is zodiac cadet fastroller 285 useful in the ocean?

[BlueChip]

My experience of a Fastroller is similar to Dom's.
I keep a dinghy in Spain as a runabout, we originally had a 285 with 10hp engine but found that in any sort of a chop it was very difficult to keep the dinghy on the plane with three up and we got very wet.
Last year we changed it for a 310 with a 15hp engine, the tubes are slightly bigger and having more power we can plane 3 up in just about any conditions, this means the spray is left behind, however its difficult to steer and hang on in those conditions.
We were out last week a mile or so offshore and we went about 10 miles up and down the coast stopping to swim and fish from time to time its perfect for that use.
Difficult to offer you more advice without knowing more what you have in mind.

 

[ayzek]

Thank you very much guys! Your advises very help me to choose my first boat and i bought it!
Again thank you!
By the way, how you stow the inflatable? Do you use a product that help to prevent aging and damage or just wash it with fresh water? Do you recommend to stow it inflate or folded? I've read both are possible but what you recommend from your experience?

 

[Robin]

Thank you very much guys! Your advises very help me to choose my first boat and i bought it!
Again thank you!
By the way, how you stow the inflatable? Do you use a product that help to prevent aging and damage or just wash it with fresh water? Do you recommend to stow it inflate or folded? I've read both are possible but what you recommend from your experience?

I used a product from Starbrite or 3Ms perhaps on the fastroller we had in Europe, that gave some UV protection because the fastroller was made from welded PVC. I use similar stuff on our current RIB tender even though that is UV resistant being made from Hypalon