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

[Sinistre1]

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

Took a quick look see at the video you linked. You will be in much better shape. That is NOT your engine at all. The only thing they share in common is name and "size". The video motor is a 4 stroke, heavier, slower out the hole, not as much guts! Yours should punch above that weight class pretty well. With the 365 you should plane one up in 2 seconds or less, 2 up 4 secs or less, i'm sure of it... providing you balance everything out. Even unbalanced, I showed Weimed that we could get on plane nearly instantly 2 up. 2 strokes just wind up faster/ better. Sorry about the Saturn.. that size seems to sell out fast. I think it really is the sweet point between niiiiicccceee and holy ***** in the weight and size dept.

My phone is now programmed... you can make that 9.8 call at any time, lol.

 

[Sea Rider]

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

A pity Saturn doesn't have an air deck 385, what deslike much about this brand is that all their bow shapes corresponds to the "nose" model, stretches too much at bow and rests opt space to place a standard 6 gal fuel tank or carry bulky gear up front.

Buy along with sib a Bravo Sup hand pump to fully inflate tubes and air deck or top both once sib is on water after some minutes rest for pressure to stabilize. Pump comes with a gauge, it's not stated if comes as a separate pressure gauge or it's attached to pump's system. Bear in mind that if attached to pump inflation system, front hose adapter will need to have a bayonet adapter to maintain valve opened to read properly while handle is left at a stop.

Happy Boating

 

[smashed]

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

Well, as the 12' are out of stock, I decided to get the 13' hard floor. I will be compromising a bit on speed and a lot in set up effort, but I hope I don't regret it. If I get to hate the hard floor I will buy an air floor for the Saturn 365 model - the size must be the same, just a bit shorter. I just have to make sure that I will have access to the keel inflation point with an air floor on the Saturn 385.

Also, with the wooden floor I could use some fasteners to put a barrier that will prevent the gas tank or whatever I want to put in the front corner of the boat from slipping back.

Sea Rider, I am ordering the Bravo Sup pump too, I like that the gauge is separate. I thought that as I won't have the air floor I can skip on the expensive pump and use the generic one provided in the package, especially that the tubes have the safety valves. However to avoid the chances of going underinflated, which may also probably put more strain to the construction of the boat, I will get that Bravo SUP pump for the additional 60 bucks.

I will see how the motor will respond to the weight of the boat. Just got a tachometer and will keep an eye on the rpm at different loads. I can always downsize on pitch a bit. I am considering a hydrofoil for the 9.8 or the lifters from the accessory page on the BoatsToGo website. At some point I will go for a bigger engine, I am sure.

I must also get the wheels that attach to the transom. I will try to find a topic in the forum where different wheel options were discussed.

Thanks again everyone! Be well!

 

[Sinistre1]

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

Well, as the 12' are out of stock, I decided to get the 13' hard floor. I will be compromising a bit on speed and a lot in set up effort, but I hope I don't regret it. If I get to hate the hard floor I will buy an air floor for the Saturn 365 model - the size must be the same, just a bit shorter. I just have to make sure that I will have access to the keel inflation point with an air floor on the Saturn 385.

Also, with the wooden floor I could use some fasteners to put a barrier that will prevent the gas tank or whatever I want to put in the front corner of the boat from slipping back.

Sea Rider, I am ordering the Bravo Sup pump too, I like that the gauge is separate. I thought that as I won't have the air floor I can skip on the expensive pump and use the generic one provided in the package, especially that the tubes have the safety valves. However to avoid the chances of going underinflated, which may also probably put more strain to the construction of the boat, I will get that Bravo SUP pump for the additional 60 bucks.

I will see how the motor will respond to the weight of the boat. Just got a tachometer and will keep an eye on the rpm at different loads. I can always downsize on pitch a bit. I am considering a hydrofoil for the 9.8 or the lifters from the accessory page on the BoatsToGo website. At some point I will go for a bigger engine, I am sure.

I must also get the wheels that attach to the transom. I will try to find a topic in the forum where different wheel options were discussed.

Thanks again everyone! Be well!

Trust me.. you do NOT want to inflate that size boat with only the hand pump that comes in the saturn package, or any hand pump for that matter. Those 18" tubes hold a LOOOOTTTTTTT of air and you will be pooped before you even get out. Get something, anything, to get most of the air in there as fast as possible, then, if you must, use the hand pump for the rest.

Looking forward to having another meet up. Hopefully you'll be able to attend or we can get out to your neck of the woods... the more the merrier and I would love to see what the 13ft and AL floor look like in person... hey, there's a;ways X-mas!!

 

[Sea Rider]

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

Before ordering a sup pump check witch model is being delivered with sib, probably a low volume basic foot pump. If so, check if you can exchange that one for the sup model and pay the price difference. If sib will be constantly inflated/ deflated could buy an air blower for tubes to take shape and air top with sup pump. Saturn's 385 air deck should match keel air valve.

Happy Boating

 

[smashed]

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

Yes, I don't want to inflate it with the manual pump either. I used to do that with the Mariner 4 thought, and it wasn't that bad - 10-15 minutes. The tubes on the 385 however hold more air I suspect, as the tubes are 18 inch in diameter. I am not familiar what the valves on the Saturn look like though, they seem more sophisticated and my electric airbed pump may not fit, I will play with the adapters when I the items arrive. I will call boatstogo to see if they can exchange the pump, good idea. I am considering the electric pump they offer.

Sinistre, I like the idea to join you for a day on the water. Would love to cross the bay through Sandy Hook instead of driving, wont happen with the 9.8 though, haha, will need a 25 for this. Before coming I want to make sure the boat is planning with this motor. Will do the tests on a nearby lake. We will arrange to meet sometime in August. Great, I am looking forward to it!

 

[ronaldj]

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

Well, as the 12' are out of stock, I decided to get the 13' hard floor. I will be compromising a bit on speed and a lot in set up effort, but I hope I don't regret it. If I get to hate the hard floor I will buy an air floor for the Saturn 365 model - the size must be the same, just a bit shorter. I just have to make sure that I will have access to the keel inflation point with an air floor on the Saturn 385.

Also, with the wooden floor I could use some fasteners to put a barrier that will prevent the gas tank or whatever I want to put in the front corner of the boat from slipping back.

Sea Rider, I am ordering the Bravo Sup pump too, I like that the gauge is separate. I thought that as I won't have the air floor I can skip on the expensive pump and use the generic one provided in the package, especially that the tubes have the safety valves. However to avoid the chances of going underinflated, which may also probably put more strain to the construction of the boat, I will get that Bravo SUP pump for the additional 60 bucks.

I will see how the motor will respond to the weight of the boat. Just got a tachometer and will keep an eye on the rpm at different loads. I can always downsize on pitch a bit. I am considering a hydrofoil for the 9.8 or the lifters from the accessory page on the BoatsToGo website. At some point I will go for a bigger engine, I am sure.

I must also get the wheels that attach to the transom. I will try to find a topic in the forum where different wheel options were discussed.

Thanks again everyone! Be well!

You will either need a battery pump or an electric pump. The coleman battery powered air mattres pump wcrks well.
No matter what they say. You will be exhausted trying to inflat the boat by hand or by foot

 

[Guest]

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

My mattress pump is bad arse! Gets each tube it's form in 5 seconds. Then I use foot pump which takes about 2 min per tube and 1 min for keel

 

[smashed]

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

I ordered the Bravo electric pump. I think that the gauge is mandatory for me to have in order to control the pressure when on the water. I have never dealt with the Naru inflation valves on the Saturn and don't know whether my mattress pump would work or not. The other option was a mattress pump (Coleman) and the Bravo SUP hand pump combination which would have cost me roughly 80 bucks - 65 less than what I paid for the el. Bravo. I hope that the electric Bravo pump will last for the life of the boat at least.

I really wanted to have a separate gauge though. I would prefer to leave the electric Bravo in the car (as it is bulky and probably heavy) and take with me on the boat just the generic hand pump that comes with the boat, and the gauge. However the gauges are with a scale from 0 to 15 which means that I will not get an accurate reading of my tubes. The pressure in the tubes must be in the 20-25 kPa range (2.9-3.6 psi). Ideally the scale of the gauge will be from 0 to 5 psi but I couldn't find such. I will get the 0-15 gauge probably and see how reliable it is. Here is a link to the gauge I found: http://www.amazon.com/PRESSURE-GAUGE-INFLATABLE-BOAT-RAFT/dp/B00CU45MJS/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_d_15 This may well be the gauge supplied with the Bravo SUP manual pump.

 

[Sinistre1]

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

Weimed, i meant to ask, what brand/ model is your mattress pump ?

 

[jrs_diesel]

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

I use a 115 Volt AC air mattress pump made by Coleman. You can find them at Walmart and other places that sell camping supplies. They make a 115 Volt AC pump, one that hooks up to a car battery, and one that take 4 D batteries. Think they even have a portable one that is rechargeable now.

 

[Guest]

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

I ordered the Bravo electric pump. I think that the gauge is mandatory for me to have in order to control the pressure when on the water. I have never dealt with the Naru inflation valves on the Saturn and don't know whether my mattress pump would work or not. The other option was a mattress pump (Coleman) and the Bravo SUP hand pump combination which would have cost me roughly 80 bucks - 65 less than what I paid for the el. Bravo. I hope that the electric Bravo pump will last for the life of the boat at least.

I really wanted to have a separate gauge though. I would prefer to leave the electric Bravo in the car (as it is bulky and probably heavy) and take with me on the boat just the generic hand pump that comes with the boat, and the gauge. However the gauges are with a scale from 0 to 15 which means that I will not get an accurate reading of my tubes. The pressure in the tubes must be in the 20-25 kPa range (2.9-3.6 psi). Ideally the scale of the gauge will be from 0 to 5 psi but I couldn't find such. I will get the 0-15 gauge probably and see how reliable it is. Here is a link to the gauge I found: Amazon.com: AIR PRESSURE GAUGE FOR INFLATABLE BOAT RAFT: Sports & Outdoors This may well be the gauge supplied with the Bravo SUP manual pump.

You can do what's better for you but I did a little bit of search and found that these bravo pumps run 130+ dollars so here is my suggestion If you want to cheap out. 1 mattress pump from Walmart = 10.00. One scoprega universal gauge for 19.99 = 30 dollars and all you have to do is spend 5 extra min topping off your boat with stock hand/foot pump. If your unhappy with mattress performance buy. Bravo the 10 bucks is worth a try

 

[Guest]

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

Double post

 

[Sea Rider]

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

Smashed,

Don't buy the Amazon pressure gauge, will need to dive next to deck to read numbers. That model is a push and screw gauge, and dial could be stopped at any confy/unconfy reading position. You could buy any air mattress pump, down issue would be if end hose adapter will match current sib's air valve. If not, buy a spare naru adapter.

Naru and bayonet end adapters are same brothers, just different names, will fit Halkey Roberts original and clone type air valves. According to Saturn's web page, sibs comes with a standard basic hand pump, the tech difference with heavy duty Bravo Alu 4 and Sup model is that both comes with a alum shaft, instead than with a plastic shaft found in the standard model which breaks more easily if being careless while pumping.

Sup is a one action high pump and Alu 4 a double action pump. Check with Saturn if Alu 4 hose & gauge is same found on the Sup model. If so, very nice configuration as you can inflate while reading scale while stopping handle at any inflating position. If you like can remove gauge & hose from pump and use it alone to monitor overall pressure when sib is floating and screw it back again if in need to air top again, very handy indeed. A hand pump is much friendlier for air topping while reading scale than any foot pump that includes a built in gauge.

Not an issue being a 1-15 PSI scale. There are other Bravo gauges on the market that reads 5.0-8.0 psi, but needs to be factory ordered or bought separately, Defender sells naru and spare less PSI reading pressure gauges.

Happy Boating

 

[smashed]

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

Guys, thanks again for the detailed info, suggestions and for your concern. I was close to take the cheaper way, but after all decided I will go with the electric Bravo. I will get the separate gauge from defender though (the scoprega), not the Amazon one. Actually, Sea Rider yours looks really neat, I never spotted one with a hose while searching. Did you assemble it by yourself? I think I can see some glue next to the valve. Looks like a good idea!

Thanks again! I am out for a camping weekend. Enjoy yours guys!

 

[Sea Rider]

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

The hose & gauge combo shown is part of the Bravo Alum 4 hand pump which should be same on the Sup model, mine has some slight mods. The Amazon gauge is also Bravo, but mounted only a cheap and difficult to read valve adapter. For boating ease of life would suggest a Bravo Sup hand pump, will match nicely the electrc pump work.


Happy Boating

 

[smashed]

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

I have a couple of updates that I couldn't report in the last 2 weeks.

The 13' Saturn inflatable turned out to be a great boat and very nicely paired with the 9.8 2 stroke Tohatsu. The assembly time was about 25-30 min. The electric pump I bought for $145 is great and I am glad I don't have to use a hand pump to top off pressure, would be one more hassle in the long list of the preparation of the boat. It is not a Bravo brand pump though, but some no-name one. Hopefully it will hold for some time. Instead of buying the manometer, I decided to take the electric pump with me on the boat and measure the pressure with it. It worked nicely. I must say that after pumping the tubes to 20-21 Pa (3.0 psi) in the morning, under the sun the pressure got pretty high - 25 Pa (3.6 psi) the max recommended. I didn't expect that much of a difference and will be more careful in the future.

The wooden floor is great and quite easy to assemble, didn't bother me at least. I preferred to install it with tubes inflated half way instead of completely deflated.

The 9.8 engine gets the boat on plane pretty quickly - 3-4 seconds probably. I detected speeds of 17 mph with my GPS. The pitch of the prop is 7.5 IIRC. The RPM at WOT were about 5100, operational are 5000-6000 rpm by specifications.

I was able to use my 55 lb Minn Kota electric motor for a trolling speed of 3.5 mph max. (I was making 4.5 mph with my mariner 4 with this motor) and about 2 mph at 50 % throttle in a nearby lake. Nice to move on the water while fishing.

Pretty nice boat, really, but something happened... read next post.

 

[smashed]

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

Yes, someone decided to try his skills with the knife on my boat. Now I have 2 nasty cuts on the front tube, both around 7-8 inch long. I decided that I will not risk going in the water with my kids with such damage even if I am able to repair it somehow. And as much as I liked this 13 footer, I decided to get the 14' Saturn that I initially liked, but thought might get so underpowered that I will have trouble getting on plane. Well, now I think that the boat will be just fine with a 9.8. As long as I make 15 mph I will be happy. I ordered lifters and will see how it goes with and without them.

Having had the 13' for a couple of times on the water, I felt that a bit more space on the boat is nice. The 14' is almost a foot wider on the outside and has 6-7 inches more width on the inside. the tubes are 20" which I like too. I almost ordered the 15 footer, which has 1.4 feet longer internal space, but then settled with the 14'.

I hope to be able to find a good place to reliably fix the cuts on the 13' boat. I haven't gotten quotes for the repair yet. I may leave it for next spring/summer.

 

[ronaldj]

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

Please tell me the knife expert offered to pay for the damage they caused?
Do you have a trailor for the 14 foot boat ?

 

[Sea Rider]

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

Was the out of his mind boater filleting a fish when cutting down the tubes ? Although a 14" is very roomy is huge to be powered with a 9.8 . That carrier is rated for min 30 HP. Will lack engine power, probably will struggle to plane with more passengers than you alone. If you are already achieving 5100 rpm at wot, will achieve less with a 14". Make a new wot test as it will currently be loaded and check max rpm, will need to change actual factory delivered prop for a new one to optimize best sib/engine performance, as you are already lugging the engine at wot with you alone. For repairing tube cut, will need to patch both tube sides.

Happy Boating