Hard floor or not

AlexT · 16 February 2011, 18:08

New to inflatables. Buying one soon. Likely Zodiac Futura. Like the no floor model for weight and simplicity. What is the big downside...this is PVC so will it take wear ? And, what about a dog in the thing...can I? Will the floor take it? I could put a tarp on the floor when dog is in.

Also, welcome comments on this vs. Classic. That was were I started, but this seems better. Just zipping about on the water..inshore stuff, beach to beach. a bit of fishing.

tinker · 16 February 2011, 18:22

My inflatable floor has been a pain in the ass. Its pumped up to a very high pressure and this, IMO, makes it very vunerable to punctures. I have fixed at least 5 in the space of a season. If the floor's pressure is lost the whole boats stability is comprimised. The upside is ease of storage and its easy to assemble.

I have now purchased a second hand hard floor, which needs some alterations but as it comes with all the Zodiac fittings, this should not be a problem.......

achille2124 · 16 February 2011, 19:34

It depends on the use.

If you want to keep the boat in its bags and assemble it each time you'll use it, take the HP floor. With this inflatable floor you'll just have to take the boat out of the bag and inflate it. It offers lower performance due to the lack of stiffness of the whole boat.

If you are to keep the boat on a trailer or always in the water (so you assemble once a year and disassemble once a year), then take the HD floor. Aluminum floor is very sturdy, it gives great handling and helps acheiving high performance, but is a pain in the a*s to assemble (allow 45 sweaty-swearing minutes the first times).

The Futura is a sport car, the Classic is a 4x4. If you want speed take the Futura and put the biggest outboard you can buy. If you already have a small outboard or don't really want speed, take the Classic you won't pay for that performance capacity and still have a very good boat.

theboysmiffy · 16 February 2011, 20:23

Hey Tinker, where did you buy your used floor?

Adam

tinker · 19 February 2011, 13:43

Got it from Ebay, it was on here as well, a few years ago, its for the 4.2m futura, i have the 3.8m. The width is the same, 1.02m its the length thats the problem.

theboysmiffy · 19 February 2011, 17:56

Trying to find one for my MkII classic. Just been quoted £439 + vat for a new one. The boat only set me back £100!

Adam

theboysmiffy · 19 February 2011, 17:58

Trying to find one for my MkII classic. Just been quoted £439 + vat for a new one. The boat only set me back £100! Which model is yours?

Adam

tinker · 19 February 2011, 23:03

I was quoted £1000 for a new airfloor........

Mattywooo · 20 February 2011, 09:19

Hi Alex T,

I have a 3.3m SIB with a ali floor. I use the boat for fishing mainly and the floor is brilliant.

I admit the floor can be a little heavy if the boat is assembled and disassembled each trip like achille2124 says, this is no problem for me as i have it inflated on trailer and only disassemble once a season.

I dont think i could trust a air floor if fishing with it, one stray hook or dropped fillet knife and its dead.

The ride is so much better, stiffer and takes more chop.

If you take your Dog the ali floor is defo way to go.

Hope this helps,

Matt.

spartacus · 20 February 2011, 17:35

The HD floor system is fantastic. Even without a trailer, it's relatively easy to build and assemble with practice. I also think it gives the boat a degree of rigidity and much-needed ballast.

thornbackflound · 21 February 2011, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattywooo

Hi Alex T,

I have a 3.3m SIB with a ali floor. I use the boat for fishing mainly and the floor is brilliant.

I admit the floor can be a little heavy if the boat is assembled and disassembled each trip like achille2124 says, this is no problem for me as i have it inflated on trailer and only disassemble once a season.

I dont think i could trust a air floor if fishing with it, one stray hook or dropped fillet knife and its dead.

The ride is so much better, stiffer and takes more chop.

If you take your Dog the ali floor is defo way to go.

Hope this helps,

Matt.

I dont think i could trust a air floor if fishing with it, one stray hook or dropped fillet knife and its dead.

Totaly agree there

achille2124 · 21 February 2011, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by thornbackflound

I dont think i could trust a air floor if fishing with it, one stray hook or dropped fillet knife and its dead.

Totaly agree there

It takes more than a dropped knife or hook to kill it. We rarely see defective HP floor, they are very resistant.

However, I still prefer HD floor for the performance and stiffness on the boat.

AlexT · 23 February 2011, 17:01

Hard floor it is. A bit more work as I will disassemble 5-6 time a year, but overall I think it is more than just an option for me.

Getting ready to buy. Miami Boat show was a bit of a disapointment as non of the boats I am interested in were there. But talked to some informative people.