| Why buy a small boat? Well, for most of us it is | | | | stored in its interior. |
| because we do not have enough financial | | | | Small boats are within reach of most people. |
| superiority to be able to afford a large luxury | | | | They can give a lot of pleasure and enjoyment in |
| boat. (Must say here though, that reading some | | | | the outdoors. They can be a way of meeting |
| of the articles on the internet, I'd rather have a | | | | people of like interests, a day out for the family, |
| superior IQ than superior finances - would that I | | | | a means of viewing wildlife, or a means of |
| could write like some others!) | | | | engaging with the outdoors. |
| And what about British soldiers on the beaches of | | | | So then what is available on the small boat |
| Dunkirk? OK, most of these ships weren't so little | | | | market. Plenty. Any search on the internet will |
| - the smallest was 15'. 700 small boats, mainly | | | | turn up a multitudinous choice. Those at the top |
| private fishing boats, but including an assortment | | | | end of the inflatable market are often made from |
| of merchant marine boats, pleasure craft and | | | | Hypalon. |
| Royal Marine lifeboats were used to assist in the | | | | The original manufacturer of hypalon was a |
| evacuation of about a third of million people from | | | | company called DuPont Performance Elastomers, |
| the shores of Dunkirk back to the UK. | | | | but they have ceased production. However it is |
| And what about Thor Heyerdahl's solo trip on a | | | | available from manufacturers in Japan. It is worth |
| raft across the Atlantic. OK. That trip was never | | | | noting that the US Coastguard, Fisheries and Navy |
| about competing with a large boat. Still. He could | | | | Seals insist on hypalon inflatables. |
| not have made such an epic voyage on his own | | | | It has proven to give excellent protection to |
| in a large boat. Did he enjoy himself? Not sure. | | | | inflatables from abrasions, oil, gasoline or the |
| Some of the photographs of him while on the trip | | | | elements. Most notably it is not affected by |
| suggest not. He certainly contributed to history | | | | sunlight and UV rays, making it the most long |
| though. | | | | lasting boat material for inflatables on the market. |
| The only large boat of note in the channels of | | | | Of course this also adds to the re-sale value of |
| history was Noah's Ark and that was not built for | | | | such boats simply because it is a longer lasting, |
| pleasure or to move. It was simply built to float. | | | | quality boat. |
| It does not seem to have had a keel or anchor | | | | Mercury are manufacturers of hypalon inflatables. |
| but at the same time, the main picture is of | | | | (Mercury are perhaps better known for their |
| relentless, pounding rain, not so much of turbulent | | | | outboard motors. |
| seas. It was a big boat, two Boeing 737's could be | | | | |