Putting my order in at the end of the month. Probably also buying a Nissan 9.8 4-stroke also (found an oppurtunity to get a good deal on one). Going to be mostly doing fishing along the California coast, with some lake fishing thrown in for fun. Had a couple questions for the raft experts out there:
1. With the air floor, is it possible to spray something on it to make it more resistant to punchures? I plan to have many rock fish and ling cod coming in the boat, and the chance one might hit the floor is higher than none. If that happens, I'm sure holes will be a poppin'. Im trying to keep it lite, so another option is the aluminum floor, but I would need sealant also (rust).
2. The sides of the rafts are in the situation. Pulling in fish, my uncles raft has taken a few spines in the side. He rigged up some ghetto tarp pieces hanging off the side. Id like to do something a bit nicer looking. I heard something about some urethane or some kind of paint you can put on sides that will make it stronger. I heard it is expensive, but it wont weight a ton, and it is still flexible for deflating. Not sure what it is though.
3. Would anyone have an suggestions on an oil or conditioner to put on the exterior for winterization (deflated). Any homemade tricks? Im sure there is "special" solutions for $100/oz, but I was wondering if anyone had any homemade tricks for this situation?
4. Recommendations for a inflat/deflat air pump that doesnt cost $200? Was looking for more in the $100 or less category, and I need something that I can use via car cig outlet. I saw one on here called the RULE air pump or something like that for $85. Havent seen any reviews of it though.
1. With the air floor, is it possible to spray something on it to make it more resistant to punchures? I plan to have many rock fish and ling cod coming in the boat, and the chance one might hit the floor is higher than none. If that happens, I'm sure holes will be a poppin'. Im trying to keep it lite, so another option is the aluminum floor, but I would need sealant also (rust).
2. The sides of the rafts are in the situation. Pulling in fish, my uncles raft has taken a few spines in the side. He rigged up some ghetto tarp pieces hanging off the side. Id like to do something a bit nicer looking. I heard something about some urethane or some kind of paint you can put on sides that will make it stronger. I heard it is expensive, but it wont weight a ton, and it is still flexible for deflating. Not sure what it is though.
3. Would anyone have an suggestions on an oil or conditioner to put on the exterior for winterization (deflated). Any homemade tricks? Im sure there is "special" solutions for $100/oz, but I was wondering if anyone had any homemade tricks for this situation?
4. Recommendations for a inflat/deflat air pump that doesnt cost $200? Was looking for more in the $100 or less category, and I need something that I can use via car cig outlet. I saw one on here called the RULE air pump or something like that for $85. Havent seen any reviews of it though.