| Many inflatable boats accept standard steering and | | | | for performance. Consequently, these inflatable |
| console units that fit most inflatable boats while | | | | don't tow, motor or row as well as inflatable with |
| others take custom parts made specifically for | | | | an inflatable keel and v-hull. |
| that inflatable boat brand. Take advantage of our | | | | V-hull (wood or inflatable keel): |
| universal inflatable boat steering and console | | | | This consists of a separate longitudinal inflation |
| products, many with free shipping. These | | | | tube or wood keel located beneath the |
| products offer high quality marine components. | | | | floorboards. Once inflated, it provides a moderate |
| These products provide you many options for | | | | V-keel at the bow of the boats by pushing the |
| configuring your boat to meet your exact | | | | fabric floor down and away from the floorboards. |
| steering needs and your budget, while providing | | | | Handling and performance is greatly improved as |
| you flexibility to add your own helm, wheel and | | | | the keel cuts through the water cleanly. An added |
| cable choices in some cases. | | | | benefit is the extra buoyancy and flotation it |
| Types of Inflatable Boats | | | | provides. |
| Yacht Tenders | | | | High-performance hulls: |
| This category is ideal for first-time boat buyers, | | | | Here is where you go from conventional inflatable |
| or for anyone seeking a practical all-purpose boat | | | | to inflatable offering high speed coupled with |
| offering maximum safety and stability at an | | | | excellent handling. However, this added |
| affordable price. The size of boats in this category | | | | performance can often create a false sense of |
| range from about 6 feet to 20 feet. There are | | | | security and may lead to boating accidents. These |
| four distinctly different hull (or bottom) | | | | boats are recommended for more experienced |
| configurations available in a modern yacht tender | | | | boaters. An example of a performance hull would |
| inflatable: | | | | be Zodiac's Futura model. The patented Futura hull |
| The floors of these inflatables consist of a layer | | | | has smaller "speed tubes" attached below the |
| of fabric and slats (usually wood) running across | | | | regular collar. Upon reaching plane the boat lifts up |
| the beam. They're usually painted or stained and | | | | onto these speed tubes, trapping air underneath |
| are about 4 inches in width. The slatted floor | | | | and exerting positive lift (hydrodynamic lift), |
| system is generally found in inflatable from about | | | | leaving the boat riding on these two "speed tubes" |
| 6 to 8 feet in length only, where there is no need | | | | like a racing catamaran. |