Best Inflatable for me

[lncoop]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

Okay. I gotta have one. Let the wheelin' and dealin' begin! Thanks again DR.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

Okay, more questions. DR, how do you store and transport your 15 footer? What kind of maintenance do you have to perform on it?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

Well, I keep it inflated for about half the year on a flatbed trailer (modified from Harbor Freight) that I use to launch directly into the water.

For the rest of the time I deflate and store in the bags that came with the boat.

Maintenance is a once per season cleaning and engine check and oil change. I spray the entire boat with UV protectant before every outing. That's about it.

There are many trailer options out there, to include no trailer at all. If you're interested in a flatbed set up, I can fill you in on the mods required.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

Excellent. Thanks. Still trying to decide between 12' and 14'. I'm leaning toward 12' because I think I'll get enough for my current rig to get a raft and used short shaft outboard. If so, I'll be able to replace the jon boat and trailer in a couple months and won't have to depend on the raft for activities better suited to aluminum. Hope I'm not jinxing myself! Don't want to count my chickens........... Thanks again DR. I really appreciate the guidance. This is entirely new territory for me.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

I've decided on the SD365 and am almost ready to pull the trigger, but I'm wondering about horsepower. Don't want to use my 18hp Merc because it has a long shaft, so I'll end up selling it and buying another outboard. I hope to stay in the 15-25 range, but can I expect decent performance from a 9.9? I ask because that size is pretty ubiquitous around here, so I'd likely be able to get a good one pretty cheap. Also, just curious. Did you buy your Saturn through Boatstogo? I'm just wondering what to expect with regard to customer service.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

Well, the 9.9 will plane the boat with a light load. For river running, it's probably the ideal motor actually. You don't need to plane anyway, it's more of a controlled drift, right. Plus it's light and can be tilted out of the water quickly and easily.

But, you did say you wanted to use it on lakes too in place of your aluminum rig, in that case 9.9 won't cut it with more than just yourself on board. My boat is heavily outfitted and with 2 adults and a full load, the 18hp 4 stroke is the minimum. Barely adequate. My dream motor for lakes on this boat is a 30hp 2 stroke.

I did get my boat through boatstogo. I have not had any issues with the boat, so no reason to test their customer service. I did communicate with them in email after I first purchased it about accessories and they replied the same day and were helpful. It's a good point you bring up and something to consider. For the price vs. quality of these boats, I was willing to take the chance. I can imagine that if there should be a problem during the warrantee period that it would likely be a hassle, or at the least inconvenient.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

I do plan to use it primarily for river running. Assuming I can fund raft and motor from sale of current rig I'll be able to pick up another jon in the near future, so I'm not too worried about speed. What I'm finding around here is most people say short shaft when they really mean standard shaft. Examples:
http://littlerock.craigslist.org/boa/1922302619.html I believe this to be a true short shaft, albeit overpriced for this market. http://littlerock.craigslist.org/boa/1914161797.html This one I believe to be a standard shaft. I'd much rather have it, especially in terms of bang for buck, but I don't know if the tail's too long for the intended application. I've really enjoyed talking with you and I appreciate the guidance.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

Yeah, it's hard to go wrong with that Johnson 15. It would be a perfect motor for you. You could ask the guy to measure it. 15" from where it rests on the transom to the anti-cav plate is a short shaft as you know. Or just post a picture of that motor on the Johnson/Evinrude forum here on iboats and someone will be able to tell just by looking at it.

It's always nice to chat with an inflatable enthusiast! I hope you get everything set up just perfect.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

Already got an answer. Short shaft. Hopefully I can get to it before someone else. Bit of a drive for me.

 

[jspringator]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

I have a Yamaha 15 2 stroke on my SD365. With a double (side by side) fixed seat that boatstogo sells, it will plane with 2 adults and a child. A lower pitched prop would make it plane easier though. I almost never see conditions where WOT would be useful. I had a 1975 Evinrude 25 horse on it at first, and it was much more powerful. Not nearly as smooth or easy to pull start as the Yamaha.

On a river trip I failed to notice the choke flap wasn't closed all the way and couldn't start it. I damaged nerves in my right arm that required months of physical therapy to fix. The little Yamaha is MUCH easier to pull. The 'Rude was ethanoled on my last Florida trip, so I went on and bought the 2 stroke 15 horse Yamaha. They weight the same though. The Evinrude is for sale if anybody is interested. I only recommend it for 30 year olds with strong right arms!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

Sounds like a 9.9 would be adequate then if it came to that? Again, it would be fun to go 30mph across a lake on a raft, but that's not why I'm buying it.

 

[kobe24]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

im also about to purchase a saturn 12'. im gonna use it for offshore ocean fishing.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

Sweet. Haven't pulled the trigger on mine yet, but I will soon. No oceans here, but from what I've seen and read it's fine for that. However, unless you have a compelling reason for wanting the 12' model you might consider going up to the 14 footer. It's only a couple hundred bucks more and has a hard floor and a lot more interior space. It would be better suited to your application. I'd love to have one, but I need the portability of the inflatable floor.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

Still leaning toward the SD365 and well matched outboard, but I ran across this http://littlerock.craigslist.org/spo/1918850537.html and would like some input. I'm wondering if I could add a frame and have the rig I want for camping and fishing river runs. I know absolutely nothing about it, but if I liked it I could probably get them down even more since there's not much of a market for these around here. I don't know what brand it is, but I don't think there's a self-bailing cheapie on the market.

 

[kobe24]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

man i would love the 14' but i dont have much storage space. i'll most likely settle with the sd365 with a 9hp motor. cant wait!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Best Inflatable for me

I understand the air deck is very rigid, so you should be fine with the 12 footer. You can always make your own rigid floor if you decide you want one.