Hull hole where airfloor board pushes on hull

[NEADST]

Hi all, pretty bummed here. I've had our brand new Saturn SD330W out twice and there's already a hole in the floor. I use wheels and don't drag it anywhere. The damage is exactly where the wood section of the air floor pushes down on the hull. It looks to be pushing too hard on the bottom. I inflate (with a gauge) <1 PSI in the tubes, floor to 9 PSI, tubes to 3 PSI, then keel to 5 PSI.

 

[Sea Rider]

Post a pic of the airfloor showing the wooden section for clarification....

Happy Boating​

 

[NEADST]

It’s the standard air floor that came with my Saturn. I can grab a pic later but here is a stock photo

High-pressure air floors, aluminum & plywood hard floors for inflatable boats.

Replacement Drop Stitch Air Deck Floor for Saturn inflatable boats and KaBoats

www.boatstogo.com

 

[NEADST]

 

[NEADST]

I’m pretty certain this is from landing on a boat ramp. I’m very careful and usually just “bump” the ramp then jump out.

 

[Sea Rider]

I’m pretty certain this is from landing on a boat ramp. I’m very careful and usually just “bump” the ramp then jump out.

Assume when bumping the ramp is done at neutral under min inertial speed, is the damaged area the first one to touch the ramp ?

Used to own an air 320 Sib which had a transversal wooden slat 1/3 the width of yours placed much closer to the hole that pushed the front keel's bulb down against the hull's fabric, never had an issue with it.

To avoid further injury, with sanding paper round both lower front slat angled contours that rets on top of the hull's fabric and inflate the keel to max 3.0-3.5 psi. Will need to repair the damged area with an inside patch to avoid water intrusion when in use. For peace of mind can glue 2 inside patches for both lower angled contours to rest over them...

Happy Boating​

 

[909]

I've owned a Saturn.

No offense but their boats are low priced for a reason. Mine was garbage.

I'd be pretty pissed and bring it back to my dealer if I bought a new boat , took it out twice and this happened.

The bottom of the boat should never really touch anything other than water. You pick it up and gently rest it down. No dragging. No bumping. Just lift and gently drop. Get your feet wet, get out when it's shallow and lift if you have to.

 

[Sea Rider]

I've owned a Saturn.
No offense but their boats are low priced for a reason. Mine was garbage.

Which Saturn model did you, still own ? Was an alum or an air deck floor bought new or second hand ? Had the exact same issue with the hull's floor at that precise spot ? If you compare the price of a well reputed large high end Hypalon Sib brand, the PVC Saturn are darn cheap, will last for years to come if bought new and if well taken care specially regarding inflation issues.

Happy Boating​

 

[909]

I owned a SK430 Air floor. It's gone now. My buddy owns a 12 foot Air floor. We both don't like the build quality.

They're affordable. And they work. But mine fell apart. Literally.

You know when you do a soap test for leaks. The entire boat was bubbling. Hand glued seams. I've heard this from other owners too.

For the same price or less, you can find a slightly used name brand boat with higher quality materials and much better build quality. The difference is night and day. I currently own 4 Zodiacs made in France. Not China.

 

[Sea Rider]

I owned a SK430 Air floor. It's gone now. My buddy owns a 12 foot Air floor. We both don't like the build quality.

They're affordable. And they work. But mine fell apart. Literally.

You know when you do a soap test for leaks. The entire boat was bubbling. Hand glued seams. I've heard this from other owners too.

For the same price or less, you can find a slightly used name brand boat with higher quality materials and much better build quality. The difference is night and day. I currently own 4 Zodiacs made in France. Not China.

Air floor Sibs are not the way to go, needs constant re-inflation to achieve a solid deck especially in cold days boating. The only plus is the faster assembly time compared to alum floors Sibs if plan assembling, disassembling them constantly for storage.

I've seen new Sibs come appart after inflated out of the box due to having achieved dry glue issues, seems were stored for too long at high temp storages, offered with a huge discount to dealers and dealers screwing new owners with deffective Sibs. No issues whatsoever with fresh built Sibs...

When saying : I've heard this from other owners too, were those issues with Saturn Sibs too ? It's not an exaggeration to count with 4 Sibs LOL!!

Happy Boating