New to inflatables and considering a Saturn SD385 with air floor to use primarily as a backcountry cruiser and transportation to friend's houses/boats in the Florida Keys on an up coming month long trip. Maybe to the reef and back on calm days. On most days we will have 2 people in the boat, but want to have room to take another couple along with us. The SD385 is advertised to hold 5 people, but I'm a little unsure if it will comfortably fit 4 adults being more narrow than their other 14 and 15 foot models.
I've heard really mixed reviews on the air decks, but the idea of my girlfriend and I being able to easily pull the boat in and out of the water with dingy wheels is very alluring. With proper inflation is the performance acceptable with airfloor on newer 2022 models? The more recent opinions on the air deck seem much more positive than those posts from a few years back. Will I need to constantly inflate it if I keep it in the water for a few days at a time?
I will be keeping it mostly at the dock for this trip, but then keeping it stored in the back of our RV for more infrequent use when camping. I have a new tohatsu 20hp already on the way, and just need to pull the trigger on a raft. Im also considering the larger 14 and 15 foot saturn models that are wider with alumimum floor, but the increased weight and price may not be worth the trouble. The SD385 is also in stock for pickup in Miami which will make my life much easier than dealing with the crazy boats to go shipping policy.
All of your advice here will be much appreciated.
I've heard really mixed reviews on the air decks, but the idea of my girlfriend and I being able to easily pull the boat in and out of the water with dingy wheels is very alluring. With proper inflation is the performance acceptable with airfloor on newer 2022 models? The more recent opinions on the air deck seem much more positive than those posts from a few years back. Will I need to constantly inflate it if I keep it in the water for a few days at a time?
I will be keeping it mostly at the dock for this trip, but then keeping it stored in the back of our RV for more infrequent use when camping. I have a new tohatsu 20hp already on the way, and just need to pull the trigger on a raft. Im also considering the larger 14 and 15 foot saturn models that are wider with alumimum floor, but the increased weight and price may not be worth the trouble. The SD385 is also in stock for pickup in Miami which will make my life much easier than dealing with the crazy boats to go shipping policy.
All of your advice here will be much appreciated.
