Sea Doo Inflatable Dinghy/Tender

[SDSeville]

I picked this up from my brother-in-law last weekend for pretty cheap. Have any of you ever heard of a Sea Doo Dinghy? I can't find any info online. It is the perfect size for us (approx 8') and will be used mostly as a tender and the occasional put around the harbor. The only concerns I have are 1) it only has one air chamber (with boston valve) and 2) has a soft non-inflatable floor.

Do you think I can install a hard floor? Would you all recommend a very small 2 stroke or an electric trolling motor? It has a hard transom, but it is covered by vinyl.

 

[GA_Boater]

I found a listing at Overstock. https://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Sea-Doo-Inflatable-2-person-Dinghy/3663269/product.html

The reviews are split, as one of the reviewers said was a problem with the seams. The recommended power is a 1.5 HP electric trolling motor.

 

[SDSeville]

Thanks! This one is about a year old and doesn't have any tears or seams ripping, so hopefully I got a decent one.

 

[SDSeville]

I wonder why they suggest an electric motor? It seems that a 1.5 hp 2 stroke OB would weigh less than an electric motor and battery.

 

[SeaDooSam]

Most likely because an engine will vibrate a lot more than a trolling motor. Vibration can be more taxing on eh seems.

Have never seen one before. I love everything Seadoo though!

 

[SDSeville]

Does it look like I can make a hard floor for it? It might be difficult with the attached inflatable seats, but it looks like you can slide something under them.

 

[GA_Boater]

A one part floor might be hard, but a 2 or 3 section floor with some bracing at the joints might work.

A long time ago I had one similar to that except the seats weren't attached. I used a thin sheet of Masonite or hardboard as a deck to protect the soft floor. Cheap enough to replace when the water softened the board because it wasn't waterproof. Some paint extended the lifespan.

 

[SDSeville]

A one part floor might be hard, but a 2 or 3 section floor with some bracing at the joints might work.

A long time ago I had one similar to that except the seats weren't attached. I used a thin sheet of Masonite or hardboard as a deck to protect the soft floor. Cheap enough to replace when the water softened the board because it wasn't waterproof. Some paint extended the lifespan.

If I make a 2 piece floor, do the braces have to make it rigid or can it flex?

 

[GA_Boater]

The braces would keep the floor sections together. Thin Masonite is going to flex no matter what you do. Basically I used it to keep my feet and junk inside the boat instead taking the Aflac duck with me.

 

[SDSeville]

The braces would keep the floor sections together. Thin Masonite is going to flex no matter what you do. Basically I used it to keep my feet and junk inside the boat instead taking the Aflac duck with me.

Haha. Thanks!

 

[ronaldj]

Thanks! This one is about a year old and doesn't have any tears or seams ripping, so hopefully I got a decent one.

Not trying to rain on your parade but I would be very afraid to use this craft in any Harbor.
Depending on where you live it may not even be legal.
This craft is closer to a water toy than an actual tender.
The fact that it only has one air chamber means it's a toy and not a boat.
In North America there are small boat regulations and this craft dosent meet any of those regulations

 

[SDSeville]

Not trying to rain on your parade but I would be very afraid to use this craft in any Harbor.
Depending on where you live it may not even be legal.
This craft is closer to a water toy than an actual tender.
The fact that it only has one air chamber means it's a toy and not a boat.
In North America there are small boat regulations and this craft dosent meet any of those regulations

Very True Ronald. I am not extremely happy about the single chamber. I thought about the water toy thing when I put it away in the garage next to our HO Sports Delta 3 (which by the way has 3 chambers). I think it would probably be fine to tender us the 50 to 100 yards to the dock in Catalina. However, I am sure it wouldn't be safe for use in an emergency on the water. I will be buying an additional inflatable with multiple chambers before summer (I am leaning back toward the mariner 4). It will be nice to have 2 inflatables in Catalina since we are a family of 5.

 

[ronaldj]

Very True Ronald. I am not extremely happy about the single chamber. I thought about the water toy thing when I put it away in the garage next to our HO Sports Delta 3 (which by the way has 3 chambers). I think it would probably be fine to tender us the 50 to 100 yards to the dock in Catalina. However, I am sure it wouldn't be safe for use in an emergency on the water. I will be buying an additional inflatable with multiple chambers before summer (I am leaning back toward the mariner 4). It will be nice to have 2 inflatables in Catalina since we are a family of 5.

Why not get something a little more substantial.
You can get a Saturn which is a lot better boat in the $500 to $1200 range depending on the size.
You can even get something from WM .
I'm not hating on the mariner 4 for lake use they are ok. I just think that's the wrong tool for the job.
You need a real inflatable boat that you can hang a 5 to 15hp outboard on.
That has a self bailer.
You no how quickly conditions change in salt water

 

[SDSeville]

Why not get something a little more substantial.
You can get a Saturn which is a lot better boat in the $500 to $1200 range depending on the size.
You can even get something from WM .
I'm not hating on the mariner 4 for lake use they are ok. I just think that's the wrong tool for the job.
You need a real inflatable boat that you can hang a 5 to 15hp outboard on.
That has a self bailer.
You no how quickly conditions change in salt water

Not sure what I will wind up getting for the long haul, but will likely get something cheaper for now. My daughter graduates from college in May, so I will have $3k a month freed up to spend as I wish. Until then, I really can't afford much.

 

[ronaldj]

Not sure what I will wind up getting for the long haul, but will likely get something cheaper for now. My daughter graduates from college in May, so I will have $3k a month freed up to spend as I wish. Until then, I really can't afford much.

Gotcha
Congratulations on the graduation
Now if you can only get her to move out

I fully understand the money thing

 

[SDSeville]

Gotcha
Congratulations on the graduation
Now if you can only get her to move out

I fully understand the money thing

Thanks. I had one graduate last May -- she came home and is is gainfully employed but not looking like she wants to move out any time soon.:blue:

 

[frank70]

excuse me all I lost my boston Valve ' what its the For that boat? i seach anywhere i cant find this information ' Tanks for you help

 

[GA_Boater]

excuse me all I lost my boston Valve ' what its the For that boat? i seach anywhere i cant find this information ' Tanks for you help

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