Episode 78 - Were We Dingbats? - Our UP340 Transom Repair

Our dream dinghy has turned out to be not so dreamy. We analyzed and rated our top 4 dinghies in past episodes and chose the UP340 from Ultralight Performance (UP) Boats. At the time we thought it was the best dinghy for us. We ordered it in July 2023 with a delivery date of December 2023. However, through various issues, our UP340 was not delivered until April 2025, over 16 months behind schedule. We were patient and explained away the constant delays thinking that any design improvements would benefit us. Imagine our disappointment when our UP340 arrived with a structural crack in the transom. Promises of a replacement from UP Boats faded away with the company. The last we heard was that UP Boats was going through restructuring with some external investors which was to be completed in September 2025. It is now November 2025, UP Boats have vacated their shop and no one has heard a response. I have to assume at this point that UP Boats are no more. Now we have to make this work, first on the list is to repair the transom crack. We should have paid the extra money for Offshore Cruising Tender (OCT) from the beginning. Subscribe and share in the adventure! Become part of the conversation by liking https://www.facebook.com/SV.MomentsInTime/ As always, please feel free to comment and let us know your thoughts. *** Please Read *** During our dinghy review process, we conducted thorough research—examining manufacturers and speaking with multiple owners to gather their insights. In our videos, we explained why we chose the UP340 from UP Boats, LLC, based in Opa Locka, Florida. It met all our criteria and was proudly made in the USA. Unfortunately, our UP340 arrived 14 months late and already showed visible damage while still on the delivery truck. The damage turned out to be structural, and we immediately reported it to UP Boats, LLC. Despite having shipping insurance and receiving repeated assurances that a replacement would be provided, none ever arrived. As of July 10, 2025, all communication with UP Boats, LLC has ceased. It now appears that UP Boats, LLC is no longer in operation. Numerous complaints and legal actions have been filed by other buyers, indicating we are not alone in this experience. A quick online search for UP Boats reveals a troubling pattern. We will soon be posting videos on this channel detailing the problems we encountered with our damaged UP340 and the steps we had to take to make it marginally seaworthy. In hindsight, the cost savings from purchasing the UP340 do not justify the compromises we faced. We would have been far better off investing in a proven, high-quality Offshore Cruising Tender such as the OCT 350. *** End of Read ***