Inflatable vs Spongex Boat guides

[paul]

We have Spongex guides now but are looking for some new. I haven't used the inflatable ones yet. Besides a difference in cost what do people here recommend? Are the inflatable ones durable? Do they have the same buoyancy? Does the color fade? Do the inflatable ones float upright?

 

Spongex: http://www.skiertoskier.com/contents/en-us/p104.html

 

Inflatable: http://www.skiertoskier.com/contents/en-us/p66.html

[bbruzzese]

We've found infatables (S1) to be super durable but they do fade a bit...yellow worse than green. Also the beaver seem to eat the Spongex here in VT.

[LeonL]

I highly recommend Polyform inflatable boat guides. I have some that are 15 years old. So, very durable. I can't address the equalence of buoyancy. Yes they will fade, however you can dye them. If you are in the climes where you would remove your guides over winter, just dye them over winter. If you never remove them, just buy a few extras to rotate while dyeing. Sure they float upright.

[Edbrazil]

Wallyskier now has buoys similar to the S1's, in Yellow, Green, and Red. A bit larger and more

expen$ive. But, got very good feedback from Florida about them holding their color.

[GAJ0004]

We use the spongex because of the jet skis, tubers, and beginner drivers. The spongex can take all kinds of prop hits. Before they came out we were losing gate balls like crazy. It was impossible to keep the course fully intact. The spongex have been a godsend. If you are on a private site, inflatable is the way to go. We still use the inflatable for orange/red. In Pennsylvania fading is not as big a problem as Florida. Most of the buoys are 6 years old or older on our course. I use them until they are no longer salvageable. Since we are always replacing missing ones the same buoys are seldom in the water all season long. The next new batch will be red polyform, and yellow spongex.

[PatM]

@LeonL How do you dye the buoy?

[Wish]

I've used both, and the inflatables are better. Did nothing to change weights that hold them down so no buoyancy differance. I inflate only to the point where they take shape. Faded but painted with Krylon for Plastics Yellow 2 yrs ago. Nothing has faded. Foam over time will crack (live in FL). I did paint the foam ones as well. Same paint. Worked well. Glad to have the inflated though.

[A_B]

Bought Wally's this year and they look great so far. Had spongex forever. Muskrats like to eat them with algae condiment.

 

I put air in just enough to get out wrinkles and float well.

[LeonL]

@Pat M, I use Rit brand dye. Commonly available (used to be at WalMart) Just dilute a package in about two gallons. Put in an appropriate size bucket and put the buoy in upside down hook a bungee over the top of the buoy and attach to bucket bail connectors. Leave 'em in for a couple of days. Over explained I guess, but you get the point.