Inflatable rafts

[estoltz]

I'm looking for input on the various inflatable platforms that are available out there. We are looking to get one for when we sit in one of the protected coves or creeks. With friends the 260 gets a little cramped and there are only 3 places or so if we want to lay out. 2 on the deck and the port side front seat. I was looking at something along these lines.

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/SPORTSSTUFF-FIESTA-ISLAND/10092384/product.html

 

[moparlvr4406]

saw one of those this weekend ...it's frikkin' HUGE
so large the driver had to throw it off the back of his 44' off breed cruiser to dock... he couldn't see over or around it

 

[Zorba]

Those things are huge. Once you inflate it it will never go back in the box it came out of. You will then have a giant deflated raft to try and store somewhere on your 260. IMO a bigger headache than its worth.

 

[Xplicitlnck]

I just purchased the tropical tahiti 10 person raft off ebay. There awesome. Gives u much more room. Only downside to them being that large is it took me 45 min to inflate with 2 pumps and they are very heavey. I think my shipping weight was 80 pounds. Other than that there not built for kids jumping around to much on them. The seems like to rip open.

 

[Do Over]

I would suggest a Lily Pad or a Chill Raft....if I bought again I would get the Chill Raft.


http://loz.craigslist.org/sgd/5011538249.html

 

[trflgrl]

If you plan to keep it deflated during transport, that's one thing, but as Jim notes, you can't strap it to the boat easily and bop around if it's inflated. Any multi-person float approaching this size will present the same challenges, not to mention a challenge to dry it out between uses if you want to avoid mustiness. It may be easier to keep a few smaller inflatables (one- or two-person sized) or some fab closed-cell-foam mats stowed and only use/inflate what you need for any given day.

Our friends and family enjoy the Swimways Recliner and similar floats--Among several boats including three 27' - 30' DAs and a couple of 35' flybridges, we have at least 9 recliner-style floats (in the SwimWays you get wet, but some of the others keep your whole body above the water). We use dock lines to tether to a boat and/or to each other through the side handles/foot well. A little bit redneck, but very flexible so people can do their own thing un-tethered or socialize and not risk floating away. They're much easier to handle for storage/drying than a single large item.

http://www.swimways.com/spring-float-recliner-p-62.aspx

A slightly smaller group float might do the trick if you really want to be together, something along these lines:

http://www.brookstone.com/sea-doo-aqua-lounge-4-person-float-with-mp3-system

 

[WDCboater]

If you are a Costco member the Costco in Pentagon City currently has a large island, that even has a covered portion, on sale for $99. I saw a couple on the river last weekend.

We we used to have an inflatable island that held four adults. It was a pain to carry around on our 240. Even on our 350 it took up a lot of space. We got rid of it and we now carry (4) River Runner tubes. Much easier to stow, much easier to inflate.

 

[bbwhitejr]

If you plan to keep it deflated during transport, that's one thing, but as Jim notes, you can't strap it to the boat easily and bop around if it's inflated. Any multi-person float approaching this size will present the same challenges, not to mention a challenge to dry it out between uses if you want to avoid mustiness. It may be easier to keep a few smaller inflatables (one- or two-person sized) or some fab closed-cell-foam mats stowed and only use/inflate what you need for any given day.

Our friends and family enjoy the Swimways Recliner and similar floats--Among several boats including three 27' - 30' DAs and a couple of 35' flybridges, we have at least 9 recliner-style floats (in the SwimWays you get wet, but some of the others keep your whole body above the water). We use dock lines to tether to a boat and/or to each other through the side handles/foot well. A little bit redneck, but very flexible so people can do their own thing un-tethered or socialize and not risk floating away. They're much easier to handle for storage/drying than a single large item.

http://www.swimways.com/spring-float-recliner-p-62.aspx

A slightly smaller group float might do the trick if you really want to be together, something along these lines:

http://www.brookstone.com/sea-doo-aqua-lounge-4-person-float-with-mp3-system

+1:thumbsup: on the Swim Way Recliners. We have 6 of them and they work great. We tether to the boat and each other as well. I have a small inflatable (POS) dingy that we use soley to carry the dog to shore for her "business" whenever it is cold or we don't feel like getting wet. It is a PITA to deal with on a 260. I generally keep it inflated and stash it either on the bow or on the swim platform tied down with bungee cords. It is still a pain to deal with. I cannot imagine something as big as an inflatable island to have to deal with.

Bennett

 

[Creekwood]

I think you need a bigger boat!:grin:

 

[MarkCrusei]

Really depends how much you will use it. Our old dock neighbors had a very similar one. Saw them use it at the dock just a couple of times. He did say he would never take it with them on the boat again. Had to deflate it and re-inflate once the got where they were going and 65 lbs was just too much considering how large it is to handle.

 

[estoltz]

Well we are looking to inflate it when we get to where we are going and deflate it before raising anchor. I'll have to check out these swim way recliners.

 

[Lakebum431]

We use that exact island at our dock. The kids love it! It has a huge amount of room. I would never take it with me, it is big and heavy. Also, that is not a good price. If you look around you should be able to easily find it under $300. I bought it last year on sale somewhere for just over $200.

 

[Craigalan]

I must say, the product shown in the OP link is absurd, obnoxious, bombastic, and totally unnecessary. I may consider one!


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