Is a big inflatable right for me? Input/Advice please :)

[Luvinflatableboats]

Re: Is a big inflatable right for me? Input/Advice please

Hi,

Yes I agree too depends where the boat will be used and what exposure it will receive.

Bottom line one buys a SIB or a RIB for the following reasons:

1. Lighter weight
2. Carries more
3. Stores easier
4. Transports easier
5. Performs better
6. Capsizes less
7. Same performance with a smaller engine
8. Economy in terms of operational costs
9. Doesn't tip and one can step on the sides


D.

 

[riverandocean]

Re: Is a big inflatable right for me? Input/Advice please

Love my 14 foot hypalon Zodiac boat with 30 hp Honda motor.

Know of two former dealers of Saturn boats that stopped selling them due to quality issues..... hmmmm

I would way rather have a 5 year old used well cared for quality hypalon boat than a new Saturn

If you are willing to wait, keep checking for used boats and buy a quality brand, you won't regret it.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Is a big inflatable right for me? Input/Advice please

Sure they do. But most PVC fabric boats don't and that is the point. The further north you go the longer the average life of PVC. I've got customers in Canada and Alaska that have had PVC boats last over 15 years...They are freaks of nature Regardless, why buy a Saturn when you can buy another PVC fabric boat, for about the same money, that actually has warranty stations around the U.S.?

Actually I don't have any problem with Saturn, at this point, other than a lack of warranty stations. There are just better alternatives(opinion) at this point. Mercury...Even Zodiac, just leaps out as a better choice based on enforceable warranty and service stations. Even Duras(distributed by Tohatsu in 260, 290 and 311 models with 1000 dealers) is a better choice(opinion again) than the marginal network of dealers that the no name import boats offer. Some of the PVC boats are pure crap, some are okay and some are fine(other than limited service life). I've been doing this long enough to see too many tears from people who got screwed on a cheap product without an enforceable warranty. As long as people walk into a PVC purchase, fully aware of it's liabilities, it can be a reasonable choice for them. As to transportation costs...Not so cheap anymore. On a 14 foot board boat figure $275 and up. That's a lot of money to spend in year three of your warranty because you have a seam failure. It basically wipes out any potential savings...And that is if "Insert Name Here" brand actually honors the warranty at all. It's way to easy for no name boats to sell for a few years, fold up and re-open with a different name the next day. Now, if you can buy it cheap enough and be able to throw it into a dumpster in three years and still feel like you made a good choice...Then brand X inflatables may be the best deal out there

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Is a big inflatable right for me? Input/Advice please

Just additional word on manufacturing facilities:

I sell boats made in:

China(by Mercury)
Korea(Duras)
France(Zodiac)
China and Japan(Achilles)
Lets just say somewhere in an Eastern European country(Avon)
Canada(Zodiac)
US(Mercury)

They all have one thing in common...Deep, deep pockets when it comes to being able to honor a warranty.

 

[Luvinflatableboats]

Re: Is a big inflatable right for me? Input/Advice please

Hi,

I can't aagree more with TG when you pay your money you take your chances. Fixing the boat might incur a shipping charge which might be cheaper to fix it locally. When you go with a national brand that stand behind the product you know that if a problem arises they will fix it. Having said that there are a number of quality Chinese products available that are using the Mehler material made in Germany and if it is PVC and welded right it should and will last as long as any boat made anywhere. I have a Zodiac Zoom made in France and it was awful for me and full of problems. I got it one year old and I think it was abused by the other party. In any case I have a Chinese product designed in NZ using German Mehler material and it is fantastic. The only thing I miss is the Zodiac one way valve the Chinese one is awful and badly designed. Otherwise I cannot complain at all about it.

In terms of Saturn, I have heard both good and bad reports and I have no personal experience. It would seem that most are happy. I would be apprehensive about their Korean PVC but this is a personal choice. It might look good when new but not sure how it will look down the road. With geniune Mehler material you are getting the same material that is used for Zodiac and other top notch brands. Other Chinese brands one has to be careful about the re-seller and decide if it is worth the savings to purchase something where warranty might come into play and shipping and hassle can easily be over $300.00. I import from China every day however, I would not buy a boat from there because of all the issues. I would stick to a reliable local company and even go so far as say get a good local dealer who is willing to put their D-ck on the line to make you happy.


Regards,


Darryl

Just additional word on manufacturing facilities:

I sell boats made in:

China(by Mercury)
Korea(Duras)
France(Zodiac)
China and Japan(Achilles)
Lets just say somewhere in an Eastern European country(Avon)
Canada(Zodiac)
US(Mercury)

They all have one thing in common...Deep, deep pockets when it comes to being able to honor a warranty.