There are numerous options of exceptional inflatable boats available for you to choose from, and that makes it difficult to pick one. During the process of searching for inflatable boats, you might get overwhelmed, which is why we have picked one of the best inflatable boat brands for you: The Solstice Watersports! At Solstice Watersports, a company popular for outdoor sporting goods, you will find SUPs, kayaks, and boats for every need at various prices.
Today, we will look into the features and design of the Solstice Sportster, a tender boat used for recreational activities and to shuttle people from a little distance.
An Overview of The Boat
The name Sportster might have gotten you into imagining an inflatable boat moving at high speeds. However, the Solstice Sportster is made for short-distance traveling, fishing activities, and marine exploration. You can ask a friend to tag along with you when you embark on a journey on this boat! The Sportster dinghy won’t go more than 5 knots without a powerful motor. The dinghy is usually mistaken for the pricier West Marine RU 3 boat because of its similar exterior and features.
There are two options to row this inflatable boat: oars and motor. If you want the boat to travel at a greater speed, you can install a gas or electric motor of at most 5 HP. The dinghy works well with gas and electric motors.
Weighing around 82 pounds, the Sportster is spacious enough and can haul up to 595 pounds, to be exact. Therefore around 3 people can easily fit in the boat. The sturdy boat is made from heavy duty PVC, which is strong and durable, and will last your boat for years. The commercial-grade PVC also makes the boat puncture and abrasion-resistant; therefore, the dinghy’s exterior won’t be damaged if the dinghy comes in contact with hard and rough surfaces. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the hard PVC will make the dinghy uncomfortable! The tubes aren’t painful at all to lean against.
The Sportster’s floor is made of marine-grade, high-quality aluminum slats; therefore, the dinghy is easy to assemble and disassemble! It is compact, lightweight, and extremely portable because of the high-grade PVC. If you are looking for an inflatable boat that takes minimal space but offers a comfortable ride, the Solstice Sportster is for you! The best things about it are that it is suitable for fishing because of its small size and can resist the heavyweight of all your gear because of its hard deck.
Essentially this inflatable boat is built to be used as a tender boat, and it is great at the job. However, it gives a pretty satisfactory experience when used for fishing and other recreational activities. Disclaimer: don’t try to fit more than two people; otherwise, the boat’s space will be congested.
The Sportster’s property of being best as a tender boat makes it especially good for kids. You can use it as a shuttle for your yacht whenever you’re out on the beach, and the kids can use this boat to move around to and from the shore.
A foot pump is included, which makes the assembling easier! You will only need to spend around 10 to 20 minutes setting it up. On colder days, it’s a good idea to warm up the boat’s parts since they tend to get hard and give a tough time during assembling.
Now let’s take a look at the downsides of it. Solstice claims that the Sportster can easily haul up to 3 people, which is not true. Only 2 people can easily fill up the capacity leaving no room for any other person.
Features That Make the Dinghy Stand Out
- Puncture and abrasion-resistant PVC makes the dinghy tough and durable.
- Heavy duty all around rub strake; Molded rope eyes with grab line;
- The floor is made out of marine quality aluminum.
- The boat comes with two heavy duty D rings used in mooring and towing.
- It comes with a carry bag, oars, and a foot pump. Swivel oar locks.
Solstice by Swimline Sportster 4-Person Runabout
The Specifications
Characterized by a length of 114, a width of 54, and a height of 20 inches, you will find that the Sportster offers you comfort and enough space to accommodate you and your luggage. The inflatable boat’s dry weight and carrying capacity are around 82 and 595 pounds, respectively.
Rating
- Storage: 5/10
- Portability: 10/10
- Comfort: 7/10
- Versatility: 6/10
- Toughness: 8/10
Pros
- The commercial-grade tough PVC prevents any leaks or punctures.
- Solstice Sportster won’t take more space than your sleeping bag when disassembled and rolled up.
- A carry bag comes with the dinghy to carry it whenever needed.
- To boost up speed, you can install a gas or electric motor.
Cons
- It has a large carrying capacity of 2 fully grown adults. It can haul up to 3 people, but one of them will have to sit on top of another person! (Avoid these sorts of stunts!)
Buying guide
Solstice has quite a variety of well-built boats available, but they differ slightly in their styles and purposes. To simplify the procedure of finding the best boat available, you need to decide on a budget. Be careful not to purchase a boat solely on how it looks. Examine the details such as size and storage space to finalize your choice. If you’re certain and informed about what kind of inflatable boat you need, this should not take you much time. You will need to consider factors such as where you will put the boat to use to prevent mishaps such as the inflatable boat tipping over on rough water. Ensure that the boat has enough space to store your luggage, including a first aid kit, repair kit, food, and clothes. If you are kayaking on the sea, you will need extra safety equipment, so be mindful.
Furthermore, before buying your inflatable dinghy, you need to consider where you will be keeping it. You need to be aware of the boat’s dimensions to determine if it will fit into your available storage space. You also need to take into account how many people you will take. The Solstice Sportster is perfect for a trip involving a small family or group of friends to move to and from the shore.
Final Thoughts
Extremely portable, lightweight, and durable, the Solstice Sportster won’t leave you disappointed after a short ride in the sea. Built as a tender boat, it can even perform satisfactorily when used for fishing and other recreational activities. It comes with a good variety of accessories to make you all set for your journey!
FAQs
Q. Does the Solstice Voyager Inflatable boat come with oars?
A. No, the box only includes swivel oarlocks and heavy-duty D rings.
Q. Does it come with a motor?
A. It doesn’t come with a motor, but you can attach one. Of course, you can only use a set of oars, but rowing this raft fulfilling the person’s capacity will soon tire you out, so best to purchase a trolling motor.
Q. Would you be able to carry a dog in this boat without popping it?
A. Yes, but only if there’s only one more adult in the boat. A single pet and a human being are enough to max out the boat’s capacity.
Last updated: 13/05/2023
