I recently purchased a 12 ft. Saturn inflatable boat model SD365. This was an internet purchase, sight unseen. I pondered, shopped, and fretted for a month before taking the plunge. Specifically, I wanted an inflatable dinghy for my 36 ft. Mainship, which had no tender davit or even a really good place for one. The ability to bring the inflatable boat aboard, somehow, was very attractive from an operational standpoint. I've learned through several boat purchases over my lifespan that any boat you own only gets smaller with use. The maximum size that would not exceed the beam of my Mainship was the 12 ft. model SD365. I can single handedly roll this baby (120 lbs. wet) onto the swim platform davits that I installed. Launching the darling from this setup is as easy as untying your shoe. Initially I tried a 3.5 hp 4 cycle (38 lbs.) which was actually OK, except that it only had a 12 oz. self contained fuel tank. Fine, if you want ultimate portability and only want to run from anchor to the shore several times. Not fine, if you want to take your dink down the bayou (Biloxi, MS) to a dockside restaurant and back. Upped it to a 9.8, 4 cycle (89 lbs.) with a regular 3 gal. external fuel tank. Much better, except now I have to use a motor hoist instead of just doing it strong arm style. Always a tradeoff, yes? With the 9.8, and a self-installed planning fin, she pops up quickly and stays on plane at a relatively low speed. I like that. High speed performance with two aboard is adequate. I would have to guess. 15 knots? Maybe 18. It's a guess. A rigid bottom would provide higher top speeds, but at a significant price and weight penalty. Hey, it's a dink!! I imagine a 15 hp motor would provide thoroughly satisfying top speed with two aboard. I just couldn't go the extra weight (115 lbs.). As with anything this light, passenger placement can have fairly dramatic effects. After a few experiments, and affirmations to my passenger regarding her dietary success, I found the correct configuration for both planning and cruise. The seaworthiness of the Saturn inflatable boat design has altered my thinking to the point that I'm certain I'll use her for fishing the offshore islands. Towing her behind my Mainship or on the swim platform should be a no-brainer. The BP oil spill will doubtless test her ability to withstand petroleum products. An update will follow once she's been exposed to that environment. I'm probably in for some kind of warranty breach there, I'm sure. Furthermore, I'm convinced that this thing just will not flip. YOU might fly out, so make sure that you wear your engine shut-off lanyard. When fun time is over and she has to get out of the pool, I've learned to open the valves, get off, and then I can haul her onto my back deck by hand. Please consider that I am 55 yrs. young, of slight build, and it is measurably a 12 foot lift from the water to the top of my deck rail. The fact that I can do it repeatedly, without going to the hospital, is a true testament to the portability of the design. I usually sit down for a cocktail shortly afterwards. I like to savor my accomplishments. And don't leave my inflatable boat in water for more than a week. barnacles.