TestimonialsDick P. - Loveland CO (Tuesday, June 17, 2008) For more than 6 years, I've owned a Sport Bug 14.5, which I absolutely love. I just wanted to share with you how I use this fantastic little boat and what makes it special. I've used the Sport Bug on a whitewater rafting trip, a Class II stretch on the San Juan River. The boat performed well with a rowing frame- easily driven and stable in the rapids. The last 3-4 miles of this run are in flat water and can be a real bear if you run into the usual upstream wind, which I did. I attached a little electric trolling motor to the built in transom and it pushed myself and another raft thru the flats quite easily. Love it! I keep a sailboat on Lake Granby (8200' elev.) in Colorado during the summer. I use the Sport Bug as a tender and fishing/exploration boat on the lake. I live on the other side of the Continental divide from the lake and tow the Sport Bug over Trail Ridge Road to get to the lake for my weekend getaways. At more than 12,000 feet in elevation, Trail Ridge is the highest continuous automobile road in the lower 48, yet I hardly notice the boat being towed behind me due to it's light weight. As a tender, the Sport Bug is great- my wife can step easily from the side deck of the sailboat to the Sport Bug as the huge tubes of the Sport Bug make for a short step down from the sailboat deck. Your boat is absolutely stable as one steps aboard, no doubt the size of the tubes contribute to this. We typically set up a kitchen and campfire on the shore, and the size of the Sport Bug means we can usually get all the gear (and grandson and dog) to the shore in one trip. My grandson and I go fishing and exploring on these wonderful weekends, an 8 hp outboard provides plenty of get up and go, bear in mind that at this altitude, the engine develops approx. 30% less power than at sea level. The boat is so stable that the 6 year old (with me close by) usually does the driving, you should see the smile on his face! For short trips, I often use just the oars that came with boat as it is so easily driven. With your Star Track runners on the bottom, I never worry when I run the boat up on a rocky shore for land based explorations. When it's time to go home, sometimes the lake is too low to use the boat ramp and I have to load the boat in shallow water, too shallow even to submerge the bunks on my trailer. Fortunately, I can wrestle the boat up on to the trailer by myself due its light weight and shallow draft.
Of the many boats I own, the Sport Bug is by far the most versatile and would be difficult to get along without. Good Job! Dick Peterson Sports Bug from Aquamax- SB 1400
Review by David B., 5 April 2009, Annapolis Maryland
As a Navy diver of 26 years active duty, I’ve spent my life in inflatable boats around the world. For this size boat I’ve normally had a 40 HP and spent twice the price (or much more) for the boat. Given my expectations, I was pleased with this boat.
Dear Aquamax,
Ed Denno
Dear Aquamax:
When my husband told me he wanted to buy an inflatable boat, I wasn’t exactly thrilled. But when he inflated it and took me out for a ride, I couldn’t believe how enjoyable it was. It’s more fun than our friend’s big boat! Now I pack picnic lunches and wine and pretend I’m on a gondola. I think I enjoy it even more than he does! B., New Jersey Dear Aqua Max: I recently bought an HD7500 7'6" Aqua Max inflatable dinghy. I have had Zodiac dinghies and others and the Aqua Max is by far the best. The oarlocks are in the right location so one is able to row the boat where the competitors oarlocks are so low on the tubes that it is almost impossible to row. I really like the Aqua Max. Alvah Dear Aqua Max: I shopped around for inflatable boats and saw that your prices were the best. I ordered the HD 1100 and it was shipped to me quicker than I even expected. Now that I’m using it, I can also say the quality is great too! What more can you ask for?
Ben R., Arizona Dear Aquamax:
I ordered the HD 1100 and I love it. It’s easy to travel with. I take it upstate when I go for weekends. Beats dragging a regular boat and it’s a lot less expensive! I got one with an inflatable floor and it’s very comfortable. Carl S. , New York Dear Aquamax: I live in Florida so I can go boating all year round. Unfortunately though, I can’t afford to buy a boat and so I rented one once in a while which can be a pain. I recently bought the HD 7600 and now I go boating every weekend and sometimes after work. I LOVE IT! Why didn’t I think of this sooner? Thanks for making boats for the general public! Chrissy L., Florida Dear Aquamax: Thanks for the great service. I buy a lot of stuff over the internet, but was afraid to buy a boat that way. But you guys made it easy! The boat I got (HD 9600) is a high quality boat. We use all the time and my kids have a field day in it. I can even pull them in a tube which they love! The air floor is really comfortable too. I would highly recommend buying an inflatable boat from Aquamax! Gary R. , California Dear Aquamax: Affordable boats? Who would have thunk it? Love my HD 7600. I just ordered the HD 1400 too so now I’ll be able to take my friends out too. Quality is top notch and so is the service. Good job! Kyle J. , South Carolina Dear Aquamax:
I recently bought an HD7500 7'6" Aqua Max inflatable dinghy. I have had Zodiac dinghies and others and the Aqua Max is by far the best. The oarlocks Alvah Crocker Jr “I’ve used the Sport Bug whitewater rafting and the boat performed well — is easily driven and stable in rapids. I use the Sport Bug as a tender and fishing/exploration boat on the lake and an 8 hp outboard provides plenty of get up and go. Of the many boats I own, the Sport Bug is by far the most versatile and would be difficult to get along without.” (Colorado) “I find the Sport Bugs to be remarkable boats. Simply put, they are the most versatile craft of their kind . They are amazingly simple to rig up — just inflate, put on your outboard, and go — with no floor boards and stringers to deal with. Also, where else can you find a Sport boat with skidpads meant to handle shallow rocky rivers, or for that matter with a self-bailing feature. Finally, with its unique pontoon like hull you can run your prop much nearer the surface to provide exceptionally shallow draft outboard performance. Truly a boat that does it all, the Sport Bug is equally at home on lakes, oceans, or rivers.” (Montana) |
The middle weekend of October, the grandson and I will take the Sport Bug out for probably the last time of the season, to Colorado State Forest. At an elevation of 9000' there might be snow or ice on the ground, but I anticipate no problem in launching or retrieving the boat. I expect we'll be successful fishing, aided in part by the quietness of your boat. Just imagine for a minute, that you are a skittish trout, and there is a rambunctious 6 year old in an aluminum boat over your head. Must sound like New Year's Eve to all fish within casting distance. At night, I'll pull the Sport Bug up onto the rocky shore in front of the cabin, again aided by the Star Track and the light weight of the boat. I'll hate to put it away for the winter after that. 
Wanted to drop you a line to say thanks for the GREAT HD 1400 and 20 HP Tohatsu. I wanted to try the inflatable out a few times before getting back to you. I has become a real work horse. I purchased the boat as a tender for my larger boat, to move supplies. It has worked so well I have used it for moving small quad trail bikes accross the lake. It's capacity for carrying supplies and equpment is FANTASTIC. I have even used it to tow Wake Runners that have become disabled. I am very happy with my purchase and want to Thankyou for a great product.
Dear Aquamax: