| Inflatable boats, also called rubber boats or | | | | Inflatable Sport Boats |
| dinghies, have been around in one form or | | | | Inflatable sport boats generally describe |
| another for thousands of years. They now come | | | | recreational boats that are used for fishing, water |
| in many different sizes and models and include | | | | skiing, and other activities where a motor is |
| inflatable kayaks, sport boats, and inflatable | | | | required. Depending on the size of the craft, an |
| catamarans. Their versatility and relatively low | | | | inflatable sport boat can be used with a motor |
| cost have contributed to their popularity, and | | | | that generates up to 40 units of horsepower |
| more and more water enthusiasts are discovering | | | | They can be deflated and packed away for easy |
| the advantages of owing an inflatable boat. | | | | transport or used with a trailer to avoid having to |
| Evolution of the Inflatable Boat | | | | inflate at each use. Inflatable sport boats typically |
| Historical records indicate that the first inflatable | | | | cost much less than their traditional counterparts |
| boats were animal skins filled with air. Over the | | | | and, because they are lighter, use much less gas. |
| years, many cultures have created various | | | | High Performance |
| versions of inflatable watercraft, and in 1839, the | | | | Several companies also make high performance |
| Duke of Wellington tested the first inflatable | | | | inflatable boats that are used for racing, rescue, |
| pontoons. In the decades that followed, many | | | | and other activities where speed is essential. |
| new designs were introduced and some of them | | | | These high performance boats generally have |
| were utilized by European military forces. | | | | additional inflation tubes that lift the boat up off |
| The inflatable boats were used to transport | | | | the water and create additional hydroplaning |
| torpedoes and other cargo. They also allowed | | | | effects. They typically use larger motors, |
| troops to make discreet landings in shallow water, | | | | sometimes up to 400 horsepower. Because of |
| and their compact size and storability made them | | | | their speed they are more difficult to navigate |
| easy to bring with, even on overland marches | | | | and require an experienced captain. |
| where it would not have been possible to bring a | | | | Inflatable Canoes, Kayaks, and Other Personal |
| traditional boat. | | | | Watercraft |
| One of the models, the Zodiac, grew to be very | | | | On the flip side are the inflatable canoes and |
| popular with the military and contributed | | | | kayaks that rely on human power and are used |
| significantly to the rise of the civilian inflatable boat | | | | by one or two people at a time. These |
| industry, both in Europe and in the United States. | | | | watercraft often look similar to their traditional |
| After World War II, surplus inflatable boats were | | | | counterparts, but have inflatable bodies, making |
| sold to the public and the general population had a | | | | them much lighter and easier to transport. They |
| chance to experience how easy and enjoyable | | | | are often less expensive as well. |
| these boats can be. | | | | In more recent years, inflatable sailboats and |
| Since then, inflatable kayaks, sailing inflatables, | | | | inflatable catamarans also have been introduced. |
| inflatable canoes, sport boats, and belly boats | | | | They usually range from 12 to 14 feet in length |
| have been added to the mix. Some inflatable | | | | and, like inflatable canoes and kayaks, only |
| boats run 45 feet in length or more and may | | | | accommodate one or two people. |
| include inboard steering, luxury features, and even | | | | Belly boats are yet another category of inflatable |
| full cabins. Inflatable boats have evolved so much | | | | personal watercraft. These floats are sometimes |
| that today, the only thing inflatable on some boats | | | | called pontoon boats, but are not to be confused |
| is the collar around the perimeter gunwales of the | | | | with the large, flat-bottomed craft often seen |
| deck. | | | | carrying large numbers of people on area lakes. |
| Hull Designs & Types of Inflatable Boats | | | | Belly boats were specifically designed to be used |
| Inflatable boats come in rigid hull design and | | | | for fishing and often look like floating donuts with |
| soft-bottom style. Soft-bottom boats have floors | | | | a seat. Some may have two small pontoons with |
| made of fabric and slats (usually wood) running | | | | a seating area suspended between. Most are less |
| across the beam. This design is generally found in | | | | than eight feet long and have room for just one |
| smaller inflatables ranging from about 6 to 8 feet | | | | person. |
| in length only. | | | | Yacht Tenders |
| Rigid hulls, or RIBs, were introduced in 1967 by | | | | Falling in between inflatable kayaks and other |
| Tony Lee-Elliott and advanced by Admiral Hoare | | | | personal watercraft and the larger sport and |
| and the Atlantic College in Wales. As opposed to | | | | performance boats are the Yacht Tenders. These |
| soft-bottom boats, which have a fabric hull with | | | | are typically inflatable boats that range in length |
| inflatable or wood keels, RIBs have hard fiberglass | | | | from 6 feet to 20 feet and, as the name implies, |
| or aluminum hulls and large, inflatable tubes. This | | | | they are often used as lifeboats and runabouts on |
| allows for a combination of the best features | | | | larger vessels. Yacht tenders can also be used for |
| from both types of boats. | | | | fishing, general boating, river rafting, and other |
| Some RIBs incorporate the V-shaped bow similar | | | | activities where a motor is not essential. Many |
| to that of a traditional boat. This design consists | | | | tenders can be paired with a small electric motor |
| of a separate inflation tube running the length of | | | | if needed. |
| the boat beneath the floorboards. Once inflated, it | | | | These categories of inflatable boats provide a |
| pushes the floor materials down to form the | | | | general overview of the choices available. There |
| V-shape that helps in steering. The flotation collars | | | | are many variations and unique designs within |
| on many RIBs are removable, making them | | | | these categories. In addition, some larger models |
| easier to store and to clean. | | | | of inflatable boats have inboard steering stations, |
| RIBs typically range from 10 to 30 feet in length | | | | cabin areas, and other features similar to |
| and are propelled by either by an outboard motor | | | | traditional yachts. |
| or an inboard motor turning a water jet or | | | | As the inflatable boat industry continues to |
| z-drive. They were first used as lifeboats in 1970, | | | | advance and grow in popularity, we are likely to |
| and later as dinghies or tenders on larger pleasure | | | | see many new and innovative designs in the |
| yachts. Many of today's sport boats used for | | | | future, providing even more opportunities to find |
| fishing and water skiing are made with RIB | | | | the inflatable boat that fits perfectly with your |
| designs. | | | | budget and boating needs. |