Customizations on Saturn SD518 Inflatable Boat

This video shows some of the modifications that I've made to my Saturn SD518 Inflatable Boat to make it more comfortable and practical as an Adventure Boat.

[@donaldmartin4620]

Hey what’s up I just ordered these so before I put them on have you fix the issues you had with your s

[@armandoarayaching]

HELLO THERE. I really like your videos as they give a lot of information for beginners.

[@donaldmartin4620]

Hey still watching you😢 video I’m haveing a little trouble woth mine I b put the tubes at 3.6 witch is the max amd the keel at 4.6 the max is 5.8 on mine amd my aluminum seats slide back and forth amd wobble to much I know they should move a little it’s a inflatable I know that but they say when the tubes are at max should hold the aluminum seats tight does your still wobble when your tubes are at full air amd I’m getting those next week on Amazon can’t wait to try it like your tho

[@tayeblondon]

wow, super tips, thank you very much

[@SoFloBuilds]

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@hansselg1]

Thank you for making this video we've been looking for a simple system to help avoid drilling in our floor and this is perfect looking foward to the next video brother 👊🏾

[@SoFloBuilds]

Thanks for watching!

[@IdeasforOurTime]

Very nice!!

[@gamezztudio]

Thank you for making this video, I was thinking, normally Saturn suggest to install the bars to join 2 benches together without the bars the seats will flip backward when leaning on it, with your system ( double portable seat stand) how is your experience? are the seats stable? I really like your idea...your comments will be appreciated!

[@SoFloBuilds]

They don't budge! I've been slammed around in the Intercoastal by Big Wakes with Two people in them and nothing. Even with low pressure they didn't move.

[@AutoBudz]

If anyone is worried about the base rubbing you could add carpet padding to the the base where it touches the boat tube or something like that

[@Road-tramp]

Nice one enjoyed your vid, by the way don't know why, them seats brought stormtroopers to mind of star wars.

[@SoFloBuilds]

Totally the color scheme… Lol

[@estebanmolano9794]

Hey... that is awesome what you've done. I am seriously thinking to get in to that particular saturn boat. Two questions: do you think i can accommodate 3 rows of two seats leaving the back row like you have it..? Second question: will that 18' boat hold a 35 hp.tohatsu..? Thank you

[@donaldmartin4620]

Hey it’s me again I had a question so I decided to order the ones just like yours on Amazon do you worry a oithe legs punching a hole in the tibes or rubbing to we’re the tubes emd up getting a hole or leak I seen you put them behind the aluminum seat branch so I’m wondering before I buy 2 of theee as I have the same boat kind of like yours mine is the 16 ft Saturn sd488 so I want to make sure that you have no issues with you can you let me know thanks I appreciate it if you can

[@SoFloBuilds]

What you want to make sure and do is bend the feet on the brackets so they are inset of the outer lips of the floorboards and away from the support struts. The pipes themselves are smooth and rub very minimally against the tubes as theyre pretty locked in from the pressure in the tubes. Iv'e been knocked around a ton and havent seen any wear. Make sure the seat frame and any pointy bits are clear of the tubes as well. The second bracket I bought was a little off from the first and the corner of my seat frame was too close on that one, so I shimmed it with a piece of material to protect it.

[@nh1516]

Great video. May I ask, what size bimini top do you have? I also want to mount my bimini top using 5 ft pvc tubes.

[@SoFloBuilds]

It’s an Ocean South Bimini, and it’s the 8ft long 4 bow model. I don’t remember off hand the exact model width. My boat is 6.5 feet wide and I ordered the closest width to that. I think it was a range between 70-78” wide.

Thanks for the ideas . One thought on that last cushion... Maybe remove the bracket and back from that 4th seat and mount it as the flat cushion (maybe even with the swivel, since the sharp bracket would be gone)?

[@SoFloBuilds]

Wow that’s actually an interesting idea, I may play with that. I have a few other things I need to tinker with since our last trip out.

[@gonzalezliu86]

cool video. do you mind sharing where i could find that bracket for the seats. I was just about to build something out of plywood for my saturn but i think the metal frame looks much better

[@SoFloBuilds]

Absolutely! Here's the link: www.amazon.com/dp/B004WIRHHU?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[@EricBurt-n1n]

Where can I get one of these seat rigs? Looks exactly what I need but I am in UK

[@SoFloBuilds]

I got mine off Amazon, I can’t imagine they wouldn’t offer the same item on your side of the pond.

[@kowanut1]

Maybe I missed something, but...Are you placing some padding or reinforcement between the seat frames and your main float tubes? It just looks to me that you might wear some holes in the tubes. Big holes.

[@SoFloBuilds]

I check them after every trip, there’s been no sign of contact, much less wear. It was a concern for me as well, but it’s been fine. I did however place some bunk carpeting over the seat corners to be on the safe side.

[@kowanut1]

@@SoFloBuilds Right on. Nice set up.😀

[@danielmcnulty1185]

PLEASE let me know where I can order the seat frame thing. Maybe a Brand and part # if you.ve got it. Can't find it on Wise website..Thanks!!!

[@SoFloBuilds]

www.amazon.com/dp/B004WIRHHU?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[@danielmcnulty1185]

@@SoFloBuilds Thanks brother, really appreciate it!!! How wide is it at it's widest point? Want to make sure it will work in my SIB.

[@SoFloBuilds]

@@danielmcnulty1185 44", but I bent mine to be narrower

[@donaldmartin4620]

exactly what I was looking for finally a real video of cool stuff can I ask what do you think of Saturn boat s I bought my 16 ft heavy duty Saturn 488 I bleave with aluminum floor amd haven’t took it out yet scared the tubes ar not that strong tho I know there heat welded but I’m working on my boat yours look perfect woth that setup tho cool

[@SoFloBuilds]

Hi Donald, my First boat was an SD488 There’s at least one video of it on my channel, it was Red. I had it for Three years and it failed from improper storage and non use. It was an earlier model that had glued seems, so its lifespan in a tropical climate was limited to begin with. But do to unforeseen issues it sat unused for at least a year and a half. I stored it rolled up and sitting on its side in a very hot and humid garage. During its time in there it was covered with dust and water bugs. When I finally decided to unroll, wash and inflate it, it actually looked good. I went inside to get a drink and when I came back out half the seems had let go in the hot sun. I was upset, but when I actually thought about it, it was my fault. I should also mention that the seems failed, not the material itself. It’s strong as hell! If you’re going to store the boat rolled up, lay it flat and keep it in a climate controlled environment. Otherwise invest in a trailer and keep it mostly inflated (not full pressure) and out of the sun. If in a hot garage like mine, make sure it’s got some ventilation via window or vent. Open the garage every now and then to air out. Inspect the boat, tap on it to make sure it’s not too high of PSI for storage. Keep it clean and most of all, use it! It’s fun as hell and it’s very rugged, remember, you have 6 air chambers compared to my 4, you’re not going to sink, no way. You could lose half your tubes and still limp back to the dock. The safety of the boat and having the reliability of a new motor is what gives you the comfort to explore further and see more. Get a 25hp Yamaha (it’s the lightest) if you can, otherwise a Suzuki 20 is also a great choice. I have both and will be testing the 20 on mine in a future video.

[@donaldmartin4620]

Ya thanks I just got mine amd it’s looks great I have a jonhson 15 h p motor witch I use on my 10 ft maxxon kist to go around the jetty tho amd bought the Saturn for 2000 dollars the newer one as it’s heat welded all around tho woth the aluminum floor so we will see amd I wil work on getting a better motor later haven’t took it out yet as I’m waiting for the seat witch I ordered amd the frame like yours is on Amazon to tho I might do your set up as far as a trailer I’m thinking I won’t get one yet as for me sweating it up amd breaking it down is a little work but gotta get my exercise tho but love your setup woth the seat. Tho amd I will be taking mine in the ocean as I live by the ocean thos is why I went after Saturn. Amd mine has the valve so I can’t over flate it’s a safety feature so it will let air out if I go or much tho thanks for all the information I appreciate it a lot I will check out your videos to

[@SoFloBuilds]

@@donaldmartin4620 Thanks for watching! Definitely check out my next video about adjusting the seat brackets. They need to be bent inward a little so they are inboard and clear of the support struts. I have found that these frames are not all identical in spec. Probably hand made in a minimal jig. My second one is off a bit from the first one I ordered. They are pretty easy to bend a bit though and then they won’t cause any issues.

[@donaldmartin4620]

@@SoFloBuilds ya I just screwed seats on to the aluminum seat of the inflatable dingy as the frames o am worried about them damaging the tubes tho I do not know much about the Saturns so I just screwed mine boat seats to the aluminum seats they come with the Saturn not Teton to put to much weight on the aluminum floor tho but might change to your s tho I order 2 off Amazon I got 3 boats seat amd mounted in the middle of each aluminum seat so I could get the weight evenly so we will see but I do like your a lot after watching it so I can always change it amd I’m not sure about a trailer yet as we’re I live some idots would walk by and put a hole in it tho so might be better to inflate it amd deflate it but really do like your set up will see how mine goes still waiting to get mine the water but I’m really picky as I paid 2000 thousand for mine so will be really careful when I take it out but again grate video

[@knightsy55]

What's the name of the metal frame for the seats to attach to please?

[@SoFloBuilds]

www.amazon.com/dp/B004WIRHHU?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[@beeeekae]

What model of Wise seats did you buy? Looks comfortable!

[@SoFloBuilds]

@@beeeekae They're a discontinued model, but they're all pretty much the same. Wise just constantly changes up the patterns and colors. Just make sure you buy the High Back model.