Saturn Rafts?

[blechman1]

Hey All,
I've yet to see one on the river, but this inexpensive boat seems to be showing up on the internet. Anybody have any experience with boats manufactured by Saturn. They are very affordable-unless they need to be replaced in two years.

[Andy H.]

i saw one on Seidell's last May. The owner said that there's not enough room between the floor and the tubes to allow water to quickly drain so the SB feature's really slow. It depends on what your use will be but I'd rather spend $1500 on a used Hyside or Vanguard than $1000 on a Saturn at this point. There's been talk about them on Raftzone-dot-com and someone in the industry says there's no way they can sustain the business they're doing with the promises (warranty) they make.

Once again, it depends on your use. Probably be a great flatwater fishing boat with the drop-stitch floor.

Caveat Emptor,

-AH

[OleMissBoater]

Originally Posted by blechman1

Hey All,
I've yet to see one on the river, but this inexpensive boat seems to be showing up on the internet. Anybody have any experience with boats manufactured by Saturn. They are very affordable-unless they need to be replaced in two years.

My buddy bought one this year, he's a guide on the Ark, and researched it pretty well... his quote: "for 1500 delivered you can't beat it"

I guided it, both as a paddleboat and an oar setup... tracks well, it's light as hell. We didn't have any problems with the floor not draining (and we even put in a 5'8 piece of carpet for the dogs in the paddleboat below)... but the only thing I don't like about it are 1) the straps that come built-in instead of footcups or bare floor and 2) the hard plastic handles (which are more of a hard rubber than plastic)... but still they aren't enough to deter me from buying one... which I'll probably do this winter.

I'm sold, and glad I got to handle it before buying... they're decent boat, all the boat a private weekender would ever need.

[oarbender]

for the money, they are good ........ and without a doubt worth 1500, to the door. (for a paddle rig) i have limited knows on the most of em, and im not sure the modle that was on my last trip, but it sucked a fat one. sat waaay high, floor was way up, and the twix tube distance was shit. I ended up carrying waaay more than my share.

I guess its really about what you wanna do with it.

if you wanna go cheaps......look at maxxon cat tubes.