| Investing in an inflatable boat can require a | | | | overwhelm you. |
| substantial outlay of money, and understanding | | | | High performance hulls are routinely used for |
| inflatable boat designs can ensure you get the | | | | inflatable racing boats, rescue boats and even |
| right boat for your investment. There are several | | | | water skiing. The hull of a high performance boat |
| styles of inflatable boats available, so do your | | | | usually features a complex system of inflatable |
| homework to find out which one is right for your | | | | tubes to give the boat added lift, particularly at |
| needs. To get you started, we've put together an | | | | high speeds. |
| introduction to inflatable boats to help you narrow | | | | RIB's (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats) |
| down your choices. | | | | RIB's are exactly what they sound like. These are |
| Tenders and Dinghies | | | | inflatable boats with a rigid hull, usually made of |
| This is the perfect inflatable boat design for most | | | | some type of fiberglass attached to an inflatable |
| beginners. It's also a practical design for anyone | | | | collar. You get the V-hull shape at the bow that |
| looking for a general purpose boat that offers | | | | gradually flattens out going aft. These are |
| safety and stability for a reasonable price. | | | | probably the most popular of inflatable boat |
| Size isn't what determines that an inflatable boat | | | | designs for occasional or family users. It combines |
| is a yacht tender, since you can get them as | | | | the stability and buoyancy of an inflatable boat |
| small as just under six feet and as large as 20 | | | | with the improved handling of a fiberglass hull. |
| feet. Within this category you'll find four styles of | | | | You also get a lot of style options with a RIB. |
| yacht tender. Each one has a different type of | | | | Some of the larger models come complete with |
| bottom (referred to as the hull by experienced | | | | build-in seating areas, storage, and easy to use |
| boaters). | | | | consoles that make them comparable to a |
| The smallest yacht tenders generally have a hull | | | | standard fiberglass boat. These designs are |
| design made of a fabric layer and wood or rigid | | | | comfortable and versatile, making them the ideal |
| plastic slats running across the width of the boat. | | | | all-purpose boat for fishing, water skiing or simply |
| The typical slat width is 4 inches. You'll most likely | | | | relaxing on the water. There are also a variety of |
| find an inflatable boat under eight feet long with a | | | | military and rescue applications for RIB's due to |
| slatted bottom. These are fine boats for paddling | | | | their safety and maneuverability. |
| around in, but they aren't high performance and | | | | Other Inflatable Boat Designs |
| they aren't good for towing things and don't work | | | | There are also designs that are essentially copies |
| well with a motor. | | | | of more traditional, very specific boats. You can, |
| Inflatable Boats with a Keel | | | | for instance, get an inflatable kayak or an |
| A V-hull inflatable boat has an inflation tube running | | | | inflatable canoe. These are excellent options if you |
| the length of it, or in some cases a keel located | | | | enjoy kayaking or canoeing but don't have lot of |
| beneath the floor slats. Inflating the tube gives | | | | off-season storage space for your boat. These |
| your inflatable boat a V-shaped keep at the bow | | | | inflatable boat designs also make it easier to pack |
| of the boat. The keel cuts through the water | | | | up and go camping along a river or lake without |
| better than a flat bottomed boat and improves | | | | having to drag a full-sized boat with you the entire |
| the handling of the boat. You'll also find that V-hull | | | | trip. When you're ready to go kayaking or |
| inflatable boats are designed to be more buoyant, | | | | canoeing, simply inflate it and you're ready to go. |
| which is nice if you'll be carrying a lot of weighty | | | | Inflatable pontoon boats are used primarily for |
| gear. | | | | fishing and other relatively still water uses. These |
| High Performance Inflatables | | | | have two inflatable tubes that are spaced away |
| If you're looking for great performance and the | | | | from each other with a seat or seats sitting |
| ability to achieve high speeds, you'll need to step | | | | between and slightly above them. Most inflatable |
| up to the next level of inflatable boat designs. | | | | pontoon boats hold only one or two individuals. |
| Inflatable boats with high performance hulls handle | | | | Inflatable pontoon boats are excellent for fishing |
| beautifully and can really be pushed for speed. Be | | | | because they remain stable even if you put your |
| cautious, however, when you begin using an | | | | weight more heavily to one side. You can stow |
| inflatable boat with a high performance hull. The | | | | your fishing gear in the bottom between the two |
| ease of handling and superior performance may | | | | pontoons, and the small size and maneuverability |
| make you over-confident. Unless you're truly an | | | | of this inflatable boat design makes it easy to |
| experienced boater, this design can quickly | | | | reach areas most fishing boats can't penetrate. |