Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

[smashed]

Hi guys! My first inflatable is an intex mariner 4 that I paired with a 55 lb thrust minn kota el motor, which is a good combination for about 3-4 MPH and a couple hours on the water. And life was good... until I stumbled at this forum and saw the hard floor modifications of the mariner. So I decided to buy a 9.8 hp 2 stroke tohatsu (less than 60 pounds) motor for my modified floor. The problem is that I can't get more than 6-7 miles out of this set up - I didn't figure it out at the time, but such vessel is impossible to get on plane.

So I have decided to buy one of those inflatable that are really rated for 10-20 hp motors. The usual prices are above 1000, more like 1200-1500 for a boat of 11-12'. So imagine my surprise when I saw the Zodiac 350S 2011 model for 699 at Defender. I live in NJ and am planning to go to their store in CT. As there is a no returns policy for the inflatables there, do you think that I should be concerned dealing with this seller? Are they dependable?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Guest]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Hi guys! My first inflatable is an intex mariner 4 that I paired with a 55 lb thrust minn kota el motor, which is a good combination for about 3-4 MPH and a couple hours on the water. And life was good... until I stumbled at this forum and saw the hard floor modifications of the mariner. So I decided to buy a 9.8 hp 2 stroke tohatsu (less than 60 pounds) motor for my modified floor. The problem is that I can't get more than 6-7 miles out of this set up - I didn't figure it out at the time, but such vessel is impossible to get on plane.

So I have decided to buy one of those inflatable that are really rated for 10-20 hp motors. The usual prices are above 1000, more like 1200-1500 for a boat of 11-12'. So imagine my surprise when I saw the Zodiac 350S 2011 model for 699 at Defender. I live in NJ and am planning to go to their store in CT. As there is a no returns policy for the inflatables there, do you think that I should be concerned dealing with this seller? Are they dependable?

Thanks in advance!

I seen that price on defender 2 days ago and my jaw dropped. I don't know much about them but Iboats store offers free shipping. I spoke to iboats about the worry of getting the boat and it having leaks based on what I have read on other forums "that some boats come with leaks from oem because they don't test them" iboats said they would take care of that if it happened to me. But a store in ct wow did not know that I live in nyc and did not know that but thanks for info. I have the 350 zoom, great price but feels cheap and flimsy. used the floor 2 times and paint cracked on board 2 (1st board after bow board) going to spend an extra 250 for air floor from a Saturn. (not the best fit but assembly should be a breeze) if you keep your boat always inflated it should be a good boat

I ordered a magazine catalog from them and it looks legit. prices on other things from them are a little on the high side

 

[smashed]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Yes, the store seems legit, I spoke with customer service 3 times, as I had questions, and every time different representative responded. Seems to be a larger company (not enough info to judge, though). However the store is on the far end of CT, near New London.

Good to know that the boat feels flimsy. I am a bit withdrawn by this. I also found other thread that states that a Zoom had transom detaching from the tube in just a season or two. This may still be an isolated case, but the owner says he stored the boat in a cool place and didn't keep it in the sun.
It is astonishing that my Mariner 4 still holds well after 2-3 years and a Zodiac will suffer such damage. The post was from 2010 but the boat looked the same shape and color pattern as the ones I see on todays adds for Zodiac Zooms.

Weimed, could you please answer another question I had - are there relief valves on the tubes?

Thank you!

 

[Guest]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Yes, the store seems legit, I spoke with customer service 3 times, as I had questions, and every time different representative responded. Seems to be a larger company (not enough info to judge, though). However the store is on the far end of CT, near New London.

Good to know that the boat feels flimsy. I am a bit withdrawn by this. I also found other thread that states that a Zoom had transom detaching from the tube in just a season or two. This may still be an isolated case, but the owner says he stored the boat in a cool place and didn't keep it in the sun.
It is astonishing that my Mariner 4 still holds well after 2-3 years and a Zodiac will suffer such damage. The post was from 2010 but the boat looked the same shape and color pattern as the ones I see on todays adds for Zodiac Zooms.

Weimed, could you please answer another question I had - are there relief valves on the tubes?

Thank you!

To tell you the truth I don't know. I use an air mattress pump and top off with a foot pump. Zodiac pressure gauge is 100 bucks. Don't feel like spending that on a gauge. Sorry, wish I had an answer for you

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

I was out with weimed the other day and didn't notice a pressure relief valve. It is its own valve on the tube. You'll know it when you see it because it is the only valve you can't blow up/ put air into. Looks more like a small futuristic manhole cover. FWIW, I like that I have one but think it is somewhat overrated. Although the air in the boat expands in the sun, you'd really have to be pushing it (overinflating) to get one to pop... in the water, now if you overinflate it and leave it out in the sun on dry land... that might be another story but it is a bad way to treat a beloved object, lol.

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Btw Smashed, where did you get your 9.8???!!! I was looking all over for one. They are rarer than 20 carat yellow diamonds it seems, and almost as expensive if you see one!! Lol. The fact that you found one is comforting. I want to give my second boat to my nephew and figured that 9.8 was a perfect combination between weight and power.

 

[smashed]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Thanks for your replies guys. I too can't see any extra valves which I find awkward, although it is a low budget boat. I noticed a couple of posts stating the importance of inflating the tubes to optimal pressure (3.4 psi I believe). However if such inflation is done in the early morning at lower ambient temperatures and then later on a sunny day direct sunlight hits the tube then the pressure will get significantly higher. Absence of such valves unavoidably makes me question how well these dingies are designed. Here is a link to a thread with pictures of the disintegrating Zoom, that I mentioned earlier: http://forums.iboats.com/inflatable...cessories-tips-tricks-accessories-612252.html.

Sinistre, I was lucky to find the engine on e-bay a couple of hours after the add was posted. The engine looks brand new, the owner thinks it has less than 30 hours on it. The price was $700 which I even thought is low. However I have no idea if the engine functions properly, never had a boat planning with it. I just ordered a tachometer and was planning to do some testing, but I must get a boat first as a test on a trash can will probably not do the job. I am curious if it will get to operational rpm (at 5000-6000 rpm). I also ordered a pressure gauge to test the compression. With a second hand motor and this one being so low hours, one never knows how well the brake in period of the engine was done, but I hope that I will get lucky and everything will be alright. Btw, I found a bit of sand under the cover at the bottom of the engine. I wonder what could have caused it. There are 3-4 tiny drain holes on the bottom of the lower plastic cover. I just hope that when accelerating his boat near the shore, the previous owner had the engine too low and a bit of the top part was submerged in the water - just enough to get small amount of sand ans water in the engine compartment, but not enough to damage anything I hope. We will see. On the mariner it seemed ok, but what do I know about outboards - this is my first one.

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Check very well for rusting and such under the cowl and if you are able, flush out the engine and change the oil. Just in case the sand you see is Sandy... I heard some people were unloading boats and or motors that got swamped during the storm. I think it isn't really a problem as long as it is taken care of post dunking. In either case, I would have jumped all over that 9.8 Sandy or not!! Very great price and if she looks good she is, or can be with a little effort. Sweet catch. From what I've read you will only lose a little bit of oomph to a decent 15 and might put a 15 past it's prime to shame. Those motors are supposed to be some wunderkind! I just got a Saturn so I can't say anything about it's longevity/ durability but I can say it compares favorably to my Mercury Quicksilver that is about 8 years from it's Manufactured date (6 years ownership NOS). The Saturn is not quite Zoom cheap but still what i'd consider affordable. Though there is something to be said for having a store "nearby" in CT. BTW, whereabouts are you? Maybe when you are all set up you can join us for a SIB meet up


As for the Sunny day pressure thing, it does take a little while and it is not likely to happen on the water. It goes something like this.... Pump up to optimal pressure, say 3.4... the time it takes to get loaded and in the water, on a hot sunny day you maybe get up to 3.8/ 4 still within the safety limits manufacturers build in, you put boat in water (always cooler by many degrees) and temperature drops pressure down to 3.2 or less, as it will be cooler than it was when you first pumped it up on shore! If you are lucky on a strong sun day the temp/ press may rise enough on the water to get you back close to 3.4... maybe... Unless you have a black boat!! The time to be concerned in my opinion is pull out. When you come back to shore and the boat is sitting in the sun you are generally slower (tired) and not necessarily thinking about that boat sitting in sun. I let air out of all chambers pretty much as soon as I can when done boating. Don't need to empty it or get it soft just enough to release some pressure. That way you have a cushion/ margin of error, but still have a boat stable enough to move around and manipulate.

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Hi guys! My first inflatable is an intex mariner 4 that I paired with a 55 lb thrust minn kota el motor, which is a good combination for about 3-4 MPH and a couple hours on the water. And life was good... until I stumbled at this forum and saw the hard floor modifications of the mariner. So I decided to buy a 9.8 hp 2 stroke tohatsu (less than 60 pounds) motor for my modified floor. The problem is that I can't get more than 6-7 miles out of this set up - I didn't figure it out at the time, but such vessel is impossible to get on plane.

So I have decided to buy one of those inflatable that are really rated for 10-20 hp motors. The usual prices are above 1000, more like 1200-1500 for a boat of 11-12'. So imagine my surprise when I saw the Zodiac 350S 2011 model for 699 at Defender. I live in NJ and am planning to go to their store in CT. As there is a no returns policy for the inflatables there, do you think that I should be concerned dealing with this seller? Are they dependable?

Thanks in advance!

Try to find a local dealer if you can. I almost bought from them but went to annapolis inflatables in Annapolis Md. because they are an authorized zodiac dealer. They did the registr ation for me and gave me a high pressure gauge. They also yave me my boat numbers that actually stick on the boat. I dont know which Iis closer to you. If you will be launching alot and you dont have a trailor you have to go air floor. There are a few of us here who learned that lesson the hard way. You may also want to contact Coastal Inflatables. They carry the same boats as Saturn but they sre also in Ct

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Defender is a huge boating store, lots of years on bussiness, stocks the largest brands and sizes than any other boating store. Should honor well their warranties.

Happy Boating.

 

[smashed]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

You make me feel good about this engine, haha. I new I had a good purchase, but boy, now I think I scored!! I thought that this little tohatsu will not be powerful enough, but I certainly hope it compares to the 15 hp as I really don't want to spend more money now on a bigger engine. I decided to get a Saturn SIB 13 or 14 feet. I really like the 14' a bit more. It is sexier with that black strip all over the top of the tube. My concern was that I will be underpowered with the 9.8 tohatsu. Actually I know the boat will be underpowered, there is no question about it, but I was just hoping that it can get on plane and make at least 13-15 mph with the 9.8 engine.
Which Saturn did you buy, Sinistre? I live close to New Brunswick in New Jersey. I recently found that I must have a Safety Boating permit (or license) to operate a boat in the NJ waters. I was boating (occasionally) for 2-3 years with my mariner 4, without knowing I need one. Once I obtain the permit I will love to join you for a ride on the water! Thanks for the invitation!

 

[smashed]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Try to find a local dealer if you can. I almost bought from them but went to annapolis inflatables because they are an authorized zodiac dealer. They did the regist re ation for me and gave me a high pressure gauge. They also yave me my boat numbers that actually stick on the boat. I dont know which Iis closer to you. If you will be launching alot and you dont have a trailor you have to go air floor. There are a few of us here who learned that lesson the hard way. You may also want to contact Coastal Inflatables. They carry the same boats as Saturn but they sre also in Ct

Thank you for your input Ronald and Sea Rider. I will consider Coastal inflatables, especially as they have a 12.7' with an aluminum floor, which is 2/3 the weight of the Saturn. I departed from the idea for a Zodiac and am leaning toward the Saturn line. I really like the 14' but don't want to end up with a bad match - a 14' with a 9.8 engine. So I will be relying on the knowledge and opinions I can gather in the forum.

Ronald, what did you mean by learning about the air floor the hard way? If it is just because the handling of the weight I (think) am willing to put the extra effort. I saw Sea Rider emphasizing that a hard floor handles better in the water, and don't plan to stay with the 9.8 forever. I really like that the Saturns (Coastal too) can handle larger engines (up to 40 hp for the 14 footer and 30 for 13').

Thanks!

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

I really like the 14' but don't want to end up with a bad match - a 14' with a 9.8 engine.

A 14' inflatable is HUGE
I had a 30HP on mine and it still was fairly slow with more than 2 people.

I used the roller trailer for my 175 i/o and it was a good fit - I think many people do not realize how big a 4.3m inflatable is -it's a beast- not like a 14 tinny.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

So, are you going for an inflatable or alum panel deck, in which size ? Some considerations : You are probably confusing a 9.8 to a 9.9 HP, both different CC horses. A 9.9 is the detuned model to it's older 15 HP brother.

Will be extremely underpowered with a 9.8 and a 430 mt sib. A 380 with a 9.8 will be more suitable. Check if you can get a 2 strokesTohatsu 18 HP,nice engine, will plane a 380 well and a 430, but not heavily loaded though.

Happy Boating

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Thank you for your input Ronald and Sea Rider. I will consider Coastal inflatables, especially as they have a 12.7' with an aluminum floor, which is 2/3 the weight of the Saturn. I departed from the idea for a Zodiac and am leaning toward the Saturn line. I really like the 14' but don't want to end up with a bad match - a 14' with a 9.8 engine. So I will be relying on the knowledge and opinions I can gather in the forum.

Ronald, what did you mean by learning about the air floor the hard way? If it is just because the handling of the weight I (think) am willing to put the extra effort. I saw Sea Rider emphasizing that a hard floor handles better in the water, and don't plan to stay with the 9.8 forever. I really like that the Saturns (Coastal too) can handle larger engines (up to 40 hp for the 14 footer and 30 for 13').
I
Thanks!

If you have a trailor then a hard floor is a no brainer.
If you dont then yes the weight is an issue. A high pressure airfloor and keel will save you 100 pounds or more depending on boat size.
There is a difference between high pressure floors and keels. They range from 3.8psi whicch is not high pressure to as much as 15psi. You have to have a high pressure pump for anything over about 7psi.
Not trying to spend your money but you have to decide if you want interior space over speed.
After you decide on engine size. You buy as much boat as you can handle that will mate up to the engine.
Boat outside length is not as important as the interior space. I would use this boat to get your feet wet. When it comes time for a larger boat you will probally want a Rib boat with center drive and a console

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

@Smashed.. I have the 365. Haven't had it on the water yet. When I went out with Weimed we took my Quicksilver 340. There is a more sizeable difference than the numbers would suggest as boat is both wider and longer AND most importantly (IMHO) the tubes are substantially bigger giving the boat a much more beefy appearance. I'd try the Saturn in 12 or 13. 14 is BIG and a bit more work, though the room is nice if you are planning to have guests often. Decide that up front. I'm out solo most of the time so i'm glad I didn't go much bigger, and still big enough for the occasional fishing buddy or pair of cruisers. If going it your own often 380 is as big as i'd get and honestly maybe too much for 1 person. 340/350/60 probably better. The 9.8 should get you right at or just under 20 mph on a boat that size in ideal conditions. Otherwise 15-19 not bad for the weight trade off! If you go bigger boat and decide to sell the 9.8 motor, give me a shout out!

BTW, they other cool thing about Saturn for me at least is they have all kinds of cool accessories made for their line of boats and we get to trick out our rides! Lol.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Defender is a great store. Period. Their customer service is first rate, and their prices are many times better than you will find elsewhere.
I bought a new fridge (Isotherm) for our last boat from Defender, and the whole transaction was flawless.

 

[fbpooler]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

You have the 9.8 HP, so purchase a suitable boat. Don't expect it to plane a very large craft.

I would not take anything for our 9.8, as the weight is easily handled and the engine is a good design.

 

[Guest]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

@Smashed.. I have the 365. Haven't had it on the water yet. When I went out with Weimed we took my Quicksilver 340. There is a more sizeable difference than the numbers would suggest as boat is both wider and longer AND most importantly (IMHO) the tubes are substantially bigger giving the boat a much more beefy appearance. I'd try the Saturn in 12 or 13. 14 is BIG and a bit more work, though the room is nice if you are planning to have guests often. Decide that up front. I'm out solo most of the time so i'm glad I didn't go much bigger, and still big enough for the occasional fishing buddy or pair of cruisers. If going it your own often 380 is as big as i'd get and honestly maybe too much for 1 person. 340/350/60 probably better. The 9.8 should get you right at or just under 20 mph on a boat that size in ideal conditions. Otherwise 15-19 not bad for the weight trade off! If you go bigger boat and decide to sell the 9.8 motor, give me a shout out!

BTW, they other cool thing about Saturn for me at least is they have all kinds of cool accessories made for their line of boats and we get to trick out our rides! Lol.

when you plan on selling your Johnson give me a shout out lol

 

[smashed]

Re: Buying an inflatable from Defender's store. Anything wrong with that seller?

Thanks everyone for your input. Apparently I will have to downsize to an air floor and a 12 footer. I think a Saturn 365 will be the boat. Coastal inflatables don't have an 12' air floor, just aluminum which is about 300 dollars more. The boat is just 5 pounds heavier though, so I am considering that one too (oops, their showroom is in NH not CT, so this one may be out). There is a video of the Coastal 365 with a 9.8 Tohatsu 4 stroke. The weight distribution is not great on the video, but the boat is planning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPwgyGaZ8MQ With a deep cycle battery in the front and my lighter engine I hope my setup will look better haha.

Sea Rider, I know I got the lighter Tohatsu 9.8 2 stroke and not the 9.9 which is a 15 hp with a smaller carb. However I didn't know that the 9.9 will be considerably more powerful, if this is what you are saying. If I had the 9.9 I could have done the carb swap I guess. But no, my engine is the 9.8 lighter version, which I can comfortably handle. At one point I was looking at the 20 hp 4 strokes and thought I will be able to handle them at 120 pounds, but boy, was I wrong. That will be a beast.

Now, as Boatstogo.com are out of stock for the Saturn 365, I was happy to find another distributor - saturnrafts.com. The price is identical and the shipping is even cheaper there, like 50 bucks. Will take a look at the details now.

Once again I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge everyone and for making helpful suggestions. I hope I made the best decision with 12' and air floor. I appreciate it very much! And Sinistre, you will be the first to know when I decide to sell the 9.8 engine!