PSA: In Massachusetts, (and likely other states), you must register any boat that can be equipped with a motor. To register, you need the MSO (manufacturers statement of origin) and an image of the HID (hull ID) attached to the boat. My numbers do not match. As is, this boat cannot be registered, used, or re-sold in Massachusetts. The MSO is a certified and personally signed legal document and without a valid one, a very nice boat becomes near worthless. I have purchased many boats and never seen a screw up on this.
Check your paperwork.
expired Posted by raskolnikov7 • Jun 30, 2023
Jun 30, 2023 2:19 PM
Item 1 of 8
Item 1 of 8
expired Posted by raskolnikov7 • Jun 30, 2023
Jun 30, 2023 2:19 PM
Costco Members: 5-Person Tobin Sports Inflatable Boat
+ Free Shipping$500
$740
32% offCostco Wholesale
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Only downside is the lack of a rigid hull, but at this price asking for that is really pushing it. Only thing I'll advise is that it is heavier than you'd think, and getting it back into the storage bag is an adventure.
BTW/PSA/FYI: PLEASE make sure you all check your state regulations for watercraft/boat vessels. I'm in CA and any boat, inflatable or not, that you intend to operate in conjunction with a motor requires that you register it. This means you have to fill out some paperwork, turn in the MSO (manufacturer's statement of origin, a certificate that usually should come with the boat) to, and pay (usually based on the sale price of the boat) the DMV. AAA can also do boat registrations but YMMV in terms of finding someone who knows what they're doing and how to properly register it (I tried to use AAA and they ended up screwing the process up and I had to go into the DMV to fix it...smh). If you plan to operate the boat in freshwater, you'll need to make sure to buy a quagga mussel sticker as well.
It's a bit of a hassle but the stickers are good for two years and I think renewal isn't as crazy of a process after. I bought some vinyl stickers and a foam board on Amazon to put them on along with the registration sticker. You are supposed to hang this off the bow of the boat on both the starboard and port sides, and you have to make sure the letters are oriented a certain way too. So there is a bit of legwork with this at least in CA (and probably a number of other states) if you intend to add a motor.
Something else to consider is whether to add transom wheels vs using a dolly (or hand-carrying). These are heavy and bulky as already mentioned and adding wheels makes life easier in terms of launching and moving these things around.
The Tobin is a real boat not a boat for lakes only. That means it is heavy and a chore to inflate. Real boats are. It has a drop stitched air floor that is firm enough to stand on and much easier to store than alternatives. Don't clean fish on the air floor. It will plane with 1 person and a 6hp outboard; you likely need 8hp for 2 people to plane. It has fat tubes (you want that) and most people sit on the side with their feet in the center.
>>It is PVC as are all Zodiacs and most Mercury dinghies. All the inexpensive boats like Sevylor or Intex are PVC. The downsides of PVC include<<
Don't leave it in the sun uncovered for months or you will get UV rot.
Don't leave spilled gasoline on it or it will get sticky
Get the right patch kit
It you can't do those things, get a Hypalon boat but expect to spend $3k or more. This is the manfacturers page with an owners manual: https://www.bestwaycorp
Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z45yErb
Good luck!
Edit: in that video it looks that at ~1:12 he gets on a plane with 1 adult and 2 kids pushed by a 6HP. That's pretty good.
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Only downside is the lack of a rigid hull, but at this price asking for that is really pushing it. Only thing I'll advise is that it is heavier than you'd think, and getting it back into the storage bag is an adventure.
Only downside is the lack of a rigid hull, but at this price asking for that is really pushing it. Only thing I'll advise is that it is heavier than you'd think, and getting it back into the storage bag is an adventure.
Only downside is the lack of a rigid hull, but at this price asking for that is really pushing it. Only thing I'll advise is that it is heavier than you'd think, and getting it back into the storage bag is an adventure.
BTW/PSA/FYI: PLEASE make sure you all check your state regulations for watercraft/boat vessels. I'm in CA and any boat, inflatable or not, that you intend to operate in conjunction with a motor requires that you register it. This means you have to fill out some paperwork, turn in the MSO (manufacturer's statement of origin, a certificate that usually should come with the boat) to, and pay (usually based on the sale price of the boat) the DMV. AAA can also do boat registrations but YMMV in terms of finding someone who knows what they're doing and how to properly register it (I tried to use AAA and they ended up screwing the process up and I had to go into the DMV to fix it...smh). If you plan to operate the boat in freshwater, you'll need to make sure to buy a quagga mussel sticker as well.
It's a bit of a hassle but the stickers are good for two years and I think renewal isn't as crazy of a process after. I bought some vinyl stickers and a foam board on Amazon to put them on along with the registration sticker. You are supposed to hang this off the bow of the boat on both the starboard and port sides, and you have to make sure the letters are oriented a certain way too. So there is a bit of legwork with this at least in CA (and probably a number of other states) if you intend to add a motor.
Something else to consider is whether to add transom wheels vs using a dolly (or hand-carrying). These are heavy and bulky as already mentioned and adding wheels makes life easier in terms of launching and moving these things around.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank madcow3417
https://bestwayusa.com/hydro-forc...set-65049e
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Only downside is the lack of a rigid hull, but at this price asking for that is really pushing it. Only thing I'll advise is that it is heavier than you'd think, and getting it back into the storage bag is an adventure.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank phocean
BTW/PSA/FYI: PLEASE make sure you all check your state regulations for watercraft/boat vessels. I'm in CA and any boat, inflatable or not, that you intend to operate in conjunction with a motor requires that you register it. This means you have to fill out some paperwork, turn in the MSO (manufacturer's statement of origin, a certificate that usually should come with the boat) to, and pay (usually based on the sale price of the boat) the DMV. AAA can also do boat registrations but YMMV in terms of finding someone who knows what they're doing and how to properly register it (I tried to use AAA and they ended up screwing the process up and I had to go into the DMV to fix it...smh). If you plan to operate the boat in freshwater, you'll need to make sure to buy a quagga mussel sticker as well.
It's a bit of a hassle but the stickers are good for two years and I think renewal isn't as crazy of a process after. I bought some vinyl stickers and a foam board on Amazon to put them on along with the registration sticker. You are supposed to hang this off the bow of the boat on both the starboard and port sides, and you have to make sure the letters are oriented a certain way too. So there is a bit of legwork with this at least in CA (and probably a number of other states) if you intend to add a motor.
Something else to consider is whether to add transom wheels vs using a dolly (or hand-carrying). These are heavy and bulky as already mentioned and adding wheels makes life easier in terms of launching and moving these things around.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HWR37B5/
BTW/PSA/FYI: PLEASE make sure you all check your state regulations for watercraft/boat vessels. I'm in CA and any boat, inflatable or not, that you intend to operate in conjunction with a motor requires that you register it. This means you have to fill out some paperwork, turn in the MSO (manufacturer's statement of origin, a certificate that usually should come with the boat) to, and pay (usually based on the sale price of the boat) the DMV. AAA can also do boat registrations but YMMV in terms of finding someone who knows what they're doing and how to properly register it (I tried to use AAA and they ended up screwing the process up and I had to go into the DMV to fix it...smh). If you plan to operate the boat in freshwater, you'll need to make sure to buy a quagga mussel sticker as well.
It's a bit of a hassle but the stickers are good for two years and I think renewal isn't as crazy of a process after. I bought some vinyl stickers and a foam board on Amazon to put them on along with the registration sticker. You are supposed to hang this off the bow of the boat on both the starboard and port sides, and you have to make sure the letters are oriented a certain way too. So there is a bit of legwork with this at least in CA (and probably a number of other states) if you intend to add a motor.
Something else to consider is whether to add transom wheels vs using a dolly (or hand-carrying). These are heavy and bulky as already mentioned and adding wheels makes life easier in terms of launching and moving these things around.
I was very much against another small gas motor, but the cost of one of the emotors (ePropulsion, Torqueedo) were very high, and I'm using the boat in ocean water so I was worried about the effectiveness of a smaller trolling motor. I had a 36lb troller that I used for my kayak but just from that experience alone I knew it wasn't going to pull it off.
I also bought the Vevor transom wheels, but haven't attached them yet. My next order of business is to register the hull, but I wanted to be sure that everything was functional before I did that. I picked up an overpriced (they all are) used gas outboard and it has checked out, so next stop is the DMV.
It used to be at $739.99
I got one last year and am pretty happy with it.
https://www.costco.com/tobin-spor...74274.ht
The Tobin is a real boat not a boat for lakes only. That means it is heavy and a chore to inflate. Real boats are. It has a drop stitched air floor that is firm enough to stand on and much easier to store than alternatives. Don't clean fish on the air floor. It will plane with 1 person and a 6hp outboard; you likely need 8hp for 2 people to plane. It has fat tubes (you want that) and most people sit on the side with their feet in the center.
>>It is PVC as are all Zodiacs and most Mercury dinghies. All the inexpensive boats like Sevylor or Intex are PVC. The downsides of PVC include<<
It you can't do those things, get a Hypalon boat but expect to spend $3k or more. This is the manfacturers page with an owners manual: https://www.bestwaycorp
Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z45yErb
Good luck!
Edit: in that video it looks that at ~1:12 he gets on a plane with 1 adult and 2 kids pushed by a 6HP. That's pretty good.
And yes, those new electric outboards are super expensive. I'd much rather deal with registering the boat with a gas outboard for that matter. Also, I'd feel more comfortable relying on a spare tank(s) of gas in the open ocean vs batteries when it comes to overall safety and getting back to dry land.
I was very much against another small gas motor, but the cost of one of the emotors (ePropulsion, Torqueedo) were very high, and I'm using the boat in ocean water so I was worried about the effectiveness of a smaller trolling motor. I had a 36lb troller that I used for my kayak but just from that experience alone I knew it wasn't going to pull it off.
I also bought the Vevor transom wheels, but haven't attached them yet. My next order of business is to register the hull, but I wanted to be sure that everything was functional before I did that. I picked up an overpriced (they all are) used gas outboard and it has checked out, so next stop is the DMV.
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I was very much against another small gas motor, but the cost of one of the emotors (ePropulsion, Torqueedo) were very high, and I'm using the boat in ocean water so I was worried about the effectiveness of a smaller trolling motor. I had a 36lb troller that I used for my kayak but just from that experience alone I knew it wasn't going to pull it off.
I also bought the Vevor transom wheels, but haven't attached them yet. My next order of business is to register the hull, but I wanted to be sure that everything was functional before I did that. I picked up an overpriced (they all are) used gas outboard and it has checked out, so next stop is the DMV.
My next dinghy motor will be this 3HP $999 electric from a known company: https://newportvessels.