the boat for me ???

Hi there.

Yes Truckster they are a great boat, BUT!

I have had 2, the first was a very lightweight version with a soft floor about 8 ft and the O/B was mounted onto a frame on the rear. Good for very slow putting around (no m ore that 4 hp) but nothing more as the size of the motor was restricted in capacity due to the bracket and the suction caused to the inflated floor as speed increased.

Reasonably light, but took considerable to inflate and clip the O/B bracket on. About 15 to 20 minutes. The brand was (I hope the spelling is correct, a Seyvlor).

The second was a Dolphin 9 footer with and inflatable keel and solid ply floor. This was capable of taking a 20Hp motor and it went like the clappers and handled like a dream, but again this took (about twice as long) to inflate and the installation of the ply floor could only be described as a BITCH.

As to weight, well put it this way, I am an able bodied man who works out with weights, but for me to get it up onto the roof rack it was quite a job, but it really was a damn nice boat :)

Regards

Just a thought I forgot to mention. I found that inflatables are not the easiest of things to row and awkward to manhandle, and they definitely do not like fish hooks or being dragged over coral or sharp rocks.
As a matter of interest I am 58 years young, I mention this just for the sake of comparison :)
Regards

Emjay, I've had the zodiac for a couple of years.It is said that if they live outside unprotected they will only last about ten years. Also if they are folded up for years without being inflated where they are creased will become weak. I store mine 90% inflated undercover and would expect to get 20 to 25 years out of it. If it lasts that long I WONT BE ABLE TO GET INTO IT ANYWAY! The material they are made of is extremely durable and is multi-layered. I've hit rocks and under waterlogs and have not damaged it, but never at high speed. If you put a hole in the floor you would just get wet feet because you have so much positive floatation. Mine has 5 different air tight sections. even if one of the sides or any other section go down you can still operate the boat at low speed. If you put a hook through the material you could have it patched before loosing much air. My boat cost $2,200, the 15HP $2,000 new, The electric motor $900 new and the 3.5HP $100 second hand but needed a $120 service. If inflatables weren't durable I dont think armed forces and government bodies all around the world would have them. Either would Greenpeace etc.. Well thats my two bob's worth Mal T.