JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

[ajrunke]

I would deem myself to be seaworthy. I've been wrangling the waves since I was a child and have been the proud owner of numerous Seadoo products over the last 7 years. Anyway, I have ventured into the inflatable arena. After a year of research, I decided to spend $500 beyond my budget to get what I hope is a quality boat.

http://www.jpmarine.com/product_p/jp-430-pt.htm

I went this route because I have two 85 pound dogs and I would love to take them out on fishing/camping expeditions with my girlfriend and friends. The thicker material eases my mind somewhat, but being brand new the the inflatable scene, I'd like to hear thoughts/opinions on bringing dogs along. I've talked to two people; one said it won't be a problem and the other said it shouldn't be a problem. My boat is coming this week (hopefully) and my mind is stirring. I think more input would either alleviate some of my fear or strengthen my fear of having them puncture the tubes. I've never touched an inflatable before so I cannot even picture the durability of one.

Additionally, there are a few people on this forum that have the JP brand. (Pack Rat is one and thank you for your threads on Lake Superior!) I would however like to know if anyone else has any thoughts/opinions on them. The tubes are 1.5mm thick and the bottom of the tubes have a double layer essentially making it 3mm thick. I spoke with a guy at JP Marine and he stated the tubes are Korean, shipped to their facility and assembled there. I guess I'm just looking for opinions on the brand. They have a brick and mortar location and they also do power sports and belong to the national PSN (power sports network) which helps lend some credibility compared to fly by the night operations.

I suppose the best way is to wait and find out for myself. But any thoughts (TohatsuGuru, please chime in. I respect your opinion and track record) good or bad, I'd like to hear!

Thanks all!

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

The link above doesn't seem to work. I recently bought a Hypalon inflatable and I'll be laying down a carpet (low pile/astroturf?) on the air floor when the dog goes for rides. That said - I have seen a fair number of dogs on inflatables and their nails have not been an issue. I assume that their owners probably trim their nails appropriately?

On the puncture note - most of the leaks I've seen come from seams, punctures by small rocks during the deflation/rolling-up process, repetitively rubbing against sharp objects at the same locale.

Cheers,

CapeAnn

 

[ajrunke]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Link updated. Nails have been kept trimmed. I think I may bring some sort of thin rubber mat to toss over the tubes for when they jump in and brought back in. The last thing I want it for them to try to claw their way back on board. I got a ramp that I'm going to attach some floatation and hook it to the D rings which will allow them to climb back. The problem is they're scared of it right now! We're working on that now and hopefully they will be used to it before the first voyage.

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

That is one mean-looking Zodiac!!! Very cool. I went diving on a similar Zodiac and we tossed all sorts of equipment in there much more sharper than dog's nails without a care. I don't think you'll have an issue. The pontoons are really, really tough.

On a protection note - there are dog booties (fleece) made for Iditarod dogs which are comfortable to wear (?), or you can train your pooches to wear those rubber-bottomed dog boots. My dog wears them on occasion when he has to go out on hot city streets, or where there are lots of sharp rocks.

Best with training the guys not to be afraid of the Zodiac!

Cheers,

CapeAnn

 

[ssobol]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

I have a small dog (14#) who often rides standing on the tubes (or front paws on the tube and back paws on the seat) of my Zodiac RIB. He doesn't seem to mind that. The bigger issue is the hard FG floor. When it gets bumpy he ends up sliding around which he doesn't like. A metal floor is probably the same.

Need to have some sort of surface that the dogs' feet can get a good grip on.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Sharp/point hyper dog's nails could scratch tube's surface, take doggy to dog's parlor and have a nice nail trim, thin tubes will scratch more than thick ones, anyway both are not kevlar made. You could have doggy lying with extended front legs on top tube as bow figurehead...

Happy Boating

 

[ajrunke]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Dog boots are a good idea at least until the settle in and get used to riding. I think I will probably use a file to round off the sharper edges.

Anyone else have input regarding the quality that owns this brand or just input in general? I didn't pay the MSRP; I paid $1950 for it.

Eventually I'd prefer to trailer it, but right now I don't have the room in the garage. If I decide to sell the Seadoo, then I'll have the room, but until then, I don't. I MAY be able to build a shelf above the Seadoo with a hoist and get a lightweight PWC trailer and store it on its side. Then for an outing, I'd just be able to flip the trailer upright and lower the boat onto the trailer. This isn't ideal, but it's a possibility.

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

I use a 5'x8' trailer to haul mine but the boat has to be set up each time. I set it up in the parking lot at the marina and roll it in the water using 2 dollies I made. They actually work pretty good. Still looking for the right trailer myself but that's next years accessory. Here's a couple pictures and a youtube video of the dollies in action. Be sure to check out the video you'll see the dollies really do work slick. Oh and yes they do float.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHzkRbVSZzA

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

JP are the Asian most though pvc sibs built compared to any other of it's kind, personally preffer a thicker fabric than a thinner one, will last longer, with less abrassive issues, hold more sun effects, if offering good local warranty go for them

Pack Rat, asume you are placing floating trasnsport dollies back on under sib and belt strapping while boat is still floating, correct ?

Happy Boating

 

[ajrunke]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Picture upload fail.....

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Pack Rat, asume you are placing floating trasnsport dollies back on under sib and belt strapping while boat is still floating, correct ?

Happy Boating

Yes. I lucked out with my design and their being slightly buoyant. I can move them around very easily while in the boat leaning over and positioning them. Found out the wide cotton straps work the best. Fortunately I'm by a military surplus to find unusal cheap stuff like that.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

So your next short step would be going for a nice trailer, right ? Ain't that cool to experiment functional gadgets that makes our boating lives more easy

Happy Boating

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Coming up with the gadgets is almost as fun as the rest of it for me. The trailer I've actually been looking at is a larger clone of the one I'm using. It will be 14' long and 6'7" wide with steel sides on it. The boat will rest inside totally inflated. I still don't think I'll transport it with the engine on the transom due to the 230 mile (one way) road trip to "good" water. No need to stress stuff when I don't have too.

Our boating season in Minnesota is not year round. The lakes and rivers freeze and we bring out the winter toys to run on top of the ice so I need double duty trailers for the other toys. I need to enclose the boat too from sunlight and rodents. I have a huge problem with "tree rats" (squirrels) in the area. They chew on EVERYTHING looking for places to store their walnuts for the coming winter.

 

[ajrunke]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Well I'm working on converting a very nice galvanized boat trailer I got from Craigslist into a utility trailer. I bough the angle iron and I hope to have it by this weekend. I'll weld up the frame and maybe have everything but the sides finished this weekend. It'll be a perfect fit. My JP Marine is 14 feet by 6.5 feet. The trailer from the back to the black step is 14 feet and the distance between the fenders is 78 inches.

 

[ajrunke]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Had it out for the first time. Both dogs jump in the water as I was rowing. One of them got startled after he jumped in and it was over his head. I grabbed onto his collar and dragged him back in the boat. He was clawing ferociously and scratched my arm up nicely. He was clawing at the side of the boat as I was pulling him in. My arm got scratched big time, but there wasn't even a mark on the tubes. That was about as extreme as the clawing will ever be against the tubes and it passed the test.

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

30 years ago a scuba club acquaintance I knew used to sell Zodiac boats and claimed at the "shows" he would use a screwdriver and randomly poke at the boat. He said it was a great sale "pitch" but also admitted he did penetrate a tube finally one day.

As you know I have a JP Marine 12.5' boat. Last month on my 50 mile crossing of Lake Superior (round trip) I had one of my registration boards set a tad too high, come loose and flop. I don't think it caused any damage (time will tell) but best to always be watching for friction from rope etcetera...

Registration board way to high in this picture...I lowered it onto the black rub stake.

The old Zodiac never showed any black paint rubbing off from the registration board..more durable material?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Probably Zodiac had softer or less dotted fabric than JP, no good to have objects tied to side tubes and bouncing against fabric. Better is using stickers glued to side of boat.

Happy Boating

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Had it out for the first time. Both dogs jump in the water as I was rowing. One of them got startled after he jumped in and it was over his head. I grabbed onto his collar and dragged him back in the boat. He was clawing ferociously and scratched my arm up nicely. He was clawing at the side of the boat as I was pulling him in. My arm got scratched big time, but there wasn't even a mark on the tubes. That was about as extreme as the clawing will ever be against the tubes and it passed the test.

Boat + 1 for dog nail test
Human - 1 for dog nail test

I'm glad you were able to grab your dog when he jumped into the drink. My little guy wears a life preserver.

Cheers,

CapeAnn

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Registration board way to high in this picture...I lowered it onto the black rub stake.

The old Zodiac never showed any black paint rubbing off from the registration board..more durable material?

Question: Do they allow still allow removable boat numbers in Minnesota? Just wondering because most states require on the hull permanently affixed #'s. Looked at the Minn. boating regs and it seems to say affixed....unless removable's were grandfathered in?

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: JP Marine brand 1.5mm tube/ heartiness for dog claws? Expert input please!

Minnesota boating guide 2011 page 6 says, "They can be painted or attached to the craft.

I also called the Coast Guard in Bayfield Wisconsin since I figured they would be most likely to stop me in the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior. They said quote, "Not a problem."

I made sure he understood exactly how they were attached and specifically said I had read on the Internet Homeland Security did NOT want detachable numbers on boats. He again said quote, "Not a problem."

It could all change next year of course...what with the heavy terrorist activity happening in the great lakes.