where to buy inflatable boat

[garrett58]

i am thinking of buying an inflatable for diving where in southern cal would be a good place to shop for one. i am thinking about one 14 to 16 ft new or good used and then a new motor i live in pismo beach and there are no shops around here that handle inflatables we want to set it up to sling off the pier at gaviota and dive the areas between gaviota and santa barbara during lobster season as well as trips to point lobos up north and if possable get it out to catalina any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[orangelion03]

Used: Try the boat related photobuy classifieds, Craig's List, etc. (several 8-11 footers, some with motors listed right now)

New: There is a chain of boating supply stores that sells Avon and others...Western Marine?.

 

[Redondoscubadude]

Check out this seller on Ebay - eBay Store - Affordable Inflatable: Air Floor Boats, Wooden Floor Boats, White Water Rafts
I bought a 8.5 air floor model as a tender for my sailboat and it is a great boat at a very good price. No matter what the brand they are all probably made in the same factories in Asia.

 

[TroupH2O]

I was looking at a boat on Craigslist. It looked interesting but I not ready to buy.
Zodiac

 

[Empty V]

We owned a 12 footer that lasted about 14 years, eventually the glue that held the seems gave way and we dumped opposed to repairing it but that was about 17 years ago and I'm sure construction has improved. Personally if you get 14 years out of it with no preventative maintenance that seems good to me. I think we still have the Tohatsu outboard. If you buy it retail don't forget to slip em a few bucks to remove the throttle governor, should give you a nice little boost.

Sounds like a Futura Mark 3 HD by Zodiac sounds like it'd be a solid fit. They're not cheap but have been tested over time. If this is a primary boat opposed to a tender that would be the one I would go with. If you want something similar in size but lighter you might be better off with the Mark 3 FR. You could also go for the Pro 7 or 9 man but I think you would have to trailer it, might be a hard bottom.

Zodiac Marine USA - The Zodiac range - The Zodiac boats

Or you could go for the big daddy, the CZ7. CZ7

Good luck!

Billy

 

[Codyjp]

this looks nice, and it is only $245 ;}... Zodiac CZ7 - Zodiac's Ultimate Adventure Boat - Inflatable Boat - RIB

 

[NEWENGLANDCHARTERS]

2004 17 ft Inflatable Zodiac style boat.

6 air chambers. rated for 10 passengers

Boat only for just $2,795.

Trailer not included. Can deliver boat in local area.


NewEnglandCharters Press Release 3

 

[jvdk01]

These guys are at the Ventura Harbor. Inflatable Boats Specialists

I looked at a new 5 meter RHIB there a couple years ago. I don't remember for sure, but I think it was about $16,000 with 60hp engine and center console.

 

[longliner]

check tecinnovations.net they make a GREAT inflatable dive boat

 

[Sam Miller III]

Since the early 1960s when I chatted with the Cousteau crew about the
"Amphatrite" (SP) I have been a fan of the inflatable boat. I owned a number of inflatable all were used solely for diving...free diving spear fishing & Scuba.

I currently do not have an inflatable but I have owned several Zodiacs and most recently a Achilles. They ranged in size from about 8 feet to about 12 feet. Every one I owned I over powered it by a step or two..If it required a 25 Hp - I used a 35 Hp etc to over come the general over loading associated with recreational diving.

I have used them up and down the California coast and abused them for weeks on end on the many trips to isolated remote beaches of Baja with not any unforeseen problems. All that I owned were very dependable and above all rugged.

I would suggest that you purchase the smallest possible boat with a hard floor that will suffice for your intended activities, purchase a large engine to over power it, and if Baja bound obtain some sand wheels for launch and retrieval.

The best most reliable dealer I have found was in Oxnard or Ventura. Purchased a number of items from him and had some repairs -expensive but very professional.

He marketed an inflatable made in South America; the "Carribe" (?) which appeared to be ideal for recreational diving.. White in color it had high gunnels, large pontoons and rugged construction..might be worth the trip to see his inventory.

With all that is written please bear in mind an inflatable boat is a wet boat..It can be very wet and very cold on a December night when motoring into the wind..

Good luck,