Inflatable boats are versatile, easy to store and set up. They offer a stable platform for the sailor to commute from the anchorage into town or to explore. They can be used to snorkel or dive from and to transport laundry, groceries, or guests. Select an inflatable by analyzing how it will be used and how it fits your lifestyle.
TYPES
There are two types of inflatable boats: Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) and roll-ups. The term RIB is somewhat of a misnomer since the bottom is actually constructed of fiberglass or aluminum with a V-shaped keel and only the side buoyancy tubes are inflatable.
Low-Perfomance inflatable boats have soft, flat bottoms, soft transoms with or without a motor mount for a low horsepower engine. They can also come with or without slatted floorboards. These boats are great for small “mother ships” where storage space is limited.
Mid-Performance boats have more motoring performance than low-performance boats. Roll-ups offer several types of floors for a variety of stowing options. These models of roll-ups come with inflatable keels and rigid transoms for mounting outboard engines. Keels enhance the performance and raise the bow providing a drier ride.
- Interlocking Floor Inserts are either two or three, or up to five, interlocking pieces of wood or PVC that create a “rigid” floor. The boards are inserted into stiffening rails that are placed on each side of the inflatable where the tube meets the fabric bottom. Inserting the rails and the boards into the bottom of the boat takes practice before the methodology becomes familiar. The boards and rails have a separate carrying case that requires additional stowage space when the inflatable is rolled up for storing.
- Hinged Roll-up Floor Panels provide good footing, and roll up with the inflatable for easy storage. These floors are somewhat less rigid than the interlocking floor inserts. The only assembly required is inflating the tubes. The interlocking floor panels are constructed of aluminum, wood, or PVC.
- High-Pressure Inflatable Floors (HPIF) provide an extremely rigid floor when properly inflated. Inflatables with these types of floors are considerably lighter and have increased performance with smaller engines. The floor deflates and rolls up with the rest of the boat for storage.
RIBs provide great performance, but are heavier with less stowing ability than roll-ups. They are easy to row, and the bottom is built of durable materials. The rigid bottom has a higher bow providing a drier ride in rough water conditions and most RIBs will take larger engines than a similar-sized roll-up.
MATERIALS
The two fabrics mainly used for inflatables are either polyester or Nylon. Polyester fabrics are more resistant to stretching, tearing, and deformation than Nylon, although Nylon is stronger than polyester.
The outside coatings primarily used on these fabrics are PVC or HypalonÒ. The inside coating may be neoprene because of its airtightness and flexibility.
Neoprene is a synthetic thermoset plastic rubber that cures when heated.
Neoprene is considered one of the most durable coatings. It is resistant to oil, gasoline, UV, ozone, and oxidation.
Neoprene is flexible and airtight.
Hypalon®, created by DuPont, is also a synthetic thermoset plastic rubber.
HypalonÒ inflatables stand up to environmental conditions such as heat, chemicals, oil, and UV, and have low-moisture absorption.
Hypalon withstands dry abrading (being dragged across a nonskid deck or sand) well but has less wet abrasion resistance than PVC.
PVC is a thermoplastic that melts when heated.
PVC has superior UV resistance and air holding characteristics, but is less resistant to chemicals, dry abrasion, temperature and other environmental conditions than HypalonÒ or Neoprene.
It's more resistant to abrading by water than HypalonÒ.
The seams are heat welded by machine, making “field” repairs somewhat difficult.
TIPS
Raised bows and large diameter tubes provide drier rides.
Boats with inflatable keels offer more performance than flat-bottomed boats.
Look for an inflatable with double-taped seams that are glued or welded on both the inside and outside for longer wear.
If the boat is to remain inflated for extended periods of time or to be used in extreme temperature environments, buy HypalonÒ-coated boats.
Look for boats with at least two separate air chambers plus an inflatable keel so if there's a puncture, only one chamber loses air.
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