Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

[canuckjgc]

Ok, I just realized that the Saturn boats are half the cost of Chinese PVC boats in Canada. As I'm close to the border I can have it shipped close by and drive to pick it up.

With 2 adults - 2 kids I'm thinking the 14ft should be ok. However it has no benches! I called and they said it is too wide for traditional benches, but yet the 15 ft is the same width with benches...hmmm....

How do people solve the no benches issue? I don't really want my kids sitting on the tubes....I guess I could install seats but wow that would fill up the boat and I'd have to mount the seat stands onto the aluminum floor, not sure the floor is up to the task...

Suggestions?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=1052

These are but a few of myriad options. Originally intended for river rafting, but could easily be adapted to meet your needs. Secured with straps to the D rings and very sturdy. There are a couple of fine examples (one on a Saturn) proudly customized and owned by fellow iboaters that can be found via keyword search. You can also make your own for a tad less if you're even slightly handy.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

To install wooden seats will need to glue 2 side patches with hangers and a wooden seat board with 2 lateral under seat hooks, the issue that cannot place wooden seat on a 14 ft sib is a fantastic story, what you can do is place a thick matt from middle sib towards bow for the kids to sit inside top deck, if you happen to sit at rear transom top tube to drive sib.

Other excellent idea is to place an air matt on top alum floorboards deck, you can drive at stern sitting on floor top and crew sitting up bow. This is a costly option, but worth the investment of the impecable water ride you will experience. Don't ask me where to buy, this is one of my cracy thoughts professionally made reality at the factory.

Happy Boating

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

Thanks! Yes I want that air floor, looks great.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

Benches? I don't need no stinking benches!

Here's my 14 footer.

 

[paulpost]

Re: Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

If you'll keep the boat on a trailer go for 14' or better the 15' , but if you'll have to inflate , set up the floor every time you go out I would look in to an inflatable floor model.
Good luck
Paul

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

But if you'll have to inflate , set up the floor every time you go out I would look in to an inflatable floor model.
Good luck
Paul

Most air floor sibs starts 380 going down in size, that is because although you can inflate an air mat to max 12 psi, still will flex when cruising at idle or wot speeds, shorter air matt sib flexes less.

Happy Boating

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

It will be on a trailer - I'll look at the 15' as well, not a ton more money and I guess better for a family of 4.

 

[MEK]

Re: Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

I was in the same boat so to speak last summer. Getting advice on here I ended up with a 14 foot with aluminum floor. I trailer since the boat is so damn heavy and I run a heavy 30hp. Seats my family of 4 comfortably. With the smaller boat I used to have (too many toys, too small garage I sold it) I sat on one tube and braced my foot on opposite tube. With this boat I looked at seats and saw someone suggest a cooler, its been great. I keep all my fishing gear in it too. I only bring one bench for the kids but they often sit on some padding I put up front. Now I sit on the cooler and brace my foot against the opposite tube. I really like the wide 6 1/2 foot beam. Its much more stable than the 5 1/2 foot widths, nice to be able to stand up to land fish. My only complaint is I bought a grey one, shows every mark. Since you are on a trailer anyway go as big as possible. If you want portability I think it ends at the 12 foot air floor model. But that would be tight with the family of 4. That would be why I stepped up in size from the 11 foot Walker Bay.

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

Thanks very much! How do you like your Aquamarine - any complaints? Great prices there. Do you feel comfortable in Howe Sound, Indian Arm etc?

I think I'll go for a 15.5 and 6.5ft beam for a little extra storage space.

 

[MEK]

Re: Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

Comfortable as in not afraid of the water, yes. Comfortable ride, no. Howe Sound is very very windy and therefore choppy. Indian arm would be great. Soft bottom inflatables ride like crap in chop. Their buoyancy which is their greatest strength is also their weakness. I used to go out there in my 10 foot inflatable and my 12 foot aluminum. You just need to pick your days. I used to work at the Pulp mill there and came home in a crew boat in hurricane force winds at midnight. Waves breaking over the roof, should have spent the night at work....

I didn't mention the brand I bought because I didn't want people thinking I am a salesman. But yes I'm very happy with it, wish I'd bought the red one but the larger model didn't fit on my trailer. It seems tough, great for fishing. Very peppy with the 30hp. I do miss my portability. I never bothered getting launching wheels for it since its so heavy. I find myself looking longingly at the 12 foot air floor Saturn at 120lbs, pair it with a 20hp Honda at 100lbs.....easy lifting. When I bought mine I searched a few forums and found they had a decent rep and lasted well. I assume you are in Vancouver with your knowledge of the area? I picked mine up at their warehouse next to Ikea and paid no shipping charges. So far so good.

 

[jspringator]

Re: Saturn: 14ft has no benches, 15ft does??

I find myself looking longingly at the 12 foot air floor Saturn at 120lbs, pair it with a 20hp Honda at 100lbs.....easy lifting.

I have the 12' air floor Saturn with a 15hp Yamaha 2 stroke. Roughly equivalent in thrust to the Honda 4 stroke 20. Flip up wheels. The aluminum seat bases (Boats to Go website) are nice. I only use it while RVing. Great combo.