Solar Electric Portable AIRCAT Boat Project - Build, Customize, Review

[@herealeximus]

What a great helper you have)

[@AjaySingh-228]

Great review of the Aquamarina 11 ft inflatable catamaran boat. I especially like the idea of using a solar panel to charge the battery for the electric motor. This seems like a very portable and easy-to-use boat. Thanks for sharing..Cute partner haha

[@Notallowedonthecouch]

I have the same boat. Added Amazon seatek flooring. Helped with the slippery floor issue too.

[@mrhats830]

I just saw in the comments that you moved from Hawaii…I love Hawaii. The scenery was amazing on your drone videos. So sad lol

[@urbandronesuk]

I've been looking into this Cat, or the Boatworld Kat 330 Sport, which is supposed to have heat welded seams, open transom. How are you finding this boat, with just glued seams. Any manufacturing defects or glue appearing around the joints (as in another video)? Would really appreciate your expert opinion on whether you'd recommend this?

[@atdi72]

I glued a grey outdoor carpet to my soft floor, way better and comfortable too. How are you liking the mainland compared to Hawaii?

[@DustinDunnill]

Great idea. I've since glued a PVC clear table protector on then stuck boat deck foam on top 💪. It's different but I like the changing seasons and affordable coat of living 🙂🍻

[@spencerboaz2385]

Nice boat . Do you really miss Hawaii ? When I was at Pearl during a ship repair it got small fast . Maybe because of being from Texas . But it was beautiful . Have a blessed one .

[@DustinDunnill]

I mainly miss the beaches & clear water for diving and fishing. We visit 1-2 times a year so we can get our fix 🍻

[@frankiedoor515]

Great video I have an EP propulsion. Do you recommend that solar panel you have? I have a sea Eagle skiff. I’m gonna put it on top of the canopy.

[@larsltj]

I have the smaller 285cm version. It's a good value boat that operates well. I use it for boat camping with different electric motors. I even tried a 6.5kw electric outboard with it...

[@DustinDunnill]

How did the 6.5kw motor do? Must have been quick!

[@iansilver-ramp595]

Yea, how'd it go!?

[@larsltj]

@@iansilver-ramp595 It flies over the water, but it moves somewhat nervous because of the short length.

[@iansilver-ramp595]

@@larsltj approx how fast you get it? Also, do you think a longer inflatable would fix that? Maybe a 4m?

[@larsltj]

@@DustinDunnill 24km/t measured

[@username-mc7jw]

I currently run a BRIS 11' catamaran (which has two drains), but I also have a (newly purchased) Aqua Marina Aircat 335 . Here's a trick to help with the one-way drain. I lost a couple of the flappers before I figured out what was happening. What happened on mine was the suction created by the plug being pulled out was also pulling the flapper out when I removed the plug. What I did to resolve the issue was to drill a small hole in the side of the plug, far enough forward that the plug still seals (but not too far forward)! It needs to be just at the edge where the plug seals, so the hole vents the suction as soon as you start removing the plug. That way there's no suction to pull the flapper out. Hopefully that makes sense. The truth is, however, I have not used the plugs on my inflatable boats for a couple years. I find I don't need them because the drains work well enough without plugging them, but I am running a 15 HP 4-stroke Suzuki on mine, so that may help a little with draining. Another reason to ditch the plugs is that it's illegal to transport a boat in the state of Utah with a plug in it... So, no plugs, no ticket. I DO always carry a couple extra flappers in my boat's tool kit, just in case...

[@gerrypi51]

Is it possible that rowing is not possible because the bimini top bracket is in the way? The bracket/hinge may need to be mounted further forward. With my 200W solar panel, the 1425Wh battery of the new 2024 Torqeedo Travel is charged by 50% in 5-6 hours.

[@DustinDunnill]

Good question. Once you release the oars and bring the handle ends up and through the bimini frame into the boat, rowing is not an issue.

[@tomfromtampa]

I added some generic seadek flooring on mine to add slip resistance. Cost $55 on amazon

[@brenton728]

Great review. I actually ordered one last week, just waiting for it to arrive. What width Bimini top did you purchase?

[@DustinDunnill]

It's the smallest (54-60" w) bimini 🍻

[@brenton728]

@@DustinDunnill awesome, thanks!!

[@KentRoads]

very cute bebeh

[@bruceharnden5742]

Hello Dustin, off subject but if you still have the Parrot disco controller would you "if you can find the time " look at the controller battery. I just purchased a new old stock unit. It has a 7.4 v battery. Fully charged ,Testing it with multimeter the red to middle contact read 7.4 volts and the red to black/ opposite side contact also reads 7.4 volts. I have searched and searched, can't find one. Any suggestions would be great. Thank you, Bruce

[@MikeDav-mv7jt]

Bruce, So what is your question exactly? Are you looking to replace the controller battery?

[@ΓιαννηςΜαυροβιτης-θ8ξ]

Η μηχανή είναι η μακρι πόδι ή κοντό πόδι?

[@ritchi101]

No Dji Neo review yet?

[@DustinDunnill]

My review sample was lost by DHL shipping. Hopefully I can some how get one soon 🍻

[@bunk9947]

WHY AREN'T THERE 2 SEATS

[@supersonic249]

@@bunk9947 first thing I noticed too!

[@pcplsdxtc]

Hi! Anyone knows what are internal dimensions of that cat?

[@DustinDunnill]

I'll measure it this week and let you know 🍻

[@tomchilli4195]

Got mine a week ago, took it out yesterday with a small electric but was underpowered for my use. Picking up a 9.8hp tohatsu 2 stroke, which should fly. Pumping with my leaf blower and topping off with the supplied pump is the go - Max of ten minutes.

[@caribbeanrc7162]

Nice system but not useable in Florida,, ,the glue used in the seams will not hold up to the heat and UV... avoid PVC in Florida

[@DustinDunnill]

I can see upwards of 100°F heat could be iffy. If the PVC fabric is glued and melded right this boat seems solid 🍻

[@monteblackwell4652]

How does it chug along without the crap tied to it? Speeds?

[@DustinDunnill]

With the motor I used it seemed to hit between 6-10mph

[@username-mc7jw]

Not really. The seams on most of these inflatables now are high frequency welded, not glued. Florida temperatures are mild compared to Utah, and we're 5,000 feet (some reservoirs are well over 9,000 feet) closer to the sun, so temps and UV are much worse for a PVC boat here than at sea level. I'm speaking from experience. I've lived in southern Florida. In Utah, I'm on my 3rd inflatable boat (two BRIS, and one Aqua Marina), and never had any issues with heat damaging the welded seams. Want to stress test the seams? I'm running a 15 HP Suzuki 4 stroke on my 11' catamaran, and it pretty much flies. Sorry to shun electric, but you know what they say: "Once you go gas, you never go back"... (or something like that). lol

[@jesusgjchuza6491]

Vool

[@mondvogel6124]

try a takacat instead... those are ACTUAL, useful inflatable boats, not this kind of toy

[@tomchilli4195]

Watch other videos of people testing the Aquacat out, they all rate them and they absolutely fly.

[@comancheflyer4903]

@@mondvogel6124 Not everybody can afford a Takacat at three times the prices.

[@Adam-b2f]

​@@mondvogel6124 nar the truekit kit is the ultimate