New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

[astuckey]

Hi, I have a flat bottom, lowe, 1436L that I want to replace with a RIB. I was looking at a mercury ocean runner 350, and was wondering if anyone had any experience with this boat. I have a 15 hp yamaha 4 stroke, to use on it. The main thing I am looking for, is the V, because I need something that can take the waves. Also, this boat would be out in the sun, and be sitting in the water, for the entire boating season. Would this boat work for me? Has anyone had any experience with it? Any other boats I should look at?

Thanks!

 

[Peter_C]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

That is a PVC not a Hypalon. I wouldn't recommend leaving it in the sun every day on the water, as it won't last very long. PVC is fine if the boat is stored out of the sun and will last years as such. Hypalon is the material of choice for a docked or moored boat, but costs almost twice as much.

You might want to post this on RIB.net, as there are more highly knowledgeable people regarding RIB's. No offense meant to some on here, as you probably post there too.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

Although ribs perform much nicer than same size sibs a 15 HP will take you there, but ideal engine to have extra fun would be minimum a 20 HP, that 350 can handle a 25 HP fully loaded. There's an issue here about PVC versus Hypalon, Hypalon is much more costier, holds more sun punishmente mostly if used at the tropics or inflatables living for years moored, to make ribs in this material more price affordable, 0.7-0.8 mm fabrics are used compared to 0.9 mm for the pvc fabrics. No problem leaving rib outside for summer uses.

For your peace of mind and investment buy a rib cover and a bottle of Aerospace 303 sun protectant and apply a coat every 15 days to all tubes, this product works very well. It's your choice and budget if buying Hypalon or PVC rib, but do know that Hypalon will cut, abrade exactly same as pvc. Ocean Runers are sold on both Hypalon and PVC versions, check prices and decide.

Happy Boating

 

[fbpooler]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

For a boat which will stay tied up to a dock, I would not get an inflatable. A good fiberglass or aluminum vee bottom would be my choice. It would require less maintenance and should be less expensive in addition to having more room inside.

 

[emoney]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

I'd agree with fbpooler. If you're planning to keep the thing in the water full time, you're definitely not going to want to use a PVC boat. And any inflatable has the opportunity to lose air, don't forget. While it can be done, it's not a lot of fun pumping them up while they're floating. Assuming we're talking about salt water, were it to be me, I'd use an old fiberglass boat and plan to buy a new one every so often. If you buy a nice, new shiny one in one season it's going to look just like the old fiberglass after sitting in the water full time anyway.

 

[ssobol]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

Another issue with an inflatable is the variation in the inflation pressure due to temperature changes. The pressure in the tubes can change a lot. Say you pump it up in one evening. The next day in the sun the tubes can get hot and over pressurize. Vice versa, if you pump it up in the middle of the day, the tubes could end up pretty limp overnight. While sitting on the water will mitigate this a bit due to the heat sinking ability of the water, you'll still see the pressure change. If the boat is parked at a dock in front of your house, you can keep an eye on it. If the boat is some distance away you'll not be able to manage it as well.

Letting the tubes get limp while the boat is on the water will not hurt them, but it will reduce their fendering ability and may cause the hull to sit low in the water. Depending on the situation the hull may be too low and allow water to get in the boat from waves and wakes. On my boat the transom is kind of low and this would be a concern for me if the tubes were low on air.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

If inflatables have all those mentioned stay away issues nobody would keep buying them, as any toy will need to know well your inflatable, know what to do or not do, start by reading owners manual throughful. An inflatable has the best weight HP relatio compared to any other boat. If pressure is something to worry, buy a pressure gauge and boat happily...

Happy Boating

 

[fbpooler]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

Living on the coast, we see literally hundreds of boats sitting on boat docks. The only design which is rare to see sitting on a dock is an inflatable. There are some definate downsides to the design.

Have one sitting in a closet in this room and another in the garage. We have used them since 1980, so I know a little about their good points and bad points.

My utility boat is a 1965 model fiberglass vee bottom which is used often. It does not have the downsides of the inflatable boats and shrugs off wear which would ruin either of the two we own. Our waters are full of oyster beds and sharp snags which would ruin an inflatable in short order, but the fiberglass boat sits ready for the next fishing trip and has enough interior room for people and tackle.

Don't allow your preferance for inflatables to cause you to recommend one for a purpose best suited to some other design. That would be unfair to the OP.

 

[astuckey]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

Thank you all for your help! I think I am going to go with a Deep v 14 foot aluminum, despite my hatred for the material. Fiberglass is too heavy for what I need. Thanks again!

 

[lncoop]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

If inflatables have all those mentioned stay away issues nobody would keep buying them, as any toy will need to know well your inflatable, know what to do or not do, start by reading owners manual throughful. An inflatable has the best weight HP relatio compared to any other boat. If pressure is something to worry, buy a pressure gauge and boat happily...

Happy Boating

Sea Rider, I don't think the guys were suggesting that inflatables were to be avoided. They were merely saying that given the circumstances that wouldn't be the best choice for him. I agree.

 

[fbpooler]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

That is right, Incoop. We pull a camper on vacation and use either an inflatable or kayak depending on where we are going. All boats have a primary useage where the design stands out from the rest.

At home, oysters make the inflatable less desireable. No way I would leave ours out in the sun on a trailer like the fiberglass rig, but they are awesome for the camping trips and will handle rough water extremely well.

 

[lncoop]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

That is right, Incoop. We pull a camper on vacation and use either an inflatable or kayak depending on where we are going. All boats have a primary useage where the design stands out from the rest.

At home, oysters make the inflatable less desireable. No way I would leave ours out in the sun on a trailer like the fiberglass rig, but they are awesome for the camping trips and will handle rough water extremely well.

I bought an old hypalon bucket boat from an outfitter in Oregon sight unseen. It's older, but I only gave $400 for it and it turned out to be a pretty good boat. I didn't have to do anything to it other than replace a D ring. I built a four bay (really more like three and a half) frame for it myself and use it a few times a year from multi-day float trips. I just make sure it's pointed more or less in the right direction and let it bounce off anything I don't feel like steering around LOL. Works out great.

 

[Peter_C]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

Thank you all for your help! I think I am going to go with a Deep v 14 foot aluminum, despite my hatred for the material. Fiberglass is too heavy for what I need. Thanks again!

Not sure why you don't like aluminum boats as they are one of the best materials out there for boat building. The best of the best RIB's often are aluminum. The jet boats for running extreme rapids are aluminum. See a trend? Aluminum is an excellent material and will serve you for the next 40 years and beyond! Show us a pic when you pick it up.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

The best of the best RIB's often are aluminum.

Alum hulls are options and only for small size ribs up to 4.0 , most ribs are made with traditional FRP (Fiberglass) which seems easier to mold.

Happy Boating

 

[Peter_C]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

Alum hulls are options and only for small size ribs up to 4.0 , most ribs are made with traditional FRP (Fiberglass) which seems easier to mold.

Happy Boating

Really?

Pretty much all this company uses is aluminum. http://www.northwindmarine.com/RIBs-rigid-inflatable-boats

These are a very common site around the USA.

Of course just talking about the best boats out there made of aluminum.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

Oh come on, those are professional rescue, patrol ribs, nothing to with recreational ones, the spirit of Astuckey post, the segment we all are whether we use sibs or ribs. How much money do you think they cost ? The first pic should be minimum 50 grand and short, if you can pay that amount, welcome to the high end rib club.

Happy Boating

 

[Peter_C]

Re: New boat to replace flat bottom Jon

Oh come on, those are professional rescue, patrol ribs, nothing to with recreational ones, the spirit of Astuckey post, the segment we all are whether we use sibs or ribs. How much money do you think they cost ? The first pic should be minimum 50 grand and short, if you can pay that amount, welcome to the high end rib club.

Happy Boating

See post #13 The point is there is no need for hatred towards aluminum as it is one of the best building materials, shown by its use in high end boats.

FWIW I prefer my boat that I traded for.