Sea Eagle or Zodiac?

roadkingh1

roadkingh1

Member
May 4, 2008
278
Covington, La
Boat Info
97' 370DA
Engines
Twin 7.4l MPI v drive
I am in the market to buy a inflatable dinghy. I am going to get a 9.9 hp outboard. I am torn between the Zodiac and Sea Eagle. Which would you choose? Any suggestions?
 
I have had nineteen people take a look at this site. Is there anyone out there who owns an inflatable dinghy that can give some out some advice.
 
Maybe try the search function??

I have heard of Zodiac but not Sea Eagle...maybe that is a sign of who to go with. I bought a Mercury 310 Airdeck last year with a 9.9 hp Mercury 4 stroke and have loved every minute of it.

Good luck with your decision!
 
How are you going to carrey and use it? I have a dinghy with a 4 hp motor on davis snap davits which works like a charm, however if I had a 10 hp motor it would not be fun putting it on my dink. You don't give enuf info to answer properly. It all depends on how and where . Around the dock,bay? Or are you a cruiser who intends to overnit and use the dink to get ashore?
 
Do you have a hydro. swim platform or extended swim platform to put it on, or are you buying a hurley to lift it up?
 
Over the years we have had several Zodiacs that were used (and abused) mainly to ferry kids, guests, and gear from our dock down river to the beach, all have survived and are still in service with other owners. I can't say enough about both the product and the company's customer service.

You get what you pay for.

Henry
 
What's the difference in price, what size are you getting, are you getting an air floor, wood floor??, how will you store it when you don't use it? on the boat, deflated and out of the sun? How are you storing it on the boat?

Let me know and I can give you my 2 cents...

Barry
 
I am on my second Baltic (sold first one with last boat). They are a Korean made inflatable with wood floor. Much cheaper than the brand names, but have worked very well for me. I just paid $900 for a new 9'5" dinghy.

www.affordableinflatable.com
 
I appreciate everyone's responses. The reasoning for my question "Sea Eagle or Zodiac" was geared more towards personal preferences.
 
I've owned a couple of Zodiacs and have no complaints but decided on a Mercury 310 for my current boat. It seems to be built very well and you can't beat it for under $1000. Mark
 
Sea Ray Mark said:
I've owned a couple of Zodiacs and have no complaints but decided on a Mercury 310 for my current boat. It seems to be built very well and you can't beat it for under $1000. Mark
Click to expand...

Mark, where did you get a mercury 310 for under a $1000? I found a used one in Houston, Tx for about $1200.00 and they sell for around $2000.00 brand new.
 
Never see anyone with a Sea Eagle. Zodiac - is the popular brand name. I bought a 310 Sport by Mercury from Defender - it was a leftover - 1 year old for $899. Seems like a decent boat.
 
Zodiac. If those are the choices. I have only seen the sea eagle on one boat. Check out Defender for left overs. A friend just got a 2007 Mercury 340 airfloor (11'1'') in white pvc for $1000. New leftover!!
I would also reccommend the Baltic for the money.
 
Last edited:
roadkingh1 said:
Mark, where did you get a mercury 310 for under a $1000? I found a used one in Houston, Tx for about $1200.00 and they sell for around $2000.00 brand new.
Click to expand...
I got my Mercury from Busters in New York. They're at the Atlantic City boat show every winter and the price this year was the same I paid for mine about 4-5 years ago. This is not the rigid bottom version it's a roll up type with a wood floor. Several friends on my dock have the same boat and haven't had any issues with them. We all paint the bottoms and leave in the water all season. If I wear this one out I'll probably buy the same boat again. Mark
 
Sea Ray Mark said:
I got my Mercury from Busters in New York. They're at the Atlantic City boat show every winter and the price this year was the same I paid for mine about 4-5 years ago. This is not the rigid bottom version it's a roll up type with a wood floor. Several friends on my dock have the same boat and haven't had any issues with them. We all paint the bottoms and leave in the water all season. If I wear this one out I'll probably buy the same boat again. Mark
Click to expand...


I had a Mercury 270 airfloor from Busters, good prices...I wore it out in about 8 years. I also would buy another one :)
 
I have narrowed it down between .....Mercury or Baltic. They seem to give you more for the money.

Thanks
 
roadkingh1 said:
I have narrowed it down between .....Mercury or Baltic. They seem to give you more for the money.

Thanks
Click to expand...


I like my Baltic but, I would buy the Merc.
Find one left over brand new from Defender or Busters on line.
Merc.is better than Baltic but, not so good as the Zodiac and others.

Good luck,
 
If you can find a Merc for the same price as the Baltic, I would agree. Otherwise, the Baltic does just fine for the money. I just picked up my new 9.5 and checked the receipt again. I actually paid $680 for it. They will negotiate. I am local, so was able to pick it up and not pay shipping. I did have to pay sales tax on top of that figure.
 
I'm a little late to the dance in giving an opinion, but last year I bought a new Sea Eagle 810 Yacht Tender inflatable. It has a high pressure air floor and an aluminum bench seat. I put it on my swim platform with Nautley Dinghy Davits. With a 6HP 2 stroke Johnson outboard (oldy but a goody) I ran 19.8 MPH (GPS verified). Took the dinghy from NC to FL and back on my 330DA and used it for a month on the hook in all kinds of weather and water. I especially like the Sea Eagle for the 18" tubes. Gives it a 1000 lb capacity and good stability. Paid $900 for the dinghy complete with oars, pump, and seat. Great dink! IMHO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,231
Messages
1,429,006
Members
61,117
Latest member
jingenio
Back
Top