There Are Many Different Styles Of
Inflatable Boat Available.
How Do You Know Which Style
Is The Best for You?

Buying an inflatable boat is easier when you know what type of boat is best for what you want to do with it.

I have lost count of the number of times we have landed our boat at a beach and been approached by onlookers. “Wow, what a neat boat” they exclaim, or “We really want to get a boat like that, is it safe?”

Often while we are setting up - people will watch in amazement as this boat large enough to carry two families appears out of a pile of fabric and boards. Then they exclaim their surprise as we roll the whole rig into the water on launch wheels (launch wheels really are an awesome idea!)

Perhaps a collapsible boat is the best boat for these onlookers but don't rush into a boat purchase just because you saw one at the lake.

Take some time...... get to know inflatables...... make sure you know what you want to use your boat for.

We use our boat for fishing (this is the number one reason people say they want to buy a boat) We have enjoyed lake fishing, ocean fishing, river fishing, salmon fishing, shrimping, and crabbing.

We use our inflatable for day trips to find good swimming spots or supper at the beach on a warm summer evening.

We use our boat to take grandparents for coffee and a muffin in the next town down the lake.

We use our inflatable to take our friends exploring in the footsteps of the great explorers, we recently explored Resolution Cove, named for Captain Cook’s ship, after he stopped there to cut a new mast back in 1778.

We use our boat often in the spring, summer and fall in the lake 5 minutes from our home.

We take our boat with us when traveling with our truck and camping trailer. This one need that pointed us to a collapsible inflatable sport boat.

I have broken down inflatable boats into a number of types and added a page about each for more information.

Rigid inflatable boats are usually called RIBs. The hull is made of fiberglass, aluminum, or plastic and has an inflatable collar or tube attached to the hull.

Foldable or collapsible inflatable boats can be classed as sport boats or dinghies depending on the size, and how robust the construction is.

There is a lot of misinformation and marketing hype surrounding these boats, especially with the large number of boats made in China.

If you would like to read more about how to determine if a boat is a light duty dinghy, start reading here, or you can read about how to determine a more durable boat here.

If you wonder what makes a true heavy duty boat you can continue reading here.

Inflatable rafts are flat bottom boats and range from floaty toys for the kids - to extreme whitewater boats. Some small flat bottom rafts are also called dinghies and are marketed as tenders for larger boats.

Inflatable kayaks are super portable and fast to inflate, and much easier to paddle than other inflatables.

Inflatable pontoon boats are popular with fishermen and river runners.

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