Saturn Inflatable Boats?

[billd2626]

Is anyone familiar with inflatable boats? I saw one made by Saturn today at Smithville and it peaked my interest. The fact that it can all fit in my car is a huge bonus for me (no need for a trailer or boat storage). I'm going to do some research, but I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts. I know you can attach a small motor and could probably even figure out a trolling motor somehow, but how safe are they? What else am I missing? I'm guessing they need to be registered like a normal boat?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Bill

[arkyfisherman]

Don't know about them but the little plastic boats are very good.Have been all over stockton in them.Throw it in the back of the pickup and go.Trolling motor is all you need,but most are rated for a 3 hp.engine.You just have to watch the big boats,some of them don't care what they do and to who.

[steveinsene]

Had a Sea Eagle inflatable sport runabout about 13 yrs ago. 10.5 ft wooden transom rated for 15 hp outboard. If you want one of these get one, don't let anyone discourage you saying it will pop. These are heavy duty boats with multiple air chambers should one get a leak. Very, very durable, made of the same matarials they use for whitewater rafting on rocky riivers, Very stable platform, they do not rock, they just hug the surface, work great for fishing. Used mine hundreds of times for 2 or 3 yrs and never had a leak. Mine was fairly small but still rated for a 15 hp and the 13-14 footers are rated 25-50 hp. Work great with just a trolling motor also on very small lakes. I had a trolling motor and an old 6 hp johnson seahorse on mine. Loved that little boat, many great memories. At the end of the day deflate, pop out the plastic floorboards, roll it up and put it in the backseat. Does take a pretty big back seat. Mine weighed about 110 lbs without motors and equipment so I could drag it around easiy. In fact the material was so strong you could drag it over gravel shorelines no problem and even on concrete for short distances. Any other questions just ask and also do your internet research. The info is out there. Good luck.

[billd2626]

Thanks arky .. the small plastic probably won't work .. no way to haul it.

Steve,
Thanks so much for all the information. I researched different boats today and really like the Sea Eagles. I'll probably take a much closer look at things over winter and might have a few questions for you.
Thanks again .. you've really helped me out.

If anyone else has experience with inflatable boats, I'm all ears.