How tough are inflatable boats in general?
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- Опубликовано: 2 июл 2024
- Hello everyone and thank you for stopping by. A viewer recently asked how tough the inflatable boat floors are so I decided to fulfill that request. I went over the toughness of the floor and the boat in general to give everyone an idea of what to look for when buying one. I hope this video helps everyone who plans on getting an inflatable boat. Later taters!
**Video of me patching up the bottom of my old Saturn BB290 inflatable boat**
• I am reinforcing my in...
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Intex boats and toys are made from vinyl only, there is no fabric.
Regular inflatable boats are made from a polyester fabric which is coated (laminated) with pvc on both sides. The strength of the fabric is determined by the quality and thickness of the pvc layers, which is either in grams/squaremeter or milimeter thickness.
1 squaremeter 1100 decitex (equal to 1000denier) pvc fabric may weigh 900, 1000, 1050, 1300 or 1450grams etc.
Thicker pvc fabrics are used in heavy duty, commercial boats. (But still, hypalon fabric is strongest).
Polyester fabric is produced by weaving a polyester yarn (rope). The weight of that yarn is indicated as its weight in grams per 10000meter (decitex) or 9000meter(denier).
1100decitex means that the 10000meter of yarn(rope) weighs 1100grams. In other words , 1 meter yarn weighs only 0.9grams.
to calculate the weight of the polyester fabric per squaremeter, you need many other data such as thread count , weave pattern etc. but boat manufacturers never give you such information.
So it may be said that boats with heavier pvc fabric are stronger.
A 900decitex boat with 1450grams/squaremeter weight pvc is stronger than a 1100decitex with 1000gram/squaremeter.
To conclude, you can puncture all inflatable boats with a sharp object. And don't run over your pvc boat with a chevy or toyota truck :)
Agreed, even if hypalon can take tye abuse I'll still won't do it. I thought it was a good visual to show how tough hypalon is. Thank you for the detailed comment. I'm gonna pin this one so others can read it.
@@ErickMartinSucre There are many funny comments under that Truck test video 😃 . I love that video by the way
Haha! Glad you liked it
Your suggestions on items to look at when buying are more than appreciated. Great Vid.
Glad I can be of service 😊
Thank you so much for this video. I just subscribed because you do such a great job covering everything.
Welcome aboard!
thoroughly enjoyed !
😊😊😊 I appreciate it
You keep coming up with the answers for my questions regarding inflatable boats!
Thanks again!👍
Hehe! You're welcome
Thanks for the video. You always put out great content. I’m looking into getting the heavy duty kaboat 15ft with a 6hp Tohatsu motor all thanks to your videos.
That's an excellent combo. Thanks for watching!
Thank so much. You make grate and informative videos.
My pleasure and thanks for watching!
This is perfect, seasons getting hot and boat season really kicking off….well in Canada at least. Another banger sir, thank you for going so In depth.
Always a pleasure and thanks for watching!
Excellent! Learned a lot.
My pleasure
Dude you are a legend your content is great
Thank you! I appreciate that 8-)
I definitely did enjoy this video and learn a lot my friend!
Pleasure to have you around Yravus. Thanks for watching
As always, a nice video Erick! It will help a lot of people with deciding on inflatable material. I'm currently waiting for the delivery of a 11foot 2000 decitex with aluminum floor. This video makes it harder to wait. :p Keep up the good work. Best Regards.
Thank you and a pleasure to be of service. If you happen to have Facebook, feel free to stop by my group called "The Muddy Feet Oasis$. You can share your adventures and ask questions. 😀
I recently bought the saturn HD 13 ft fishing boat. It's perfect for the no wake electric motor only lake that I live on. These videos made so many of the decisions and how to's (e.g.putting on the transom wheels) so much easier! Grateful for them!
I pleasure to be of service 😊
Man this video video was awesome!!!!!
😊😊😊😊I appreciate ya
Great video, help a lot.
Glad you liked it 😊
Your videos are great and helpful
Thank you kindly!
I've had my 12.5' inflatable for about 3 years. It's mostly been stored deflated inside, but I've kept it in the water for a couple of months this Summer & last Summer (under cover from the sun). We just took it to the coast for the week. It was great to have along. I noticed that it wasn't holding pressure very well overnight. Mainly the air floor got soft, but the side tubes also lost a little pressure. I checked online info about leaks and found two solutions. First, check all the valves, then check all the seams. Use soapy water to check for air bubbles. If the valves are leaking externally (around the edges of the fabric) you can just tighten them up with the wrench (it's in the patch kit tube). If they're leaking internally (around the cap) you need to remove the valve & clean it or replace it. It's pretty simple.
If you discover that the seams are leaking, sealants are available which you pour into the air chambers. I found 2 tiny leaking seams where the seam tape overlaps on each side tube. I also discovered a bigger leak on the air floor. I bought a bottle of ToobSeal from the marine supply store while we were still at the coast. It cost $50 for a quart which is supposed to be enough for the whole boat. (Identifying exactly where the leaks are will help me concentrate my efforts on those areas. I'll seal the air floor first since it's easier to manage & also because the leak is worse on it.
I've also noticed that the support board under the floor has gotten weak and is bowing a bit. I'll need to replace it with a piece of plywood.
I see. I know that overnight, when temps go down, it may lose some pressure but it picks up when it gets hot. Hope the leaks aren't too bad.
I discovered a tiny metal splinter had caused the leak in the air floor. I removed it with tweezers. The leak was located in the rear corner. I added about 4 oz of sealant. A few drops oozed from the pinhole for a while. I lowered the air pressure to about 2-3 psi, instead of the full pressure of 10 psi, to make it easier for the sealant to work. Every 20-30 minutes I rotated the floor to recoat the pinhole & after a while, it stopped dripping sealant. I kept rotating the floor for the rest of the day to build up a thicker layer of sealant & towards the end of the day bumped the pressure to 5 psi. After a few more hours I increased it to the 10 psi full pressure. I'm really glad that the sealant worked. I'm not sure an air floor can be patched like the normal air chambers since it has a web of threads inside.
I say a small patch would not be a bad idea, but if the sealant worked I say it's a win win
Great info bro
Thank you 😊
Good informative video brother.
Thank you for brother
Top Top Top--- Greetz from Germany !!
😉
Good video informative! Está bueno!
Thank you very much amigo 😊
Good video. Hope you’re doing well. I’ve been hibernating the last 8 weeks because of the heat in Florida but I’ll be getting out on my 12’ Saturn heavy duty fishing boat soon.
Dude, you ain't kidding. Gonna start camping once it gets cooler
@@ErickMartinSucre I have my first camp trip next weekend at St George Island. I have a small camper with air conditioner. Doing some surf fishing. Haven’t camped since early June.
Nice! My last attent was in April at Big Scrub campground, and it started to rain bad. I was riding the trails, got caught by the storm, once it stopped, I headed back to camp only to find the tent full of water. I packed things and left.
Thank you
Anytime 😊
Just wanted to share a little experience with a 4000 denier "Alaska series, jet Ranger" boat which has a retail price of over $6000. I owned one such boat, so got to experience firsthand what that was like, and also the disadvantages. Like a bicycle tire on the bottom, and pretty much bounces off everything!
First disadvantage is weight, as you mentioned. A small little 13 foot boat was 140 pounds. Second, a lot of these boats build up multiple layers of material, like Saturn's heavy-duty fishing boat. I bought one of those too! Tough boat! and great boat for the price! Also on the heavy side.
One of the problems is when that inner layer loses adhesion. What happens is you get bubbles, and damn near impossible to fix. You can sometimes make a longitudinal slit, and and inject some glue, but it's tricky to do right.
The other thing is with the rub Strake that companies like Saturn use, and Stryker boats, etc. is that rib surface is really hard to patch. The folks over at sea Eagle mentioned this to me, and it's a good point. If you want to reinforce your boat I would suggest going with a smooth surface over the rub strake. If you do accidentally get a puncture it's a lot easier to patch. I would also suggest to anybody to purchase a boat with the maximum number of chambers. I personally like boat with about five. That way it's damn near unsinkable if you get a puncture.
The other precaution I take with my PVC boat is to keep it at one PSI less than it's rated PSI when it's outside undercover. Saturn boats have some over inflation valves, but a lot of PVC boats do not. I've seen more than one boat destroyed due to over inflation and the seams bursting. Air expands in heat, so if you're storing your boat outside or in a hot garage, let some air out! High heat can cause glue to dissolve, so storing your boat cool and dark is best. The hypalon is best for heat. It can take it.
Great points Martin and good video!
No, thank you for such and elaborate example. I lot of folks come by my channel and I hope they see your comment. The better informed people are the better off they'll be out in the water. I am fortunate that I am able to story my boats in my room under cool Temps.
Couple years ago because of your videos I purchased my Saturn 13 foot inflatable I bought the one with the extra reinforcement.
So far it’s been holding up and I’m very happy with it
I wonder if Saturn would give you a one to actually test the durability of the bottom of the boats.
That would be awesome. I may need to buy one just to make a review for it.
You look like actor who can play as a detective . Awesome review 🤘🏽
Haha, a detective, that's a first. I accept the compliment 😌 ☺️
Erick Martin Sucre= INSTA LIKE! Thank you for your videos genius :)
Always a pleasure to be of service. Thanks for watching!
Hi that was really helpful!! What about the new inflatable catamaran by Brussels or true kit!!?
I personally don't have experience with them, but those that do seem happy with it.
SUZY
I have no boating experience at all and am looking for an inflatable for flood prep. (in the city) this video is so informative. Thanks a lot. Quick question, do I have to pair these with a motor? Would 4 ores/paddles move us along?
Yeah, oars do work it just gets really tiring 😫
Because of you, I got myself the sk385xl. Got it a couple of weeks ago. Best investment when your on a bit of a budget. I love it. Thanks
A fantastic choice. I love that one, congrats!!
Haha!! Maybe yeah
Check out the Stryker boats ,one of the most durable boats
Yes, I've heard of those. It is possible that one day I may.
Eric thanks for making this video was really informative one question tho I was watching the performance koboat zk430 do you think it will do well in open water handling 2feet waves and also could it hold a 25hp and I must say saturn should make you their #1 salesman lol
Yeah, it'll handle it. My zk380 does pretty well
great vid practical considerations what do u think of the tobin
Thank you. Tobin is similar to Bris, they are good enough, and with basic care, they should last you 5-10 years easily.
I've had mine out 5 times and it is holding up very well, there is extra reinforcement on bottom, and with your videos I am going to beef up a couple spots. So really appreciate your video and showing the areas to consider!
@dustinj7650 Very nice!!
Thank you Erick for all the info. Inflatables are a good option for those who don’t have space for a ridged boat. The Saturn fishing boat looks real tough too. I have always been afraid they get punctured by fishing hooks or something. I also been checking out a company called striker boats do you have any experience with them also?
I've heard of others that use it and they seem to like them.
Hello
Eric what do you think about using a Saturn around oyster beds? We live on the Texas Gulf Coast and oyster beds are everywhere.
I got stuck on one while camping near Tomoka State Park. I was using my old BB290 and the keel guard protected the impact. I think I was going 12mph when it happened. Pick a model with a rough bottom like one of the heavy duty models.
Hey Erick, I love your stuff. I am struggling between getting the SK385XL with 6HP Tohatsu or the ZK380 with the 9.8HP. It will be mostly me and my wife and about 100 pounds of gear plus motor and fuel. What would you recommend? Many thanks and keep up the great work!
The ZK380 without a doubt. The SK385XL works better for solo adventures.
I have a BARK inflateable boat i wonder what the strength of the material is yours are very strong 💪
My ZK380 uses the 1100, same for my SK385XL but is has double layers of it on the bottom.
Debating saturn fb model for extra protection. And love the patient double splash guards for storage on top of tubes. But notice with the added 200 shipping cost the bris boat is thicker and wider for same cost... wondering if you heard about bris and which you would choose and why
I hear good things about Bris. I don't use them but those who do seem to like them.
I have the bris 12ft dive rescue boat and it is very tough, the solid aluminum floor makes it stable and i use it for fishing rivers and lakes and have had zero problems with it.
@@barrywingler418 Bris is well spoken for indeed. I hear great things about it.
Hello Erick, I have been following your videos and I cannot wait to get one of these Saturns they look like so much fun and well constructed. Quick question, I am looking at the HD385 model, what's your opinion on that model as far as price point and the quality of it? I plan on taking it onto the ocean and doing some fishing.
Hey, thanks for watching. The HD are their heavy duty models, they are tough, I mean, really tough. They have double pcp layering from middle to bottom. They are a bit on the heavy side but other than that a good choice. 👍
@@ErickMartinSucre Awesome thank you so much!
A pleasure to be of service. I have a group on Facebook called "The Muddy Feet Oasis", feel free to share some pictures there when you get it. I'll love to see it if you get the chance.
@@ErickMartinSucre Of course! That sounds awesome I’ll make sure to join your group and do that thank you Eric!
Awesome salsa!!
I have a yam 310S
Alloy ground inflatable keel and suitable with 15hp
Excellent unit you have there 😀
@@ErickMartinSucre
Thank you
Although i‘ve to watch out on rock beaches- sand isn’t a problem
With 8 hp it runs 17knots 33kmh with 2 adults
Would buy it again
Thx for your videos👍🏻
@VtVt-sn4mw A pleasure, and thanks for watching 😊
Hi Eric, thanks for the video. One question, are the benches required to give the boat stability or can they be used without the bench seats? Thanks!
They can be used without the benches. What gives the boat rigidity is the inflatable floor or the aluminum flooring that some models have.
just keep 1 bench seat for rowing, in case the motor stops runnig.
That's a good advice
I'm building a floating dock, marine grade foam with a deck on it, putting a canvas tent on it. I'm a professional gold miner and I'm going to juneau alaska for the summer. It's going have a refrigerator n a bed and be loaded with tools. Fishing gear. Guns ammo. Think one of them will pull it ok.
Hmm, are there jagged rocks? Will you be stationary or moving in the river?
Hello Erick, I just came across your video. Great information. What boat would you recommend for 4 people and to mainly use for fishing ponds and lakes? Also are they easy to deflate and inflate each use?
Thank you
The heavy duty FB385 www.boatstogo.com/13-heavy-duty-boat-fb385.asp
Thank you!!
Anytime!
the Bris/Tobin sports inflatable boat is 25-30 minute inflate (start to finish, from unloading gear, blowing up boat, getting in water), deflate is 15 minutes (bagged and in car). Get yourself an electric pump, makes a big difference in speed blowing it up.
Agreed, I never go out without my electric pump.
The new Saturn FB385 boats do not come with fins at the bottom. Can they be added as an accessory?
It has an inflatable keel, so it doesn't need fins perse, but one could add some by gluing them in place.
Have you had one issue with seams in Florida heat and humidity on your 14ft performance kaboat?
Also, will it fit in truck bed while inflated?
Thanks
It'll fit but most of it will be hanging from the rear. I keep mine deflated in my room so it is not exposed to the elements. While using it, I have not had any issues with the seams.
Okay thanks...I wonder if it would squeeze in and fit inside truck bed as mine is 61 inches wide...and boat states it is 63 inches wide
You could place it partially inflated or rolled up and inflated at location.
How do the boats do on oyster beds
I got my old BB290 stuck on an oyster bed, right by Tomoka State Park. Th3y do just fine, you'll just have to pull up your motor and maybe paddle if you get stuck like I did.
got my saturn kaboat and 9.9hp from last year and only used it once...not even 4 hours in the engine lol... was a bit too big of a set up for my needs... going to sell it and down size to a 3.5/6hp set up
Fully understandable. I'll say 6hp
@@ErickMartinSucre was looking at 4hp to 5 to 6hp and they all seem like the same weight.. maybe just an intake and cpu makes it get extra HP 🤔 ..look to maybe now 3.5HP on a 11.5ft inflatable and from what I seeing people are getting up to 11+mph on it which will be more then enough for me alone.
I see, well, if you can run with a 6 go for it. 3.5 should be just fine as well.
@@thatonebeone I would go with 6hp as well. Besides power, their main advantage over 3.5hp is the support for external fuel tank. 3.5hp's internal tank will drain in 30-40minutes. and you'll still have to carry a fuel tank with you on the boat.
A wise choice and it is nice to have the extra punch when needed.
Hey Erick, what inflatable pump do you use and would you highly recommend it? Thanks!
Yes, highly recommend it. I use the Saturn analog pump. It uses an external power source like your car's battery or a 12v battery. I personally use an external 12v battery and charge it with my bike's battery tender. amzn.to/3vjGZOu
It is rugged and analog so it is less likely to have a part break. I've owned mine for the past 5 years or so and it goes bang every time. It has a dial that auto shuts off, measure in KPA instead of PSI.
Main bladders: 25 KPA. Air Floor: 70KPA. Keel: 40KPA
Feel free to ask any questions. I have a group on Facebook called "The Muddy Feet Oasis" and you're welcome to drop by and also hear others' opinions.
I just got a bris 12ft with 2000 PVC and it is so heavy.
Oops! Yeah, tough as a tank but heavy. It does give peace of mind having all that extra thick layer of pvc
Hi Eric: do you think Tobin Sports inflatable boat would survive in Lake Michigan , Chicago with 8hp motor? Any suggestions are welcome!!!!! Thanks
I'll have to get back to you on that. I need to look up both the place and the brand of the boat.
It looks stable enough to handle it. Treat Lake Michigan as if it was an ocean since it is so big. Do your best to pick days where the winds are not so rough. Stay away from the lake on stormy days. That brand is similar to Bris and Aleko so you should be ok. I wonder if they have a model that comes with a keel, it should help to handle some white caps and swells.
this is good advice. The Tobin has an inflatable keel, and it is a class C rated boat which is an inshore rating, it can handle rough water but because you sit up high in the inflatable there is exposure to the elements.
Can I, well I got a question. I'm going try asking it.
😊
What do you think about the Fastcat 14 sea eagle?
I just looked it up and it looks like a premium inflatable boat to me. It'll probably be wise to use a trailer for it.
Actually, with 2 people, you could roll and inflate it. One person may be a bit much to do.
@Erick Martin Sucre Thank you. I don't mean to be a bother but one more question. How would you compare drop stitch to hypolon?
Do you mean PVC vs Hypolon? Drop stitch is a procedure used for the inflatable kayaks
Hi, what do you think about Narwhal inflatable boats? I'm thinking of buying the "Narwhal C-400" model, but I can't find anything about it.
According to what I have found, Narwhal focuses on making sea rescue inflatable. If this is true, then those boats must be tough.
star-international.co.uk/product/narwhal-rigid-inflatable-boats/narwhal-solas-sv-480-rescue-boat/
They are really heavy, so using a trailer may be the best choice.
@@ErickMartinSucre From what I read in the technical book of the boat, it says that it is made for the sport class. Do you have any idea what material it is made of?
Probably hypalon instead of pvc rubber.
Hi Mr. Martin, is Saturn inflatable Kaboat safe to go out off shore for rockfish fishing? Can i able to roll it back to the shore if my motor dies?
Yeah. I once had to do that with a sk396 while visiting Anclote Key. Paddle my way back to the parking area. I do recommend the SK385XL since it has bigger bladders which help with swells in the ocean.
@@ErickMartinSucre I got 16' Heavy-Duty KaBoat SK487XL with three strong man on my it. What do you think? Thanks Mr. Martin. You are very helpful
@@pinpang5762 That's tough enough for sure. Love those models, really tough.
it depends on wind direction, if it's blowing from the shore towards the sea you'll have a hard time no matter how strong you are.
you can buy a 100-200 dollar small electric trolling motor with a small battery , as a backup.
What do you think about the FastCat14? Do you think it’s heavy duty or not?
Yeah, I've heard of them and they are mainly used with powerful engines to go really fast
It’s only a double layer 1000 Denier material. Do you think that’s good enough for a newbie who’s basically going to be using it in State ground lakes?
Yeah, you should be just fine
@@ErickMartinSucre thanks man, I appreciate it.
Anytime and happy new year.
Do you have any thoughts on the honwave t40?
Yes, I have some followers in the Scottish Isles that love that brand. It seems to be a good brand.
@@ErickMartinSucre thank you for the quick response. 🫡
@@socialbot4881 😁
Hey Eric so I got a heavy duty Saturn fishing boat SD48816 ft one so it says heavy duty bit looks like a normal Saturn boat I paid 2000 plus shipping 199 shipping so I’m confused a little as the heavy duty fishing boats have double layer on the bottom side top all that so as a person who knows about them like you I do not know maybe it is thicker so can you give me some information amd I didn’t get my pump with it I’m ok with that tho is the sd488 heavy duty tho on the bottom but not the top thanks for the information if you can
Yeah, it's extra thick all over. I could not lift that thing, I probably could, but I would not want to. You're better off using a trailer for that one.
@@ErickMartinSucre ya I’m gonna get a trailer thanks for me it doesn’t look like there fishing boats if I knew that would have got those ones instead but hoping the 16 ft with aluminum flooor would work as I go on the ocean and wanted something thick and strong we’ll made thanks for the information appreciate it as long as it’s thick all around amd the bottom im good with that thanks
@donaldmartin4620 You're welcome. I own a smaller version of that one, my SK385XL Kaboat.
How do i know how much psi is inside using the foot pump? I dont have an electric pump
I don't think the foot pump comes with a PSI gauge. I say inflate until firm to the touch but not too much. As a referrecne, this pump amzn.to/3eUHSYv comes with the PSI gauge on top.
I bet you'll buy an electric pump after trying the foot pump. There's a lot of air in these boats!
I have a similar pump with that pump on amazon. Although its manometer is detachable, I can't use that with my foot pump because the valve adapters are different. I'm telling this to remind that you can buy a separate manometer and it may be incompatible with your foot pump as well. Try it before you buy
Eric I'm orlando how I bay a saturn
Hey there! Right here: alnk.to/cwQtKmg
They are shipped from the Miami warehouse. You could called them and arrange a local pick-up by driving there if you like as well.
What about the seangles???
They are good, but over priced
@@ErickMartinSucre it's my first inflatable boat seems to look nice but I bought the 10.8 ft 1 after doing some research I'm really wondering if I should have got the 1.2 Mm bris
Some viewers speak well of Bris. That's a good brand as well.
Which one is shark proof?
None lol
Hi. Im am dissapointed to discover recently that the whole " it has 5 chambers so u can blow out one chamber and still be safe" is complete bs. I tried deflating one chamber and they all deflate at the same time. What would happen if u punture one chamber far from shore? I fish my saturn 430 about 5 mikes from shore in the pacific ocean. Is somethi g wrong with my boat or do they all do that?
1st time I hear that, unless it was a defective model
@@ErickMartinSucre so what your saying is that each chamber is separate and is only supposed to deflate that one chamber that is puncured?
Yeah. My ZK380 has 4 and SK385XL has 5.
@@ErickMartinSucre thanks for the reply. My 430 has 5 +1 chambers and i noticed at first that they all inflated when i inflated ome chamber and so i thought it had a one way valve between tje chambers for faster inflation. Ive tried deflating each chamber one by one and it deflated all of them. The boat is a year 2020. I wonder if saturn has answers
You're welcome ro send them a request and see what they say.
Kabots r worst for ocean, they are more narrow
That's correct. One of my kaboats, the ZK380, is more dinghy than kaboat.
I don't get why you call the intex rafts "toys" seems their legit rafts as well
They do ok on rivers and calm water but cannot tackle more serious waters or carry more power with outboards. They bend too easily and get pictured a lot more often.
Listen dude, I’m not sure I can take the advice seriously from a guy who has a Prius parked in his driveway 😂
Hahaha! You're not the first to say that. I've since then upgraded to a 2012 Lexus RX450h AWD, a more capable car for my outdoor hobbies. That being said, the Prius was a champ since it took me everywhere, but I started getting into ATVs, and I slapped a hitch to the Prius. Long story short, going to those dirt roads eventually killed the poor Prius.