeks away from a 9 day trip in the Apostle Islands.

 

[Peter_C]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

Anything over a 15hp motor is going to be hard for most people to handle moving around. Anything under a 25hp on a larger boat is going to be gutless. So that brings up the trailer. Do you plan on getting a trailer for it? If so something 14ft plus would be a better bet. Also with dad in the boat you might want a chair of some kind in the middle of the floor. I bring along a camp chair and set it up if we are going to be sitting around for a long period of time. Sometimes I strap the camp chair in and use it when motoring around though.

Depending upon your tow vehicle a small RIB might be an option if going with a trailer.

If you can find a couple of year old boat used on a trailer you can usually get a good deal. Craigslist is a great place to search. Most boats have low hours and just sit around peoples homes until they decide to sell them.

Myself I have an older Zodiac with a 40hp on it. Suits my needs quite well since it is light and can be towed by my vehicle.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

Without a trailer you will get very tired fast of the set up time needed.

I def agree. I got tired of it quickly....and sold mine.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

A 420/430 sib is a carrier for just 2 mates, a 380 will be enough with a 15HP on the back, if can find a second hand Tohatsu 2 strokes 18HP the better. Larger means wider, heavier, more air to pump into. Without a trailer to keep the beast inflated with attached engine at back transom will mean extensive and sweating job, will be bored at max 3 assembly disassembly intents. Used to have a 380 on a trailer and was perfect for 2 + gear. A 460 usually has same characteristics as a 420/430 but tad larger.

Happy Boating

 

[trekker9]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

Where are you storing this thing and how do you plan to transport it? Without a trailer you will get very tired fast of the set up time needed. But having said that I don't use a trailer and only use my 12.5' (JP Marine) in Lake Superior and am two weeks away from a 9 day trip in the Apostle Islands.

Sweet set up. That boat is definately going on my list.


My plan as of now is to get a trailer to go with it. Will I be able to find a trailer that fits the boat, or are some mods gonna have to be done?
Thanks.

 

[ssobol]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

Sweet set up. That boat is definately going on my list.


My plan as of now is to get a trailer to go with it. Will I be able to find a trailer that fits the boat, or are some mods gonna have to be done?
Thanks.

If you get a used trailer from some owner you'll have to set it up yourself. If you buy a new or used trailer from a trailer dealer they might set it up for you. You may also be able to buy the right trailer and have the boat dealer set it up.

I got my Zodiac second hand from a dealer. It did not come with a trailer. The dealer just had me call a trailer place and tell them what I needed (for 16' boat, long tongue). The boat dealer picked up the trailer, set it up for the boat, and but the boat on it. I just showed up and drove the whole thing away. A new trailer for my boat cost less than $1000 including all the delivery and setup.

 

[EarleW]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

I bought a Saturn last year, blew it up in my living room, it's an 11 footer, the thing was a monster really heavy and well made. I don't have a trailer because I have no place to put one, I'll be taking it out for the first time this year, I also bought a 55lb Thrust saltwater electric motor from Bass Pro Shops, it's a prowler. I have an antique 2.5 Johnson that I'm trying to get the water to pump then I would use that on my Saturn it's rated for up to a 15 HP engine. My option for the Saturn was because of affordability and they gave me excellent service. I wrote a review of the boat and they sent me a high pressure adapter for my electric high pressure pump. I'll let you guys know how it went once I get her out on the water.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

There is a huge difference between a 12 and 14 footer. For two people planning to stay on the water for hours, go for the bigger boat. I use an 18hp Tohatsu on my 14' and it's perfect for two adults and two small kids>>>

 

[trekker9]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

I like that boat/size/price. It seems I read somewhere that bench seats aren't available on a 14' Saturn. Is that right.

 

[EarleW]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

I like that boat/size/price. It seems I read somewhere that bench seats aren't available on a 14' Saturn. Is that right.

If you can afford to get the 15 footer, get it, it comes with three bench seats, they also sell a 16 footer, I saw at another website. If I could afford it I would of went for the black 15 footer. For now the 11ft Saturn will do the job, just want to crab and fish and do some clamming. I love the water, but I'm tired of shelling out $100 each time I rent a boat, this Saturn will pay for it self this season alone. Don't let the price of a Saturn fool you they are really tough boats. BTW bench seats are not included on the 14 footer, that's why I never considered getting that model.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

If you plan to have a trailered sib/engine combo with attached seats, consoles, coolers maybe a jacuzzi go for the max size including engine, if without a trailer and open sib, that is without any gadgets living inside think it twice before ordering a large size, will be bored inflating the beast...

Happy Boating

 

[trekker9]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

Well, I made a bid on Ebay for a new 14' JP Marine but didn't get it. Still in the hunt.

As far as a trailer, I have the green light on that from the Boss Woman, so I will definately be sitting it in the garage inflated.

 

[trekker9]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

If you can afford to get the 15 footer, get it, it comes with three bench seats, they also sell a 16 footer, I saw at another website. If I could afford it I would of went for the black 15 footer. For now the 11ft Saturn will do the job, just want to crab and fish and do some clamming. I love the water, but I'm tired of shelling out $100 each time I rent a boat, this Saturn will pay for it self this season alone. Don't let the price of a Saturn fool you they are really tough boats. BTW bench seats are not included on the 14 footer, that's why I never considered getting that model.

Thanks for the info.

 

[kiltedcelt]

Re: Strongly Considering an Inflatable

Something else to consider would be one of the Saturn KaBoats. They are essentially long, narrow, sport boats that can mount a motor on the rear transom. After several years of messing around with inflatable kayaks (two brands, three boats), and a hardshell kayak, I finally hit on the 14' KaBoat as the best boat for my uses. I'm mainly interested in lakes and rivers and to a lesser extent maybe a trip or two out on the big lakes (I live in Chicago). Anyway, I bought a 14' KaBoat a few months back and I've had it out almost every weekend for the last month and a half to two months. The set up time can be a pain in the butt if you only use a hand pump. Even with a hand pump though, I think it typically only took me about 30 minutes at the most to get the whole boat set up and in the water. I recently purchased the battery powered high pressure inflator that is sold to work with these boats. With the high pressure inflator I can have to boat set up in about 15 minutes. Also, the more you set up and take down an inflatable, the more you develop a system. In my case, while the pump is working I'm getting the oars put together and installed as well as taking care of other things like unloading other gear to go in the boat, etc. If you can store a boat partially inflated that's supposed to be the best as it lessens the chance of creasing the pvc, but still if you deflate and store the boat in its bag you just have to be careful not to fold it super tight. My boat will move at a pretty nice clip with a 55# thrust trolling motor and at some point I'd like to get a gas outboard for it as well. The KaBoat in the 14' model can take up to an 8 hp 4 stroke or a 10 hp 2 stroke outboard. Anyway, here are a couple links to check out.

Saturn KaBoat 14'
http://www.boatstogo.com/kayaks_sk430.asp

Saturn KaBoat being used on rivers in Swedish Lapland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uckv3GxdRJE&feature=g-user-u