Running Heavy! Testing the Saturn SD518 Inflatable Boat with 5 passengers for stability and speed.

In this video we load up the Saturn SD518 Inflatable boat with 5 passengers and gear totaling aproximately 750 Lbs. We do a top speed test and cruise the New River in Fort Lauderdale and beach at a well known Party Cove off Port Everglades.

[@maynardharry6719]

Hi nice video. I would definately go for the idea you have for making the floor more rigid. I have a 16ft SIB with a 60hp motor on it. Even with the stringers in the floor always flexed under power, which made the front of the boat droop (this might be what has affected your top speed, as you can't get the front of the boat out of the water). I got two 14 ft lengths of 1 inch by 1/2 inch stainless steel flat rods. I bolted them around 4 inches either side of every floor joint. Forcing the floor joints not to move or flex under power. The result is that more engine power is put through the floor (which is now super rigid) nothing moves. To be honest the bend in your floor is a defective panel, and you should get that changed, it will continue to fail even if you bend it back into shape, Because of the length of the boat the forces going through the floor are massive. I hope this helps. I can send you some pics if you think it will help.

[@SoFloBuilds]

Thanks for the input, it lends to all our overall learning and supports the channel. I appreciate it and thank you for watching! Yes I believe that modification will be the next one I make.

[@myriangomez855]

I like your seats. I'm in the market to buy an inflatable and a motor, just want to be able to do everything by myself, when I go solo, so for a woman 5'2'' want to be able to lift the motor , maybe a 5 hp

[@SoFloBuilds]

I get where you’re coming from, but you definitely don’t want to underpower. You’ll be hating life if you do.

[@beeeekae]

Nice boat and video. What seats and brackets did you choose and did you mount to the aluminum bench seat? Thanks

[@Jon-kg6hm]

What kind of seats do you have?

[@davehanna1557]

I’ve been toying with the same type of idea… I was even thinking along the lines of replacing the sectional aluminum floor with a two piece plywood floor, fore and aft pieces instead of athwartship. Then maybe a one foot wide piece, running the full length, joining the two sides.

[@SoFloBuilds]

I’m not sure I would replace the aluminum with wood, if nothing else, just due to the weight. But I’m definitely going to run some aluminum stock from front to rear to stiffen the entire boat up.

[@davehanna1557]

@@SoFloBuilds actually marine plywood would be about the same weight, on my boat the aluminum floor is 75 pounds. But running some 2” aluminum angle would do the job and be easier. Then you could easily mount to the uprighted angle…

[@just_facts9713]

Informative video bro..how far offshore have you taken it out..

[@SoFloBuilds]

Haven’t been offshore yet, probably going to do a trip to the West Coast for that. Smoother waters.

[@just_facts9713]

@@SoFloBuilds thank you for the reply..

[@Atlantichotsummer]

How did you source all the seats. It looks so cool. What’s the HP on the motor?

[@SoFloBuilds]

the motor is a 25hp Yamaha 4 stroke, and in my opinion the perfect motor for this rig. Its the lightest 25 hp on the market and I can lift it on and off by myself, and it gets 3 adults to 20mph.

[@aris9560]

Nice! Great family you have. I have 2 daughters and a son too. 2-4-6 yrs old. Next year i ll buy a small RIB and go around. I live in Athens Greece with many local beaches to explore

[@SoFloBuilds]

Good for you, enjoy it! My business partner is moving to Greece, he loves it.

[@aris9560]

@@SoFloBuilds nice :)

[@NS-yu6yf]

so you have hydrofoil on the outboard?

[@SoFloBuilds]

Nope no hydrofoil. It seems to do well without it and I don’t want to drill into the motor if I don’t have to.

[@NS-yu6yf]

@@SoFloBuilds yea I thought the same i put smart tabs on mine, helped plane a little easier. I like your seat set up I have SD488 model. I found the seat mount you have do you have anything holding it down to keep from sliding?

[@supersirena1143]