---
Subscribe to our award winning monthly e-mail blast with news, reviews and sneak peaks for the recreational boater.
2001 Air Concept 8 Photos
2001 Air Concept 8 Test Details
| Category | Inflatable |
| Length | 9ft 4in / 2.74 m |
| Beam | 4ft 11in |
| Weight | 87 lb |
| Dealers | Contact Air Concept Boats Dealers |
| Buyers Guides | Search For Air Concept Boats Buyers Guides |
| Boats For Sale | Search For Air Concept Boats For Sale |
2001 Air Concept 8 Description
-
Inflatables fall into different categories, each
with features specific to need. Yacht and cruis-er tenders are popular
around marinas, inflatables for rafting, commercial and professional
use such as search and rescue.
Air Concept manufactures all of the above. One of their best-selling models is a 9'4" tender from its Trak series.
On test day, a brand newTrak 9 arrived packed in its original box. Within a half-hour, Air Concepts dealer had pumped it up, clamped on a 9.8 hp Nissan outboard and placed the gas tank in position. We then walked it to the water, launched the boat and off I went.
The Trak 9 felt stable and safe. It has a non-skid anodized aluminum floor for rigidityunderway. The tubes and hull are made from 30-oz./1,100 decitex PVC-Polyurethane alloy. Independent air chambers and welded seams provide air-tightness and security.
Hulls with inflatable keels naturally dont handle as precisely as those with rigid bottoms, but for an 87 lb. boat, the Trak 9 was nimble. While a cavitation plate hydrofoil may help this boat plane more efficiently, we still accelerated quickly to a top speed of 21.4 mph in just 10.45 seonds.
Momentary propeller vent-ilation occurs when planingagain, a hydrofoil would likely be the cure. When throttling down and running at speed, its best to sit on the removable seat placed amidships. The Trak 9 turns best at lower speeds or with weight forward.
Standard features include nylon rope grab-lines, a full-length non-scuff rubbing strake, rowlock blocks and rests. The Trak 9 can be quickly deflated and stowed in its own carry bag. A foot-pump and repair kit are included.
2001 Air Concept 8 Test Specifications
-
Test boat engine:
Nissan 9.8 hp, 169-cc
(10.3-cid), two-stroke
outboard motor.
Acceleration
mph sec. mph sec.
0-10 3.55 0-20 10.45
0-15 5.09
Top speed (radar):
mph
21.4
Cruising speed (radar):
mph
12-15
Sound levels
helm (cruise) helm (top speed)
Speed testing by Stalker radar
---
