Opinions on Saturn 11' X-Wide (Triton) + 15 hp for small family

[ThunderTurtle]

Hello everybody,

My wife, son and I are new to boating. We want something to cruise around our local lake in. No fishing or watersports, just enjoying the ride and picnics on the water. The $100 Intex boat with paddles didn't quite work out (rowing against wind, leaking after first use, etc.) so we're looking for something more substantial. Our requirements are...

- Budget around $5,000 for boat and motor, core accessories
- Comfortable for 2 - 3 adults (usually 2) plus 1 child (we're average to smaller people)
- Fits in the back of our mid-sized SUV with third row folded down
- Easy to start motor (I'm that guy who bought an electric mower to ditch the pull cord)
- Not too heavy (able for me to unload and load myself, though my wife may help some)
- Fast enough to be some fun

And what I'm looking at is...

- Saturn 11' X-Wide with Triton upgrade
- Tohatsu 15 hp MFS15EEFS (EFI, electric start, 104 lbs)
- Trolley so I don't have to carry the motor for too long (?)
- Launching wheels
- Electric pump (any recommendations?)
- SitBacker canoe seats - thinking side by side in this wide boat

I'd love thoughts from folks more experienced than I on whether or not this might be a good setup for our family and any suggestions....

- Is Saturn durable enough for years, with Triton package?
- Think this X-Wide boat would be comfortable for 3 - 4 people?
- Am I nuts to get a 104 lb motor, even using a trolley? I'm 5' 9" and 160 lbs (late 30's).
- Think I could steer the motor in a canoe seat or is there a better way to drive in comfort?
- Any other boats or motors we should consider?

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. I don't want to screw this up!

 

[Sea Rider]

Welcome to Iboats,

Those Intex type inflatables are pool toys, don't know why people loves them so much when can go to the next pro level at affordable prices.

To know :
-Will the boat be kept inflated say at a garage, patio or plan inflating/deflating each time will be use ?
-If kept inflated will need a trailer to tow it each time, with a alum panel floor Sib can add pedestal seats which can remain bolted to the alum floor along motor sitting on transom. It's very uncomfy to install and retrieve a portable motor on constantly basis, good exercise for youngster, not for adult boaters as your back will regret it.

-If going for a Sib with an air deck, can sit on air deck, say one sitting with back resting at bow, or sitting at front seat, the other driving the inflatable at rear while sitting on rear air deck, side tubes or rear seat.

-Excellent to count with an electric start motor, the issue is that will need a heavy battery close to the transom that will need to be locked as not to rock once the Sib it's on its way or when encountering wavy, windy water conditions.

Nahhh, thumbs down for the Saturn 11 Ft X-Wide, a shorter version wider Sib with too much more hull drag compared to a conventional one. If wanting to have fun go for the Saturn 13 footer with Triton package. Lots of space for 2-4 up. This version comes with an air deck, but can order the alum panel floor and pay the price difference if any, check with them. Saturn it's an excellent brand that has built their own worldwide reputation at affordable prices.
​

About the motor :
A Tohatsu 15 HP will power it efficiently. Those 4 strokes are bit heavier than their 2 stroke counterparts. With an electric start will be seeing at least + 15 kilos. Tohatsu 9.9 and 15 shares the same CC powerhead and weights exact same, so go straight for a short shaft 15 HP.

About the air pump, will depend entirely if plan inflating/deflating it constantly or stored it sitting on top trailer. Will you be using a launch ramp to launch the combo or through a beach ?

All for the moment, would like your comments on the above to help you pick the correct inflatable watercraft.

Happy Boating
​

 

[ThunderTurtle]

Thanks, Sea Rider. I appreciate your expertise. I'm very interested in the 13' now.

-Will the boat be kept inflated say at a garage, patio or plan inflating/deflating each time will be use ?

I'll inflate/deflate and transport in our SUV. Portability (and cost) is what has me so interested in inflatables.

Will you be using a launch ramp to launch the combo or through a beach ?

We'd use both - ramp and beach. Those wheels sure look handy.

Excellent to count with an electric start motor, the issue is that will need a heavy battery close to the transom that will need to be locked as not to rock once the Sib it's on its way or when encountering wavy, windy water conditions.

Maybe I'll keep it simple and forgo electric start / battery. I understand EFI is pretty easy to start with a pull anyway. The 20 hp Tohatsu / Suzuki EFI's without electric start look to be 10 lbs lighter and we'll get 5 hp more for only a few hundred bucks extra.

I see older model years of the Tohatsu MFS20ES at https://www.outboardenginesale.com/?s=MFS20ES&product_cat=0&post_type=product. Those look like bargain prices to me. It doesn't say they're used... and 5 year warranty. Do you think there's any reason I should avoid getting a 2020 or 2018 instead of the 2021?

Now this might be a dumb question, but would we cook to death in a black boat (Texas summers)? I'm seeing the 13' Saturn only available in black at the moment. Perhaps waiting for white/gray would be smarter.

Thank you again!

 

[Sea Rider]

Answering your inquiries :

-If will inflating/deflating constantly definitely need an air deck Sib, check with Saturn for a 12 V battery operated air pump so can inflate the Sib next to the Suv.

-The transport wheels are handy to transport the whole assembled boat/motor combo from the transport to the beach, from the beach to the transport.

-A 20 Hp should be real easy to start. The 3 mentioned are the MS20ES models, Tohatsu plays with model which remains same for years to come not year of manufacture which is irrelevant. A 2018 would be a great price alternative. With less than 5 grand can buy the 13 footer, transport wheels, an air pump, the Tohatsu short shaft 20 HP, fill the fuel tank, 4 stroke oil reservoir and save some cash for the cold ones.

-The only disadvantage to count with a black Sib is that in summer will heat up much more than a light or dark grey or red ones specially if sitting on the tubes. To cancell that, place a vertical large towel on the tubes or sit on the provided lateral bench seats. A 13 footer powered with a 20 HP motor will turn your boating day into a spectacular one guaranteed...

Happy Boating​

 

[ThunderTurtle]

Thank you for your tips. Really, really helpful to me. "A 13 footer powered with a 20 HP motor will turn your boating day into a spectacular one guaranteed..." That will be music to my wife's ears.

Now just need to wait for the grey boat and Tohatsu motor to get back in stock. I can't find anything about the reputation of outboardenginesale.com (except to be wary of Singapore sellers?) and those prices look almost too good to be true. I think I'll play it safe and go with onlineoutboards.com based on the reports I've read here.

Know of any other reputable companies to buy outboards online?

 

[Sea Rider]

Outboards factory prices are not that high as one will assume, the issue is that anything that floats powered by a motor that provides hours of extreme fun goes to the next price level. Better buy at onlineoutboards specially for local warranty, have not seen any other better price for the 4 stroke Tohatsu 20 HP nowhere else .

When will the grey Saturn 13 footer and the 20 HP be back in stock ?

Happy Boating​

 

[ThunderTurtle]

Bummer, saturnrafts.com says they don't expect more Grey in stock until July. They suggest 14' but looks like that one is quite a bit heavier with no inflatable floor. I guess I'll have to wait.

I haven't heard back from Online Outboards yet but looks like most of the motors they carry are out of stock. Hey, I guess I don't need a motor if I can't get a boat.

Edit: Also now considering a Stryker LX 360 with the same 20 hp Tohatsu. It's a little smaller and $2K more total but. Maybe worth it if they have everything ready to ship.

 

[Sea Rider]

What's the issue about the Saturn 13 footer in black color readily available, deslike the color ? You can buy the same Tohatsu 20 HP at defender just bit higher in price by about $150, right now in stock. Is the 360 Striker model an air deck or an alum panel floor Sib ? If the latter will be bored fast if plan assembling/inflating, deflating, disassembling on constant basis LOL!! Check if they have a larger 380 model with an air deck if assembling and pumping it fast is what you're after..

Happy Boating​

 

[ThunderTurtle]

Yeah, I don't want to risk the all black boat being too hot. Our summers are roasting. I checked with Defender and they're out of stock on MFS20ES too. It seems like there's a shortage of outboard motors right now. I did find a 20 hp Mercury EFI for $3,100-something at Online Outboards though. It's the only EFI they have in stock at the moment if I am seeing correct!

 

[Sea Rider]

If you sit as suggested on tubes or on the provided 2 transversal benches not an issue. The Merc 20 HP it's the same motor as the Tohatsu 20 HP one. Merc's are rebadged ones. Was checking the Stryler 360, not worth paying 2 grand more for a 360 size not even for the 1.2 mm fabric.



What inflatable manufacturers are doing is equip a simple sib with lots of extras patches and bags to be eye catching to look like the Rambo's inflatable, which ain't so. If plan going for that brand which is a Canadian one better go for the 380 Mtr with a 20 HP. Larger is better, roomier and more fun when on plane...

Happy Boating​

 

[ThunderTurtle]

Unfortunately Stryker's 380 only has aluminum floor. 360 is biggest with air floor. They say it's comfortable for 3 - 4 so I think for 2 adults and 1 child it should be good for us with a fourth person being only a rare occasion. Overpriced, perhaps but I don't want to wait till July for a Saturn.

Funny, the Mercury 20 hp is out of stock now but the Suzuki 20 hp EFI is back in stock and is only 3 lbs heavier than the Tohatsu. I might pull the trigger on that one before it disappears again.

Also, my wife has confirmed that she loves the idea of us getting an inflatable. That's important!

 

[Sea Rider]

OK if in a hurry go for the Stryker 360, which motor will be powering it a 4 stroke Tohatsu 20 HP or the Suzuki, both are EFI motors. It's of extreme importance to have the Admiral on your side. Out of curiosity is the fabric PVC 0.9 or 1.2 mm gauge ? What's the cost of the air deck 360 ? Get an electric air pump with pressure selector to inflate tubes and air floor to their factory recommended working pressure which differs dramatically between each other.

Happy Boating​

 

[ThunderTurtle]

Hey, my 20 hp motor has shipped from Online Outboards already! About $3.1K shipped. Free shipping but tax was $200.

And I just ordered the "Storm Grey" Stryker 360 LX with airmat floor (choice of airmat or aluminum is included in price). Extras I added were wheels, 12v electric pump, cupholder, anchor and mount and bimini top. It includes the obvious things like foot pump, repair kit, bench seats, oars and tow rope. Also comes with four bags (one for boat, one for floor/accessories and two for on board), five Scotty mounts, gas tank pad and some other maybe-maybe-not "Rambo" bells and whistles. Thickness is 1.2mm for underbelly and seat patches and 0.9mm elsewhere.

Total was $3.8K ($450 of that is shipping from Canada to Texas; no tax for me). Definitely pricey but pretty excited and don't mind paying a more to get out there before summer with the Saturns being out of stock. I do like the Stryker look and Canadian construction / customer service gives me some comfort. And compared to the cost of a "real" boat and trailer/tow setup, tearing up my side yard to make space for it, etc., this is pretty awesome for something that fits in my trunk.

Now to get a dolly so I don't kill myself with that motor and some accessories from Amazon. Might get a 12v battery so I don't have to pop my hood every time and definitely need a good dry bag. Already have some things from our brief adventures with the Seahawk 3 (returned).

Thanks again for all your help. I'd probably have screwed up and got the Saturn Wide or an aluminum floor and a lousy pump.