Baltic dinghy

[quality time]

I have pretty much settled on a 9.5 Baltik air floor from affordable inflatables on Ebay. I just wanted to hear from you guys that have had them for any length of time and see how they are holding up. I plan on using a 5HP 2-stroke Mariner (freebie!) and will just use it a couple of times a month for short trips to the beach and exploring. I'm not too worried about the PVC vs. Hypalon since I will keep it covered when not in use and it will be under covered shed on my platform.

I have read some bad stuff about affordable inflatables customer service after the sale, has anyone experienced this? I only plan on using this set up for a few years so I think this is the best option for me vs. a dinghy 2 or 3x the cost. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Bill Z]

We purchased a Baltik from Affordable Inflatables and have had nothing but a wonderful experience with them. I had a question early on and they responded quickly ! Please note that they respond quickly to e-mail and not so quickly to phone calls. The poroduct is a great buy !

 

[skolbe]

I picked up a leftover Mercury Inflatable for similar money - so I went that route. But have not heard a bad think about Baltik - they both are probably all made at the same Chinese plant.

 

[quality time]

I picked up a leftover Mercury Inflatable for similar money - so I went that route.

A Mercury 270 Airdeck was my first choice but Defender doesn't have any good deals on leftovers right now. Plus there was the other thread about Mercury warranty issues and alot of people chimed in about them falling apart prematurely. I figure if it's only going to last a few years I might as well keep my investment small!

 

[gerryb]

We purchased a Baltik from Affordable Inflatables and have had nothing but a wonderful experience with them. I had a question early on and they responded quickly ! Please note that they respond quickly to e-mail and not so quickly to phone calls. The poroduct is a great buy !

+1 -- Actually bought two of them - one with air floor and one with the wood floor. (First one was sunk by my cousin...)

 

[skolbe]

+1 -- Actually bought two of them - one with air floor and one with the wood floor. (First one was sunk by my cousin...)

What was the story on the sinking?

 

[gerryb]

...my last words, as shouted to my cousin before the dingy slammed into my dockmate's outboard propeller...'lower your RPMs before shifting the motor Forward!'

 

[osd9]

A Mercury 270 Airdeck was my first choice but Defender doesn't have any good deals on leftovers right now. Plus there was the other thread about Mercury warranty issues and alot of people chimed in about them falling apart prematurely. I figure if it's only going to last a few years I might as well keep my investment small!

I bought a PVC Mercury 270 Airdeck in 2006 as a 2005 leftover. The first boat had some problems and Mercury replaced it for free.....valves had some leaks. That second boat sits outside all year long....winter through summer.....with the factory cover on it and it has been trouble free....still looks like the day it was born...even has the original air in the tubes...sans a few pumps in the spring.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

3rd year on my 11ft wood floor.
24mph on gps. Planes with four adults or 800lbs.

Keep it covered from the sun and it will last for a while.
I would buy another one if funds remain tight..

 

[Nehalennia]

I've looked at these
http://www.amiboats.com/

They seem to be very well constructed and great prices.

I spoke to the owner a couple weeks ago and he said he'd drop 10-15% for anyone here(just mention my name)
I told him I'm a year away from a dink