Shark Inflatables

[Swee Pea]

I am still debating an inflatable vs. Porta Bote. Then I find this site http://www.sharkinflatableboats.com . Has anyone any experience with this brand? Would appreciate your input. Looks like a great price especially the ST9-270. What say you?

John
Swee Pea

[Discovery]

Sweet Pea,

I purchased an 8.5' boat from affordableinflatable on ebay. It's an air floor model
and a very good boat. Comparable to any of the high dollar boats at West Marine. I paid around $600.00 for it. Currently listed as a buy-it-now for $699.00, but I bought it as a bid item for less, including shipping. Don't know how to do the link.

[thataway]

My own feeling is that one gets what he pays for. I personally feel that a hypalon boat is more durable--and will hold its value better. I have had several hypalon boats which were 15 to 20 years old and still very much usable--and sold for more than the origional purchased price. This durability of hypalong has been born out in both durability and resale. I have owned PVC boats--and after a few years of hard use they have had problems--mostly seam failures, but the plasticisers in the PVC do become brittle. It is entirely possiable that Zodiac has resolved these problems. But has this foreign company resolved the problems?

If you use the boat sparingly, keep it deflated and in a protected environment they should serve you well. I have had PVC boats which used this way, which have been very satisfactory. I don't know where these boats are made--but the engines look like a Chinese knock off of the Honda. I would not spend the money on the engines. I would look at other well thought of boats, including the Achillies.

[Swee Pea]

Now that the New Year is here, I resolve to resolve my dinghy selection. I traded some scuba gear for a 10' PortaBote with a Sail Kit, once owned by a guy who used the PortaBote as a dinghy on his 37' Nordic Tug. I got a good deal. I put it together, and quite frankly, I didn't like the Porta Bote. I know the literature and testimonials say it is very stable and seaworthy, but it is so "cheap". Cheap plastic seats. Cheap exposed foam flotation. But the real "kicker" was the fact that is still takes 10 feet even when folded. Somewhat awkward to put together. And as been stated in other posts, you still have to pack the seats and transom. So I sold it, made a few bucks, and bought a Mercury 270 Air InflatablePVC. The Hypolon model was more expensive, and for the type of use I will be giving it, the dealer advised that the PVC would be fine. This will be shipped in the next few weeks. At least the 270 will roll up and will be much more easily packable. It is a good quality inflatable.

Now on to second resolution. The Merc takes a 15" shafted motor, and I want to use a 20" 5-6 HP motor, so I can use as a kicker motor. I did find a transom elevator http://www.trmarine.com/cat.html that will raise the 20" shaft motor up 5". But I want to wait till I get the Mercury and examine closely the transom. Maybe I can craft a plywood elevator that will do the same thing.

Last resolution: which motor to buy? Defender is selling a 5hp Honda for $1350 (2006 leftover), but won't ship. I am not going to CT to pick it up. My local Honda dealer wants $1700 for the same motor. Sorry Pal, no can do. I have been eyeballing a 6HP Tohatsu for $1210 including shipping. Seems to be the best bet (is the same motor as the 6HP Mercury; Tohatsu makes them for Mercury and Nissan). I am going to call Cutter Marine and see what kind of deal they can make me on a 5 HP Honda. Great buch up there, and the Baltimore Boat Show is coming up in a month or so. Maybe they can make me a deal I can't refuse. Don't mind driving to Maryland to pick up. If not, it looks like the blue Tohatsu (rhymes) will be sitting next to the grey Honda at times.

Thanks for letting me "talk out loud".

John
Swee Pea

[Harbor Man Dan]

I am in the market for a kicker as well. I am wondering if the SBS will be a good place to look. Having never been to a boat show I am not sure of what to expect in terms of deals. Is it possible to get a deal on a outboard?

[Byrdman]

Boat shows do often have deals, but you guys are on target knowing what the "going prices" are prior to the show. Had a chance to pick up an auto pilot at a "show price only" at the Seattle Boat Show last year...and passed it up thinking it was just sales gimic... It was not. I wish I had bought it. I will be looking again this year....and..as a more informed boater...with cash. But, I have also found that I love boat stuff so much, what cash that goes into a boat show...often stays at the boat show... I gotta be real careful on this. See Yall In Seattle!

[Captains Cat]

John (Swee Pea) I've got the 6HP Merc on Sally's sailboat and it's great! You'll like the Tohatsu..

Charlie

[Pat Anderson]

I don't know if it is just me, but this site is goofy...I click on "Products," it takes me to a page that offers up the various products, then I click on "Boats," it takes me to a page that offers up the specs on the various kinds of boats. But when I click on "Click here for features, specifications and prices," it takes me back to the home page, no matter which boat type I click on...a giant circle.

[oldgrowth]

Pat – you have to click on the drop down list from the Products menu at the top. The [Products ] button will create a loop. The site is designed somewhat poorly and information on their products is hard to access.
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Dave