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#1
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SEA DRAGON INFLATABLE BOATS DINGHY? IS IT NEW?
Hi,
Did anyone hear anything about these Sea Dragon inflatable boats? Very similar to Zodiac dinghy boats. They have a web site http://www.BoatsToGo.com and it seems that their prices suspiciously low for inflatable boats. At least twice lower then Zodiac boats. But I never heard about this brand. I need one for Key Largo trip in FL, but I want to make sure that boat is good. Has anyone bought inflatable boat from BoatsToGo.com? Please let me know your feedback. |
#2
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What are you going to do with the boat?
If you just need something to get ahsore from a close in mooring buoy or nearby anchorage, you could make it back and forth on a couple of innertubes bridged by a plank. The website you linked answers your question for you. Every single one of the so-called "testimonials" reads, "I really appreciate the prompt manner in which you shipped the boat." The two on the home page even contain comments like, "If it holds up over time it will be a great value". Nobody seems to have actually used one. As for the "testimonials", ask yourself: Do you routinely sit down and crank out a letter heaping praise on a company that has done nothing, so far. except get FedEx to deliver a parcel on time? Check out the wholesale page. Sea Dragon is probably just one of the "Custom names" available for a one time set-up fee of $200. My guess is that these are cranked out in some sweatshop in Asia. (Several of the better lines available these days are made in Italy). When one considers the actual cost of raw materials in a 9-foot inflatable, most of the cost is labor and most of the price is markup. For performing duties where an air mattress or an inner tube would serve almost as well, you can buy anything. If you will be in situtations where a wholesale failure of a glued seam (that could result in a swamping or sinking of the dinghy) might actually put you at some serious risk, I'd step up a bit and get a product with at least a known track record. By the way, those prices are not "twice lower" than Zodiac, (whatever that means). Zodiac has some promotional boats that are commonly available for just a little more than the prices on that web site. Zodiac isn't the absolute top of the heap in inflatable quality, anyway. Want to see some serious inflatable boats? www.westcoastfrogs.com Check out the Zar boats on the last page. You could take one of those almost anywhere you had enough range to go. |
#3
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From the web site:
New generation PVC is better then Hypalon. Why? Click here to read article from Zodiac web site: "...Further research lead to the discovery of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. PVC coated fabric was even more durable and held air better than Hypalon. PVC is highly resistant to sun and pollutants. PVC is highly resistant to abrasion. PVC is tough and durable...Today, more inflatable boats sold are made of PVC than Hypalon. Some of Zodiac's commercial models use Hypalon, but Zodiac is leading the way to update 1948 military specifications..." PVC is better? How? Cheaper? Well to the Walmart shoppers, cheaper is better. I've found that some things are more important than price. I wouldn't buy a PVC boat at any price. wrote: Hi, Did anyone hear anything about these Sea Dragon inflatable boats? Very similar to Zodiac dinghy boats. They have a web site http://www.BoatsToGo.com and it seems that their prices suspiciously low for inflatable boats. At least twice lower then Zodiac boats. But I never heard about this brand. I need one for Key Largo trip in FL, but I want to make sure that boat is good. Has anyone bought inflatable boat from BoatsToGo.com? Please let me know your feedback. |
#4
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They're bound to be better than the $149 "Sea Chicken" inflatable boat I
recently bought. wrote in message ... Hi, Did anyone hear anything about these Sea Dragon inflatable boats? Very similar to Zodiac dinghy boats. They have a web site http://www.BoatsToGo.com and it seems that their prices suspiciously low for inflatable boats. At least twice lower then Zodiac boats. But I never heard about this brand. I need one for Key Largo trip in FL, but I want to make sure that boat is good. Has anyone bought inflatable boat from BoatsToGo.com? Please let me know your feedback. |
#5
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PVC is better? How? Cheaper? Well to the Walmart shoppers, cheaper is
better. I've found that some things are more important than price. There are some points that could be argued in favor of PVC. But they remain "arguable", and many people continue to do so. The main reason that dinghy builders are using PVC is that you can almost completely automate the assembly of tubes. Hypalon stil requires a more skilled craftsperson and a lot more hand work. |
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