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Saturn inflatables

BM
Bob McLeran
Sat, Jul 4, 2009 4:00 PM

Our old Zodiac dinghy suffered a casualty yesterday when the plywood
transom separated from the hull on the port side due to rot! Time to
decide whether it is worth repairing, or just spring for a new dinghy.
There are several places in Annapolis that advertise their inflatable
repair services, and I'll call them on Monday to get estimates. In the
meantime, I'm looking at prices for new ones in the 11 foot range. My
research six months or so ago lead me to favor the AB inflatables for
price and value, but today I found the Saturn line of inflatables (the
prices are the lowest I've seen for new inflatables) and am curious
about how well they'd hold up compared to the ABs, Zodiacs, Avons, etc.

Here's a link to the site for the SD330:
http://www.boatstogo.com/inflatable_boat_sd330.asp

Has anyone had any experience with these dinghys and what are your thoughts?

--
<><><><><><><><><><><><>Mozilla Thunderbird<><><><><><><><><><>
Bob McLeran and Judy Young          Cruising the Atlantic Coast
MV Sanderling                                Defever 41 Trawler
Blog: http://sanderlingcruise2009.blogspot.com/
Pictures: http://public.fotki.com/rmcleran/
Currently: Solomons, Maryland

Our old Zodiac dinghy suffered a casualty yesterday when the plywood transom separated from the hull on the port side due to rot! Time to decide whether it is worth repairing, or just spring for a new dinghy. There are several places in Annapolis that advertise their inflatable repair services, and I'll call them on Monday to get estimates. In the meantime, I'm looking at prices for new ones in the 11 foot range. My research six months or so ago lead me to favor the AB inflatables for price and value, but today I found the Saturn line of inflatables (the prices are the lowest I've seen for new inflatables) and am curious about how well they'd hold up compared to the ABs, Zodiacs, Avons, etc. Here's a link to the site for the SD330: http://www.boatstogo.com/inflatable_boat_sd330.asp Has anyone had any experience with these dinghys and what are your thoughts? -- <><><><><><><><><><><><>Mozilla Thunderbird<><><><><><><><><><> Bob McLeran and Judy Young Cruising the Atlantic Coast MV Sanderling Defever 41 Trawler Blog: http://sanderlingcruise2009.blogspot.com/ Pictures: http://public.fotki.com/rmcleran/ Currently: Solomons, Maryland
PE
Paul Esterle
Sat, Jul 4, 2009 4:28 PM

Hi Bob,

No direct experience with this brand. I did take a look at the web site.
One glaring omission, at least to my tired eyes, was the material it is
made from, hypalon or PVC. For the price, I would assume PVC. Not
necessarily a deal breaker but important to know. Reminds me of the old
BoatUS Severn boat brand. Those were made in Croatia. Severn went bust
when West Marine took over BoatUS and stopped selling Severn...

Paul Esterle
Freelance Boating Writer
"Capt'n Pauley's Place"
The Virtual Boatyard
www.thevirtualboatyard.com

Bob McLeran wrote:

Our old Zodiac dinghy suffered a casualty yesterday when the plywood
transom separated from the hull on the port side due to rot! Time to
decide whether it is worth repairing, or just spring for a new dinghy.
There are several places in Annapolis that advertise their inflatable
repair services, and I'll call them on Monday to get estimates. In the
meantime, I'm looking at prices for new ones in the 11 foot range. My
research six months or so ago lead me to favor the AB inflatables for
price and value, but today I found the Saturn line of inflatables (the
prices are the lowest I've seen for new inflatables) and am curious
about how well they'd hold up compared to the ABs, Zodiacs, Avons, etc.

Here's a link to the site for the SD330:
http://www.boatstogo.com/inflatable_boat_sd330.asp

Has anyone had any experience with these dinghys and what are your
thoughts?

Hi Bob, No direct experience with this brand. I did take a look at the web site. One glaring omission, at least to my tired eyes, was the material it is made from, hypalon or PVC. For the price, I would assume PVC. Not necessarily a deal breaker but important to know. Reminds me of the old BoatUS Severn boat brand. Those were made in Croatia. Severn went bust when West Marine took over BoatUS and stopped selling Severn... Paul Esterle Freelance Boating Writer "Capt'n Pauley's Place" The Virtual Boatyard www.thevirtualboatyard.com Bob McLeran wrote: > Our old Zodiac dinghy suffered a casualty yesterday when the plywood > transom separated from the hull on the port side due to rot! Time to > decide whether it is worth repairing, or just spring for a new dinghy. > There are several places in Annapolis that advertise their inflatable > repair services, and I'll call them on Monday to get estimates. In the > meantime, I'm looking at prices for new ones in the 11 foot range. My > research six months or so ago lead me to favor the AB inflatables for > price and value, but today I found the Saturn line of inflatables (the > prices are the lowest I've seen for new inflatables) and am curious > about how well they'd hold up compared to the ABs, Zodiacs, Avons, etc. > > Here's a link to the site for the SD330: > http://www.boatstogo.com/inflatable_boat_sd330.asp > > Has anyone had any experience with these dinghys and what are your > thoughts?