hi there I'm traveling around Australia for work living in a caravan with my partner..
I need a new inflatable boat to suit my 9.8 short shaft motor. I will use the boat for freediving. I want a foldaway boat I can chuck in my ute canopy and I'm looking at two boats..
My choice is between the island inflatable 365 which I can get around the 2k mark
Or go with the mercury sport 320 which I can get for about 3k..
If anyone has some history with these boats please let me know what direction I should go in thankyou
I recently bought a Bris 3.3 catamaran, and I'm very happy with it. It carries 4, has a massive deck area, and with one up, my bland old Parsun 5.8 2/s planes at half throttle. They are $1100 plus 90 freight on ebay. I also tried my Tohatsu 18 on it, and that was err, fun... At 3.35m it is perhaps a bit big as a tender, but I can fit it on my yacht's foredeck partly deflated.
I previously had a Takacat 260. The build quality was excellent, but at close to $4k, they are a bit pricey. It's also a "wet" boat.
My reasoning on a cheapy: PVC is PVC is PVC. The fabric doesn't last forever, so buying a brand name doesn't make sense. Sure, Hypalon is better, but one of those could blow your budget...
So, my vote is on the Bris 3.3. 
Thanks for the input I was looking at those I'm not going anywhere near the catamarans tho the flat bottoms of them I've heard a terrible for choppy water I need something with a v hull thankyou though
www.gumtree.com.au/s-boats-jet-skis/porta+bote/k0c18420
www.findads.com.au/boats-for-sale/porta-boats-for-sale-australia.html
folds flat, i.e. can put on car top/caravan top.
Hypalon will outlast PVC by ten years! Best made are AB inflatables, some of the Mercurys are OK. Achilles terrific too (esp as they have a composite not timber transom so no rot), Highfield are good too. If buying a PVC go for the Kiwi brands. Southern Pacific or Force4 or else a Highfield. I don't rate Island Inflatables at all. I've worked on a lot of inflatables so I know what I'm talking about if only on this subject!
Select to expand quoteSailPlan said..
I recently bought a Bris 3.3 catamaran, and I'm very happy with it. It carries 4, has a massive deck area, and with one up, my bland old Parsun 5.8 2/s planes at half throttle. They are $1100 plus 90 freight on ebay. I also tried my Tohatsu 18 on it, and that was err, fun... At 3.35m it is perhaps a bit big as a tender, but I can fit it on my yacht's foredeck partly deflated.
I previously had a Takacat 260. The build quality was excellent, but at close to $4k, they are a bit pricey. It's also a "wet" boat.
My reasoning on a cheapy: PVC is PVC is PVC. The fabric doesn't last forever, so buying a brand name doesn't make sense. Sure, Hypalon is better, but one of those could blow your budget...
So, my vote is on the Bris 3.3.
Not correct. The difference between a quality PVC brand and a cheapy is dramatic. It's not about the PVC (well in some cases it is) but the bonding and construction. The difference can be between 3 and 5 years in my experience. Buy a good one and keep the sun off it as much as possible.
Select to expand quoteFabulousPhill said..
www.gumtree.com.au/s-boats-jet-skis/porta+bote/k0c18420
www.findads.com.au/boats-for-sale/porta-boats-for-sale-australia.html
folds flat, i.e. can put on car top/caravan top.
Porta Botes are great, it my preferred tender and the one in use weekly, my quicksilver inflatable and fibreglass prams stay in the shed.
But your motor is too big for a Porta Bote, max 23kg motor.
Select to expand quoteTCPEndeavour said..SailPlan said..
I recently bought a Bris 3.3 catamaran, and I'm very happy with it. It carries 4, has a massive deck area, and with one up, my bland old Parsun 5.8 2/s planes at half throttle. They are $1100 plus 90 freight on ebay. I also tried my Tohatsu 18 on it, and that was err, fun... At 3.35m it is perhaps a bit big as a tender, but I can fit it on my yacht's foredeck partly deflated.
I previously had a Takacat 260. The build quality was excellent, but at close to $4k, they are a bit pricey. It's also a "wet" boat.
My reasoning on a cheapy: PVC is PVC is PVC. The fabric doesn't last forever, so buying a brand name doesn't make sense. Sure, Hypalon is better, but one of those could blow your budget...
So, my vote is on the Bris 3.3.
Not correct. The difference between a quality PVC brand and a cheapy is dramatic. It's not about the PVC (well in some cases it is) but the bonding and construction. The difference can be between 3 and 5 years in my experience. Buy a good one and keep the sun off it as much as possible.
Like TCP says, having owned at least 10 ribs, inflatables over the years.
You get what you pay for.
If you are going cheap. Ie use its for a holiday and pack away to the next one, a few of here I know have a Surfsea.
Been excellent bang for buck for a cheap PVC (under $1k for 3.3m) but as i said bang for buck.
Otherwise do not consider PVC.
Select to expand quoteTCPEndeavour said..
Hypalon will outlast PVC by ten years! Best made are AB inflatables, some of the Mercurys are OK. Achilles terrific too (esp as they have a composite not timber transom so no rot), Highfield are good too. If buying a PVC go for the Kiwi brands. Southern Pacific or Force4 or else a Highfield. I don't rate Island Inflatables at all. I've worked on a lot of inflatables so I know what I'm talking about if only on this subject!
Ok. I have a 12 year old hypalon. It will last forever. The problem is the bloody inflatable floor is made of PVC. already been repaired once for $500 by previous owner. It's given up the ghost again and is beyond repair. A replacement is not available.
Point taken... When I made the "PVC" comment, it was based on how long my Takacat lasted. They use top-shelf German PVC, and mine lasted only 4 years. It ended up with the usual brown/stickiness, and the surface in some areas (eg where I sit on the tube) had actually worn through - the cloth reinforcing layer was visible.Some time ago I had a Whit airdeck Aqua, and it lasted only 3 years.Yes, my tenders are perhaps abused. I use a dinghy every day, and it would be exposed to all weathers. A rinse-off comes from rain... So, in hindsight, my requirements for a "work boat" would be different to Jordan's - which he may use less frequently, and would also be stored under cover.One thing I will clarify though - cats don't have a harsher ride. A layer of air gets wedged under the deck, and this cushions quite nicely from most chop. Provided you stay on the plane! By comparison, a flat bottom airdeck is woeful in anything more than a ripple. They are fast and fun in smooth water, though!
Select to expand quotejordanfishboy said..
hi there I'm traveling around Australia for work living in a caravan with my partner..
I need a new inflatable boat to suit my 9.8 short shaft motor. I will use the boat for freediving. I want a foldaway boat I can chuck in my ute canopy and I'm looking at two boats..
My choice is between the island inflatable 365 which I can get around the 2k mark
Or go with the mercury sport 320 which I can get for about 3k..
If anyone has some history with these boats please let me know what direction I should go in thankyou
Stay away from island inflatable !!!!
I have one and got lots of problems . Transom separate from tubes, air floor leaking , any glued parts to tubes give up . Every so often I have to re - glue or thermoweld . Air pump not seealing and braking !!! .
Puting my coins together and will get something better soon .
As they say , you get what you paying for .
