Inflatables from Mailspeed Marine

BogMonster · 20 May 2008, 17:06

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/infla...el680151.bhtml

Any comments on this model please, good/bad on either quality or price?

I am thinking about something to hang my 6hp aux off just to play with. Don't want to spend too much money but must be able to carry a couple of people and be fairly light.

Ta

Stephen

RAD · 20 May 2008, 17:14

They are ok actually, seen them in the store at Burnham. Have seen a few people with them too.

MikeCC · 20 May 2008, 18:14

I think you'll find they are exactly the same as a branded model. The quality is fine - although hard to choose any particular one at that price point.

BogMonster · 20 May 2008, 20:13

Ta

- ok next question - why would an airdeck model cost significantly more than a slatted floor model (£349 against £279 for the same one with a slatted floor) when from what I read on the other thread a slatted floor one is probably a better bet??

Also would an airdeck one have a slight V to the bottom "hull" shape while the slatted floor would be completely flat, or is that not necessarily going to be true?

The packed dimensions on the site suggest they are both the same size when folded down (important as freight to the moon is ruddy expensive!)

mdt · 21 May 2008, 21:38

IMHO the air deck is way better than the slatted floor in a inflatable. any water that gets into it on the slatted one will go the the lowest point. where your feet/knees are. air deck the water gose around the edge of the inflated floor first.

as to the V on the hull this depends on the size and make as I have seen them with both so best ask the question. but I am guessing that one in the link is a flat floor as it looks just like my mates one. good wee bit of kit and not too wet and yes I have been out in it when I would rarther not have.

codprawn · 21 May 2008, 21:42

My Quicksilver has a wooden floor but it also has an air keel - weh it's inflated it looks almost like a cathedral hull.

Downhilldai · 21 May 2008, 21:57

You wouldn't have an inflatable keel with a slatted floor and I suspect the airdeck boat would be the same. A lot more goes into an airdeck than a few planks of wood, explaining the extra cost of this version. Both are cheap, so I'd go for the airdeck.

Hugh Jardon · 21 May 2008, 22:05

i have an airdeck quicksiler and while they are lighter and apparently easier to assemble than the wooden or metal floor models i am not convinced they are stiffer

however if you are sitting in them charging around they are more comfortable than a solid floor

couple of tips

dont get an inflatable thwart
try to get a boat where the fuel tank fits under the seat

problem i had with a previous boat was it had an inflatable thwart, then 5 gall fuel tank, then a rather nice bag at the front of the boat (was a bombard tropik aero) however the space in it that was left was annoying small

my quicksilver is huge inside in comparison

have fun

John Kennett · 22 May 2008, 06:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Ta

- ok next question - why would an airdeck model cost significantly more than a slatted floor model (£349 against £279 for the same one with a slatted floor) when from what I read on the other thread a slatted floor one is probably a better bet??

It sounds like you might be confusing a slatted floor with wooden floorboards. They are quite different.

A slatted floor is a soft, flat floor, stiffened with a number of crosswise slats. They pack away easily because you leave the slats in and roll it up, but they're are only only suitable for low power and low speed.

A high pressure inflatable floor gives you a relatively solid floor, so you can have an inflatable keel.

A wooden (or aluminium) floor creates an absolutely rigid deck, with an inflatable keel. The boat will perform better than an Airdeck, but is heavier, bulkier and significantly more hassle to put together and take apart.

John

Channel Ribs · 22 May 2008, 07:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

It sounds like you might be confusing a slatted floor with wooden floorboards. They are quite different.

A slatted floor is a soft, flat floor, stiffened with a number of crosswise slats. They pack away easily because you leave the slats in and roll it up, but they're are only only suitable for low power and low speed.

A high pressure inflatable floor gives you a relatively solid floor, so you can have an inflatable keel.

A wooden (or aluminium) floor creates an absolutely rigid deck, with an inflatable keel. The boat will perform better than an Airdeck, but is heavier, bulkier and significantly more hassle to put together and take apart.

John

You beat me to it!

An excellent assessment.

BumbleAbout · 22 May 2008, 10:05

I reinforced a 3m Tohatsu inflatable (with 5hp) with 4 peices of (cut to size and chamfered) gravel board between the airdeck and inflatable keel (placed across the boat under the airdeck when inflating) - this did help to reduce flexing in choppier waters without adding much weight.

BogMonster · 22 May 2008, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

It sounds like you might be confusing a slatted floor with wooden floorboards. They are quite different.

A slatted floor is a soft, flat floor, stiffened with a number of crosswise slats. They pack away easily because you leave the slats in and roll it up, but they're are only only suitable for low power and low speed.

A high pressure inflatable floor gives you a relatively solid floor, so you can have an inflatable keel.

A wooden (or aluminium) floor creates an absolutely rigid deck, with an inflatable keel. The boat will perform better than an Airdeck, but is heavier, bulkier and significantly more hassle to put together and take apart.

John

You are right I did, which meant I was then really confused

Airdeck it will have to be I think. Thanks for the advice...

Locozodiac · 22 May 2008, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/infla...el680151.bhtml

Any comments on this model please, good/bad on either quality or price?

I am thinking about something to hang my 6hp aux off just to play with. Don't want to spend too much money but must be able to carry a couple of people and be fairly light.

Ta

Stephen

Don't hung up with any inflatable under 3.00 with a 6 HP engine will be my recomendation, choose air floor if portability and quick inflation/deflation is a must. Personally would go for a 320/330 size.

Happy Boating

BogMonster · 23 May 2008, 16:43

I went back for a look at the Zodiac I was in the other day - turns out to be a 3.1M with a solid ply floor (shows how much notice I was taking!)

Think I will have to try and find one round here with an air floor to compare and see if it will be any good first.

Channel Ribs · 23 May 2008, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

I went back for a look at the Zodiac I was in the other day - turns out to be a 3.1M with a solid ply floor (shows how much notice I was taking!)

Think I will have to try and find one round here with an air floor to compare and see if it will be any good first.

Think of the airdecks as a half way trade off... Like a slatted floor but with a keel, in other words - floppy but well mannered.