Inflatable recommendations?

S

stevenp

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Looking to purchase an inflatable. I already have a 9.8hp Nissan 2 stroke so I'm looking for something that can handle this motor.

I've pretty much decided on an air floor due to it's light weight and planing capabilities as both aspects are important to me (esp weight as I'll be hauling on and off the boat manually). I'll be using it in protected waters (river) where it doesn't get very rough; about 1' chop is about all we'll encounter. I'd like to be able to haul two adults and two kids, or up to four adults on occasion.

I'd like to stay on the smaller side. What do you think? 10.5'? 9'?
 
Mercury make a nice line of air decks which are reasonably priced and durable.
 
Check out Coastal Inflateables. I just purchased the 290 air floor from them and it is very nice. The price was also very attractive. There is a lot of info on their website, but call them. The owner was very helpfull and willing to make sure I was happy.

http://www.coastalinflatables.com/

MJK
 
Saturn with the air floor. Some black models are made for the Korean military, not that that is an open discussion on military prowess, but just that that have ones that are a step above the regular red and gray ones.

Thanks,
Jim

I have a KaBoat, I love it BTW! Not overly stable, but fast and easy to stow.
 
quote:
Originally posted by king5899

Check out Coastal Inflateables. I just purchased the 290 air floor from them and it is very nice. The price was also very attractive. There is a lot of info on their website, but call them. The owner was very helpfull and willing to make sure I was happy.

http://www.coastalinflatables.com/

MJK

Click to expand...


Thanks. They're only about an hour from my house. I'll head up there next week and visit.
 
Defender has zodiac 260s for $575.
Great price.
Solid floor
 
Avon doesn't make basic inflatables anymore. Just high end jet-drive tenders. Defender is a good source considering the Op's location; they have a big show room of all kinds of inflatables. Great store to visit anyway.
 
I plan to stop by Defender as well. I love that store.

I have a limited budget so one of the decisions that's weighing heavy on my mind is buying a new PVC vs a used Hypalon inflatable. The Hypalon boats appear to have a much longer life but are more costly than the PVC boats. I'm leaning towards a new PVC boat because at least then I know what I'm getting. My feeling is that this is one type of boat you don't want to buy second hand because if it has a slow leak you won't realize it until you've bought the boat and brought it home. I take good care of my stuff so I'm hoping I can get 7+yrs out of a PVC boat.
 
I purchased the Mercury Hypalon 270 a few years ago from defender. Have been extremely happy with the boat. Its stored on the bow all season (4-5 years now) without any issues or signs of problems.

Only thing I would say is I wish I went with the 310. I have a nissan 9.9 2 stroke and the engine will get the boat on plane but when alone on the boat it feels a little squirrley. Wish there was a little more boat there for the engine.
 
PVC is fine if you keep it out of the sun. Get a cover if you plan on leaving it out.
 
quote:
Originally posted by stevenp

quote:
Originally posted by king5899

Check out Coastal Inflateables. I just purchased the 290 air floor from them and it is very nice. The price was also very attractive. There is a lot of info on their website, but call them. The owner was very helpfull and willing to make sure I was happy.

http://www.coastalinflatables.com/

MJK

Click to expand...


Thanks. They're only about an hour from my house. I'll head up there next week and visit.

Click to expand...


Mention my name if you swing by. Mike King from NY, he'll remember, we had quote a nice talk.

MJK
 
I have an Achillies . It's 10 ft. 2" with a 9.9 Mercury on it. Air keel, wood floor and made of Hypolon. Fast and stable. I have owned it for 27 years, still holds air, still looks great. IMO hypolon is the way to go. Lou R.
 
Opinions on zodiac zoom 260s?
Defender has it for $575.
Everywhere else it is like $1200.
Any idea why so cheap?
It says 2011 model but it's brand new.
 
Thanks for all the info guys.

I had a nice conversation with the guy from Coastal Inflatables yesterday. Looks like I'll probably go that route, now I just need to decide between a 9'-6" and 10'-10". Tough decision, they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
 
"Looks like I'll probably go that route, now I just need to decide between a 9'-6" and 10'-10". Tough decision, they both have their advantages and disadvantages."

IMO - if you really want to carry 4 adults and a decent amount of 'stuff' with a 9.8 motor your decision is a bit easiler as the 10' 10" boat will make a huge diffenece with that load and crowd.
But... if you only intend to carry that much occasionaly and for very short distances the weight, size and cost of the larger boat would be a detriment. Good luck with whatever you end up with.
Hope this helps
 
You could also look on Craigslist. I've seen many decent inflatables posted for sale there/
 
I found the ones on Craigslist were kind of pricy and most were abused. I went new for a few hundred more than used.

You will be very pleased with the boat from CI.

MJK
 
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