| Most articles and information you read about | | | | bottom), a transom of wood or fiberglass |
| inflatable boats are a marketing pitch. | | | | covered wood (the transom is where you attach |
| Websites that recommend only two or three | | | | the motor), and a rigid or semi-rigid floor. There |
| brands of boats, or worse a site that claims to be | | | | are a variety of choices for the floor of inflatable |
| the ultimate source of information on inflatable | | | | sport boats, wood, aluminum, plastic, inflatable, and |
| boats but recommends only one brand. | | | | roll-up. Get to know the advantages and |
| Then they "review" it, "compare" all the different | | | | disadvantages of each before you buy. These |
| models of the brand to each other, and rave | | | | boats fold up and can be carried in an RV or |
| about how awesome these boats are. (I'm sure | | | | truck. Great for fishing, water sports, ocean |
| you saw through that tactic!) | | | | adventures etc. |
| Sadly, for the less informed consumer they don't | | | | 3. Inflatable dinghies are small light duty inflatables |
| get the skinny on inflatable boats, they just get a | | | | useful as a means to get to shore from your |
| sales pitch. | | | | larger boat, or for occasional use on lakes, bays |
| You want honest information right? | | | | and rivers. Inflatable dinghies can be collapsible, |
| That is the only way you can make an informed | | | | roll-up, flat bottom or ribs. Inflatable dinghies are |
| purchase in the end! | | | | designed to be light in weight so they are easy to |
| Buying an inflatable boat is easier when you know | | | | store. The smallest ones weigh the same as a big |
| what types of boats are available, and what they | | | | sack of flour (45lbs/20kg). Not as durable as |
| are good for. | | | | sport boats or RIBs, but these boats can be |
| When setting up a collapsible inflatable sport boat | | | | carried in a small car, and stored in a closet. Great |
| onlookers at the beach often exclaim. "Wow, | | | | for day fishing trips on calmer waters, river |
| what a neat boat", or "We really want to get a | | | | floating, or exploring from your yacht. |
| boat like that, is it safe?" | | | | 4. Inflatable rafts are flat bottom boats (no keel |
| People watch in amazement as a boat large | | | | which mean no V shape on the bottom) and are |
| enough to carry two families appears out of a pile | | | | used for everything from floaty toys for the kids |
| of fabric and boards. Then they exclaim their | | | | at the lake - to extreme whitewater boats. |
| surprise as it is rolled into the water on launch | | | | Sometimes flat bottom inflatables are used as a |
| wheels. | | | | dinghy or tender for a larger boat. Some brands |
| Perhaps a collapsible inflatable boat is the best | | | | even have motor mounts, but without a keel |
| boat for these onlookers but don't rush into a | | | | going in a straight line is not so easy. The |
| boat purchase just because you saw one at the | | | | advantage is small ones can be very light and |
| beach. | | | | very easy to fold up, but can still haul a sizable |
| Take some time... get to know inflatables... make | | | | amount of gear and groceries out to the yacht. |
| sure you know what you want to use your boat | | | | Don't plan to go very far in a straight line with a |
| for. | | | | raft. Great for playing at the lake, or if a heavy |
| Inflatable boats can be used for fishing, family | | | | duty model, rafting down fast rivers. |
| adventures, tubing, water skiing, day trips to good | | | | 5. Inflatable kayaks are super portable and fast to |
| swimming spots, supper at the beach, to take | | | | inflate, and much easier to paddle than other |
| grandparents for coffee and a muffin down the | | | | inflatables. Excellent as a compact light weight |
| lake, to take friends exploring in the footsteps of | | | | boat for puttering about exploring a new lagoon |
| the great explorers. | | | | or lazy river. They are easily carried in the trunk |
| Inflatable boats can be used in the spring, summer | | | | of your car or on board your yacht. Like all the |
| and fall and even the winter! | | | | other types of inflatables, kayaks come in both |
| Inflatable boats can be used when traveling with | | | | light duty and heavy duty (whitewater) versions. |
| an RV. | | | | The small size limits the carrying capacity of |
| There are a number of types of inflatable boats. | | | | kayaks. Can get 2 person models. Much easier to |
| 1. Rigid inflatable boats are called RIBs (rigid | | | | move by paddle power than a raft or dinghy. |
| inflatable boat) or RHIBs (rigid hull inflatable boat). | | | | 6. Inflatable pontoon boats are popular with |
| The hull is made of fiberglass, aluminum, or plastic | | | | fishermen and river runners. Light duty models |
| and has an inflatable collar or tube attached to the | | | | small enough for one person can easily be lifted |
| hull. RIBs are safe, safe, safe! That is why they | | | | onto the roof of your vehicle, or for fishermen |
| are used by coast guard, rescue and adventure | | | | they can be carried into a remote fishing spot. |
| operations! These are the ultimate adventure | | | | Heavy duty models designed for white water |
| boats. Great for all water sports, ocean | | | | users and serious fishermen have rigid frames |
| adventures, fishing, and exploring. Must be carried | | | | and some pretty neat features to please this |
| on a trailer or kept in the water as they do not | | | | crowd. Pontoon boats get you higher off the |
| fold up | | | | water, but you are more exposed to the waves |
| 2. Inflatable sport boats are medium to heavy | | | | and splash. You sit on top of a pontoon boat not |
| duty boats with an inflatable or wooden keel (the | | | | in it! Prepare to get wet unless you are on a very |
| keel is the part the creates the V shape on the | | | | calm lake! |