This is my 3rd summer with…
This is my 3rd summer with the Sevylor Big Basin, 3-person inflatable--and I really like it a lot.
I've had a lot of fun with it, and I think you could fill it with folks and dogs, and it wouldn't complain much.... When I am with friends and their kids, the kids happily will use 2 or 3-person options, and it's nice to have folks enjoy your boat (when you're sitting at the beach)
PROS:
There is a lot of good to say about this boat. It is really rugged. Clearly, it's been made well, and can take a lot of knocks.
It inflates really easily.
It has some strong handles.
There is a bit of splash guard in the front and back.
Boston valves are really dependable.
Comes with a fin for tracking.
Tracks well--12.5 feet long--shorter inflatables might not track as well. I have never used the fin, and I've still been happy with the tracking.
Seats are nicely made and sturdy.
You can use it as 1-seater, two or three. This is nice if there are kids and friends who want to take your boat out, while you are hanging out at the beach.
It has plenty of air in the 2 sides and the bottom, so it'll stay up easily if there's a puncture (you're getting wet though...).
The bottom is pretty tight when inflated.
Their customer service is EXCELLENT (through Coleman)--which is really nice.... I had an issue, and they quickly dealt with it....
Don't leave the skupper hole open--I did that once (you're getting wet!)--good for draining though afterwards....
Folds up easily and fits in bag (see note below).
CONS.
If you are buying inflatable for space reasons, drying out any inflatable is a serious consideration--where will you dry out your inflated kayak? Some inflatables have less issues to deal with. In that the bladders are under zipped coverings--which I said are super durable--water will ooze in, and this makes drying a lot harder. If you don't mind your boat having a musty smell, it's not an issue... Ironically, cheaper less durable boats will dry out more easily (no covered bladders, right?). This issue is with other inflatables such as Advanced Elements.
Because mine has not dried wonderfully a few times, there is some discoloration--I take care of my stuff, so it'll happen to yours too, unless you can really let the sun bake it a bit.
The seat bases are inflatable with silly little toy-like valves, but I think the seats are great, regardless...
The bag is really flimsy. As soon as I got it, I had to reinforce it in several places to get some longevity out of it--since my adaptations, I haven't had any issues with the bag....
I have a hard-shell longer kayak and have had Advanced Elements 2-seater Lagoon Inflatable in the past ( I had issues with it around durability and water coming in). I currently also use the Aqua Marina inflatable Steam, 1-seater which I also quite like a lot!
