Hey guys and gals check out some of the best options under $1000 here along with one you should really say away from th-cam.com/video/IcRh5tcsBwM/w-d-xo.html
Most of those are reasons not to buy any small boat. The best feature of my Bris skinny inflatables is that I don't need a trailer, a garage or expensive storage. With gas at $5 a gallon, you can toss them in the trunk of a 40MPG compact car, and they fit into a closet at home. They (I've owned 2 in different countries) set up in about 5 minutes with an electric air mattress pump, topped off with the high pressure hand pump. Another 5-10 minutes to fold them up using the electric pump, and I've never reinflated them at home to dry them unless they were muddy and leafy from the water. If I inflate the drop stitch bottom to a high enough pressure, they're very stable at speeds up to 15-20 MPH. I got 10 MPH from a Yamaha 5HP and ran out of guts (not motor) at 20 MPH with a 15HP Yamaha) (If wanted to go faster, I'd cut out a piece of plywood to add even more rigidity) I'd also add that they make decent SUP's. Funky looking. but comparable performance. I chose a different style of wheels that were much easier to install and deploy at water's edge.
I totally agree, overall for the price point you can't beat it, just wanted to point out some downsides in case someone was on the fence for this or something bigger. I would however advise someone to have a garage/shed to store it and the motor just for any smell. I know I'd never be able to hide my 2 stroker anywhere inside without the place smelling alittle oily
I posted a comment very similar to yours for the same reasons plus some additional. I can afford to take more trips with my inflatable and my 4 cyl crossover SUV that gets 30 mpg with all my gear, then my truck with my bass boat/trailer that gets 11 mpg. Also the bass boat requires additional cost of the trailer, maintenance on the trailer and registration of the trailer yearly. I can literally take about 4 trips (assuming the same distance) with my inflatable setup for the price of 1 trip with my bass boat and trailer with the truck. Also when I sold my bass boat 5 years later, I lost about $5,000 in value from depreciation. I have only about $2,000 in my inflatable setup with the motor, so I will never lose $5,000 in 5 years with this setup. I could probably sell it for easily $1,200 right now, which is a loss of only about $800 in 5 years. That is a much better deal as well.
TAMPA bay. I have the same Boat you do. I have my 8hp Merc out board 2stroke with the 15hp carb. I add a Whale tail fin on the cavitation plate. Before i had to baby it to get her on plain and not pointed at the sky. 2nd major Modification i made was a Custom solid wood Floor Insert that fits over the drop stich floor. Really helps stiffing the boat up, also makes standing less strain full on your legs solid surface vs Air floor. Added Anchor points on the floor insert to help lock gear in the boat. I take my wife and my 2 daughters 4 and 6 out on it. THis boat has served us well for FL waters. Springs are amazing with this boat and we take it off shore as well. WE fish Tampa Bay all the time. My set up allows me by my self to get into supper skinny waters. Shes doing about 24 mph with just me on it. with the boat max loaded we cruise at 14 mph. amazing boat for a small family or a person looking to get out on the water for very little money
Checkout the TrueKits from NZ. Solid highpressure floor, wide beam, big pontoons. I would also suggest a knock down trailer. Packs down to 1500 mm and dont have to deflate the boat till you are ready to break camp. If you get a bit wet a Stormline crew 211 jacket will get you home. The pros wear them. Spend the money. I think you should have done your research and start again. 4 meter Boat 4k, 15 hp 3k, trailer 2k, jackets $250 ea. + Sundries. $10,000 still a lot of bang for your buck when you are travelling around or comparing it to a $40'000 Quintrex. In Australia they dont use these for surf life saving for nothing. We go to Rotnest Island in these 18 mile out... Now go out past the heads and get you some snapper. Good luck.
I love my inflatable Bris Catamaran 11' . This thing is a beast out on the bay, and with a 10-15 hp motor we easily pull people around on a hydrofoil. My buddy takes his out 15 miles offshore into the atlantic to spearfish and absolutely loves it as well. Everything is a compromise, especially with boats, but for me the positives vastly outweigh the negatives with my inflatable. Oh, and the total cost of the package was less than 2k. Not bad at all for a brand new boat and decent used motor.
Happy with my 14ft Zodiac Typhoon 420 with Aluminum flooring, generous 6’3” wide, a deep inflatable keel and a 15hp Merc 4stroker. Nimble, solid feeling even in choppy waters, very easy to set up, inflate, wheel around and then deflate with my Ryobi portable air/vacuum pump and stow away. Not bad for a guy who lives in a third floor condo and could never otherwise own a boat. Uses the space of a big suitcase.
@@SteveStomber Motor with tilt/trim accessories is about 140lbs. Boat plus aluminum flooring is only 185lbs. Boat is the lightest in its class and a pleasure to use. I had a 2010 14ft Inmar Search And Rescue with thick aluminum flooring. The red monster weighed in at 375lbs, no motor yet! The extra weight really feels good under the feet. Had to keep it at a friends house until the Hypalon started delaminating in the hot sun and had to be destroyed for safety’s sake.
I love our Kaboat I can both motor and kayak paddle. I also love the 15 foot model because they store in such a small area. Since they break down in sections the maximum weight for me to carry is about 45 pounds.
We have had our Saturn Heavy Duty Kaboat for 4 years now and we love it. While any inflatable can rupture, the heavy duty model is double layered giving ectra protection and you can add after market rub strakes by gluing them on if you are concerned about that. While the comments made here are fair, I eliminated one problem by leaving the boat inflated all the time on a trailer and it is easy and fast to launch and retrieve and I only have to top off with additional air occasionally like you do with your car tires. When not in use I keep the boat covered to prevent UV light damage and keep the rain and debris out between uses.
Thats a nice setup Scott! Glad you can see I was just listing some cons but overall still really enjoy my inflatable and what it allows me to do with such a low cost! Mine has been reliable for 3 years :)
Not really agreeing with any of your points here. Small boats are small boats. The buoyancy of an inflatable is incomparable to any other type of boat. They can carry MUCH more weight than an equally sized hard boat. My 9.8' inflatable is rated for almost 1100 lbs. Compared to a similar sized (i.e. Water Tender 9.4), the inflatable is rated to carry twice as many passengers. And here's a news flash: I don't fish from my inflatable, simply because I don't like to fish! When you remove fishing from the conversation, it kinda ruins a bunch of your arguments against inflatables. Too bad, So sad. I get it that these are YOUR reasons why you dislike inflatables, but keep an open mind and understand that (based on a LOT of the comments below) inflatables are a really good choice for a lot of people.
750 lb weight limit is actually far higher than any normal hull boat of the same size. That's actually an advantage of ribs- they have substantially higher weight limits
Should probably call this 7 reasons not to buy an inflatable KABOAT. I had a 15.5 ft sib. 19 inch tubes with 40hp tohatsu and rigged with console steering. I routinely took it offshore 5-10 miles. Even took it nonstop from pompano beach to islamorada averaging 22mph. It was a safe boat in virtually all conditions. But your video is accurate for kaboats.
A few of the negative things are the result of choosing the narrow type kaboat instead of the much roomier regular width inflatable boat. Even the regular design is only about 36" wide inside because the tubes are so wide. My 12'6" Mars has a load rating of 1500 lbs and will go about 24 mph with 2 passengers. It can carry 5 passengers, but only at trolling speeds. It's still a small boat and not stable in rough choppy water. If you want to go out to the big water you need a bigger boat, that's designed for it.
100 % agree brother! If you spend~1500 instead of 700 for the full size inflatable you'll have a much better experience out there, but to get a few ppl comfortably out there a "real boat" is necessary
@@SteveStomber I got on sale during Black Friday for $800. I didn't want to spend big $$ either. IMO it's hard to justify an inflatable over a rigid boat over a certain price point, because the rigid boat will last indefinitely. Most of us buy inflatables because they can deflate and pack away for easy storage & transport. I got mine for carrying along in our Sprinter. Pulling a boat trailer everywhere isn't practical when traveling to a variety of destinations. Btw, for people that are wondering if these cheaper inflatables last long. I've had mine for about 3 years. It's been left in the water for 2-3 months at a time, but I park it under our dock to keep it out of the sun. It's also been stored in the van for many months, which can sometimes get pretty hot. The boat's seams and material still look as good as when new.
@@cherryromany5522 I have a Mars, from Saturn. The Mars was the lightest 12.5' model, which is about 92 lbs. I can barely load it into my van solo. It's wide enough for me to sit sideways on the air-floor & use the right tube as a backrest, which is pretty comfortable. You can't sit like that in the narrow K-boats. As I said, it's still pretty narrow compared to a rigid-hull boat. I wouldn't really want anything smaller than my boat.
I have the 13' saturn SD version boat and all what u said is true. With that said i still love the boat and its tough as nails. Took it on 3 seperate trips 300 miles down river to the ocean then over thru the icw and i beat this boat to hell for 3 years without 1 issue. Its not for a 1 day trip though. It take 4 times of loading and unloading for a trip so i only go on 2 or more day camping trips down river. Rivers are alot more forgiving and the bays are hell if even slightly windy becaue the boat sits on top of the water instead of pushing thru the chop. So 5-10mph tops thru a bay with wind. Not fun but still beats having to own a f250 truck and a place to store a boat with all that expense. With these boats i can literally put it on top of my honda civic with the motor in the trunk and go alot farther to my destination without paying 1k in gas to get there and back. My buddies jet boat gets 1mpg so a yearly trip down river is 75miles 1 way. 150gallons of gas for 2 day island camping trip. My 20hp efi mercury used 6 gallons on the same trip one way so 12 gallons verse his 150 gallons round trip. Granted he got there in just over an hour and took me 4 hours but im not in a hurry. And to go out of town with his f250 is alot of gas at 10mpg pulling a boat and then theres the parking situation with the truck and trailer but when he gets there he dont have an hour to put the boat together. Ive been on alot more trips than he has. His boat sits in the pole barn he had to build more than it does in the water except the local river. He has a local group that he drinks with at the local river but for me id rather take my boat to the mnts to waterfalls and u can only get up the small creeks with a small boat and walk it up once it gets shallow then hike the rest. Moral of the story is your needs and wants. Pick your poison type of deal. Love my boat though. It and the motor is packed upstairs in the spare bedroom without a 20k pole barn or 85k f250 truck and 80k jet boat all financed by the bank at whatever percentage rate. The inflatable was paid off all at once. All what u want in life really. The cheap boat allowed me to have fun yet pay my house off early ans keep my 17 yr old honda. At 50 no bills so free to build a camper van to travel the US now instead of 400k in debt. Great video. I can relate to every single one of the 7 reason but still willing to deal with the issues due to cost which allows more freedoms in other areas of my life. Tik tok of my last 300mile river trip to the ocean. www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8Py8YNC/
Thank you brother! Ill check out your video sounds like a killer trip. Too many people think im just complaining but every decision has pros n cons and i love mine as well just wanted to share some realistic cons if you’re considering this route. The inflatable is the perfect bang for your buck if you’re not super serious with boating
I have a flawless 15 year old Zodiac Classic. IMHO this is the only way to go, if going Inflatable. Only drawback is that it's heavy. Good info. Great video.
I think you......completely missed the boat. I'd agree sticking to the bay is probably a good idea on any smaller boat. Not just inflatables however. Remember that inflatable boats are used as rescue boats, so they are actually able to handle rougher water better than many regular boats of comparable size. Portable water proof hand held marine radios are widely available I bought one. Sure you may get wet, especially at higher speeds. Probably would be similar in a small regular boat. My Sea Eagle Paddleski 437ps (this model came out end of summer 2021 about $1500) has a drop stitch floor, so you can walk or stand up cast on it like a regular boat. My older Paddleski 435ps is from 2009, and has been used over 450 times and has never been patched. Safety.. The 437ps has 5 air chambers I'd say it's far less likely to sink than a regular boat. You'd likely still get back if you punctured one. The advantages to inflatables are numerous. Read the comments people have posted. The number one reason is portability. You can throw a boat like mine in the trunk and it's completely concealed and no one knows it's there. Great on trips. And what happens when you go to a busy tourist area, transported a boat via trailer a long distance and the conditions aren't favorable for boating? Now you have parking issues. Also nice when your done boating, park like a regular vehicle. Inflatable boats like mine don't require owning an expensive gas guzzling truck or large vehicle, and are very economical to transport a long distance. I've taken mine in almost every state on the east coast. The 437ps can reach 15 mph with just a Honda 5 HP motor. I don't need a larger 15 HP motor to reach those speeds as the 437ps is light weight. It will take up to a 6 HP. Tear down / setup will depend on the specific boat, but you still have the option to trailer it if you wanted just like a regular boat, so the amount of time would be comparable when things are comparable. My 435ps setups up & tears down pretty quick. The newer, slightly larger 437ps with drop stitch floor does take longer, but not several hours like you mentioned More like 25 mins from taken out of the car, inflated by electric pump and setup at the water with motor and many accessories. I've never heard of any lakes here on the east coast that don't allow inflatable boats. If anything, they are safer than many regular boats when they have 5 air chambers. Mine are actually NMMA certified which is above Coast Guard certification. Check out Sea Eagle's durability test of their Explorer which is made of the same material as mine. Driven over inflated by a Jeep, and intentionally attempted to puncture. But sure, you should be careful. What happens in a regular boat when you hit a rock? You might sink. Same rules apply. Be careful. Big chance the boat will pop? Again, I mention I've gone over 450 miles in my 435ps without incident. Could happen sure. Regular boat could sink too. 4 or 5 hours packing up. Are you crazy? Not even remotely close. What I do & recommend is place the boat on a tarp at the boat launch when done. Towel dry, and clean with Simple Green if needed. Also towel dry as rolling/folding it up. Total time is under a half hour to put completely pack the boat and all accessories on my 437ps. And when I get home, if I want I could leave the car in the garage and it's ready to go again the next time without any packing. With a regular boat, you'd have to put the boat & accessories away when home. Also great to have it in the trunk so you can go boating unplanned at a moment's notice. My 435ps takes more like 20 mins to pack up. Getting wet and cold water all depend on the conditions and how fast you want to go. I go boating only weeks after the lakes are unfrozen here and up until the first snow storm here in New England. Getting wet can be avoided. Just go at the right times, and be careful. Due to the drop stitch floor, I can walk right onto the 437ps without getting my feet wet. No issues with the wheels on the 437ps. It can easily be carried by two people without the motor attached and that is added after it's in the water, or I can use my EZ-cart wheels and the motor can be attached. I didn't have to design my own cart either. Moving it around alone on the EZ-Cart is a cinch. The 437ps looks about a similar size to your inflatable you've had so many problems with. Maybe try a different model? The 437ps capacity is 850 lbs. More than I'll ever need. The 437ps is a comfortable boat, and includes swivel seats like a bass boat. I've had 3 people on boat, but it's designed for two. Larger inflatables are widely available just as smaller regular boats are available. Buy the size you need. Bottom line........you bought the wrong inflatable boat for your needs! Don't judge them all as the same. Next time carefully research, check out TH-cam videos and reviews.
Don’t get me wrong I love my inflatable, I just wanted to point out some tradeoffs people need to be okay with when making your decision. For the boat launch drying idea, i go out in salt water so I always want to give it a fresh water spray at home. The real problem is that when I’m back from a day out I’d like to just rinse it off and air dry outside for a few hrs but I don’t have a safe spot for this as I live in an apt, so unlike a big boat the wash down is a bit more work intensive
@@SteveStomber There are tradeoffs with everything. I just wanted to let your viewers know there is a solution to most of the points you made, which I addressed. I have 7 inflatable boats, most are over a decade and two of them are about a year old including my new Sea Eagle Paddleski 437ps & Razorlite 393RL which I got those last summer in 2021. All of them people tell me still look like they are brand new, with the exception of one I bought used that wasn't properly cleaned/stored which I rarely use. You need to properly take care of anything if you want it to last. Boats are no exception. I use my inflatables in both fresh water & salt water. Here's what I've done for more than a decade. Bring a tarp, and ideally try to find a clean spot at the boat launch. Grass is probably best, and if not clear smooth cement When your done boating, place the inflatable on the tarp. Use a dry towel to completely dry all sides of the boat the best you can. It only takes 2 - 3 minutes typically. Use Simple Green to clean any spots that may be dirty from the water and towel wipe. As your folding/rolling the boat up, continue to towel dry it as your packing it. My boats are typically just a little damp when packed. By the next day or so they are completely dry. The trick with salt water is simply........try to use the boat in fresh water with in a couple days. Don't let the salt set in for too many days ideally. I've had times when I went more than a week and never had an issue, but generally it's only been a few days or less. Out of the hundreds and hundreds of times I've use my inflatables, the only times I had to unroll them at home to clean them off was when I forgot my tarps, there wasn't a clean spot to pack them at the launch, or the times it started pouring in combination with no clean area and got dark and I forgot to have a decent light with me. I did that a couple months ago. Very usual to have to go through that trouble. Because you can leave your inflatable packed in your vehicle and ready to go for the next use, I feel they are actually less work than a regular boat. There are some reasons I wouldn't recommend inflatables to everyone, such as say, moored boats or on a boat slip with the sun and elements beating on them all the time. But on nearly every issue you mentioned, I countered it. For people that are loaded with money, then sure it may be easier for some to just get a regular boat who can afford all the other disadvantages. Even still, I feel the best thing about inflatables in the portability. I've literally visited maybe 150 different bodies of water in the past 11 or 12 years since I got into inflatables. That keeps it interesting to me. You can take them on vacation as mine have been up and down the east coast 2 or 3 times. A regular boat is harder to take on vacation with you. Can be done, but not so practical.
the title of this video should be "7 Reason Why You Should NOT buy a NARROW CHEAPO Inflatable Boat" I got a CoralSea HSM 420 and super HAPPY. It comes with the following specifications: 420cm (overall length) x 187cm (overall width) with 298cm (inside length) x 90cm (inside width) max load of 1087kg and floor panels made of aluminum (5piece); tube diameter 50cm, there are 3+1 chamber max 30HP motor can handle.
I always laugh when lakes try to ban Inflatable boats. The military, Fire and rescue and more importantly the coast guard use soft bottom Inflatable boats in many situations. The real problem like most things is usually the user and the quality of the boat. 🇺🇲🤠
I think banning the inflatables might have been alittle bit of a biz move atleast for the lake by me that banned them… they rent out lil skiffs to fisherman
7 reasons not to buy a motorboat : #1 They don't fit inside your car #2 You can't cross the ocean #3 It is hard to remove and install the engine #4 you can't sail with the wind 🙃 If you are judging boats by what they are NOT designed to do, maybe you are just asking too much. I appreciate this video, most of them are true, but maybe you can make a sequel to be fair: "7 reasons why to buy an inflatable"
Hey thanks for the idea! I slightly covered these pros in other videos but I should organize it clearly in that video To be clear, this inflatable does fit in my car though!
“Pretty hectic” 😂 15 horse mounted to a balloon! You ain’t lying. Good video. Full of facts, and pretty good illustrations of limitations and benefits of an inflatable dinghy. 👍
I think your inflatable boat is a kaboat. It's a mix between a boat and kayak I believe it could be why it's not stable while standing my bris 15'4 boat is much wider. It has a soft hull but hard aluminum floor that snaps together it keeps the boat ridgid and stable.
Like your vid. I got a 15ft Saturn Outfitter with a 15HP Tohatsu and I get about 20mph at half throttle. Going to buy a trailer to pull the boat with car and carry the engine in the trunk while driving. As with all things its give and take. Yes there are cons with an inflatable but the biggest pros for me are the price and space needed while storing don't compare to a hard shell boat.
That sounds like it rips! I feel like mine should be able to go faster than 20mph but then again i know i dont have super high compression engine. Give and take like you mentioned 👍
Costco selling 600 dollar full size 10ft sib. Running with 4 adults and a kid on weekly basis for crabbing fishing cruising in Seattle. It’s the best dollar for the bang.
Hey Bryon I totally agree, you get what you pay for, you can't expect a 20k boat experience on a 1k boat. For the stability aspect this opinion is really just in terms of stand up fishing, Other viewers have chimed in that this "issue" is pretty much only for the inflatable kayaks especially ones with an air floor (mine) and not the full size inflatables the rafting industry might use
Cannot agree with the reasoning. I had soft bottom Zodiacs for over 30 years. They are definitely seaworthy. Went on the Atlantic and Lake Michigan in all kinds of weather, no problem ( remember Jacques Cousteau?). If you have a Aluminum floor, you can safely fish standing up. You also need the right size outboard, like 25 HP on a 380 boat. Inflatable boats from quality suppliers like Zodiac are the safest small boats on the water.
100% true but Zodiacs are in a totally different price range than the inflatable boats this review was based on. These are sub 1K inflatable cons, Zodiacs are super nice but ~10-15k with engine is a different category
You got the wrong boat, for the wrong purpose and the wrong expectation. I got a Intex Excursion 5 for fishing with a electric 86lbs trolling motor. It's a cheap boat with a cheap motor and still it exceeded my expectation. I'm able to unpack and set it up in less than 30 min, and pack it back in less than 30 minutes too. The floor is soft but I can install a hardwood floor if I want too, I would never take it to the sea for obvious reason, and neither would go to fish in a lake with high wind, but it's a lot of fun an I has been around 900 pound on it including 3 adults, two coolers, two acid batteries and fishing equipment.
At 2:25 you go on to say, "you might be boating for 4 or 5 hours, but you're gonna spend the same time cleaning up and setting up". What?! I have a large inflatable Intex mariner 4 raft with a 5 hp motor, and it doesn't take me anywhere near 4 or 5 hours to set it up, clean it up, and take it down. I bring a beach towel with me to wipe it down BEFORE I put it up so it's clean and dry before it gets folded up. It takes me a total of 15 minutes (using an electric air pump) to lay it out, fill with air, put the fishing rods and ice chests (we use them as seats) in, along with mounting the motor. Now when I take it would of the water, it's another 15 minutes plus another 10 minutes of wiping it down to dry it off and cleaning it up. So I would say in total it's about 45 minutes to set up, clean and tear down in a day. However I have also owned an aluminum bass boat and it also has to be cleaned up as well, it's just different. Especially when fishing, I get slime from catfish on the carpet of my bass boat, and it's a pain to get clean and requires extra time, whereas the inflatable can be simply wiped off, and is much easier to clean. Also occasionally once or twice a year, you have to polish and wash the entire bass boat which takes MULTIPLE hours, and if you factored this into the equation, would easily even out the times in my opinion. Also my bass boat in 5 years depreciated more than my entire inflatable raft and motor cost me. So I would argue an inflatable setup holds value better. Lastly, I purchased a 5 hp tohatsu propane powered motor for my raft, and if you know anything about motors, you know that propane burns 50 times cleaner than gas. This means the oil stays looking like new, lasts longer, the engine stays significantly cleaner, there is no ethanol to eat up fuel lines or gaskets, there is no gas to gum up the carb, you don't have to worry about draining old fuel, it can sit for years and won't need the carb taken off to be cleaned to get it running right again... It's just significantly less maintenance. I can run about 6 hours at WOT with a 20 lb propane tank with the boat loaded full of gear, me and a small (child or woman) passenger. I can also take a vehicle that is significantly more fuel efficient to go fishing to far away destinations because I can load this in a fuel efficient vehicle. Otherwise I have to use my truck for my bass boat which then gets about 11 mpg towing the boat. So that saves money as well. I also save further money by not having to pay a yearly trailer registration fee, or keep up with the maintenance on a trailer. I think for someone who is younger (say under 50), who is on a budget, these inflatables with a 5 hp motor (especially propane) are a very efficient way to be able to get out on a lake, bay or river and have some fun fishing, crushing and swimming.
Its a great option for someone like myself. I personally love mine and the reason setup takes longer for me is that I like to hose mine down completely inside n out and have it dry completely before I pack her away. Might not be completely necessary but I've had no issues reliability wise
I run a Newport vessels 8 ft9 in reg inflatable boat and I can stand in it no problem in calm water. It has oversized gunnels at 18 inches. She doesn’t track too well, but she turns on a dime!
the answer is depends... 1. if u go for fishing in deep ocean is big no no. for small pond perhaps ok. and make sure have safety float just in case 2. u can buy small boat, like each 1 person to use, to just for fun like kayaking, or light fishing in small pond or small lake. 3. u can just use water to wash n just tied to the car n dump in right to garrage, no need to release the air or pump in again if u use it like once or more time a week. so is not that hard. 4. is cheap, so if it is lose, broken, no big deal
Hi, I don't wish to criticise your making of the video - it's great BTW, and I've never made one so what do I know about making videos - but I can't say I agree with all your points. Inflatable boats come all shapes and sizes, some up to 7m+ in length. Some are wide, short, fat, thin, suitable for two or 10people. They don't just pop - a decent boat will have several air chambers and whilst they can and do lose air if punctured, you're unlikely to on the open, deep water. They are also more likely to stay partially afloat unlike a rigid boat which will fill with water without bouyancy chambers. Motoring with the canopy up is madness - you're killing your speed and efficiency. If you don't like packing up, get a small trailer or stick it in the roof of your car. The engine is a doddle to take off and on and whilst they can be heavy, two can manage (or 1 if left on and using a trailer). Inflatables are versatile, light yet strong, forgiving and stable. Most low board boats will get you wet but there's an inflatable out there for every one. Rescue services in every country in the planet uses an inflatable (not all rigid hulls), look no further than surf rescue Australia to see how fast, stable, safe and enjoyable these things can be. Perhaps get a new boat (or a good used one)?!
Hey! No worries, everyone has their opinion and its fine if yours is slightly different than mine! Personally I love my inflatable boat, for the price I paid the value is unbeatable especially considering the "cost risk" of owning one. For example I could get a great deal on a used bowrider for a few grand but take the risk of expensive parts/maint. needed. In this video I just wanted to point out some cons or tradeoffs on the cheaper inflatable boats and why someone might not love the experience of owning one. In terms of motoring around with the canopy, we usually take it down but alot of the of the time we are limited to no wake speeds in the bay so its speed/efficiency concerns are minimal For the engine my 15hp 2 stroke weights prob 70-80 lbs and I can take it on off no problem, but I like to wrestle my 300lbs dirt bike off road on the weekends , So I could see someone like my dad not loving this For your comments on the trailer aspect, although I agree that it would be much easier, a big part of why this inflatable was right for me was because I don't have space for a trailer and I can just pack this up in my jeep and store in a corner of my garage. This pro however comes with the tradeoff of setup time. At the end of the day, for less than $1000 this is the best it gets(Pretty good IMO), If you want a better experience on the water you gotta spend more $$$
Yeah, inflatable boats are not for everyone, especially for people that are afraid of breaking a nail while unloading/inflating the boat, but more so for people that exceed the the manufacturers recommendation for maximum engine power by 10 HP. Yeah, inflatables are not for everyone... Most folks on the Tuby, recommend based on their experiences alone, and some don't even qualify to give any type of advice! You know about your life and limitations better then anyone so I say, buy what you can afford and have fun with it! Don't let others tel you what you should or shouldn't do, be safe and have FUN!!!
I agree! I really enjoy mine still after 3 years despite everyone thinking i hate it. Just wanted to note some drawbacks. Its definitely better than nothing
Your issue is with having a CHEAP Boat. At best it is a raft An actual Coast Guard approved SIB from a reputable boat dealer does not have these problems. Also it is against the law to be on the water without a VHF radio and PFD. I have a 12 foot Zodiac. I get it inspected by the Coast Guard every year. I take my boat into the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean all the time. I also pay attention to the Marine Weather and file DSC reports.
Who ever told you that you dont need a radio was lying to you big time. If you are actually in a saltwater bay. You can be boarded at any time by CBP, CG, Natural Resources Police, Bay Police. What's the big deal. The radio is not only for your protection , it's for the protection of overs. In spite of what the regulations say. A Whiste ain't gonna cut it on a saltwater bay with commercial traffic. Not only that but what do you do when the weather changes while you are on the water and you cant swim back or paddle back. Having basic safety equipment is part of boating .
Guys let’s get real had this boat last 3 years it not only amazing but idiot proof. Great for shoreline fishing. A half inch plywood in front and back will enable you to fish standing.Great value without having to sell your first born
I've had mine 3 years aswell and love it. Everyone is so butt hurt I have some cons to talk about on a $700 boat. Like cmon it's $700 there are going to be some notable cons, but overall its a great option
For me it is a decent quality inflatable w/ electric powered or no boat at all! The amount of time I spent yearly on the water, the distance I would have to drive and transport it and then store it would be impractical for me to warrant it owning it.
Similar case for me! Although I live super close to the Bay I only take it out when its hotter than 85 which isnt that often here in San Diego. I could take it out more, but I'm not big into fishing right now
Basically, you're saying that you need a ship. If that is what you need, do get one - and let us know how it ticks all those boxes for you! P.S. 2:33: setting up an inflatable boat takes 5 to 20 minutes; packing it, and related, will take about the same amount of time. If you can't manage such times, you are doing something very wrong. That is to say, you (i.e., generic "you") can be out on the water for 10 to 14 hours a day.
Although im listing reasons to not get one, i never said you shouldn’t get one. Just listing some things for people to consider. I love my inflatable Setup time takes way longer than 5-20 mins especially if you take good care of it and wash it after every use(im in salt water). I’m not saying setup time is unreasonable, but it is more involved than launching a normal boat but for thousands less there is will be some cons with this option
@@SteveStomber, cleaning the boat does take a lot of time. I always do that at home, though, and that is why I do not include it in the time required for packing. Very good point about the much lower price tag - to which I add multifold convenience.
My bestway mirovia can handle 1450lb and my bris 12.5 heavy duty aluminum floor can handle 1675lb very stable and solid boat. I think I he main problem is your boat, that is a kaboat inflatable floor that is not designed to handle really high loads. Is like expecting a bike to work like a car, that's never going to happen. God bless you!
I like the way lake cuyamaca felt the need to include air mattresses in their list of things not allowed all because some idiot was out there on an air mattress one day. That is golden 😂😂😂😂😂
Hey good video, and pretty accurate 👍 I have a bris 14.1 ft kaboat, and yeah when it’s rough out, it can definitely be a struggle. I’ve taken mint out to the upper 9 mile bank, whistlers buoy, and made the run from mission bay to La Jolla no problem. I e run into rough waters on the ride back in, and that sucked big time but we made it. Just gotta plan for wind, swells, and have a time frame set.
Hey Mike thanks for the comment! Its nice to see others in the SD area with the same setup. On that ride to 9 mile bank how much time did you plan? Also what's your outboard/Fuel tank setup are you using a 3 gal tank or more?
@@SteveStomber I have a 2021 Honda 5hp with a 5 gallon external tank. If I remember correctly I had a six hour window. I was trying to be headed back into sd bay riding the incoming tide with the wind to my back.
I've owned a few alloy floor inflatables and full on RIB's absolutely love the inflatables of all types mainly for there performance. But for these smaller ones i wouldn't say These are reasons why you should NOT buy one. Its more these are some of the incontinences of cheaper range inflatables. Upside you don't have to pay a ton on storage or mooring feels like my RIB's just shove it in the boot. Get a decent pump and one with an alloy floor and there fantastic with a little effort and setup time
I definitely would like to try out an alloy floor version. Don't get me wrong I love my inflatable just wanted to share some con's based on my experience
I love my hydro force it 12'6 " or so and a 3.5hp I just use it for lakes and rivers. Mine is 5.5 wide or so it's very stable. I have a canopy fish finder it's a great rig I love it. Yours is skinny made more for rivers
Best investment I made for my type of inshore fishing freshwater with a 2.5 hp can go wrong. It’s a deer proof stable and great value. Furthermore, never worried if it’s stolen or has major damage since I didn’t mortgage my house to buy it.
I have an 18-foot Saturn inflatable boat on a trailer. I agree to not taking it on the ocean, but in a bigger inflatable I've never got wet or water on the deck.
i have a 11 foot saturn kaboat it has big bladders and im using a 9.9hp .. i send it out a good 5 to 8+ miles out in open ocean if its not too windy and big swells
just took my Excursion 5 out in Mission Bay with a trolly motor, #1 thing I wish I had was wheels, dragging it down the grass and sand sucked! where did you get your outboard from?
Take a 5gal bottle of water and a towel and clean/dry it on the beach. None of those are reasons not to get a SIB! They're just elements of owning one.
So why are you getting wet? I don't get it. The water splashing in? Mine will be used on rivers and lakes. Will it stay dry if the water is not choppy?
some water splashing in, also from launching i push it out a few feet & hop over the side tube all wet. Not the biggest deal but just wanted to give people a heads up you'll get more wet on this than a normal boat(i.e you can wear pants on a fishing boat), but then again totally different price ranges.
California screwed us with prohibiting these on small lakes. But, other crafts that are far more dangerous due to the hard hull are allowed. It's bull in most cases. Just prohibit 2 strokes. Some lakes are understandable. but like Ventura is full of it. Most of those are algea ridden anyway. Lol.
many of us chose an inflatable is because this is the only option. For example, I am living in an apartment complex. No garage to store a larger, rigid boat. So some of the disadvantages, like setting up time, is not something easily avoidable and we are aware of that. but now I can set up mine in less than 20 min. In my view, however, the biggest reason for NOT owning an inflatable is the leaking anxiety. Being fishing from my inflatable for three years, I have had many misfortunes in poking holes on my boat, especially, landing those spiky fish into the boat. Losing air is my biggest concern whenever I am out there.
I totally agree , everyone thinks i hate them on this video but i really love mine I just wanted to note some cons. A real boat would have its fair share of cons too like the cost and space
Got to be the lamest reasons ever not to buy an inflatable boat, anything worth doing on the water takes a little bit of effort and preparation, not everyone can throw x amount of 1000s of dollars on a ready made floating bling boat so inflatables are the cheapest way to get out on the water for fishing or leisure, I have owned both boats and inflatables and never found either a problem but certainly inflatables are more portable and can access awkward inlets a lot more easily.
Great video! Straight to the point. I really like how you broke down the text on the screen too when you talked about the different reasons. Maybe next time you can include the reason in addition to writing number #7 like “Reason # 7: Weight Limit”
When buying a inflatable for a lake i hope your spending $1000 or more for safety reasons, As for the standing im suprised you did not suggest floor mats to be placed inside boat to make it more stable to stand in. An finally most of us do not have trucks to haul a boat behind an it creates a opportunity for those people to still be able to go in a boat.
I would rather have my inflatabe then a tippy canoe or tinny that cant 5ake any weight what so ever.And i never get wet fishing at all.Infact im looking at a new Navigator 10 ft inflatable to replace my seaeagle 285 which is a awesome one man fishing boat..You just have to know your limits of where you can go to fish.
My Bris kayak 12 foot with 5.8 HP OB goes fine fishing the coastline in NZ just need to treat it for what it is a cheap fun way to catch fish where the big boats can't get to
I disagree with a lot of the things you say in this video but it's a small boat and it cost less than $1,000 what do you expect and it can be folded up and placed in a closet when not in use
That's a Kaboat, not a real inflatable/zodiac boat with a aluminium bottom. Well is for that reason that you are not happy with your kaboat. I have a Chinese hard bottom/aluminum 11 feet's and i don't have any of your mentions problems. I'm very happy with my boat
Your opinion, but totally disagree. Ive had my kaboat 20miles off shore when surprising bad weather came from nowhere, my kaboat was killin waves with ease!
Tittle should be "7 reason's why i regret buying an inflatable boat" not "why you shouldnt" theres a guy on youtube riding the kaboat offshore catching marlin and 100lb tuna lol these can definitely make it offshore
It seems to me that the inflatable boats you are showing on your TH-cam clip are complete and utter rubbish.There are plenty of inflatable boats on the market that are far superior and are completely inflatable you can stand up with no problems and are quickly assembled. Sure you pay more but let's be honest what is your life worth.
Hey Grant, I agree the inflatable kayak or Kaboat options are definitely not as stable as a full size inflatable but are about half the cost at around $700 vs $1300+. Although standing is not the best, its completely safe in the bay or a rougher lake. In terms of setup, yes it inflates quickly, but typically setup takes me 30 mins from arrival to launch to being on the water (Launch wheels, canopy, seats, cooler, fishing poles etc). My least favorite part of owning one is the post boating wash down, as it needs to air dry after before storage and that tough to do if your out close to sunset
If you want to see what quality looks like in inflatable boats check out the New Zealand made TRUE KIT range these are the bees knees when it comes to inflatable boats quick to assemble especially when you use an electric pump very stable cost more but worth every cent . Plenty of clips on TH-cam so you can see what fantastic boats they are
I have a question for both of you but please be patient while o explain my situation: I had a Sea Eagle 385 fast track angler (12.5 ft/ 3.81 meters) & although it’s a wet ride at times all of the compartments make it extremely safe & it’s made out of excellent material. I use it saltwater & the material is comparable to the better inflatable tenders on the market. Our problem in the US is that ppl can spend a small amount of money, go out on the water without thinking & then become victims very quickly looking for some agency to pay their estates for not rescuing them faster or for not warning them of their stupidity. In the warmer parts of the US like where I live, too many ppl keep inflatables in garages or attics or worse in car trunks, then they split the seams when inflating those boats. I kept my Sea Eagle in my home when not in use. It fits under a bed folded in half or in a closet in the “flap” carrying bag. It was perfect for kayaking adventures but I sold mine a few days ago while it was still in perfect shape because I need to get a tender for a sailboat & want a transom that will hold an outboard with a boat that can haul supplies including jerry cans of water because I’m in the process of buying a sailboat on which I shall live aboard & sail to the Florida Keys & the Bahamas. My question is: Is there an affordable inflatable w/a transom that can hold a 3-5 hp outboard (or more) that can stay at least partially inflated, handle the sun & that I can add a hard floor to make it capable of carrying jerry cans of water & supplies as well as use as a runabout for things like diving & sightseeing? Thank you both for any advice that you can offer. 👍
Not saying that it can't go faster, but everything is bouncing around its a bit too hectic to cruise anywhere near the upper ranges. If it had a rib hull it would def cut 100x better on the water
Yeah it doesn’t take me nearly as long as you said in this video to set up and tear down my system. You’re really not highlighting the versatility. I take mine everywhere in my Prius., I think this is a highly negative review on inflatable’s and really not pregnant. The versatility outweighs everything you’re talking about. But thank you for the negativity
Everyone thinks i hate inflatables because of this video but I own one and love it for many of the reasons you mentioned Just because I like something doesn’t mean its not subject to some criticism, for 1k $ they aren’t perfect and this video was to bring the downsides to light Also setup and tear down is 30 mins a piece but washing it down and drying takes awhile, i live in an apt so i don’t love having to let it air dry. Im sure if i had a yard id feel more comfortable leaving it out to dry as i do other stuff
You can still like something but still note it has tradeoffs. Nothing is only Pros with no Cons. Inflatables a cheap and great for what they are but they aren't perfect
Look, the info is just your your boat. I have a 14 inflatable and it can handle 40 hp and 2000 lbs. It did not cost over 1700 and has a hard bottom. Incredibly stable. So, I don't agree with anything you said. For example, your issue with wheels is because you have a nrrow boat. Many others do not have this problem. You're just an unhappy boater and regret what you invested in and the only way you are goint to be happy is to make other unhappy. Go away
@@SteveStomber HAHA ....now you see how brave some people are haha pretty nuts going 8+ miles on a inflatable..im down for it as long as its not super choppy and widny.. have you at least gone out in front of point loma in the the wide open ocean ?
@@thatonebeone So far I've only taken it out in Sail Bay but I'm typically with my chick when Im on it so I don't push it, my engine is rocking a solid 75 psi on compression😂.There is some guy on here who took his Saturn to Catalina tho....
@@SteveStomber dam... i kinda regret getting a saturn kaboat with a 9.9.. its too heavy and big for me to be carry around... engine not even broke in yet lol.. i have a scout 12 foot with a 1 hp trolling motor that i use now for my needs...going to sell my kaboat/9.9 and get a 5/6hp for my scout or sell my scout and get a something mall but better bottom so it tracks better..ill be happy with a smaller set up 6hp got peek 16mph is more then enough in bay and out in the open a bit... thats crazy take a saturn boat from san diego to catalina lol full send only live once to be shark bait haha
clueless, just based on a bad choice of purchase BY YOU, other inflatable designs are completely different. do you know that surf lifesavers use inflatable boats for sea rescue? Your opinion is that of a youtuber who has minimal real-life experience with boating. Do you know how much your wrong views are limiting the actions of others?
1. Im not clueless, I'm Steve 2. Never said it was a bad purchase, I love mine for what it is 3. Description says Kaboat which is decently specific to type of inflatable 4. Livesaving inflatables are in a completely different price range (RIBS) 5. Most inflatable owners have little experience boating 6. Never said to not buy one, I love mine but everything has pros & cons so I am just discussing some cons Have a nice day
Hey guys and gals check out some of the best options under $1000 here along with one you should really say away from
th-cam.com/video/IcRh5tcsBwM/w-d-xo.html
Those 7 reasons are because you bought the wrong inflatable boat.
These 7 reasons should help people find the “Right” inflatable for them
Correct, that kaboat is terrible.@@SteveStomber
Most of those are reasons not to buy any small boat. The best feature of my Bris skinny inflatables is that I don't need a trailer, a garage or expensive storage. With gas at $5 a gallon, you can toss them in the trunk of a 40MPG compact car, and they fit into a closet at home. They (I've owned 2 in different countries) set up in about 5 minutes with an electric air mattress pump, topped off with the high pressure hand pump. Another 5-10 minutes to fold them up using the electric pump, and I've never reinflated them at home to dry them unless they were muddy and leafy from the water. If I inflate the drop stitch bottom to a high enough pressure, they're very stable at speeds up to 15-20 MPH. I got 10 MPH from a Yamaha 5HP and ran out of guts (not motor) at 20 MPH with a 15HP Yamaha) (If wanted to go faster, I'd cut out a piece of plywood to add even more rigidity) I'd also add that they make decent SUP's. Funky looking. but comparable performance. I chose a different style of wheels that were much easier to install and deploy at water's edge.
I totally agree, overall for the price point you can't beat it, just wanted to point out some downsides in case someone was on the fence for this or something bigger. I would however advise someone to have a garage/shed to store it and the motor just for any smell. I know I'd never be able to hide my 2 stroker anywhere inside without the place smelling alittle oily
I posted a comment very similar to yours for the same reasons plus some additional. I can afford to take more trips with my inflatable and my 4 cyl crossover SUV that gets 30 mpg with all my gear, then my truck with my bass boat/trailer that gets 11 mpg. Also the bass boat requires additional cost of the trailer, maintenance on the trailer and registration of the trailer yearly. I can literally take about 4 trips (assuming the same distance) with my inflatable setup for the price of 1 trip with my bass boat and trailer with the truck.
Also when I sold my bass boat 5 years later, I lost about $5,000 in value from depreciation. I have only about $2,000 in my inflatable setup with the motor, so I will never lose $5,000 in 5 years with this setup. I could probably sell it for easily $1,200 right now, which is a loss of only about $800 in 5 years. That is a much better deal as well.
Inflatable boats are the most multifunctional of all boats and most importantly they are life savers.
TAMPA bay. I have the same Boat you do. I have my 8hp Merc out board 2stroke with the 15hp carb. I add a Whale tail fin on the cavitation plate. Before i had to baby it to get her on plain and not pointed at the sky. 2nd major Modification i made was a Custom solid wood Floor Insert that fits over the drop stich floor. Really helps stiffing the boat up, also makes standing less strain full on your legs solid surface vs Air floor. Added Anchor points on the floor insert to help lock gear in the boat. I take my wife and my 2 daughters 4 and 6 out on it. THis boat has served us well for FL waters. Springs are amazing with this boat and we take it off shore as well. WE fish Tampa Bay all the time. My set up allows me by my self to get into supper skinny waters. Shes doing about 24 mph with just me on it. with the boat max loaded we cruise at 14 mph. amazing boat for a small family or a person looking to get out on the water for very little money
I totally agree!
Checkout the TrueKits from NZ. Solid highpressure floor, wide beam, big pontoons. I would also suggest a knock down trailer. Packs down to 1500 mm and dont have to deflate the boat till you are ready to break camp. If you get a bit wet a Stormline crew 211 jacket will get you home. The pros wear them. Spend the money. I think you should have done your research and start again. 4 meter Boat 4k, 15 hp 3k, trailer 2k, jackets $250 ea. + Sundries. $10,000 still a lot of bang for your buck when you are travelling around or comparing it to a $40'000 Quintrex. In Australia they dont use these for surf life saving for nothing. We go to Rotnest Island in these 18 mile out... Now go out past the heads and get you some snapper. Good luck.
10k is still way out of range for my use case, but solid tips for anyone else that hits the water with more frequency
Heat welded seams vs adhesive glued seams is also relevant if storing in hot environments. I own tons of inflatables. My Scout is similar to Kaboat.
Good to know! I got a great deal on her
I love my inflatable Bris Catamaran 11' . This thing is a beast out on the bay, and with a 10-15 hp motor we easily pull people around on a hydrofoil. My buddy takes his out 15 miles offshore into the atlantic to spearfish and absolutely loves it as well. Everything is a compromise, especially with boats, but for me the positives vastly outweigh the negatives with my inflatable. Oh, and the total cost of the package was less than 2k. Not bad at all for a brand new boat and decent used motor.
Awesome Deal! I feel like the Catamaran's started popping up after I ordered mine. Where do you live/take it out?
for 15hp motor, you do need to get boat license right? Or there is 14.99hp motor on the market? Sorry, I am just too new for this.
Happy with my 14ft Zodiac Typhoon 420 with Aluminum flooring, generous 6’3” wide, a deep inflatable keel and a 15hp Merc 4stroker. Nimble, solid feeling even in choppy waters, very easy to set up, inflate, wheel around and then deflate with my Ryobi portable air/vacuum pump and stow away. Not bad for a guy who lives in a third floor condo and could never otherwise own a boat. Uses the space of a big suitcase.
Nice setup! How much does that 4 stroker weigh?
@@SteveStomber Motor with tilt/trim accessories is about 140lbs. Boat plus aluminum flooring is only 185lbs. Boat is the lightest in its class and a pleasure to use. I had a 2010 14ft Inmar Search And Rescue with thick aluminum flooring. The red monster weighed in at 375lbs, no motor yet! The extra weight really feels good under the feet.
Had to keep it at a friends house until the Hypalon started delaminating in the hot sun and had to be destroyed for safety’s sake.
I love our Kaboat I can both motor and kayak paddle. I also love the 15 foot model because they store in such a small area. Since they break down in sections the maximum weight for me to carry is about 45 pounds.
I love my Kaboat as well but paddling is a no go for me being in the bay with wind and current but I can see it being an option on calmer lakes.
We have had our Saturn Heavy Duty Kaboat for 4 years now and we love it. While any inflatable can rupture, the heavy duty model is double layered giving ectra protection and you can add after market rub strakes by gluing them on if you are concerned about that. While the comments made here are fair, I eliminated one problem by leaving the boat inflated all the time on a trailer and it is easy and fast to launch and retrieve and I only have to top off with additional air occasionally like you do with your car tires. When not in use I keep the boat covered to prevent UV light damage and keep the rain and debris out between uses.
Thats a nice setup Scott! Glad you can see I was just listing some cons but overall still really enjoy my inflatable and what it allows me to do with such a low cost! Mine has been reliable for 3 years :)
Not really agreeing with any of your points here. Small boats are small boats. The buoyancy of an inflatable is incomparable to any other type of boat. They can carry MUCH more weight than an equally sized hard boat. My 9.8' inflatable is rated for almost 1100 lbs. Compared to a similar sized (i.e. Water Tender 9.4), the inflatable is rated to carry twice as many passengers. And here's a news flash: I don't fish from my inflatable, simply because I don't like to fish! When you remove fishing from the conversation, it kinda ruins a bunch of your arguments against inflatables. Too bad, So sad. I get it that these are YOUR reasons why you dislike inflatables, but keep an open mind and understand that (based on a LOT of the comments below) inflatables are a really good choice for a lot of people.
I agree! I still love mine but wanted to point out some downsides
750 lb weight limit is actually far higher than any normal hull boat of the same size. That's actually an advantage of ribs- they have substantially higher weight limits
That is true, when I looked at comparable jon boats size wise the weight limit was way lower
Should probably call this 7 reasons not to buy an inflatable KABOAT. I had a 15.5 ft sib. 19 inch tubes with 40hp tohatsu and rigged with console steering. I routinely took it offshore 5-10 miles. Even took it nonstop from pompano beach to islamorada averaging 22mph. It was a safe boat in virtually all conditions. But your video is accurate for kaboats.
Good Idea! I’ll see how the algorithm likes that!
A few of the negative things are the result of choosing the narrow type kaboat instead of the much roomier regular width inflatable boat. Even the regular design is only about 36" wide inside because the tubes are so wide. My 12'6" Mars has a load rating of 1500 lbs and will go about 24 mph with 2 passengers. It can carry 5 passengers, but only at trolling speeds.
It's still a small boat and not stable in rough choppy water. If you want to go out to the big water you need a bigger boat, that's designed for it.
100 % agree brother! If you spend~1500 instead of 700 for the full size inflatable you'll have a much better experience out there, but to get a few ppl comfortably out there a "real boat" is necessary
@@SteveStomber I got on sale during Black Friday for $800. I didn't want to spend big $$ either. IMO it's hard to justify an inflatable over a rigid boat over a certain price point, because the rigid boat will last indefinitely. Most of us buy inflatables because they can deflate and pack away for easy storage & transport. I got mine for carrying along in our Sprinter. Pulling a boat trailer everywhere isn't practical when traveling to a variety of destinations.
Btw, for people that are wondering if these cheaper inflatables last long. I've had mine for about 3 years. It's been left in the water for 2-3 months at a time, but I park it under our dock to keep it out of the sun. It's also been stored in the van for many months, which can sometimes get pretty hot. The boat's seams and material still look as good as when new.
@@glennr9913 Totally Agree! Nice setup with the inflatable and Sprinter!
@@glennr9913 which brand you bought
@@cherryromany5522 I have a Mars, from Saturn. The Mars was the lightest 12.5' model, which is about 92 lbs. I can barely load it into my van solo. It's wide enough for me to sit sideways on the air-floor & use the right tube as a backrest, which is pretty comfortable. You can't sit like that in the narrow K-boats. As I said, it's still pretty narrow compared to a rigid-hull boat. I wouldn't really want anything smaller than my boat.
I have the 13' saturn SD version boat and all what u said is true. With that said i still love the boat and its tough as nails. Took it on 3 seperate trips 300 miles down river to the ocean then over thru the icw and i beat this boat to hell for 3 years without 1 issue. Its not for a 1 day trip though. It take 4 times of loading and unloading for a trip so i only go on 2 or more day camping trips down river. Rivers are alot more forgiving and the bays are hell if even slightly windy becaue the boat sits on top of the water instead of pushing thru the chop. So 5-10mph tops thru a bay with wind. Not fun but still beats having to own a f250 truck and a place to store a boat with all that expense. With these boats i can literally put it on top of my honda civic with the motor in the trunk and go alot farther to my destination without paying 1k in gas to get there and back. My buddies jet boat gets 1mpg so a yearly trip down river is 75miles 1 way. 150gallons of gas for 2 day island camping trip. My 20hp efi mercury used 6 gallons on the same trip one way so 12 gallons verse his 150 gallons round trip. Granted he got there in just over an hour and took me 4 hours but im not in a hurry. And to go out of town with his f250 is alot of gas at 10mpg pulling a boat and then theres the parking situation with the truck and trailer but when he gets there he dont have an hour to put the boat together. Ive been on alot more trips than he has. His boat sits in the pole barn he had to build more than it does in the water except the local river. He has a local group that he drinks with at the local river but for me id rather take my boat to the mnts to waterfalls and u can only get up the small creeks with a small boat and walk it up once it gets shallow then hike the rest. Moral of the story is your needs and wants. Pick your poison type of deal. Love my boat though. It and the motor is packed upstairs in the spare bedroom without a 20k pole barn or 85k f250 truck and 80k jet boat all financed by the bank at whatever percentage rate. The inflatable was paid off all at once. All what u want in life really. The cheap boat allowed me to have fun yet pay my house off early ans keep my 17 yr old honda. At 50 no bills so free to build a camper van to travel the US now instead of 400k in debt. Great video. I can relate to every single one of the 7 reason but still willing to deal with the issues due to cost which allows more freedoms in other areas of my life. Tik tok of my last 300mile river trip to the ocean.
www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8Py8YNC/
Thank you brother! Ill check out your video sounds like a killer trip. Too many people think im just complaining but every decision has pros n cons and i love mine as well just wanted to share some realistic cons if you’re considering this route.
The inflatable is the perfect bang for your buck if you’re not super serious with boating
I have a flawless 15 year old Zodiac Classic. IMHO this is the only way to go, if going Inflatable. Only drawback is that it's heavy. Good info. Great video.
I think you......completely missed the boat.
I'd agree sticking to the bay is probably a good idea on any smaller boat. Not just inflatables however.
Remember that inflatable boats are used as rescue boats, so they are actually able to handle rougher water better than many regular boats of comparable size.
Portable water proof hand held marine radios are widely available I bought one.
Sure you may get wet, especially at higher speeds. Probably would be similar in a small regular boat.
My Sea Eagle Paddleski 437ps (this model came out end of summer 2021 about $1500) has a drop stitch floor, so you can walk or stand up cast on it like a regular boat. My older Paddleski 435ps is from 2009, and has been used over 450 times and has never been patched.
Safety.. The 437ps has 5 air chambers I'd say it's far less likely to sink than a regular boat. You'd likely still get back if you punctured one.
The advantages to inflatables are numerous. Read the comments people have posted. The number one reason is portability. You can throw a boat like mine in the trunk and it's completely concealed and no one knows it's there. Great on trips. And what happens when you go to a busy tourist area, transported a boat via trailer a long distance and the conditions aren't favorable for boating? Now you have parking issues. Also nice when your done boating, park like a regular vehicle. Inflatable boats like mine don't require owning an expensive gas guzzling truck or large vehicle, and are very economical to transport a long distance. I've taken mine in almost every state on the east coast. The 437ps can reach 15 mph with just a Honda 5 HP motor. I don't need a larger 15 HP motor to reach those speeds as the 437ps is light weight. It will take up to a 6 HP.
Tear down / setup will depend on the specific boat, but you still have the option to trailer it if you wanted just like a regular boat, so the amount of time would be comparable when things are comparable. My 435ps setups up & tears down pretty quick. The newer, slightly larger 437ps with drop stitch floor does take longer, but not several hours like you mentioned More like 25 mins from taken out of the car, inflated by electric pump and setup at the water with motor and many accessories.
I've never heard of any lakes here on the east coast that don't allow inflatable boats. If anything, they are safer than many regular boats when they have 5 air chambers. Mine are actually NMMA certified which is above Coast Guard certification. Check out Sea Eagle's durability test of their Explorer which is made of the same material as mine. Driven over inflated by a Jeep, and intentionally attempted to puncture. But sure, you should be careful. What happens in a regular boat when you hit a rock? You might sink. Same rules apply. Be careful. Big chance the boat will pop? Again, I mention I've gone over 450 miles in my 435ps without incident. Could happen sure. Regular boat could sink too.
4 or 5 hours packing up. Are you crazy? Not even remotely close. What I do & recommend is place the boat on a tarp at the boat launch when done. Towel dry, and clean with Simple Green if needed. Also towel dry as rolling/folding it up. Total time is under a half hour to put completely pack the boat and all accessories on my 437ps. And when I get home, if I want I could leave the car in the garage and it's ready to go again the next time without any packing. With a regular boat, you'd have to put the boat & accessories away when home. Also great to have it in the trunk so you can go boating unplanned at a moment's notice. My 435ps takes more like 20 mins to pack up.
Getting wet and cold water all depend on the conditions and how fast you want to go. I go boating only weeks after the lakes are unfrozen here and up until the first snow storm here in New England. Getting wet can be avoided. Just go at the right times, and be careful. Due to the drop stitch floor, I can walk right onto the 437ps without getting my feet wet.
No issues with the wheels on the 437ps. It can easily be carried by two people without the motor attached and that is added after it's in the water, or I can use my EZ-cart wheels and the motor can be attached. I didn't have to design my own cart either. Moving it around alone on the EZ-Cart is a cinch. The 437ps looks about a similar size to your inflatable you've had so many problems with. Maybe try a different model? The 437ps capacity is 850 lbs. More than I'll ever need. The 437ps is a comfortable boat, and includes swivel seats like a bass boat. I've had 3 people on boat, but it's designed for two. Larger inflatables are widely available just as smaller regular boats are available. Buy the size you need.
Bottom line........you bought the wrong inflatable boat for your needs!
Don't judge them all as the same. Next time carefully research, check out TH-cam videos and reviews.
Don’t get me wrong I love my inflatable, I just wanted to point out some tradeoffs people need to be okay with when making your decision.
For the boat launch drying idea, i go out in salt water so I always want to give it a fresh water spray at home.
The real problem is that when I’m back from a day out I’d like to just rinse it off and air dry outside for a few hrs but I don’t have a safe spot for this as I live in an apt, so unlike a big boat the wash down is a bit more work intensive
@@SteveStomber There are tradeoffs with everything. I just wanted to let your viewers know there is a solution to most of the points you made, which I addressed.
I have 7 inflatable boats, most are over a decade and two of them are about a year old including my new Sea Eagle Paddleski 437ps & Razorlite 393RL which I got those last summer in 2021. All of them people tell me still look like they are brand new, with the exception of one I bought used that wasn't properly cleaned/stored which I rarely use. You need to properly take care of anything if you want it to last. Boats are no exception.
I use my inflatables in both fresh water & salt water. Here's what I've done for more than a decade. Bring a tarp, and ideally try to find a clean spot at the boat launch. Grass is probably best, and if not clear smooth cement When your done boating, place the inflatable on the tarp. Use a dry towel to completely dry all sides of the boat the best you can. It only takes 2 - 3 minutes typically. Use Simple Green to clean any spots that may be dirty from the water and towel wipe. As your folding/rolling the boat up, continue to towel dry it as your packing it. My boats are typically just a little damp when packed. By the next day or so they are completely dry.
The trick with salt water is simply........try to use the boat in fresh water with in a couple days. Don't let the salt set in for too many days ideally. I've had times when I went more than a week and never had an issue, but generally it's only been a few days or less.
Out of the hundreds and hundreds of times I've use my inflatables, the only times I had to unroll them at home to clean them off was when I forgot my tarps, there wasn't a clean spot to pack them at the launch, or the times it started pouring in combination with no clean area and got dark and I forgot to have a decent light with me. I did that a couple months ago. Very usual to have to go through that trouble.
Because you can leave your inflatable packed in your vehicle and ready to go for the next use, I feel they are actually less work than a regular boat.
There are some reasons I wouldn't recommend inflatables to everyone, such as say, moored boats or on a boat slip with the sun and elements beating on them all the time. But on nearly every issue you mentioned, I countered it. For people that are loaded with money, then sure it may be easier for some to just get a regular boat who can afford all the other disadvantages. Even still, I feel the best thing about inflatables in the portability. I've literally visited maybe 150 different bodies of water in the past 11 or 12 years since I got into inflatables. That keeps it interesting to me. You can take them on vacation as mine have been up and down the east coast 2 or 3 times. A regular boat is harder to take on vacation with you. Can be done, but not so practical.
the title of this video should be "7 Reason Why You Should NOT buy a NARROW CHEAPO Inflatable Boat" I got a CoralSea HSM 420 and super HAPPY. It comes with the following specifications: 420cm (overall length) x 187cm (overall width) with 298cm (inside length) x 90cm (inside width) max load of 1087kg and floor panels made of aluminum (5piece); tube diameter 50cm, there are 3+1 chamber max 30HP motor can handle.
I can't find this model online, can you send me a link? Also this sounds like an inflatable you'd trailer?
I always laugh when lakes try to ban Inflatable boats. The military, Fire and rescue and more importantly the coast guard use soft bottom Inflatable boats in many situations. The real problem like most things is usually the user and the quality of the boat. 🇺🇲🤠
I think banning the inflatables might have been alittle bit of a biz move atleast for the lake by me that banned them… they rent out lil skiffs to fisherman
@@SteveStomber Yeah I can definitely see that happening.
7 reasons not to buy a motorboat :
#1 They don't fit inside your car
#2 You can't cross the ocean
#3 It is hard to remove and install the engine
#4 you can't sail with the wind 🙃
If you are judging boats by what they are NOT designed to do, maybe you are just asking too much.
I appreciate this video, most of them are true, but maybe you can make a sequel to be fair: "7 reasons why to buy an inflatable"
Hey thanks for the idea! I slightly covered these pros in other videos but I should organize it clearly in that video
To be clear, this inflatable does fit in my car though!
@@SteveStomber Yes, the main idea is to fit a boat inside a car and carry around;)
I subscribed, looks like you've got some interesting content
“Pretty hectic” 😂 15 horse mounted to a balloon! You ain’t lying. Good video. Full of facts, and pretty good illustrations of limitations and benefits of an inflatable dinghy. 👍
haha thanks! it felt fast but def wasnt
I think your inflatable boat is a kaboat. It's a mix between a boat and kayak I believe it could be why it's not stable while standing my bris 15'4 boat is much wider. It has a soft hull but hard aluminum floor that snaps together it keeps the boat ridgid and stable.
Cajun! Yes it is a Kaboat and that makes sense to me, how long does assembly take for you?
Like your vid. I got a 15ft Saturn Outfitter with a 15HP Tohatsu and I get about 20mph at half throttle. Going to buy a trailer to pull the boat with car and carry the engine in the trunk while driving. As with all things its give and take. Yes there are cons with an inflatable but the biggest pros for me are the price and space needed while storing don't compare to a hard shell boat.
That sounds like it rips! I feel like mine should be able to go faster than 20mph but then again i know i dont have super high compression engine. Give and take like you mentioned 👍
You're right! I love my inflatable boats, but they do have their limits. Great video!
Thanks Erick! Everyone thinks I hate mine based on this video, but I actually love it. Everything has pros/cons including a real boat!
@SteveStomber I wouldn't have any other way.
Costco selling 600 dollar full size 10ft sib. Running with 4 adults and a kid on weekly basis for crabbing fishing cruising in Seattle. It’s the best dollar for the bang.
Hopefully its got a strong enough weight limit to hold your wallet now full of all the $$ you saved!
0:26 “limited to under a $1,000”. I think all of these reasons would apply to all
Hey Bryon I totally agree, you get what you pay for, you can't expect a 20k boat experience on a 1k boat.
For the stability aspect this opinion is really just in terms of stand up fishing, Other viewers have chimed in that this "issue" is pretty much only for the inflatable kayaks especially ones with an air floor (mine) and not the full size inflatables the rafting industry might use
Cannot agree with the reasoning. I had soft bottom Zodiacs for over 30 years. They are definitely seaworthy. Went on the Atlantic and Lake Michigan in all kinds of weather, no problem ( remember Jacques Cousteau?). If you have a Aluminum floor, you can safely fish standing up.
You also need the right size outboard, like 25 HP on a 380 boat.
Inflatable boats from quality suppliers like Zodiac are the safest small boats on the water.
100% true but Zodiacs are in a totally different price range than the inflatable boats this review was based on. These are sub 1K inflatable cons, Zodiacs are super nice but ~10-15k with engine is a different category
You got the wrong boat, for the wrong purpose and the wrong expectation. I got a Intex Excursion 5 for fishing with a electric 86lbs trolling motor. It's a cheap boat with a cheap motor and still it exceeded my expectation. I'm able to unpack and set it up in less than 30 min, and pack it back in less than 30 minutes too. The floor is soft but I can install a hardwood floor if I want too, I would never take it to the sea for obvious reason, and neither would go to fish in a lake with high wind, but it's a lot of fun an I has been around 900 pound on it including 3 adults, two coolers, two acid batteries and fishing equipment.
I love mine but I’m still allowed to complain about some things i dont love. For $700 you cant beat it
At 2:25 you go on to say, "you might be boating for 4 or 5 hours, but you're gonna spend the same time cleaning up and setting up". What?! I have a large inflatable Intex mariner 4 raft with a 5 hp motor, and it doesn't take me anywhere near 4 or 5 hours to set it up, clean it up, and take it down. I bring a beach towel with me to wipe it down BEFORE I put it up so it's clean and dry before it gets folded up. It takes me a total of 15 minutes (using an electric air pump) to lay it out, fill with air, put the fishing rods and ice chests (we use them as seats) in, along with mounting the motor. Now when I take it would of the water, it's another 15 minutes plus another 10 minutes of wiping it down to dry it off and cleaning it up. So I would say in total it's about 45 minutes to set up, clean and tear down in a day. However I have also owned an aluminum bass boat and it also has to be cleaned up as well, it's just different. Especially when fishing, I get slime from catfish on the carpet of my bass boat, and it's a pain to get clean and requires extra time, whereas the inflatable can be simply wiped off, and is much easier to clean.
Also occasionally once or twice a year, you have to polish and wash the entire bass boat which takes MULTIPLE hours, and if you factored this into the equation, would easily even out the times in my opinion.
Also my bass boat in 5 years depreciated more than my entire inflatable raft and motor cost me. So I would argue an inflatable setup holds value better.
Lastly, I purchased a 5 hp tohatsu propane powered motor for my raft, and if you know anything about motors, you know that propane burns 50 times cleaner than gas. This means the oil stays looking like new, lasts longer, the engine stays significantly cleaner, there is no ethanol to eat up fuel lines or gaskets, there is no gas to gum up the carb, you don't have to worry about draining old fuel, it can sit for years and won't need the carb taken off to be cleaned to get it running right again... It's just significantly less maintenance. I can run about 6 hours at WOT with a 20 lb propane tank with the boat loaded full of gear, me and a small (child or woman) passenger.
I can also take a vehicle that is significantly more fuel efficient to go fishing to far away destinations because I can load this in a fuel efficient vehicle. Otherwise I have to use my truck for my bass boat which then gets about 11 mpg towing the boat. So that saves money as well. I also save further money by not having to pay a yearly trailer registration fee, or keep up with the maintenance on a trailer.
I think for someone who is younger (say under 50), who is on a budget, these inflatables with a 5 hp motor (especially propane) are a very efficient way to be able to get out on a lake, bay or river and have some fun fishing, crushing and swimming.
Its a great option for someone like myself. I personally love mine and the reason setup takes longer for me is that I like to hose mine down completely inside n out and have it dry completely before I pack her away. Might not be completely necessary but I've had no issues reliability wise
I run a Newport vessels 8 ft9 in reg inflatable boat and I can stand in it no problem in calm water. It has oversized gunnels at 18 inches. She doesn’t track too well, but she turns on a dime!
Nice! How many people do you take on it and what motor are you running?
the answer is depends...
1. if u go for fishing in deep ocean is big no no. for small pond perhaps ok. and make sure have safety float just in case
2. u can buy small boat, like each 1 person to use, to just for fun like kayaking, or light fishing in small pond or small lake.
3. u can just use water to wash n just tied to the car n dump in right to garrage, no need to release the air or pump in again if u use it like once or more time a week. so is not that hard.
4. is cheap, so if it is lose, broken, no big deal
100% right all reasonable trade offs for the price point
Hi, I don't wish to criticise your making of the video - it's great BTW, and I've never made one so what do I know about making videos - but I can't say I agree with all your points.
Inflatable boats come all shapes and sizes, some up to 7m+ in length. Some are wide, short, fat, thin, suitable for two or 10people. They don't just pop - a decent boat will have several air chambers and whilst they can and do lose air if punctured, you're unlikely to on the open, deep water. They are also more likely to stay partially afloat unlike a rigid boat which will fill with water without bouyancy chambers. Motoring with the canopy up is madness - you're killing your speed and efficiency. If you don't like packing up, get a small trailer or stick it in the roof of your car. The engine is a doddle to take off and on and whilst they can be heavy, two can manage (or 1 if left on and using a trailer). Inflatables are versatile, light yet strong, forgiving and stable. Most low board boats will get you wet but there's an inflatable out there for every one. Rescue services in every country in the planet uses an inflatable (not all rigid hulls), look no further than surf rescue Australia to see how fast, stable, safe and enjoyable these things can be.
Perhaps get a new boat (or a good used one)?!
Hey! No worries, everyone has their opinion and its fine if yours is slightly different than mine! Personally I love my inflatable boat, for the price I paid the value is unbeatable especially considering the "cost risk" of owning one. For example I could get a great deal on a used bowrider for a few grand but take the risk of expensive parts/maint. needed. In this video I just wanted to point out some cons or tradeoffs on the cheaper inflatable boats and why someone might not love the experience of owning one.
In terms of motoring around with the canopy, we usually take it down but alot of the of the time we are limited to no wake speeds in the bay so its speed/efficiency concerns are minimal
For the engine my 15hp 2 stroke weights prob 70-80 lbs and I can take it on off no problem, but I like to wrestle my 300lbs dirt bike off road on the weekends , So I could see someone like my dad not loving this
For your comments on the trailer aspect, although I agree that it would be much easier, a big part of why this inflatable was right for me was because I don't have space for a trailer and I can just pack this up in my jeep and store in a corner of my garage. This pro however comes with the tradeoff of setup time.
At the end of the day, for less than $1000 this is the best it gets(Pretty good IMO), If you want a better experience on the water you gotta spend more $$$
Yeah, inflatable boats are not for everyone, especially for people that are afraid of breaking a nail while unloading/inflating the boat, but more so for people that exceed the the manufacturers recommendation for maximum engine power by 10 HP. Yeah, inflatables are not for everyone... Most folks on the Tuby, recommend based on their experiences alone, and some don't even qualify to give any type of advice! You know about your life and limitations better then anyone so I say, buy what you can afford and have fun with it!
Don't let others tel you what you should or shouldn't do, be safe and have FUN!!!
I agree! I really enjoy mine still after 3 years despite everyone thinking i hate it. Just wanted to note some drawbacks. Its definitely better than nothing
Your issue is with having a CHEAP Boat. At best it is a raft
An actual Coast Guard approved SIB from a reputable boat dealer does not have these problems.
Also it is against the law to be on the water without a VHF radio and PFD. I have a 12 foot Zodiac. I get it inspected by the Coast Guard every year. I take my boat into the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean all the time. I also pay attention to the Marine Weather and file DSC reports.
PFD we have but no need for VHF when your hanging out 100 ft from shore 😂
Who ever told you that you dont need a radio was lying to you big time. If you are actually in a saltwater bay. You can be boarded at any time by CBP, CG, Natural Resources Police, Bay Police. What's the big deal. The radio is not only for your protection , it's for the protection of overs. In spite of what the regulations say. A Whiste ain't gonna cut it on a saltwater bay with commercial traffic. Not only that but what do you do when the weather changes while you are on the water and you cant swim back or paddle back. Having basic safety equipment is part of boating .
Guys let’s get real had this boat last 3 years it not only amazing but idiot proof. Great for shoreline fishing. A half inch plywood in front and back will enable you to fish standing.Great value without having to sell your first born
I've had mine 3 years aswell and love it. Everyone is so butt hurt I have some cons to talk about on a $700 boat. Like cmon it's $700 there are going to be some notable cons, but overall its a great option
For me it is a decent quality inflatable w/ electric powered or no boat at all! The amount of time I spent yearly on the water, the distance I would have to drive and transport it and then store it would be impractical for me to warrant it owning it.
Similar case for me! Although I live super close to the Bay I only take it out when its hotter than 85 which isnt that often here in San Diego. I could take it out more, but I'm not big into fishing right now
Basically, you're saying that you need a ship. If that is what you need, do get one - and let us know how it ticks all those boxes for you!
P.S. 2:33: setting up an inflatable boat takes 5 to 20 minutes; packing it, and related, will take about the same amount of time. If you can't manage such times, you are doing something very wrong.
That is to say, you (i.e., generic "you") can be out on the water for 10 to 14 hours a day.
Although im listing reasons to not get one, i never said you shouldn’t get one. Just listing some things for people to consider. I love my inflatable
Setup time takes way longer than 5-20 mins especially if you take good care of it and wash it after every use(im in salt water). I’m not saying setup time is unreasonable, but it is more involved than launching a normal boat but for thousands less there is will be some cons with this option
@@SteveStomber, cleaning the boat does take a lot of time. I always do that at home, though, and that is why I do not include it in the time required for packing.
Very good point about the much lower price tag - to which I add multifold convenience.
It definitely takes a while to pack up and can be a bit choppy on the water but we’ve still had some great times on it!
Totally agree!
My bestway mirovia can handle 1450lb and my bris 12.5 heavy duty aluminum floor can handle 1675lb very stable and solid boat. I think I he main problem is your boat, that is a kaboat inflatable floor that is not designed to handle really high loads. Is like expecting a bike to work like a car, that's never going to happen. God bless you!
Yeah the solid floor would have been a good option for stability but the air floor is super comfy to sit on
I like the way lake cuyamaca felt the need to include air mattresses in their list of things not allowed all because some idiot was out there on an air mattress one day. That is golden 😂😂😂😂😂
an air mattress with some friends and bevs kinda sounds fun not gonna lie!
I don't mean any disrespect, but the manufacture recommends a max 8HP on this inflatable.
No worries! I was well aware of that but still decided to go for the 15hp since i take it in bay/ocean
Hey good video, and pretty accurate 👍
I have a bris 14.1 ft kaboat, and yeah when it’s rough out, it can definitely be a struggle. I’ve taken mint out to the upper 9 mile bank, whistlers buoy, and made the run from mission bay to La Jolla no problem. I e run into rough waters on the ride back in, and that sucked big time but we made it. Just gotta plan for wind, swells, and have a time frame set.
Hey Mike thanks for the comment! Its nice to see others in the SD area with the same setup. On that ride to 9 mile bank how much time did you plan? Also what's your outboard/Fuel tank setup are you using a 3 gal tank or more?
@@SteveStomber I have a 2021 Honda 5hp with a 5 gallon external tank. If I remember correctly I had a six hour window. I was trying to be headed back into sd bay riding the incoming tide with the wind to my back.
I've owned a few alloy floor inflatables and full on RIB's absolutely love the inflatables of all types mainly for there performance. But for these smaller ones i wouldn't say These are reasons why you should NOT buy one. Its more these are some of the incontinences of cheaper range inflatables. Upside you don't have to pay a ton on storage or mooring feels like my RIB's just shove it in the boot. Get a decent pump and one with an alloy floor and there fantastic with a little effort and setup time
I definitely would like to try out an alloy floor version. Don't get me wrong I love my inflatable just wanted to share some con's based on my experience
I love my hydro force it 12'6 " or so and a 3.5hp I just use it for lakes and rivers. Mine is 5.5 wide or so it's very stable. I have a canopy fish finder it's a great rig I love it. Yours is skinny made more for rivers
That's a nice setup Dirk! with a 15Hp 2 stroke mine never fails to put a smile on my face
Best investment I made for my type of inshore fishing freshwater with a 2.5 hp can go wrong. It’s a deer proof stable and great value. Furthermore, never worried if it’s stolen or has major damage since I didn’t mortgage my house to buy it.
Did you go with a standard mfg for the engine( Honda, Yamaha etc) or a chinese brand? And I totally agree, for my use inflatable is the way to go
@@SteveStomber got a 2.5 Tohatsu does the job for fishing
Different boats for Different needs simple.
Tell the wife we need another boat 😂
I have an 18-foot Saturn inflatable boat on a trailer. I agree to not taking it on the ocean, but in a bigger inflatable I've never got wet or water on the deck.
I could see how a bigger one would handle that better, what kind of floor do you have?
i have a 11 foot saturn kaboat it has big bladders and im using a 9.9hp .. i send it out a good 5 to 8+ miles out in open ocean if its not too windy and big swells
@@thatonebeone Aren't you over the weight limit with those balls of steel?
just took my Excursion 5 out in Mission Bay with a trolly motor, #1 thing I wish I had was wheels, dragging it down the grass and sand sucked! where did you get your outboard from?
Haha i been there! The wheels are a major experience upgrade. I got mine on fb marketplace or Craigslist i can’t remember
Take a 5gal bottle of water and a towel and clean/dry it on the beach.
None of those are reasons not to get a SIB! They're just elements of owning one.
You’re not wrong
So why are you getting wet? I don't get it. The water splashing in?
Mine will be used on rivers and lakes. Will it stay dry if the water is not choppy?
some water splashing in, also from launching i push it out a few feet & hop over the side tube all wet. Not the biggest deal but just wanted to give people a heads up you'll get more wet on this than a normal boat(i.e you can wear pants on a fishing boat), but then again totally different price ranges.
@@SteveStomber So if I get a bigger one, like 12-13 footer, the spray won't be as bad?
@@pepelapiu2004 are you looking at an inflatable kayak or full size inflatable boat? My model is the Bris 14.1 ft Kaboat
@@SteveStomber Yes, inflatable boat. The one I am looking at is the Stryker LX 380.
That boat you boat is only a step up from a canoe! And they don’t go pop they go hiss slowly
Compared to my dads AL canoe this is a major major upgrade. Having motor mounts and the ability to store it inside is awesome
New to the channel, and looking for some San Diego budget boat
adventure exploring with kids.
Welcome! Don’t rule out these types of boats maybe just bump up the budget to 2k for the inflatable and get a really nice one!
Should have compared to a regular inflatable not the skinny kaboat. A regular zodiac is a great boat and can also be packed down.
I agree, but a normal Zodiac is wayy more $$$ comparing new to new
@@SteveStomber by regular I guess I meant size and width. Saturn makes comparables.
California screwed us with prohibiting these on small lakes. But, other crafts that are far more dangerous due to the hard hull are allowed. It's bull in most cases. Just prohibit 2 strokes. Some lakes are understandable. but like Ventura is full of it. Most of those are algea ridden anyway. Lol.
many of us chose an inflatable is because this is the only option. For example, I am living in an apartment complex. No garage to store a larger, rigid boat. So some of the disadvantages, like setting up time, is not something easily avoidable and we are aware of that. but now I can set up mine in less than 20 min. In my view, however, the biggest reason for NOT owning an inflatable is the leaking anxiety. Being fishing from my inflatable for three years, I have had many misfortunes in poking holes on my boat, especially, landing those spiky fish into the boat. Losing air is my biggest concern whenever I am out there.
I totally agree , everyone thinks i hate them on this video but i really love mine I just wanted to note some cons.
A real boat would have its fair share of cons too like the cost and space
Got to be the lamest reasons ever not to buy an inflatable boat, anything worth doing on the water takes a little bit of effort and preparation, not everyone can throw x amount of 1000s of dollars on a ready made floating bling boat so inflatables are the cheapest way to get out on the water for fishing or leisure, I have owned both boats and inflatables and never found either a problem but certainly inflatables are more portable and can access awkward inlets a lot more easily.
I mean there aren't many reasons to not own one in general. I love mine but they aren't for everyone
Great video! Straight to the point. I really like how you broke down the text on the screen too when you talked about the different reasons. Maybe next time you can include the reason in addition to writing number #7 like “Reason # 7: Weight Limit”
Great Idea! I should add that in!
When buying a inflatable for a lake i hope your spending $1000 or more for safety reasons, As for the standing im suprised you did not suggest floor mats to be placed inside boat to make it more stable to stand in. An finally most of us do not have trucks to haul a boat behind an it creates a opportunity for those people to still be able to go in a boat.
Honestly this kaboat was $700 and I’ve never had any safety concerns in the bay, I’d imagine most lakes would be calmer
Kabots are not stable for choppy seas, but if its wider than ull be fine
Yeah I could have gotten a wider model but I was thinking we'd fit more comfortably on the longer kaboat style
I would rather have my inflatabe then a tippy canoe or tinny that cant 5ake any weight what so ever.And i never get wet fishing at all.Infact im looking at a new Navigator 10 ft inflatable to replace my seaeagle 285 which is a awesome one man fishing boat..You just have to know your limits of where you can go to fish.
great points
My Bris kayak 12 foot with 5.8 HP OB goes fine fishing the coastline in NZ just need to treat it for what it is a cheap fun way to catch fish where the big boats can't get to
100%! for the money you can't beat it! I love mine but just wanted to share some shortcomings people may not know
Make a video why you should buy a inflatable boat your sense will be more stronger bud.
I’m gonna make one!
I disagree with a lot of the things you say in this video but it's a small boat and it cost less than $1,000 what do you expect and it can be folded up and placed in a closet when not in use
That's a Kaboat, not a real inflatable/zodiac boat with a aluminium bottom. Well is for that reason that you are not happy with your kaboat. I have a Chinese hard bottom/aluminum 11 feet's and i don't have any of your mentions problems. I'm very happy with my boat
Nice! Whats the model you have and yes its A kaboat
Your opinion, but totally disagree. Ive had my kaboat 20miles off shore when surprising bad weather came from nowhere, my kaboat was killin waves with ease!
That takes some balls!
@@SteveStomber LOL, or no Brains. 😅
Tittle should be "7 reason's why i regret buying an inflatable boat" not "why you shouldnt" theres a guy on youtube riding the kaboat offshore catching marlin and 100lb tuna lol these can definitely make it offshore
I don’t regret it i really like mine, just wanted to share some drawbacks on it. For $700 you cant complain, mines been fine now on year 3
It seems to me that the inflatable boats you are showing on your TH-cam clip are complete and utter rubbish.There are plenty of inflatable boats on the market that are far superior and are completely inflatable you can stand up with no problems and are quickly assembled. Sure you pay more but let's be honest what is your life worth.
Hey Grant, I agree the inflatable kayak or Kaboat options are definitely not as stable as a full size inflatable but are about half the cost at around $700 vs $1300+. Although standing is not the best, its completely safe in the bay or a rougher lake. In terms of setup, yes it inflates quickly, but typically setup takes me 30 mins from arrival to launch to being on the water (Launch wheels, canopy, seats, cooler, fishing poles etc). My least favorite part of owning one is the post boating wash down, as it needs to air dry after before storage and that tough to do if your out close to sunset
If you want to see what quality looks like in inflatable boats check out the New Zealand made TRUE KIT range these are the bees knees when it comes to inflatable boats quick to assemble especially when you use an electric pump very stable cost more but worth every cent . Plenty of clips on TH-cam so you can see what fantastic boats they are
@@grantdevonshire5872 Thanks for the recommendation ill check em out!
@@SteveStomber if it's close to sunset, I don't wash right away, but dry it with a set of old towels.
I have a question for both of you but please be patient while o explain my situation: I had a Sea Eagle 385 fast track angler (12.5 ft/ 3.81 meters) & although it’s a wet ride at times all of the compartments make it extremely safe & it’s made out of excellent material. I use it saltwater & the material is comparable to the better inflatable tenders on the market. Our problem in the US is that ppl can spend a small amount of money, go out on the water without thinking & then become victims very quickly looking for some agency to pay their estates for not rescuing them faster or for not warning them of their stupidity.
In the warmer parts of the US like where I live, too many ppl keep inflatables in garages or attics or worse in car trunks, then they split the seams when inflating those boats. I kept my Sea Eagle in my home when not in use. It fits under a bed folded in half or in a closet in the “flap” carrying bag.
It was perfect for kayaking adventures but I sold mine a few days ago while it was still in perfect shape because I need to get a tender for a sailboat & want a transom that will hold an outboard with a boat that can haul supplies including jerry cans of water because I’m in the process of buying a sailboat on which I shall live aboard & sail to the Florida Keys & the Bahamas.
My question is: Is there an affordable inflatable w/a transom that can hold a 3-5 hp outboard (or more) that can stay at least partially inflated, handle the sun & that I can add a hard floor to make it capable of carrying jerry cans of water & supplies as well as use as a runabout for things like diving & sightseeing? Thank you both for any advice that you can offer. 👍
You don't have radio on board? Fishing on a soft bottom? Buy a inflatable swan and stay in your pool.
Hahahahha brochacho who needs a radio in the bay? I can swim to shore 😂😂
You should never stand up on a smaller boat.
Only way to do a cannonball into the water tho!
A handicap walker, tied down at each corner, works great for standing safely!
Thatcher bost Should be able to go faster than 15mph
Not saying that it can't go faster, but everything is bouncing around its a bit too hectic to cruise anywhere near the upper ranges. If it had a rib hull it would def cut 100x better on the water
Yeah it doesn’t take me nearly as long as you said in this video to set up and tear down my system. You’re really not highlighting the versatility. I take mine everywhere in my Prius., I think this is a highly negative review on inflatable’s and really not pregnant. The versatility outweighs everything you’re talking about. But thank you for the negativity
Everyone thinks i hate inflatables because of this video but I own one and love it for many of the reasons you mentioned
Just because I like something doesn’t mean its not subject to some criticism, for 1k $ they aren’t perfect and this video was to bring the downsides to light
Also setup and tear down is 30 mins a piece but washing it down and drying takes awhile, i live in an apt so i don’t love having to let it air dry. Im sure if i had a yard id feel more comfortable leaving it out to dry as i do other stuff
Get the old Yamaha SUV 4 seater water craft freshen up the engine and FISH OFF THAT 🐠🐟🐠🐟🐠
I've always wanted a ski! Subscribe and maybe you will see me on one! 😎
Carry a radio. Have you ever watche people get their power voat set up then prepared to go home.
Good idea
Your 7 reasons mostly are because you got the wrong boat, which looked like a kayak.
Thats why im telling the people if this is what you can expect on this type of boat
why would any one want to buy a cheap oat?
Gets you on the water!
Have you seen my SET UP?
Let me check it out
should be titled, " seven reasons why you should NOT buy this specific cheap ass inflatable boat".
You can still like something but still note it has tradeoffs. Nothing is only Pros with no Cons. Inflatables a cheap and great for what they are but they aren't perfect
You realize you bought a kaboat and not a regular inflatable. You are literally half the width which is half your complaints.
Title says inflatable Kaboat, I’m well aware. Everyone’s so upset in the comments, You can like something but still have complaints about it 😅
Wrong boat..get a scout inflatable..ive been out in rough whitecaps and not one bit of wetness.
Look, the info is just your your boat. I have a 14 inflatable and it can handle 40 hp and 2000 lbs. It did not cost over 1700 and has a hard bottom. Incredibly stable. So, I don't agree with anything you said. For example, your issue with wheels is because you have a nrrow boat. Many others do not have this problem. You're just an unhappy boater and regret what you invested in and the only way you are goint to be happy is to make other unhappy. Go away
Who said I was unhappy? You can like something overall but still note some cons. Also what inflatable did you buy?
haha scouts users full send to 9 mile bank and colorado island ...
You know you stay in the Bay when you have to google these local spots 😂 #oneday
@@SteveStomber HAHA ....now you see how brave some people are haha pretty nuts going 8+ miles on a inflatable..im down for it as long as its not super choppy and widny.. have you at least gone out in front of point loma in the the wide open ocean ?
@@SteveStomber haha you funny you got a sub from me then 😀
@@thatonebeone So far I've only taken it out in Sail Bay but I'm typically with my chick when Im on it so I don't push it, my engine is rocking a solid 75 psi on compression😂.There is some guy on here who took his Saturn to Catalina tho....
@@SteveStomber dam... i kinda regret getting a saturn kaboat with a 9.9.. its too heavy and big for me to be carry around... engine not even broke in yet lol.. i have a scout 12 foot with a 1 hp trolling motor that i use now for my needs...going to sell my kaboat/9.9 and get a 5/6hp for my scout or sell my scout and get a something mall but better bottom so it tracks better..ill be happy with a smaller set up 6hp got peek 16mph is more then enough in bay and out in the open a bit... thats crazy take a saturn boat from san diego to catalina lol full send only live once to be shark bait haha
This video is click-baited. I disagreed with the statements for many reasons and then I saw the robot-replies "from the poster" What bullshit!
clueless, just based on a bad choice of purchase BY YOU, other inflatable designs are completely different. do you know that surf lifesavers use inflatable boats for sea rescue? Your opinion is that of a youtuber who has minimal real-life experience with boating. Do you know how much your wrong views are limiting the actions of others?
1. Im not clueless, I'm Steve
2. Never said it was a bad purchase, I love mine for what it is
3. Description says Kaboat which is decently specific to type of inflatable
4. Livesaving inflatables are in a completely different price range (RIBS)
5. Most inflatable owners have little experience boating
6. Never said to not buy one, I love mine but everything has pros & cons so I am just discussing some cons
Have a nice day
No radio on board???? Get a Radio for gods sake!
To be honest I'd get a tin boat or poly if it was a small boat
They have tin ones? I was looking into aluminum ones but unless its 20+ years old you'll probably be paying over 1,000 at least where I live
@@SteveStomber there is plenty of tin boats around, theres also some poly boats in some areas too, tin and poly boats all the way
Tin boats easily get swamped in rough conditions
@@pugmug77 yeah true, not as stable as well
Rubbish, Sibs serve a good purpose.
Never said they didn't! I love mine just not for everyone there are shortcomings
that's an inflatable kayak
Yup 👍