best inflatable dinghy for sailboat

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How to Choose an Inflatable Dinghy

• By Eleanor Merrill
• Updated: January 9, 2020

Shopping for a tender is a little like shopping for a car. The options are seemingly endless, and it’s not so much about finding one dinghy that checks every box as it is about finding a dinghy that best fits the type of cruising you plan to do. As Defender’s Stephen Lance puts it, “In my 30-plus years of designing, building, selling, repairing, buying, cutting up and examining inflatable boats, there is only one golden rule: There is no ‘perfect inflatable boat’ for the cruising sailor.” Lance notes that the product landscape is constantly changing, and buyers have to decide which trade-offs are most acceptable for their use.

Inflatable dinghies come in three overarching categories: those with rigid bottoms, those with air floors, and — a sort of hybrid between the two — ­dinghies with jointed or slatted bottoms. We’ll break down the strengths and weaknesses of each of these options.

Pros and Cons of Air-Floor Dinghies

A dinghy with a high-pressure air floor is a good choice if you plan to roll it up and stow it regularly, and don’t have a lot of space to do it. It has a floor chamber that can be inflated with a hand pump with a pressure gauge (for those who want a 15-minute aerobic workout), or an electric pump that plugs into 12- or 110-volt power. Air-floor dinghies are among the lightest-weight options available, and can be much easier to assemble on board than fitting the slats into a wood floor.

In most models, an inflated keel tube that runs down the centerline helps give the hull a V shape for better tracking. Air-floor dinghies might be especially attractive to blue­water cruisers because they can be easily stored below, where they won’t create windage or be vulnerable to waves breaking over the deck.

It should be noted, though, that proper inflation is key, which might mean pumping in extra air on cool mornings and watching out for over­inflation in hot weather. Air floors are not as durable as their solid counterparts, so they might not be the best choice if you plan to frequently haul heavy or sharp-­cornered gear. A puncture in an air floor can be difficult to repair, so if you’re headed for remote anchorages, it’s not a bad idea to carry a replacement floor as a spare.

Roll-Up, Slatted and Paneled Floors

A compromise between an inflatable floor and a rigid, ­fiberglass bottom is one made of wood, aluminum or plastic slats that are either hinged to roll up or come apart in ­separate panels.

Dinghies with these floor styles are typically nonplaning, don’t tow or track particularly well, and have limited range, but they can fit the bill if you’re just putting around a mooring field. They can also be among the least-­expensive inflatable dinghies. Jointed slats are more straightforward to rig and derig because you don’t remove the floor when rolling up the boat. Meanwhile, setting up a plywood-panel dinghy can be time- and labor-intensive, not to mention finicky, and a flat surface is recommended. For this reason, paneled floors are probably best-suited for cruisers who need only to stow and then relaunch their dinghy occasionally. Despite these challenges, former CW senior editor and Practical Sailor editor Darrell Nicholson notes, “The assembly hassles of a plywood floor are offset by having something very durable that I can fix anywhere myself.”

When to Choose a Rigid-Bottom Dinghy

Hard-bottomed inflatables have higher carrying capacities and behave much better as boats, but they are heavier and more expensive than the alternatives. Stowing a rigid-­bottomed inflatable can be a challenge because you’ll need davits or foredeck space to lash it down. Some RIBs have a hinged transom that, while less efficient with an outboard, allows the dinghy to lie almost flat when deflated.

When in use, a rigid bottom is likely to be more durable and better able to handle being pulled onto the beach than an inflated floor, and the extra weight and V-shaped hull help the dinghy track better when being towed. Within the RIB category, fiberglass bottoms are the most common, making dinghies durable but heavy. Aluminum bottoms are much lighter but more expensive and susceptible to corrosion.

RIBs can be made with a single or double floor. A single-­floor RIB weighs and costs less, but the floor follows the V shape of the hull, making it a bit less stable underfoot. A double-­floor RIB has a flat deck, which makes it a more stable and comfortable platform. The watertight air chamber between the deck and hull also provides some extra buoyancy, and as an added bonus, many double-­floor RIBs have a locker in the bow to store an anchor or other gear.

Of all the inflatable dinghies, double-floor RIBs have the least overall flex, making them the most efficient design. They can be paired with a more powerful outboard and are an ideal choice if you plan to use your dinghy for ­adventures farther afield.

Notable Features of Inflatable Dinghies

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber (commonly known as CSM, or its trademark name, Hypalon) are the two most widely available fabrics for a dinghy’s inflatable pontoons. PVC seams are thermomolded, an automated process that creates a bond that is stronger than the fabric itself. Hypalon seams, on the other hand, must be hand-glued, which is part of the reason why Hypalon inflatables are more expensive than those made of PVC.

West Marine’s Tim Mize notes: “Hypalon is more resistant to damage from UV rays, so if you’re planning to cruise the tropics, it’s the fabric of choice. New England sailors, on the other hand, can save a little money with PVC.”

No matter what fabric you choose, protecting the pontoons with a spray-and-wipe UV protectant or a set of canvas covers (see “Making Dinghy Chaps,” March 2017 ) can help block the sun’s damaging rays, extending the dinghy’s life. That said, Nic Stark of Annapolis Inflatables points out, “The best first step toward a long life is keeping the boat and tube clean; dirt, salt and sun do the most damage.” Stark adds that covering the boat when not in use also helps.

If you’ll be cruising ­locations with rough conditions ­and/or prefer a drier ride, look for tubes with larger diameters. Other features to seek out are handholds placed within easy reach of both driver and passengers, as well as substantial rubbing strakes to protect the pontoons from barnacle-­encrusted dock pilings.

Oar design and storage should also be considered; oars low inside the boat are much less likely to go flying than those mounted on top of the tubes. Look hard at where the fuel tank for the outboard will go, and make sure there’s a way to secure it underway.

Good towing-bridle ­attachment points are critical — if you plan to tow your dinghy. Likewise, if you’re going to hoist it on davits or a halyard, strong D-rings or welded loops will be necessary.

A dink backed by an extended warranty and wide dealer network will cost a bit more, but the ability to find spare parts, make repairs and have it serviced in your intended cruising area is likely a worthwhile trade-off. Read the fine print on your warranty because some can be voided by DIY repairs.

Choosing and Outboard for Your Dinghy

The outboard you choose will depend on how much exploring you want to do, how many people you typically carry, how much gear you’ll need to tote around and, of course, the maximum rating for the dinghy itself.

If you need only to get to shore and back from the mooring and getting on plane is no concern, a 3- to 5-horsepower motor might do the trick. If you’d like to use the inflatable for bigger adventures — or to haul more provisions, gear and fuel — a rigid dinghy with a more powerful outboard will make more sense for you.

On matching the right outboard to your dinghy, CW Boat of the Year judge Ed Sherman notes, “There’s an important difference between the teeth-rattling maximum-horsepower rating stamped on the transom and the more-reasonable horsepower size that the manufacturers usually recommend.” Check the thickness of the dinghy’s transom to make sure your outboard will attach properly.

When it comes down to it, there is no one tender that does it all. The one you choose will depend on the type of cruising you have planned and what kind of space is ­available for storage. If you plan to tow your dinghy while sailing short, coastal hops, and have plenty of foredeck space or davits, a rigid-bottomed inflatable can’t be beat. But if you’re doing serious offshore passages and/or are on a smaller boat, a stowable ­tender will be a better fit.

Eleanor Merrill is CW’s ­managing editor.

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The 6 Best Inflatable Dinghies for Shore Leave and Safety

Inflatable dinghies are a great way to explore the coastline, especially when you're at anchor offshore . Paired with a trusty mini telescoping paddle  or motor, they give you the freedom to roam new islands, coves, secluded spots and explore (all for a relatively small cost).

They are easy to store and deflate when you aren't using them. They come with all sorts of features. They can also get you to shore safely in an emergency situation. 

So, if you're undecided on whether an inflatable dinghy boat is the best choice for you, read on.

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Why Buy an Inflatable Dinghy?

If you're the adventurous type like myself and like to travel across the ocean to new lands, an inflatable dinghy is a must-have for boat safety and convenience.

Many sailboats tow an inflatable, or keep them stored on deck, ready to deploy. This means while your yacht is secure in the bay, it leaves you free to do the tourist thing and access sites and scenery in your new surroundings.

It also means you can take advantage of shops and chandleries to restock on vital supplies.

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Convenience to Shore

Imagine it's a warm summer evening and the beach in the bay looks inviting. There are bars and restaurants dotted along the coastline. Can you think of a better way to end the day than a refreshing drink and some excellent food under the stars?

It's time to deploy the inflatable dinghy from your davit system. Without one, you are destined to enjoy the view from afar instead of savoring the atmosphere for yourself.

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Save on Marina Costs

Since you want to get to shore, a marina will charge you for each trip unless you have your own inflatable dinghy.

Marina fees are expensive wherever you go in the world. Chances are you'll find yourself anchored off some golden bay to avoid the expense.

You may not want the hassle of maneuvering into a slip, especially if you're only staying a night or two. Many inflatable dinghies can cost as little as $500 - $1,000.

In the grand scheme of things, the versatility of a dinghy and the number of times you'll thank the stars you got one will outweigh the cost. It'll also pay for itself very quickly when you look at the savings of marina fees and the ease of getting to shore.

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Features of an Inflatable Dinghy

There are many makes and models of even the best inflatable dinghy boats. Each has its merits. I want to focus on the features I look for and what you should expect from an average inflatable.

I've included some other considerations you should have when buying one. For me, safety is paramount, so those features are included.

• Lightweight  - Inflatable dinghies are lightweight and easy to deploy and maneuver. With a limited crew, or even if you're a solo boater, using your dinghy should be a straightforward affair.
• Storable  - Because they're inflatable, storing them away either on the boat or at home during the off-season should be a breeze. Simply deflate and fold into the protective bag. Stow it away until the next spring.
• Towable D-rings - Many boaters tow their inflatables behind them as they sail. Because they're lightweight, they create minimal drag and have little to no effect on the performance of the boat.
• Faster  - Dinghies are nimble and lighter in the water, so they're usually quicker.
• Fuel-efficient  - Because they create minimum drag and skip over the waves, the fuel efficiency increases. Again, I come back to the fact that inflatables are lightweight.
• Stable  - Inflatable dinghies are very stable boats. They're filled with air, making the boat light and buoyant. They don't rock as much as rigid boats.
• Suitable in all waters -   Inflatable dinghies are an excellent choice for shallow waters and get you right up to the beach. They're also ideal because of their stability, which makes them equally as effective in deeper waters with an outboard motor .
• Enhanced safety features  - With a rigid boat, when you spring a leak, it invariably sinks. Inflatable boats are constructed with individual air chambers. If deflated, it only affects that part of the boat. It means for you to sink, you would need to be pretty unfortunate and spring a puncture in multiple locations.
• Durable material  - Many of the inflatable dinghies on the market today are made from multi-layered UV-protected PVC. This makes them highly durable and sun-resistant.
• Wooden or aluminum floors  - While some have inflatable floors, others have the option of a reinforced wooden or aluminum floor. This gives the boat the advantage of maximum buoyancy but with added stability.

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Recommended Pressure for Inflatable Dinghies

• Tubes and Chambers:  3.6 PSI
• Inflatable Keel:  5 PSI
• Inflatable Floor:  10 PSI

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The 6 Best Inflatable Dinghies

1. newport vessels dana inflatable dinghy tender.

Newport Vessels is one of the most recognizable and popular inflatable dinghy manufacturers. The Dana dinghy model is constructed from USCG-rated and three-layer 1100 Denier UV-protected PVC, which makes it durable and sun-resistant .

If you like to use your tender or dinghy on super sunny days like me, this is a real bonus. It features a marine wood floor with aluminum framing , an air keel, sturdy carry handles and sturdy D-rings for towing or attaching a bimini.

• Material : UV Coated PVC
• Size : 8 ft 10 in - 12 ft 6 in
• Max Load : 1,603 lbs for the largest model

2. Pexmoor Inflatable Dinghy

This Pexmoor dinghy is considerably cheaper than the Newport Vessels model, but that doesn't mean the quality isn't there. It's constructed from 3-ply sun-treated 1100D PVC to ensure minimum wear and tear.

It has a wooden reinforced floor for durability and stability, which is great if you have a poor sense of balance like me. It also has multiple air chambers for safety should you suffer a puncture. It even has a rod holder.

This inflatable dinghy is travel-friendly, car-friendly and deflation-friendly, making it easy to store away.

• Material : PVC
• Size : 7 ft 5 in - 10 ft
• Max Load : 880 lbs for largest model

3. Dolphin Model 270 Inflatable Dinghy

Like the others featured, the Dolphin Model 270 is sun-treated to avoid UV damage. It has heat-welded seams and is  suitable for salt and freshwater environments.

The floor is inflatable, so it lacks the rigid wooden elements of the Newport Vessels dinghy, but it holds 8 PSI and gets sturdy and hard .

The emphasis on this boat is very much on the "ease of use" angle, meaning that it's a great choice if you want a dinghy that's easy to store, easy to transport and durable. If, like me, you want a hassle-free boating life, this is a reliable choice.

• Material : Reinforced PVC
• Size : 8 ft 8 in
• Max Load : 1,070 lbs

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4. Uboway Inflatable Dinghy

The Uboway dingy is at the budget end of the dinghy market, so it may not stand up to the rigors of being a sea-going tender. However, it's a great option for ferrying you, your goods and your family to and from the harbor side to your anchored mooring. 

It has an inflatable floor , safety lines and a bench seat. You can mount a 4 HP outboard motor . If you're as safety conscious as me, it has four separate air chambers, which is an excellent safety feature should one spring a puncture. It's also lightweight, coming in at just 52 pounds .

• Material : Polyester and PVC
• Size : 7 ft 55 in - 9 ft 83 in
• Max Load : 836 lbs for largest model

5. Hydroforce Caspian Pro 93 Inflatable Dinghy

The mid-priced Caspian Pro has three D-rings to attach a safety line. It's also constructed from high-grade PVC and, like the Uboway, has four chambers for added safety and buoyancy.

The solid floor, coupled with the inflatable keel, gives this dinghy greater stability and maneuverability, especially when it's operated under power of an outboard engine. It has safety drain valves and a super-tough rubbing strake for protection against impacts and friction.

• Size : 9 ft 16 in
• Max Load : 1,058 lbs

6. Bris Inflatable Dinghy Tender

Like the Dolphin, the seams on this Bris Inflatable Dinghy are heat welded, which means there's no glue and only a super-durable seal.

This dinghy is at the upper end of the price scale and has a lot of features. It has two aluminum seats as well as a rigid aluminum floor . It has a drain valve, three separate air chambers and can support a 10-HP outboard motor .

It's also the only dinghy on the list to have a bright orange color , making it the ideal safety boat for emergency evacuations and to be easily spotted by search and rescue teams.

• Material : PVC with polyester support
• Size : 19 ft
• Max Load : 1,102 lbs

Final Thoughts

Choosing an inflatable dinghy for your sailboat or cabin cruiser is a no-brainer, especially if you want all the convenience and none of the hassle. It allows you to get to shore safely. That's a bonus as we sailors like to explore new places.

An inflatable dinghy is not just another cheap boat; it will become your most valued accessory and one you will come to rely on. Also, be sure to protect your dinghy with a cover when it's not in use. That way, it's sure to last!

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Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

Best inflatable boat: 9 compact tenders put to the test

• Robert Melotti
• September 9, 2021

Rob Melotti and the PBO test team put some lightweight, portable inflatable dinghies through their paces in Lymington to find the best inflatable boat

Inflatables are everywhere: paddleboards , canoes, kayaks , tents, kites and wings – and inflatable boat technology has long been a practical option for tenders, RIBs, liferafts and lifejackets .

But what the ‘new wave’ of inflatable boats brings to the practical boating landscape is the air floor, which makes very stable, very lightweight tenders a very practical option for people with limited stowage ie owners of cruising boats under 30ft.

And the market has responded with a selection of offerings under 2.4m weighing under 20kg. So which is the best and what should you be looking for to get the most for your money?

We tested nine models sold by eight different brand names. The inflatable boats were superficially quite similar, but in the accumulation of small details it was possible to pick a few favourites.

We rowed and motored all of the inflatable boats solo, and most of them with two aboard. We weighed and measured them and found a lot to like.

What’s the best inflatable boat? 9 options tested

3D Twin V Shape 230 Air Deck Tender was a good all-round performer – and best on test

3D Twin V Shape 230 Air deck tender

French manufacturer 3D Tender was one of the earliest producers of ultralight inflatable tenders. This model sports premium touches, such as davit rings and the most high-spec pump of all the inflatable boats on test.

In terms of convenience it is a rucksack carry bag with a large front pocket for the pump and accessories. The zips will need maintenance though.

The V floor is a single chamber, keeping set-up time to a minimum and keeping the weight down. The lack of safety lines on the side makes carrying as a two-person team a little less convenient than some of the other inflatable boats, but the keel strip will help preserve this boat.

The rowlocks double as cleats and the rubbing strake will provide strength but little in the way of splashproofing for passengers.

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Force 4 02Lite was the lightest on test

Force 4 02Lite

This model is very similar to the Seago Go Lite (also tested), including the rucksack, which was our favourite on test for carrying comfort, although you do have to beware of any loose objects inside the bag dropping out of the side enclosure flap.

The Force 4 02Lite was the lightest package overall and packed down to just 90cm long.

The oars were the smallest on test, which affected the rowing performance, but it was the only inflatable boat with open rowlocks – so you can use your own oars.

The bench is adjustable, but I wasn’t able to position it far enough aft to brace my feet against the transom under oars.

There are three D-rings for making a towing bridle on the bow but no ergonomic carry handle.

The rubbing strake is minimal with no splash guard and there are no davit lifting eyes.

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Crewsaver Air Deck 230 is solidly built and joint cheapest, but is outclassed by 3D Tender’s lightweight V floor design

Crewsaver Air Deck 230

Best cheap inflatable boat

The pack we were sent for testing had the incorrect seat included, but we were able to substitute a seat from one of the other inflatable boats on test without difficulty.

The rucksack doesn’t have a front pocket, but there are no zips to corrode and the adjustable webbing buckles mean the top opening of the bag is quite forgiving for repacking.

The safety lines are robustly attached to the hull, which is a feature that will pay dividends long-term, but adds a bit of weight.

The rubbing strake is also weighty, but the splash guards will keep water out of the boat.

The coned aft sponson caps are hard plastic, enabling vertical storage without damage and the rowlocks double as cleats.

There are davit rings in the bow and through the thick transom board, plus the bow handle is wide for ergonomic carrying.

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Excel Ventura SL200

From a Midlands-based company that specialises in inflatable boats, this came with a great double-action hand pump and was the only boat on test with an over-pressure valve – a useful feature for exposure to the hot sun.

The safety lines are sturdily attached and splash guards make up part of the rubbing strake protecting the sides and keeping water out of the boat.

The rowlocks double as cleats and the bow handle is wide enough for a proper grip.

Excel Ventura SL200’s double action hand pump made short work of inflation

Davit fittings are supplied and the sponsons are shaped to add waterline length and buoyancy aft. The duffel carry bag was the sturdiest on test.

This inflatable boat comes with a good long set of oars, although we had to sit side-by-side to make any progress under oars with two adults on board.

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Quicksilver was big – but also heavy

Quicksilver Tendy Airfloor 240

This boat has an inflatable keel as well as a removable inflatable floor. There was also a rigid slat athwartship between the floor and keel, which increases the weight overall.

This is one of the priciest and heaviest inflatable boats on the test and one of the largest in packed dimensions.

It features a fuel tank strap, a decent keel strip to prevent damage on slipways, a decent bow carry handle and rowlock cleats.

The rubbing strake is quite meaty as well without being particularly splashproof.

The carry bag is very forgiving – opening flat like a groundsheet.

There were no carry handles on the sponsons and the safety rope fixings aren’t as solid as many of the other inflatable boats on test, although there are rowlock cleats and the seat is fully adjustable.

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Light weight makes for easy handling on land and in the water

Seago Go Lite 230

Seago is a distributor, supplying UK chandleries and there are similarities between this model and the 02Lite from Force 4.

This model is very light and compact – just 0.5kg heavier than Force 4, but packs down to the same 90cm length.

The oars are very short, but are fixed using a pin and thole system which some may prefer over the Force 4’s rowlocks.

The PVC material is described as 1100 Decitex (Force 4 is 800 Decitex) and the backpacks of the two were identical: comfortable to carry and forgiving to repack due to their large side aperture rather than a narrow top.

The rubbing strake is minimal and there is no ergonomic bow handle.

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YAM 200T is not rated for two adults

This 2m inflatable boat has a fixed seat and was unique on the test for having wooden slats to reinforce the floor. This means less pumping up, but slightly increased weight.

Like the 3D tender there is no safety rope so carrying between two crew involves spreading your arms wide from bow handle to stern handle placed on the sponsons. It is rated for one adult and one child – the smallest by rating on the test.

There is a hefty rubbing strake with raised levels to block spray and the rowlocks double as cleats. The oars are miniature and the bow has three D-rings for rigging a towing bridle but no ergonomic handle for carrying. With two adults aboard we would have been better rowing side by side – but it was no slouch under engine.

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The nicest boat on test to row

YAM 240 (STI) Air Floor Sport Tender

This is the most expensive model on test and features an inflatable keel as well as a floor section, plus two sponsons to inflate.

With that much to inflate a high quality pump would have been better, but there is a pressure gauge included in the package to get everything sufficiently firm.

The seat is fixed but the oars were nice and long, which made it the nicest boat to row. As with the YAM 200T there were no safety lines fitted and carry handles are spread far apart, which makes carrying more difficult.

But there is a good, ergonomic bow carry handle and the inflatable boat is rated to carry 400kg, the highest rating on test. The rowlocks double as cleats and the rounded aft end of the sponsons have protective, hard plastic caps.

Smaller diameter sponsons means more space aboard – but less freeboard

Talamex Superlight SLA230

Talamex is a Dutch brand imported by EP Barrus. This inflatable boat had the narrowest diameter sponsons on test, which creates more internal space, but less freeboard.

It’s an extremely lightweight package, with a thin transom board, but nice long oars and a good carrying handle on the bow.

The pump supplied is a single-action hand pump and the bag folds out completely flat like a groundsheet, which is very forgiving for repacking.

The bag has nice carrying handles on the narrow ends. The seat was massively adjustable and the rubbing strake is generous without offering very much splash guarding.

The safety rope attachments look a bit vulnerable and there are no other handles on the sponsons.

Launching the Seago 320

Verdict: Which was the best inflatable boat on test?

This group of inflatable boats can be subdivided in a few different ways: by length, by price and by weight (note there is also a group of rucksack boats and a trio of air-keel boats).

I think the best on test goes to the 3D Tender, which manages to keep the weight down, comes complete with a very high-spec pump, a very user-friendly rucksack bag with a big front pocket and a ‘slight V form floor’ that inflates as a single chamber.

There are no safety lines or a bow handle, so carrying the boat when inflated is less natural than some of the others and it’s the second most expensive.

The best bargain buy is probably the lightest, smallest package: Force 4, for me, is preferable to the very similar Seago model because of its ‘open’ rowlocks. But if you prefer captive oars, the Seago is slightly cheaper.

The Crewsaver is the same low price and probably more robust and seaworthy than the Force 4 or the Seago while being easier to carry when inflated than the 3D Tender. But without the V floor I think it’s a less versatile performer.

I didn’t see the benefit of the two 200cm dinghies we tested: both were noticeably small in use without being smaller to pack and stow or lighter to carry.

The 240cm V Floor models can carry bigger loads at greater speed, but if you really need that level of performance you have to accept the extra set-up time, weight and stowage.

Best inflatable boats – key facts and figures

What makes the best inflatable boat for you?

Rucksack bags were easiest to carry

The bag details matter when one of the main selling points of a product is its portability. We looked at handles, zips and overall design. Metal zips will corrode without a regular rinse in fresh water, but as long as the zipper track is plastic, then replacement zipper trucks can be fitted relatively cheaply.

Carry handles at the narrow ends are very useful and half of the inflatable boats tested can be carried as rucksacks. A few of the boats pack away in bags that deconstruct on all four sides like groundsheets, with webbing straps and adjustable buckles crossways and lengthways.

These are very forgiving and yet still pack up tightly and securely. We also looked at the quality of the bag material: is the bag likely to survive chafing, stretching, damp or UV exposure for as long as the dinghy itself?

We weighed each of the inflatable boats in their carry bags and found quite a variation in boat weights

Size, weight and price

Our facts table will quickly show you the lightest and smallest packs and there are four tenders priced under £500.

The two longest inflatable boats in the test (YAM 240 and Quicksilver 240) were in the biggest bags (110cm and 120cm respectively), and were the heaviest packs weighing over 20kg even without any accessories.

Only three of the nine tested boats weighed in at under 20kg straight out of the box. There was an 11kg difference between the lightest (Force 4 02Lite) and the heaviest (Quicksilver Tendy Airfloor 240).

The Force 4 comes in a rucksack bag that is 20cm shorter in length than the Quicksilver and over £100 cheaper.

But unless size, weight and price are your only criteria, then a simple numerical comparison could miss some important details.

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Pumps and pressure

Some of the air floors are rated for 1psi; others at 11psi. Most of the sponsons were rated at 3.6psi, which shouldn’t require too much brow mopping for foot- or hand-pump operators.

Five of the inflatable boats came with foot pumps, but the double-action hand pumps with the 3D and the Quicksilver were a joy to use.

All the boats were easily carried by two when inflated

Manual handling

It’s an ironic linguistic quirk that a tender should be so regularly treated without much tenderness. Even a few hours’ use on a clean slipway incurred scuffs, dings, grubby marks and a few minor tears to the carry bags.

Grass is far kinder than concrete for inflating, but is in short supply at busy locations. We looked at keel strips, rubbing strakes, safety line attachment points, bow handles and more… including the relationship between price, weight and fit-out.

First published in the September 2021 issue of Practical Boat Owner.

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8 Best Inflatable Dinghies of 2023 (Buyers Guide!)

If you’ve ever been sailing , you’re probably familiar with the term dinghy, a loanword from the Bengali ḍiṅgi. If not, you’ve definitely seen one before. These small, inflatable boats are usually seen trailing behind larger boats and are often used as a lifeboat. In this way, dinghies are extremely valuable to anyone who loves to sail and do so safely.

Because drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States, it’s even more important to make sure the product you’re buying is worthwhile. Check out our website to see our interactive resource for U.S. Drowning Statistics and Worldwide Drowning Statistics and Drowning Prevention.

When it comes to water recreation, inflatable dinghies are pretty versatile. They can also be used for cruising with friends and family members, too.

That being said, we’ve taken the time to sort through a plethora of brands and dinghy types to handpick the best inflatable dinghies available in 2023. In addition to that, we’ve also taken the liberty to build this thorough buyers guide for those looking for the perfect dinghy for their weekend sailing trips.

In addition to our reviews, our comprehensive buyers’ guide will cover all the topics you’ll need to know about the best inflatable dinghies of 2023 — from advantages and drawbacks to maintenance and safety tips. Start by checking out our insightful inflatable dinghy reviews below. Happy sailing! (You might be interested in reading about Best Rigid Inflatable Boats )

[Product Table]

Everything you will learn here

1. Tangkula New Inflatable Boat Tender Raft Dinghy

2. saturn sd290 inflatable dinghy boat, 3. bris inflatable boat: bris 9.8-feet inflatable dinghy, 4. seamax ocean320 heavy duty inflatable dinghy boat, 5. sports boat inflatable manta ray 8.8’, 6. newport vessels seascape inflatable tender dinghy, 7. hydroforce caspian pro inflatable dinghy boat, 8. newport vessels dana inflatable sport tender dinghy, inflatable dinghies buyers guide – (your guide to selecting the best product), versatility , lightweight, maneuverability, drawbacks of inflatable dinghies, life jackets, other handy items, best inflatable dinghies comparison chart, the best inflatable dinghies reviews (editor’s picks)  .

So without further ado, here are our top picks for the best-ever inflatable dinghies, in no particular order. 

• 1.2mm thickness PVC Inflatable Boat
• Stainless steel D-rings for easy towing
• Built-in oarlock for easy rowing

The New Inflatable Boat Tender Raft Dinghy from Tangkula is an all-around, quality inflatable boat with plenty of handy features. It can fit up to five people in its small, compact size and is an excellent choice for camping trips or fishing on the lake.

This dinghy option is very portable, one of the main reasons we think it’s a perfect addition to a weekend camping getaway. The D-ring made of stainless steel and built-in oarlocks make the Tangkula easy to haul. It’s also affordable, which is a huge plus.

You’ll be shocked at just how easy it is to pack up your inflatable dinghy when it’s time to head out. Just one person can pack up this inflatable boat in a matter of minutes, which can’t be said for all dinghies.

Of course, if you want more impressive speed, you’ll have to purchase a motor. But there are oars included with the purchase of a Tangkula dinghy, so you’ll be able to get where you’re going without the power of a motor.

• The Tangkula Inflatable Tender Dinghy can fit a maximum of five people — perfect for a family outing.
• The built-in oarlock facilitates smooth rowing and the oars are included.
• This dinghy is very portable and can effortlessly be folded up and stored at home when not in use.
• Its stainless steel D-rings make towing this dinghy easy.
• The convenient size makes it ideal for fishing outings as it’s also lightweight. 
• Although it can fit a maximum of five people, it won’t fit more than three adults, so the other two would have to be children.
• This boat doesn’t come with any certificate, so it can’t be registered properly through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in some U.S. states.
• There’s not much space for cargo.

(You should also check other river rafts at Best Inflatable River Rafts )

• Air valves have been moved toward the inside of boat's tubes and away from direct exposure to the elements. This will allow easier inflation from inside the boat and will minimize damage caused by sun and rain while the boat is stored uncovered for prolonged periods of time. Rain water will not accumulate inside the valves.
• Triangular symmetrical splash guards were installed on the transom corners to provide the sensitive transom of an uncovered boat with additional protection and shade from the elements throughout extended periods in Tropical environments.
• All around rope grab line. Separate internal air chambers. One-way drain valve with plug. All around, durable rubber strike. Safety valve to prevent over inflation. Stainless steel D-rings for easy towing.

This inflatable boat from Saturn is ideal for a person or a couple who likes to be out on the lake. It’s also great for those who would like a life raft, just in case.

The dinghy is made of solid, heavy-duty materials, like 100 denier Korean PCV fabric with polyester support. This makes this inflatable boat resistant to pesky obstacles like tension, tearing and breaking, while also being more sturdy than the 1000D PCV options.

When inflated, this boat is rigid and ready to go. The Saturn SD290 Inflatable Dinghy Boat has a motor mount and can take a short shaft outboard motor of up to 10 horsepower (HP). With such an engine, it can run at up to 20 miles per hour.

However, it can also be easily deflated, making it a great foldable option for weekend trips. You’ll be able to store the SD290 in your apartment’s closet or even in the trunk of your car. This makes it perfectly portable and easy for one person to transport.

For those who like to go fishing, you’ll be able to stand up on the air floor without feeling unsteady. 

Although it can carry up to four people, the SD290 is small in size, so it fits two people most comfortably, including cargo. 

• This dinghy option is very lightweight, coming in at just 85 pounds.
• Some of the included accessories we love are the pair of aluminum oars, the seat bench, carry bag, high-volume hand pump, and the repair kit.
• The splash guard is convenient, keeping water outside of the inflatable boat.
• The Saturn SD290 Inflatable Dinghy Boat also comes with lightweight, aluminum seat benches that are also completely removable.
• There’s also a safety valve for the sole purpose of preventing over-inflation. 
• The seams are glued, making the Saturn SD290 Inflatable Dinghy Boat less sturdy than heat-welded seam options.
• This dinghy is dull in comparison to other inflatable boats with more upgraded features.
• It’s relatively small, so this option isn’t good for families or more than a few people.

(If you love to be with your family and friends in water, you should rather try reading Best Inflatable Islands )

• 30 Days money back guarantee. All of our boats come with 3 year manufacturer warranty. Guarantee begins when product is delivered.
• Premium Quality Materials : Heavy-duty 1,100 Denier 0.9mm PVC with polyester support, having excellent resistance to tearing, tension and breaking . It is a much more heavy-duty than most of 1,000 Denier PVC fabric.
• All seams are HEAT WELDED for perfect seaming and guaranteed to last in fresh water, salt water and extreme humidity. Most seams are quadruple overlap for maximum strength and durability and will not fall apart .

One of the best things about the BRIS Inflatable Boat is that its seams are heat welded, unlike other inflatable boat options. So long as you take care of it, these heat-welded seams should have a better lifespan than some of the alternatives out there. These sturdy seams also make the BRIS dinghy more able to function in both fresh and saltwater, and in high-humidity environments.

This model has bench seats, a pair of oars, and aluminum floor panels, too. The carrying case it comes with makes it a little easier to transport. However, it has a whole host of features that are worth mentioning.

The BRIS Inflatable Dinghy also uses anti-splash guards on the transom. This will prevent excess water from finding its way into the boat while you’re rowing. 

It’s also exceptionally sturdy. The aluminum floorboards won’t bend or flex when weight is applied. They’re also stable enough that if you stand on one side, the whole dinghy won’t flip — an obvious plus.

• The materials used make this inflatable boat more heavy-duty and resistant to tension, breaking, and tearing.
• The aluminum floor is essentially corrosion-proof.
• This dinghy has a three-year manufacturer warranty.
• Because the seams are heat welded, they’ll last longer in both fresh and saltwater as well as in extremely humid areas.
• There’s a 30-day, money-back guarantee, making this option a more risk-free purchase.
• The carrying case isn’t as durable as it could be.
• This model doesn’t have a double layer of fabric under the tubes like other BRIS models.
• It’s also heavier than other dinghy options.

• Overall length 10.5ft, beam 5ft, inner dimension L 7.6ft x W 2.2ft, pontoon diameter 16.5 inches; 3 pontoon chambers and 1 keel chamber for V hull; max. pressure 3.6PSI (25kPa); boat dry weight 130Lbs. max. loading 870Lbs, 4 passenger, boat rated 15HP motor and with 15” Short shaft transom; heavy duty aluminum floor. Available in Red and Dark Gray color. Most Davit system is well supported.
• New boat finished with 4 layers and triple overlapped chamber seam, double thermal welded structure with industry best 6 years guarantee.
• Marine Grade PVC coating fabric for pontoon construction; Thicker 1.2mm material for entire boat bottom, Seamax special reinforcement design for keel, transom underneath and pontoon bottom. Heavy-duty life line around the entire boat, and Secondary life line inside of the boat; Solid 1" thick transom made by top grade marine birch plywood; Heavy-duty bumper around the boat and keel bottom.

The Seamax Ocean320 Heavy Duty Inflatable Dinghy Boat is one of the best options for a fair price. 

This inflatable dinghy is built to last. It’s primarily made out of Marine-grade PVC. It has one keel chamber and three pontoon chambers with an overlapped seam. On the outer and inner sides of the dinghy, there are also safety grab lines, which are useful if you’re ever caught off balance (the sectional aluminum floor is non-skid and also helps with this).

It comes with a few different accessories, too. When you purchase the Seamax Ocean320, you’ll also receive two aluminum oars, a foot pump, a carrying case, a front towing cable, a repair kit, a bench seat, and of course, a bag with spare parts included. 

The Seamax Ocean320 is also very stable. Because of its low center of gravity, it’s nearly impossible to capsize it, whether the boat is stationary or cruising along. Due to its stability, it makes a great family dinghy if you have children.

Four people can comfortably fit in this boat. However, because of this, this option is on the heavier side at about 140 pounds.

On a final note, Seamax brand dinghies are also recognized by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the U.S. Coast Guard. The warranty includes five years for the fabric, three years for the seam, and one year for full coverage — possibly the best warranty you could get for a dinghy. 

• Unlike a majority of options, you’ll be able to choose your boat’s color — either red or grey.
• The aluminum floor is non-skid, so you’re less likely to take a spill during your trip. 
• This dinghy is made of durable, heavy-duty materials so you can rest assured knowing it’ll last.
• It comes with a multitude of accessories, ranging from a bench seat, a pair of oars, foot pump, towing cable, boat repair kit, and a kit with spare parts.
• The Seamax Ocean320 is also davit-system supported.
• It’s pretty heavy and can be difficult to carry if you’re not used to heavy lifting.
• There’s a motor power limit of 15 horsepower (HP).
• The Seamax Ocean320 Heavy Duty Inflatable Dinghy Boat is also relatively large, even deflated. 

• The sleek white contoured design was created by nautical engineers for rear buoyancy and faster planing at takeoff. "Easy Planing" extended rear pontoons and transom area allows for more maximum weight and larger motors with balanced stability. The 24 mm easy slide completely aluminum floor and seats are stronger, lighter, and more environmentally friendly than marine plywood and much easier to clean. Incredibly portable and easy to assemble or dissemble in 10 minutes.
• All seams are HEAT WELDED and guaranteed to last in fresh water, salt water and extreme humidity. Eliminating the use of problematic glue and nose cones. The thick .9 mm, 1100 denier reinforced PVC material is UV, oil stain, and puncture restraint. White material protects against the suns heat, faded material and compares to heavy duty material used for white water river rafts.
• Product ships COMPLETE. Includes: 1 aluminum bench seat / removable seat cushion and bag ($80 value) / 2 aluminum oars with lock-in holders / carry & storage bag / foot pump / 2 repair patches / one way drain plug / 1 front + 4 rear exterior heavy duty carrying handles / 2 front towing D-rings. All dinghies come equipped with spots for 2 total aluminum bench seats. 2nd bench 85cm seat sold seperately. Additional handles inside the rear pontoon for easy 2 person carrying.

The Inflatable Manta Ray from Sports Boat is an excellent contender for an inflatable dinghy. Because of the sturdy heat-welded seams, it’s perfect for both saltwater and freshwater environments. In fact, it’s built durable enough that it can withstand emergencies and rough ocean water, as well as a calm lake setting. 

Like other options, it has a motor mount and can be powered manually or via a motor. The inflatable boat’s design is also elegant and attractive, making it more aesthetically pleasing than some of the duller options. The white color also prevents the dinghy from getting too hot from the sunlight. 

This is also the most environmentally-friendly option on our list, as it doesn’t use the problematic nose cones or glue. 

Sports Boat is a U.S.-based company, and customer support is unparalleled. It also has a three-year limited warranty, so you can feel confident purchasing this inflatable dinghy. 

• The materials are also UV, puncture, and oil stain resistant, for a longer dinghy lifespan.
• Every seam is heat welded, so it should last longer in fresh and saltwater, as well as extremely humid environments. 
• The accessories included are all handy, such as the carrying bag, foot pump, repair patches, carrying handles, bench seats, oars, and additional handles. 
• It’s U.S. Coast Guard-approved with a three-year manufacturer limited warranty.
• This option is aesthetically pleasing, with a sleek, contoured design. 
• Because the boat is white, scuff marks and other stains are easily visible. 
• It takes a little longer than most options to deflate and pack away.
• This option is also on the heavier side, coming in at 132 pounds.

• WHY NEWPORT: The crisp white PVC fabric of a Newport dinghy will earn you regular compliments at the dock, and makes you easy to spot while flying across the water at 15-20mph (depending on model & horsepower). Inflatable tail tubes allow for great stability and quick take offs, while the inflatable keel allows for excellent planing and steering. Very portable and easy to assemble or disassemble in 10-15 minutes.
• FEATURES: Electric trolling motor compatible. 4-10hp Outboard Compatible. Air Keel creates a shaped V hull for planing/steering. Sturdy carrying handles. 3x Stainless steel bow D-rings for towing. D-rings on bow/tail tubes for bimini & accessory attachments (not pictured). Self bailing transom drain valve. Easy grab rope + splash guard around edge limits water spray inside boat.
• PREMIUM QUALITY: Hull made from high quality crisp white PVC fabric w/ UV treatment, .9mm/1100D. Floor made from high pressure dropstitch PVC rated for 8PSI, allowing for a solid and stable surface for standing, casting and planing. Seams are HEAT WELDED using the latest technology.

This dinghy from Newport is a reliable option for those looking for a new dinghy. When it’s USCG rated, you know it’ll be a good purchase. 

We’d recommend this portable product to anyone who loves short trips, be it camping, fishing, or just a weekend getaway since the Seascape is so compact and lightweight. It’s ideal for those who are new to inflatable boats but are eager to plan a few short trips and take her in the water.

The inflatable dinghy also comes with handy items, like a pump and repair kit, a bag, and a drop-stitch air floor. The purchase also includes two aluminum oars if you’re not planning on using a motor and an aluminum bench seat, too.

It’s incredibly sturdy thanks to the materials it’s made out of. As such, the materials used to make the Newport Vessels Seascape Inflatable Tender Dinghy are worth praising. The majority, if not all of the boat’s materials, are protective against destructive elements like sun, corrosion, and salt. This is especially helpful if you’re looking to use your inflatable boat in different environments like in lakes and ocean water. 

• Newport Vessels use high-quality materials, and this option uses three layers of U.S. Coast Guard-rated 1100D UV-coated PVC fabric that’s also anti-corrosive.
• It can fit two adults comfortably.
• This inflatable boat comes with a 30-day guarantee as well as a two-year manufacturer warranty.
• The California-based customer support team is easy to reach via phone or via the website.
• This dinghy comes with everything you’d need: a foot pump, a carrying bag, an aluminum bench seat, oars, additional topside D-rings, and a PCV hull.
• The Newport Vessels Seascape Inflatable Tender Dinghy is prone to wear and tear if not stored properly
• This option is on the smaller side and as such, can only hold a maximum of two passengers.
• It could have better seating options.

• 4 chamber construction with high-pressure inflatable keel for better buoyancy
• Marine-grade plywood transom
• Easy to assemble floorboards and bench seats - no tools needed

You can rest easy knowing this dinghy has not only sturdy PVC chambers but also high-density nylon that helps reinforce them — a unique feature to the Hydroforce Caspian Pro. The bench seats and floorboards are easy to put together so that you won’t need any special tools. Simply assemble those two parts, and you’re ready to get out on the water.

Although it weighs about 100 pounds, it can carry a weight of up to 1,058 pounds — perfect for a family of three adults and a child.

As a family dinghy, it also has some critical features. For starters, the safety grab ropes definitely come in handy. There’s also carrying handles and a metal tow ring, making transport a bit easier. There’s a drain valve built in that prevents water accumulation, too. 

You can thank its rigid floorboard and high-pressure, inflatable keel for the Caspian Pro’s stable performance on the water. It also has a motor mount for a motor of up to 10 horsepower (HP). If you’re not looking to travel quickly on this inflatable boat, you can also use the included pair of oars to move.

Aside from the actual dinghy, you’ll also get a 33-feet towing rope, a pressure gauge, a carrying back and an air hammer hand inflation pump. 

• The floorboards and bench seats are incredibly easy to assemble, so you won’t need any special tools to set it up.
• It has better buoyancy with four-chamber construction, including an inflatable, high-pressure keel.
• It’s a cheap, affordable option for the quality of the inflatable boat. 
• The Hydroforce Caspian Pro also has a Marine-grade plywood transom.
• This option can also fit three adults and one child easily.
• The instructions that come with the inflatable boat can be challenging to understand.
• The glue has a tendency to come undone if not cared for properly.
• The included patch kit doesn’t come with any extra glue.

• WHY NEWPORT: The crisp white PVC fabric of a Newport dinghy will earn you regular compliments at the dock, and makes you easy to spot while flying across the water at 15-20mph (depending on model and horsepower). Inflatable tail tubes allow for great stability and quick take offs, while the inflatable keel allows for excellent planing and steering. Very portable and easy to assemble or disassemble in 10-15 minutes
• FEATURES: Electric trolling motor compatible. 3-20hp Outboard Compatible (depending on model). Air Keel creates a shaped V hull for easy planing and improved steering. Sturdy carrying handles. 3x Stainless steel bow D-rings for towing. D-rings on bow/tail tubes for bimini and accessory attachments (not pictured). Self bailing transom drain valve. Easy grab rope plus splash guard around edge limits water spray inside boat
• PREMIUM QUALITY: Hull made from high quality crisp white PVC fabric w/ UV treatment, .9mm/1100D. Floor made from aluminum framed marine grade coated plywood provides a solid and stable surface for standing, casting, and planing. Seams are HEAT WELDED using the latest technology

The Newport Vessels Dana is an incredible inflatable boat that’s made of premium, high-grade materials. The dinghy has 1100D PVC fabric — some of the highest quality Korean PVC available — as well as 18-inch tubes to give users unrivaled stability in the water. It can also go over 20 miles per hour. 

This boat can carry up to three people and is easy to deflate and pack up for the next trip. Its portability and compact size make it perfect for a couple’s weekend. All the seams are hot-air welded, and the company’s strict quality control ensures customers get a reliable product that they’ll enjoy for years to come. Newport Vessels inflatables are put through strict inflation and air retention tests, including additional quality checks, before they’re packed and shipped, meaning you’ll receive a product that’s been tested through and through.

Newport Vessels also tests its products with leak, pressure, UV, and stretch tests while the product is constructed. The company’s designs are always improving, and that’s evident through the Newport Vessels 8-feet, 10-inch Dana Sport Tender Dinghy Boat.

This option also has a hard bottom made of marine wood floors. There’s also a customer service team based out of California, so if you ever have any questions, you can rest assured knowing there’s a team of people to help. 

• This dinghy has 18-inch tubes that provide users with excellent stability during any and all turns.
• It’s made of premium, high-quality materials like UV-coated PVC and marine wood floors.
• This option also includes three bow D-rings made of stainless steel for towing.
• The sturdy carrying handles make it easy to transfer this boat into the water.
• This dinghy option comes with a 30-day guarantee as well as a two-year manufacturer warranty.
• The UV-resistant cover tends to tear if you’re not careful. 
• The wood flooring can be a bit high-maintenance to take care of if you haven’t had a dinghy with wood floors before.
• Years of wear-and-tear can take its toll if not adequately cared for.

With all the inflatable dinghies out there crowding the market, it can be challenging knowing what product you should choose and why. That’s why we made this all-encompassing guide — to help our readers select the best inflatable dinghy for their lifestyle. 

If you’re in that boat, keep reading to find out about the benefits and disadvantages of dinghies, maintenance, and safety tips.

Benefits of Using an Inflatable Dinghy

In comparison to more traditional hard-hull boats, inflatable dinghies have a plethora of advantages and benefits specific to rigid, inflatable boats. We’re talking about their versatility, efficiency, and maneuverability, among other great benefits.

Arguably the best thing about inflatable dinghies is how incredibly versatile they are. Although lots of recreational boaters use them, they’re also used in other marine sectors. 

The U.S. Coast Guard, Army, and Navy often use these types of rigid, inflatable boats for tactile operations or rescue missions. These specialty dinghies can carry loads of gear, soldiers, or other such cargo with ease.

Similarly, these inflatable boats are also used by first responders and law enforcement. Both utilize these types of boats for their precision and performance. They’re sturdy and perfect for any kind of mission concerning citizen safety.

Commercial passenger boats and workboats also use rigid, inflatable boats for various reasons. It doesn’t matter if they’re exploring a lake on a sunny day or taking customers out on the ocean to watch for dolphins — dinghies are a perfectly viable option for them too. 

Inflatable dinghies are made to be lightweight, and that’s one of their most significant advantages to other types of boats. Because these dinghies are inflatable, they’re already much lighter than the alternatives. Being so lightweight increases both the boat’s carrying capacity and its fuel efficiency.

As a recreational boater, you’ll be able to load your dinghy full of whatever items you need while not having to worry about the inflatable boat capsizing or being too heavy to even transport to the water.

Dinghies are also pretty efficient, especially when it comes to fuel. Compared to traditional vessels, it doesn’t take as much power to increase the speed, so you’re getting more work down with the same amount of fuel.

This can be especially helpful if you have a business or use your dinghy for commercial purposes, like water tours or dolphin watching. Fuel is a considerable expense for boating businesses, so if you can use a dinghy, you’re already cutting down on your costs.

If your boat doesn’t have a hard V-hull, it might be more challenging to maneuver. Luckily, dinghies that do have the hard V-hull can move easily.

These types of boats are also lighter than traditional vessels, making them even easier to steer and navigate. Dinghies can actually go around other boats and in and out of tight spaces due to their excellent maneuverability. Docking won’t be a problem either.

Due to its inflatability and hard hull, dinghies are also incredibly stable. Because they’re so buoyant, they’re much less likely to sink and more stable on the water. Dinghies also operate at a certain speed, so you won’t have to worry about having stability issues there since you won’t be traveling at speeds over 50 miles per hour, most likely.

Of course, dinghies are also known for their safety capabilities. Because they’re inflatable and easy to maneuver, they’re often easier to control than traditional vessels.

Inflatable boats are sturdy and virtually unsinkable, even when taking on water. These dinghies were originally designed for rescue missions, and their safety components are valid today.

Like anything else, dinghies do have some disadvantages. However, these are more general drawbacks, and some of them can even be avoided, depending on the type of inflatable boat you select. 

Dinghies can be quite expensive, depending on the brand and specifications. 

Despite being inflatable, these can also be heavy depending on the materials used. This might make them more challenging to bring ashore or launch into the water than others. 

Inflatable boats must also be stored properly to fend off wear and tear. 

Caring for Your Inflatable Dinghy

In order to keep your inflatable dinghy shipshape, you’ll have to learn how to care for it properly. Luckily, it’s not too complicated. There are only a few essential things to keep in mind when caring for your inflatable boat. 

First and foremost, never store your inflatable dinghy while it’s wet. Water will encourage mildew and mold growth, which will rot the fabric and weaken your dinghy overall. Always store your boat dry.

Whenever you’re folding and putting your dinghy away in its storage bag, make sure there’s no detectable moisture that could cause mold and mildew issues. 

In a similar vein, you’ll need to remember that the sun can also damage even the most quality inflatable dinghy (yes, even UV-resistant inflatable boats). Long-term sunlight exposure can dry out the fabric, making it brittle and more prone to tears. 

If you’re really committed to your dinghy’s protection, consider purchasing a UV protectant for inflatable boats. You can apply this protectant about once a year. 

Of course, you’ll also want to keep your inflatable dinghy clean. Although you don’t necessarily have to hose the dinghy down after every fishing adventure, it’s still critical to keep it clean. If you notice it’s a little dirty, clean it. Over time, grime and dirt can actually stain the fabric of your dinghy and can even encourage wear and tear damage. 

It’s especially important to clean your inflatable boat before storing it as dirt and grime can build up after a few weeks in storage.

If you already have stains on your dinghy, whether it’s scuff marks, blood, or bird poop, don’t worry. You can purchase some marine cleaner that will remove boat stains from a local marine supply store.

Safety Tips 

Whether you’re a dinghy expert or new to recreational boating, it’s always important to put safe inflatable boat habits into practice. 

Disembarking can be tricky for novices and experienced boaters alike. Make sure you have a safe place to board your dinghy, whether your boat has built-in steps or you’re using a platform . 

Even though dinghies are often used as a life raft, it’s essential to keep life jackets in your inflatable boat, too. It’s always a great idea to have backup life jackets, and it’s an even better idea to always wear a life jacket when you’re in your dinghy. (You can check here the different suitable Best Life Jackets )

You should also always keep oars in your inflatable dinghy, even if you have a motor. You never know when you might need them. 

Lastly, try to keep essential items you might need in your dinghy at all times, such as:

• A bailing bucket

Inflatable dinghies are an excellent purchase that you won’t soon regret. 

They’re perfect for recreational boaters, and for people who like camping, fishing, or just spending time outdoors. Having an inflatable boat can spruce up your weekend trips with friends and family members, too. 

Don’t let the ocean of options overwhelm you; purchasing an inflatable dinghy after reading our comprehensive buyers guide should be a cinch. 

If you fancy rafts out of highly durable material to withstand rocks and streams, the Best Inflatable River Rafts are a great choice to cruise down a river or do a bountiful fishing trip.

Need a toy for your Kid? The best inflatable boat for kids are excellent toys for your child to enjoy while they’re splashing around in the pool. They feature water guns, funny colors or a clear bottom to watch fish. Be sure to have a look!

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Last update on 2024-09-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Best Inflatable Dinghies of 2024 Reviewed

Newport Vessels Dana

Sport Boats Killer Whale

Intex Mariner 4

A traditional boat is priceless to anglers and boaters, but it comes with the problem of finding suitable storage and trailer. This translates to increased costs that might not be too appealing for some intending boaters.

Thankfully, an inflatable dinghy offers all the functions of a traditional boat plus convenience, high performance, ease of use, and safety. You don’t need a trailer to lug most inflatables from place to place. And you definitely don’t need dock rentals or spend extra money on storage for these boats.

However, choosing the best inflatable dinghy is usually not a walk in the park, particularly if it is your first time doing so. For this reason, we’ve reviewed the top 5 options available on the market to ease your buying decision. We’ve also included a detailed guide to help select the best type that suits your purpose.

Let’s kick things off with a boat that combines near-perfect performance with portability. From Newport Vessels comes Dana, a special 8-feet inflatable sport tender dinghy boat with large tubes that resembles twin rockets. It seats up to three passengers and can take up to 1,067 lbs.

This boat might be just the right one for you if you’re looking for a dinghy with remarkable speed, superior stability, and durable construction material. With a hull made from 1100 Denier Korean PVC, this boat can survive rough water adventures.

A 30-day money-back guarantee backs your purchase. There’s also a 2-year manufacturer warranty, so you can be sure that your investment will not go to waste in case something goes wrong.

• Weight: 107 lbs
• Number of Chambers: 4
• Passenger Capacity: 3 people
• Load Capacity: 1,067 lbs
• Engine Capacity: 10 HP
• Fabric: UV coated PVC
• Warranty: 2 years (30-day return policy)
• Built-in Options: Self-bailing drain plug, grab rope, carrying handles, and three bow D-rings for towing.
• Accessories: Carry bag, two aluminum oars, and foot pump.

$999.00 Amazon  →

• Considerably large tubes and marine wood floor increases stability • Easy to fold and carry • Increased speed

• Large tube size takes away from the cockpit room • Oarlocks might not fit aftermarket equipment due to small size

Not a lot of inflatables pack the power that comes with the Killer Whale from Sport Boats. Although it can take a load of more than 1,200 lbs or five adults, it can still glide through the water seamlessly, thanks to its extended rear pontoons.

Maneuvering this dinghy is easy-breezy due to its contoured design. The boat is constructed with a 9 mm reinforced PVC hull and has a slide-in aluminum floor. This is the perfect dinghy for fresh and saltwater activities.

You’re going to need some help transporting this one, though. At 10 feet 8-inches, the Killer Whale is not particularly a small boat.

• Weight: 80 lbs
• Number of Chambers: 3
• Passenger Capacity: 5
• Load Capacity: 1,268 lbs
• Engine Capacity: 15 HP
• Fabric: 1100 reinforced PVC material
• Warranty: 3 years
• Built-in Options: Two oarlock-in holders, five carrying handles, and two towing rings.
• Accessories: Carry bag, one aluminum bench, two aluminum oars, foot pump, and removable seat cushions.

$1,699.99 Amazon  →

• Suitable for a variety of application in saltwater and freshwater • Increased outboard support and planning due to extended rear pontoons • Comes with plenty of extras • Assembly takes roughly 10 minutes

• Heavy boat, making it difficult to transport than other models

Bris Fish Hunter Boat

Here’s something for those searching for the best inflatable dinghy that works for commercial and recreational purposes. The Bris Fish Hunter Boat may have the same appearance as the other options, but as they say, don’t judge a book by its cover.

This one is built to be rugged. With an outboard to support 25 horsepower and heavy-duty construction, the boat delivers exceptional performance than most models.

It is extremely stable, and the additional aluminum floor panels provide maximum support. Constructed with a thick 2000 Denier PVC material, the heavy-duty fabric can withstand tension, tears, and other hazards.

• Weight: 150 lbs
• Passenger Capacity: 6 adults
• Load Capacity: 1,675 lbs
• Engine Capacity: 25 HP
• Fabric: PVC (with polyester support)
• Warranty: 3 years (30-day money-back guarantee)
• Built-in Options: Safety ropes, interior tie-downs, oarlock, D-rings, drain valves, handles, and splash guard.
• Accessories: Carry bag, two aluminum bench, two oars, foot pump, aluminum floor panels, and repair kit.

$1,349.00 Amazon  →

• Superior maximum horsepower • Includes aluminum floor panels to support seats

• Heavy boat, making transportation difficult for a single-user

For those who are on the fence about inflatable dinghies, Intex Mariner 4 is an excellent way to test the waters. It is also the perfect boat for those on a budget.

Although this is an inexpensive option, it doesn’t take away from its high-quality, durability, and performance.  The Intex Mariner 4 is built to convey four people without straining under the weight.  The rigid plastic floor improves the boat’s overall stability and provides for a more stable standing platform for occupants.

The durable PVC construction protects the boat against abrasion, puncture, spilled fuel, and other hazards.

Carrying this boat around is quite easy due to its multiple handles. Don’t have a large space in your car’s trunk? No worries. The 10 feet 9 inches inflatable dinghy will roll up and fit into the trunk of any small passenger car once deflated.

• Weight: 77 lbs
• Passenger Capacity: 4 adults
• Load Capacity: 1,100 lbs
• Engine Capacity: 3 HP gas or 55 lb. thrust electric
• Fabric: PVC (triple layer of super tough material)
• Built-in Options: Four valves, two fishing rod holders, oar holders, grab handles, three inflatable seats, motor mount, and rotational oarlocks.
• Accessories: Carry bag, high output pump, two 54-inch aluminum oars, and a repair patch kit.
• Buy on Amazon   →
• Buy on Walmart   →

• Ease of transportation and storage • Increased stability due to inflatable keel and hard plastic floor • Affordable

• Comparatively low maximum horsepower rating • Little room for gear • Carry bag might not be durable

Sea Eagle Stealth Stalker STS10

If you’re in search of the best inflatable dinghy specifically designed for the ultimate fishing experience, look no further than the Stealth Stalker STS10 by Sea Eagle. It’s difficult to find inflatables that combine the basic dinghy performance with this boat’s incredibly useful fishing features.

Instead of the usual pontoons separated at the transom, this boat has a fully enclosed hull with a wide profile. It comes with a marine-grade plywood floor and side struts that increase its overall stability. So, whether you’re fishing in saltwater or freshwater, the Stealth Stalker STS10 will perform excellently even in extreme conditions.

The boat has a frameless design that makes folding. Plus, it weighs only 45 lbs when deflated, making transportation easy for a single user.

It comes complete with several features, including fish rulers, repair kit, and a carry bag to safely stow away the boat when not in use. Fishing boats simply don’t get any more convenient than the Stealth Stalker STS10!

• Weight: 45 lbs (78 lbs with motor mount and floorboards)
• Passenger Capacity: 2 adults
• Load Capacity: 1,200 lbs
• Engine Capacity: 4 HP gas or up to 74 lb. thrust electric
• Fabric: PVC (quadruple overlapping seams)
• Warranty: 3 years (180-day return policy)
• Built-in Options: Raised oarlocks, motor mount, two 360 o inflatable swivel seats, and four built-in rod holders.
• Accessories: Carry bag, stow bag, oar set, two 40-inch fish rulers, A41 foot pump, and repair kit.

• Offers extreme stability • Incredibly lightweight when deflated, making transport and storage easy • Folds smaller than most other models when deflated • Affordable

• Relatively low maximum horsepower rating when compared to other models • Can be heavy for one person to carry once it is set up • Not easy to maneuver in tight spaces • Not suitable for general boating since the design is specifically for fishing

At this point, most people would have made up their minds about which boat is the best inflatable dinghy. While it is okay to eye one or a couple of these options, we’ll suggest that you hold off choosing for a little while until you know what to look for when choosing an inflatable dinghy.

But first, let’s see some of the advantages of buying an inflatable dinghy instead of other traditional boats.

Why You Should Buy an Inflatable Dinghy

Several types of inflatable boats are used for different purposes. This ranges from motorized inflatable pontoon boats to inflatable sport boats to rigid inflatable boats, and others. These boats have become popular for several reasons, including:

Portability

Portability is perhaps the biggest reason to invest in an inflatable dinghy. Most types can be deflated and rolled up or folded easily. Storing them doesn’t require a lot of space. You can keep them safe in your garage (off the floor). That means zero winter storage fees and absolutely no need for slip rentals. And since you can transport them in the trunk of your car, there is no need for trailers.

Of course, larger types are heavier and difficult to lug from one place to another, but they don’t require a trailer to move them.

Wait, what?

How is a “balloon” on water durable?

Inflatable dinghies are not mere balloons or rubber floating on water. Modern constructions use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabrics or Hypalon (a nylon neoprene-coated material) to build highly durable boats that can withstand harsh conditions and hazards, including abrasion, UV rays, and extreme temperatures.

You don’t have to worry about frequent leaks because the seams of modern inflatable dinghies are heat-welded. Purchasing an inflatable dinghy is a wise investment if you enjoy fishing or some other water activities because the boat is designed to last for several seasons.

Canoes, kayaks , and other boats in the same class do not provide the type of stability as inflatable dinghies. It is a lot safer to stand in inflatables and maneuver the boats even at high speeds, especially if you buy one with a V-shaped keel and a hard floor. If you buy a larger model, you can even use it in the ocean’s open waters.

Versatility

Many other boats are built to suit only one application. But inflatable dinghies are designed to be used under various conditions in a wide range of waterways and can be used in saltwater and freshwater.

Many inflatables also come with optional accessories, including seating, fishing rod holders, canopies, and storage.

Choosing the Best Inflatable Dinghy – Buying Guide

Here’s a quick tip when it comes to buying an inflatable that will serve you for several years: always look beyond the brand name and price tag.

Yes! Selecting a good-quality inflatable dinghy is all about choosing one with the right features for your purpose. It doesn’t matter how expensive a boat is; if it doesn’t suit your purpose and where you live or where you’ll be using it, you shouldn’t buy it.

Before you purchase a boat, we suggest that you take some time and give serious thoughts to the following.

Inflatables come in different sizes, and size can significantly affect performance. Choosing a size depends a lot on how you intend to use the boat. What size of motor do you want to use? How many passengers do you expect onboard on average? You should also consider the amount of gear you usually bring along and the normal conditions you expect to encounter. All these factors can impact the performance of a boat.

Generally, inflatables over 10 feet long usually offer a greater level of control. They are less likely to rock during strong wind currents and are a lot easier to plane. Of course, if you do not need that much space, there’s no need to buy a 10-feet long boat or more. But whatever you do, keep in mind that overloading your dinghy will definitely reduce its performance, regardless of the size.

Think about the pros and cons of flooring available in the inflatable before you buy it. Why is this important? The floor of a boat can affect its stability, speed, weight, and even performance. As you go through this section, consider where you want to use the dinghy – on choppy waters, running river, or flat water?

The four types of floors available in inflatable dinghies include:

• Slat Floors

Slat floors, also known as roll-up floors, are the most basic floors you will encounter in inflatable boats. Slat floors are made from materials such as plywood or aluminum and are easy to assemble. Storing them is as easy and rolling them up and stowing away.

If you want a simple boat that is perfect for short trips, consider one with roll-up floors such as a roll-up inflatable dinghy. They are easy to deflate, roll up, and store. They require only a small space for storage and are not expensive.

However, because the floors are not rigid, it can be difficult to stand on them. Another major downside of slat floors is that they can damage the boat’s fabric if they get broken. And since these types of dinghies don’t come with a keel, performance on the water is limited. They are most suited to small water bodies with flat water.

Consider getting another type of dinghy if you want to ride in choppy waters of the open ocean. But if you prefer a slat floor inflatable dinghy, make sure to purchase one with the slat floors close together as they are more stable than those with slats that are further apart.

• Hard Floors

Inflatables with hard floors offer more stability and rigidity and slat floor types. The floors are also made from wood or aluminum and usually come with a V-shaped keel for added rigidity. This combination allows the boat to get on a plane easily. It also improves maneuverability and overall performance on choppy waters.

Hard floor inflatables are rather stable, making them versatile as they can be used as dive boats, yacht tenders, and fishing boats.

Expect to pay more hard floored boats such as the Rigid Hull Inflatable dinghies (RHIs). Setting them up will also take a long time compared to roll-up inflatable dinghies that take less time to inflate and deflate. These boats are quite heavy, so carrying them from land to water is a bit difficult. As you probably already figure out, storing these dinghies requires considerable space because they are not as portable as other options.

Consider getting an inflatable with a hard floor if you have ample space to store them, and you don’t mind spending some time assembling the boat when you need to use it. After all, that’s a small price to pay if you want a boat that will cut through choppy waters like a hot knife slices through butter!

Air floors, also known as air deck, are separate flat tubes that inflate like the rest of the dinghy. They are made from tough PVC materials and are rigid enough to stand or even jump on, but weigh less than hard floors.

Inflatable dinghies with air floors usually have keels, and this gives them superior maneuverability, and their lightweight improves their speed. The floors are comfortable for kneeling and sitting.

Air floor boats are portable and faster to assemble than hard floor boats. They also don’t require much storage space.

However, these boats don’t come cheap. Expect to spend top dollar for a good-quality air floor inflatable dinghy. But the major downside is not the price tag. Air floor boats are prone to punctures. This is probably not the best choice if you want to mount real seats or a fish finder on your boat.

Pro tip: One way to minimize piercing through the boat is to lay a piece of carpet or cut-to-shape vinyl on the floor. This is particularly helpful if you plan to carry things around in your boat or use it for fishing.

Another disadvantage of air floor boats is their weight. These boats are particularly lightweight because the floor is filled with air. While that’s a good thing, it makes them unsuitable for rough waters. Lightweight is not an advantage when it comes to stability on the water. Consider getting a heavier boat if you want more stability, especially in rough waters.

• Self-Bailing Floors

The floors in regular boats are made with sealed tubes. If water gets into the boat, it remains there until it is scooped out manually. That’s the disadvantage of non-bailing standard floors.

The solution? Self-bailing floors!

These types of floors have holes in the sides that let water out of the boat. If you are mostly using an inflatable in situations, such as white-water rafting, where lots of water can enter the cockpit, it can be extremely helpful to buy a boat with a self-bailing floor.

Boat Fabric

The type of fabric used to make a boat determines its durability and quality. The popular options when it comes to materials for inflatables are PVC and Hypalon. Both choices are durable, but with peculiarities.

PVC fabrics are synthetic plastic polymers. That means boats with these fabric types are lightweight, portable, and affordable (since the material is less expensive than the nylon-coated Hypalon). Repairing a boat made from PVC fabric is extremely easy – a tear can be glued or thermo-bonded.

However, PVC boats are not suitable for tropical locations. Excessive heat and humidity can easily damage the plastic material or harden the fabric if used under sunlight for too long. These boats have a short life circle because PVC fabrics cannot withstand abrasion for too long.

On the other hand, boats made from Hypalon can resist ultraviolet rays, extreme temperatures, abrasion, and mechanical wear and tear. This is because the material is a synthetic rubber. Repairing Hypalon fabric can be done easily by applying a patch. Overall, these boats will last longer because the material is more durable.

However, Hypalon is expensive, and as expected, the cost of an inflatable dinghy with Hypalon fabric won’t come cheap. The color can fade when left under the sun for too long.

If you live in the tropics or intend to use a boat that will not harden by being under sunlight for long hours, your best bet would be to purchase a boat made with Hypalon fabric. On the flip side, if you live in colder regions and don’t intend to be on the water for too long during sunny days, a PVC boat might suit you just fine.

When it comes to hull type, the best inflatable dinghy for you will depend on the activity you intend to use the boat for. Hull types include:

A boat with a flat hull doesn’t come with a keel, which means it won’t provide adequate stability. Directing and maneuvering this type of boat can be difficult. Generally, flat hull boats don’t reach high speeds and will not get on planes.

So, what are they good for? Consider getting a flat hull boat if all you do is going on short trips or you want a boat that will move slowly while you fish for a few hours.

A V hull boat usually comes with an inflatable keel. They are perfect for cutting through water as they can get on planes at high speeds. They offer great stability and maneuverability than flat hull types, and as you’ll expect, they are a bit more expensive, too. This boat might be just what you want if you are looking for the best inflatable dinghy that will serve as a tender during wildlife, fishing, or diving activities.

• Deep-V Hull

Deep-V hulls are common features in rigid inflatable dinghies and are quite pricey. Boats with deep-v hulls have enhanced stability, increased speed, and give more control. But because they sail higher on water due to their hull design, they can rock in the wind and even tilt.

Availability of OEM Accessories

Although you can buy a new boat after a while, wouldn’t it be better if you can save costs by simply upgrading? Adding additional storage, a canopy, or even adding a few seats might be all you need instead of buying an entirely new boat.

But you can’t upgrade easily if your boat doesn’t have readily available OEM accessories or aftermarket parts. For this reason, take some time to look around for available accessories for the inflatable dinghy you intend to purchase.

Besides, it will be helpful if the boat you choose includes accessories such as waterproof carry bags , seat cushions, paddles, and other items.

Lastly, consider buying a boat from a manufacturer with a long-term warranty. Even if you choose the best inflatable dinghy made from durable materials, you cannot completely rule out accidental damages, so keep an eye out for a solid warranty.

Bottom Line: What is the Best Inflatable Dinghy?

As you would have deduced by now, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the best inflatable dinghy. What works for one person might not be suitable for another because these boats are versatile and can be used for more than one purpose.

A fisherman might not choose the same type of inflatable boat as someone who wants a sport boat. Waterways and conditions can also affect individual choice.

In a nutshell, the best inflatable dinghy is that which suits your purpose, location, and preferences. And we’re sure one or more of the options in this guide will meet your needs.

About Chris

Outdoors, I’m in my element, especially in the water. I know the importance of being geared up for anything. I do the deep digital dive, researching gear, boats and knowhow and love keeping my readership at the helm of their passions.

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Best portable sailing dinghies for under £5k

• Katy Stickland
• July 29, 2020

We put six portable sailing dinghies under £5,000 to the test to see which one is the best all-rounder and really deserves a place on your boat

Six inflatable sailing dinghies were tested by the team

Lightweight fabrics and drop-stitch construction enabling rigid high pressure structures are a far cry from the ubiquitous inflatable rubber tender.

For 
all it’s pack-down convenience, these old-school bulbous craft were never easy to row, and mostly can’t be sailed.

This led to a heavy reliance on outboards, and with it, the loss a peaceful means of exploring new harbours.

With a sail and reasonable rowing abilities, however, you can get around without a noisy engine, occupy family for hours on end, and sail up creeks that a yacht could never explore.

We tested the boats which could double up as portable tenders and capable sailing dinghies

We wanted to try out portable sailing dinghies that offered the best of both worlds – genuinely portable tenders that also double up as capable sailing dinghies.

The Seal, a new product, most closely resembles the once popular Tinker Tramp.

The two Dinghy Go dinghies are the closest to conventional tenders, but with rigid inflatable floors, centreboard casings and stayless rigs.

The Seahopper will delight traditionalists and fans of hard tenders, while folding completely flat.

The two wildcards were the MiniCat Guppy and the Tiwal 2, both 
of which offer plenty of fun afloat and could double as tenders if needed.

How we tested the portable sailing dinghies

We judged the six dinghies against a few 
key factors.

First we measured the size of the bags in which the dinghies and 
all their kit were stowed, and weighed each bag.

This gave us a fair idea of how realistically portable each tender is and how much space it might take up on board.

We then assembled each boat and timed how long it took from packed to ready.

The dinghies were weighed to discover how portable they really were

Whilst assembly will always get quicker with practice, some manufacturers sent representatives for the test, easing our learning process.

Once on the water, both Toby Heppell and Theo Stocker took the sailing dinghies out for 
a spin, sailing the boats upwind and downwind.

They also rowed and motored those that were equipped to 
do so (the MiniCat and the Tiwal 
were not equipped with rowlocks or an outboard bracket).

We measured 
rough speed via GPS to give us an idea 
of what speeds could be achieved in the sailing dinghies.

The weather during our test was a little variable with winds between 7-13 knots and minimal wave state.

• 1. How we tested the portable sailing dinghies
• 3. Seal (prototype)
• 4. Seahopper Kondor
• 5. MiniCat Guppy
• 6. Dinghy Go Nomad3 & Dinghy Go Orca
• 7. Also on the market

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2022 Boat of the Year: Best Dinghy

• By Dave Reed
• December 17, 2021

Sailing World Magazine’s annual Boat of the Year tests are conducted in Annapolis, Maryland, following the US Sailboat Show. With independent judges exhaustively inspecting the boats on land and putting them through their paces on the water, this year’s fleet of new performance-sailing boats spanned from small dinghies to high-tech bluewater catamarans. Here’s the best of the best from our 2022 Boat of the Year nominees »

Skeptics be warned: The Happy Cat Hurricane is legit. This is the unanimous assessment from our Boat of the Year judging squad after sailing the surprisingly quick and nimble 16-foot inflatable catamaran in 10 knots of breeze. While it delivers exhilarating sailing, it’s much more than a recreational rubber dinghy—it’s an adventure craft, a portable sailboat, a pontoon motorboat, a lazy-river drifter, or anything you want it to be once it’s pumped and splashed.

Grabner is an Austrian manufacturer of all types of inflatable watercraft, which the company has been building since the mid-1980s. The Happy Cat Hurricane came online in 2017, and a carbon-mast version was added in 2019. The Hurricane Carbon, which the judges tested, is the company’s flagship go-fun craft, and apparently, it can’t make them fast enough.

We racers know fiberglass better than we do rubber, but Alex Caslow, of Redbeard Sailing in Baltimore (the US importer), says Grabner’s vulcanized rubber is “tire-quality” and sourced from Continental. All of the Happy Cat’s tubes, he adds, are handmade, glued and welded in Austria, producing high-quality hulls that should last at least 20 years. There’s a seven-year warranty on the hulls, he says, but should you ever need to, $2,000 is your replacement price (per hull). The all-up price for a new boat, with everything you need to go racing or gunkholing, is currently $15,000.

The magic to keeping the Happy Cat’s tubular platform stiff is the anodized aluminum frame that holds it all together. Tension cables crisscrossed beneath the trampolines provide additional stiffness in waves. The frame also serves as attachment points for the trampolines, which are clipped on rather than laced like most catamaran tramps.

The boat, Caslow says, can be assembled in roughly 40 minutes—from taken out of the storage bags to inflated and sails hoisted. Upgrading from the standard manual pump to a 12-volt air pump accelerates the process, of course.

Bags? That’s right. The entire boat and rig fit into four bags collectively small enough to transport in the average-size car trunk. This portability is its primary selling point, especially in Europe, where hundreds of owners and devotees regularly gather to rally and raid on alpine lakes and coastal enclaves. Its second selling point is that it sails as well as most fiberglass recreational catamarans.

“It definitely caught my eye when we first walked up to it,” Chuck Allen says. “The bright-red hulls, the carbon rig, all the ropes, but especially the interesting setup with the rudder and centerboard being on centerline. I’d never sailed a catamaran with a centerboard.

“The hulls are really firm—they feel just like a RIB tube, and all the aluminum framing and wires are nice quality. I was really curious how it would sail, and believe it or not, it sailed like a champ.”

Greg Stewart says his first impression was one of skepticism as well. “It seemed like it would be one of those boats that looked cool on land but would let us down, but it didn’t at all. It sailed amazingly. It tacked well enough that I didn’t have to backwind the jib, and got up to speed again quickly.”

The ability to tack it like a dinghy, Stewart says, is because of the centerboard and because the rudder is mounted in the best place possible. “What makes it steer so well is the rudder is so far aft, which gives you a nice turning moment between it and the centerboard.”

The centerboard has up/down lines that are led to the front beam and cam cleats, but there is a breaker line in case you get into shallow waters. The centerboard casing also acts as an anchor point for the dolphin striker.

The reverse “wave-piercing” bows have a lot of buoyancy down low, Stewart adds. When he was sailing upwind through chop, they “just want to lift and rise up over the wave.” If flying a hull gets a bit too unnerving, he says, a small ease on the mainsheet or a slight bear away makes the boat settle right down with a soft and pillowy landing. Stewart forgot to conduct the obligatory capsize test, but he said afterward that the boat tended to simply slip sideways if the weather hull got too high. The optional masthead float, however, would be a good choice for peace of mind, he says.

“There’s a great sensation of speed,” Powlison reports, especially with the 91-square-foot gennaker. “The Velocitek SpeedPuck that was on the boat was reading 10 to 11 knots regularly, and it wasn’t hard at all to tack or jibe either. The spinnaker clew is pretty high, and the boomless square-top mainsail (124 square feet) makes it really easy to get across the boat.”

“This boat rips,” was Allen’s final assessment. He gave it high marks all around, but what ultimately stole his favor was a browse through Grabner’s catalog, which showcased the Happy Cat’s versatility: Leave the mast in its bag, erect the optional sun awning, and slap on the outboard motor bracket to transform it into an outboard-powered exploration craft and swimming platform. Or strap on extra fore and aft trampolines, load the boat up with camping gear in dry bags, and explore new places.

“Its biggest appeal really is its portability,” Stewart says. “If you don’t have easy access to a yacht club or storage near the water, you can easily keep this in the garage or apartment without taking up much space at all. Throw it in the car and take it wherever you want.”

Assembly, Caslow says, is simple and quick once the hulls are inflated. The tubes slide into grooves in the frame, tension cables are clipped on with carabiners, the trampoline is strapped on, and the mast can be raised by one person once it’s pinned onto the ball joint.

When it’s assembled, the Hurricane Carbon is only 175 pounds, but it is still a bit unwieldy for solo ramp launching. For this particular challenge, Grabner offers flip-up “slip wheels” that mount to the aft beam and stay on the boat while sailing. With your standard big-wheeled catamaran dolly, however, it’s easy to move around and beach-launch. And once you’re underway and zipping along, crew extended on the wire and the soft bounce of the hull on your bottom, you’ll just want to keep on sailing—happy as a cat on nip.

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Best Inflatable Dinghy – Start Cruising In Style

Getting out onto the water is a fantastic way to spend your time.

It’s relaxing, it’s a great way to unwind and you can even bring a friend or two.

But if you have a larger boat, getting out to it from the dock can be a problem. The same goes for visiting an island or other point of interest that is too shallow to reach with a larger vessel.

That’s where a good dinghy comes in.

But bringing a dinghy with you can be inconvenient, and take up a lot of space. A great solution to those problems is an  inflatable dinghy for cruising . You get all the convenience without running out of space on your boat.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.  Please see our full disclosure for further information.

Inflatable Dinghy (Comparison Table)

We review each of the units in our roundup of inflatable cruising dinghies in detail below, but for those in a hurry here is a quick look at the boats we reviewed.

Best Inflatable Dinghy Boats

Below we take a brief look at a couple of well-known dinghy models and talk about what it is that makes each one worth your money.

Best Overall: Newport Vessels Dana Inflatable Sport Tender Dinghy

When picking a dinghy, one of the first things to keep in mind is often the types of material it’s made from.

The Newport Vessels Dana Inflatable Sport Tender Dinghy is luckily made from premium-quality material that consists of coated PVC which is glued with advanced German adhesive, and also features marine wood flooring. 

It’s the perfect size for a single person but can also house several people if you’re planning it take a few friends out to the water. This dinghy has most of the core features required to make it a fantastic option for travelling out on the water. It’s easy to carry and comes with sturdy handling and storage options.

It even has its own drain plug in the event that the boat comes filled with water or if an accident occurs out on the water.

This dinghy can comfortably sit around 2 people, but we found that 3 could easily fit if one or two of them were children. The maximum seating is at 3, but if you’re willing to squeeze in you can make a few adjustments. If you’re looking for a simple way to travel across water, then a dinghy is arguably the cheapest option.

However, a high-quality one like the Newport Vessels Dana Inflatable Sport Tender Dinghy is a fantastic option because it can help ensure that your dinghy stays sturdy no matter how often you use it or how many people sit in it. It’s the perfect little dinghy for multiple purposes, it’s built with high-quality materials and the construction is top-notch, resulting in a fantastic little multipurpose dinghy.

Best Value: Sea Eagle 10'6" Sport Runabout

The Sea Eagle Inflatable Tender Dinghy is a rather thick PVC inflatable boat that comes with built-in oarlocks and stainless steel D-ring which make it easy to tow.

Contrary to its size, it can actually fit five people, or take on fewer and have a little room for cargo.

As with most inflatable dinghies, you’re going to need a motor to get any kind of speed, but it’s a fantastic little boat that manages to remain high-quality in terms of materials and features while still being relatively affordable.

Portability is one of the things that makes the Sea Eagle Inflatable Tender Dinghy such an attractive option especially for those who love to go camping.  The lightweight specs allow you to deflate and bring it along for any trip.

It can easily be packed away and greatly reduced in size, inflating it doesn’t take a very long time and can easily be managed by a single person and the entire inflation only takes a couple of minutes.

For a low additional price, add a pair of oars so that if you choose not to use a trolling motor, you can skip it and save on fuel. In short, you get everything you need in this single handy package and there’s little extra you need to buy in order to enjoy it. 

In fact, the size and portability of the Sea Eagle Inflatable Tender Dinghy makes it perfect for fishing trips. It’s small, light and easy to fold so it won’t take much space, and you have plenty of stability while on the water to ensure that you won’t tip over while you fish.

Most Sturdy: Newport Vessels Seascape Inflatable Tender Dinghy

If you’re looking for a reliable dinghy then the Newport Vessels Seascape Inflatable Tender Dinghy is the perfect option. With USCG rated triple-layered 0.9mm/1,100 denier speciality coated PVC, it’s arguably one of the most sturdy dinghies we’ve added to this list of reviews. 

The material is resistant against corrosion and also protects the dinghy against elements like salt. This helps it stay sturdy no matter where it’s used and also means that you can use the dinghy in many different environments without worrying about its longevity.

The boat comes with a drop stitch air floor, an included pump and repair kit, and even a bag. There’s an aluminum bench seat as well and two included aluminum oars which will help you move the boat if you choose not to add a trolling motor to it.

To add to the lightweight dinghy and its portability, there’s also an included carry bag which can help you travel around with it. This makes it perfect for short fishing trips or recreational activities when you’re out camping or on a small holiday outing with friends and family members.

However, do be careful with how many people you try to fit into the boat. While it can support up to three people, we recommend that you stick with two full-sized adults and perhaps a young child. However, you may be able to fit four children in the dinghy if you plan to use it for the sake of recreation. In short, it’s a well-made dinghy boat that is surprisingly lightweight and portable despite the size. It’s a fantastic way to get started with exploring waters and can also be used effectively for fishing or other water-related activities.

Most Reliable: BRIS 9.8 ft Inflatable Dinghy

Most inflatable dinghies come with similar features. For instance, most of the ones on the list are made with heavy-duty and premium-quality materials, but the BRIS 9.8 ft Inflatable Dinghy comes with a rather unique addition that helps to secure it as the most reliable dinghy on the list. 

The seams on this dinghy are actually heat welded which means that the seams are perfectly smooth and, assuming it’s taken care of, could last longer than other dinghies. It’s guaranteed to last in all types of conditions such as fresh water or salt water and even extreme humidity conditions.

Most of the seams are quadruple overlap in order to provide the dinghy with even more strength and it will ensure that the dinghy does not fall apart.

To add to the sturdy nature of the BRIS 9.8 ft Inflatable Dinghy is the aluminum floor panels, bench seats and oars. This gives it a reliable feeling that you won’t find with some cheaper dinghies available on the market.

So if you’re looking for something that is truly going to last you a long time, this is one of the better options to go for. It also comes with a couple of accessories that will make transporting it much easier. The carry case is always a bonus and the included oars make it a little easier to use since you don’t need to worry about purchasing additional extras just to use the dinghy. To conclude, the BRIS 9.8 ft Inflatable Dinghy is a solid dinghy boat that comes with a variety of useful accessories. It’s perfect for fitting two full-sized adults or an additional younger child, and it’s perfect for a wide variety of conditions and situations, making it a versatile dinghy option.

Best Budget: BRIS 8.2 Ft. Inflatable Dinghy Fishing Boat

With military-grade multi-layered PVC materials and a maximum capacity of 3, the BRIS 8.2 Inflatable Dinghy Fishing Boat stands out from the other options on this list for having the most budget friendly price.

Although trying to fit four people into the boat is not a good idea, it’s does add some possibility of this being a very good option for small groups plus extra gear.

The extra-thick materials help to protect it from scrapes, abrasions and other types of damage, and it offers a fantastic amount of stability as well.

Included with the BRIS Inflatable Dinghy Fishing Boat is a bunch of accessories such as the drum pedal, and it has a thick bottom to protect it from all sorts of damage while being as small as possible.

There’s also an included foot pump which is great for travelling purposes, and the included aluminum oars make it very easy for you to move the boat around with a loud and often expensive trolling motor. It’s fantastic little dinghy that will help you with hobbies such as fishing but can just as easily be used for entertainment.

To conclude, the BRIS Inflatable Dinghy Fishing Boat’s selling point is not only the low price, but the durability. This is a fantastic little dingy.

Leaks and Inflatable Dinghys

One potential problem with any inflatable boat is a leak. Here is a good YouTube video that walks you through a repair in the event you get one while out on the water.

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About the author nick swanson.

Hey, I'm Nick - one of the editors on Watercraft Watch. I grew up around water and have been boating and yachting from the age of 5. Today I'm a professional sea kayaking guide and sea rescue volunteer. When not kayaking or writing for WCW, I'm usually out and about trail-running with my wife and our very active border collie.

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Yacht Cruising Lifestyle

Everything fun you can do from your yacht

Choosing the Best Dinghy for Your Boat

January 7, 2021 by Travis Turgeon 5 Comments

At anchor, a dinghy boat serves as your lifeline to everything from leisurely excursions to provisioning trips. Every captain or crew will use their dinghy differently, so it’s essential to consider what features and functions are important to you.

Do you plan to explore remote areas away from anchor? Do you plan to fish, snorkel, or dive from the dinghy? How many people will you need to carry at once? Every aspect should play into your decision.

Below, we cover the following to help you choose a dinghy that’s right for your boat:

• Key Factors to Consider
• Types of Dinghies
• Outboard Motors

General Information and Tips

What should i consider before buying a dinghy for my boat.

Make the following considerations before purchasing a dinghy for your boat: 

• DInghy Storage 
• Carrying Capacity
• Use of the Vessel

Dinghy Storage

Storage should be a defining factor when purchasing a dinghy for your boat. There are several common ways to store a dinghy, but not all storage is suitable for every vessel. A rigid dinghy will need enough space to be tied on the deck or at the back of the boat, while you can stow an inflatable dinghy in lockers or lazarettes.

Regardless of where you choose to keep your dinghy on the boat, it should be in a location that does not reduce drag, restrict access to important areas, or prevent easy access for storage and use.

The most common options are:

• Dinghy Davits
• On-Deck 
• Locker 

Davits: Permanently installed at the stern of the boat, davits are used to store, deploy, and retrieve your dinghy from the water. Davit storage is standard for any dinghy that’s too heavy to manually lift in and out of the water. Although storage on dinghy davits is convenient, it poses a risk when sailing through heavy seas. Large waves and wind can cause the dinghy to flood while in transit, and the weight can damage the stern of the boat or the davits.

On-Deck: Some people choose to tie the dinghy upside-down at the bow, stern, or side of the boat. For this to be an option, you need sufficient unused space on the deck, and you need to be sure that the dinghy is not interfering with any important pathway or area on the boat. 

Swim-Step: Boats with an elevated swim-step can accommodate a dinghy at the boat’s stern as long as it’s elevated far enough out of the water. Keep the dinghy tied aerodynamically and tilted so that it doesn’t fill with water. 

Locker: Roll-up inflatable dinghies are easily deployed and retrieved from the water by hand, and they can be deflated and stored in a locker anywhere onboard. 

Towed: For nearshore journeys in calm conditions, you can easily pull the dinghy behind your boat. Be careful, though, as high speeds and choppy seas can cause a dinghy to flip in the water.

Dinghy Carrying Capacity

If you’re sailing with multiple crew or passengers, you will want a dinghy that can carry the same amount of people. Making numerous trips from ship to shore will not only cost you time, but it will also run up fuel costs. Further, you’ll want extra room for luggage, provisions, recreational gear, and anything else that may find its way onto your boat. 

The handling in your dinghy can become problematic when loaded beyond capacity, so use caution – especially in rough seas. Safety should always be a top priority, so the goal is to aim for the biggest dinghy you can get without sacrificing too much storage space.  

Dinghy Material

Rigid dinghies are most commonly made of fiberglass or aluminum, but you can opt for a more classic wooden design as well. The material will partially dictate where the dinghy can be stored and the need for equipment such as dinghy davits. While fiberglass hulls are cheaper than aluminum, they also come with the burden of a heavier weight. Alternatively, aluminum hulls will outlast their fiberglass counterparts, but for a higher price. Overall, rigid dinghies can withstand wear-and-tear better than inflatables, although routine maintenance is required.

Inflatable dinghies are kept afloat using tubes surrounding the boat’s hull, commonly made of either PVC or CSE. CSE, or “Hypalon,” is a synthetic rubber material that is highly resistant to chemicals, UV light, extreme temperatures, and abrasion. CSE is a lot like PVC, but it’s lighter and has more UV and water-resistant properties. It’s also more abrasion resistant, making it ideal for taking to shore. CSE offers a longer service life and a more extended warranty, although again at a higher cost. The most common complaint you’ll hear about CSE is the rate at which the air escapes from the tubes. On average, CSE tubes lose about 15% of their air within 24 hours, while PVC loses under 7%.

PVC is an excellent alternative to the more durable CSE, as the material still offers a reasonable service life at a lower cost. PVC is also much lighter, more convenient to fold, and easier to clean than CSE. The biggest potential problem with PVC is simple neglect and lack of maintenance. If cared for properly, modern PVC materials can last long enough to justify not paying the higher costs for CSE. 

For some excellent tips on maintaining your inflatable dinghy, check out Sail Magazine’s Tender Choices article , here.

How You’ll Use The Dinghy

The last factor to consider is how you intend to use the vessel. Will you be traveling long distances from anchor? Exploring remote locations? How many people do you need to transport? Do you need special features to accommodate scuba diving and fishing? You should do as much research as you can to ensure that you’re buying a tender that suits your needs while staying within your budget. Below, we discuss the difference between each type of dinghy – and who each is best suited for.

Types of Dinghies 

Choosing the right type of dinghy for you and your boat will require some careful thought. Your dinghy is your primary source of transportation between journeys, and you’ll want to make sure that your purchase is fitting for your immediate and future needs.

The three most common types of dinghies are:

Rigid Boats

Inflatable boats, rigid inflatable boats (rib).

Hard-body (rigid) dinghies are among the simplest styles of tender, and they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Rigid dinghies are sufficient for those who don’t need to travel long distances or through rough conditions. However, more and more people are moving to inflatables or semi-inflatables for their wide range of abilities when needed. 

When considering if a rigid dinghy is right for you, think hard about the material each is built with. For the hull specifically, the materials will affect the price, durability, and cosmetics of the vessel, as well as the weight and ability to transport. Most rigid dinghies are constructed with fiberglass, aluminum, or wood and have a lower carrying capacity than inflatables. They also have less stability when entering, exiting, and moving through the water. 

Advantages:

• Easily Propelled
• Puncture Resistant
• Outboard Compatible
• Low-Cost Option
• UV Resistant

Disadvantages:

• Easily Scratched and Blemished
• Adequate Storage Space Required

More popular than rigid dinghies and less popular than RIB’s, inflatables offer a good middle ground for those looking to compromise between cost and functionality. The large PVC or Polyurethane tubes in the front and sides of the boat are more stable than rigid vessels and allow for a higher carrying capacity due to their buoyancy. Compare those benefits with the low costs of materials, and it’s easy to see why inflatables are so popular. 

There are numerous variations of Inflatable dinghies, with the most common being:

• Soft Bottom Roll-Up
• Rigid Floor with Soft Bottom
• Soft Bottom with Rigid Transom

Dinghies with soft bottom have the widest variance in configuration. Some have rigid transoms where an outboard motor can be mounted. Some have rigid, removable floors, and some have an inflatable keel that increases the vessel’s stability and planing abilities. Other than the lower-end inflatables, though, almost all will have stable floors and a captain’s seat. Rowing is difficult in rough conditions, so inflatables are most commonly used with a 5-10 horsepower outboard.

Roll-up inflatables are easily stored, don’t take up much space, and are the lightest of all inflatable options. They also have the least to offer in functionality, and since most don’t have a rigid transom, they must be rowed by hand. Unless you only plan to use the vessel in calm conditions, you should consider dinghies with hard floors and transoms. 

Soft bottom dinghies with rigid floors and transoms are more ideal, as they can be used efficiently in a wider variety of situations. The ability to mount an outboard allows you to use the vessel in harsher conditions and travel greater distances. The rigid floors allow you to use the vessel for fishing, diving, provisioning, and more without sacrificing stability and comfort. 

• Lightest Option
• Easily Compacted and Stored
• Easily Damaged and Punctured 
• Consistent Maintenance Required
• Low Efficiency

The RIB design is a cross between a soft bottom and rigid hull and gives you the most bang for your buck in the water. The hard-bodied hull makes for a stable and damage-resistant body, while the inflatable tubes add optimal stability. The RIB design is so efficient that it’s even used by the US Military and Coast Guard. The tradeoff you make with a RIB is portability and storage, as the hull can not be taken apart or broken down. However, this can be overlooked by carefully choosing a RIB that’s right for your boat. If you’re looking to outfit your boat for scuba diving , a RIB should be pretty much your only consideration for a tender.

Rigid Inflatable Dinghies are the most popular type of dinghy for cruising sailors, and it’s easy to see why. RIBs used as dinghies are commonly between 10 and 15-feet long, with anything larger being reserved for massive yachts with dinghy garages or excess storage space. RIBs are typically stored on davits or lashed upside down somewhere on the deck of the boat. For shorter trips near shore and in calm conditions, you can tow the RIB behind the boat.

Typically, RIBs are available with either aluminum or fiberglass hulls. Aluminum is lighter and stronger than fiberglass, although you should expect to see a price tag that matches those benefits. 

• Optimal Speed, Handling, and Stability Rugged 
• Limited Storage Options

Outboard Dinghy Motors

After choosing the dinghy that’s right for you and your vessel, you’ll need to select an outboard to fit. You’ll want something powerful enough to make the dinghy plane at full capacity but also light enough to transfer to and from the dinghy‘s transom. Before making a decision, check with the manufacturer to determine the recommended power output for your intended use. 

Generally speaking, fully inflatable dinghies that measure around 10-feet in length support a 5-8 horsepower outboard, which is sufficient for the basics. For a more capable inflatable, look for a 10-25 horsepower outboard. Just be cautious, as too much power can flip a lightweight dinghy. 

Similarly, a 10-foot RIB will support a heavier engine, such as a 10-15 horsepower outboard that provides enough power for the boat to plane while carrying more than one passenger. For more capability, look for an outboard in the 20-50 horsepower range.

Either way, you’ll need to decide your dinghy’s primary purpose and buy an outboard to support it.

If it’s simply used for trips to shore in calm conditions, a lower-powered outboard will likely be sufficient. The more power you can apply, the more capable your dinghy will become. Further, the maximum power output of the engine should always exceed the recommendations for operating the dinghy at full capacity. If you have a powerful outboard, you won’t have to worry as much about overworking the engine when the boat is full. 

When determining which motor is right for you, keep in mind the storage and transportation options you have. If you need to lift the dinghy and outboard out of the water manually, it might be safe to say that the lighter the outboard’s weight, the better. If your back can handle the extra weight, though, the 4-stroke engines are far better suited for things like water sports and rough surface conditions.

Dinghy Excursion Checklist

• Check inflation levels and make sure there is no water inside the boat. If there is, look for leaks or damage.
• Ensure the boat is free of all loose lines, flags, or anything that could get caught in the boat propeller.
• Check to make sure the outboard is appropriately and securely mounted to the transom. 
• Quickly test both the forward and reverse gears to make sure everything is working as it should. 
• Test the lights on the dinghy, even if it’s still light out. 
• Check for paddles, lifejackets, first-aid kits, and dinghy repair kits.

Operating the Dinghy

• When operating the dinghy alone, clip the emergency motor stop to your clothing. If you fall overboard, your motor will stop. 
• Be cautious when using a powerful outboard. Too much power can cause a lightweight inflatable to flip or overturn. 
• Bring the dinghy upwind when returning to your boat for a more controlled approach. 
• Always use both front and rear-facing lights when operating the dinghy after dark.
• When towing the dinghy behind your boat, experiment with the length of the tow rope to find the smoothest pull.
• If there is any surf present, do not attempt to beach your dinghy.
• Use a dinghy anchor if there are large tide changes, waves, or swells present.
• Keep a dinghy repair kit on board at all times in case of small punctures or tears.
• Dinghy covers reduce UV light exposure and prolong the life of the dinghy by up to five years.
• Cosmetically, CSE doesn’t wear down for about 10 years. PVC begins to look rough after only a few.
• Consider where you intend to use your dinghy. Will it be in locations with high swells, rocky shores, and cold water? If so, consider a more rugged and damage-resistant material.
• Before purchasing a dinghy, visit a few boat shows, and read user reviews. You want to be comfortable making a purchase, and having first-hand resources to chat with is the best way to feel confident about your decision. 
• Keep your dinghy insured separately in case of incidents that happen away from your yacht.
• Dinghies and their outboard motors are common targets of theft, so be sure to lock up both whenever possible.

When choosing a dinghy for your cruising lifestyle, it’s important to know exactly how to buy a new or used boat  and what considerations should be prioritized. 

Join the #BoatLife community and contribute to our new forum! Get a new conversation started, or use your experience to address existing posts.

If you found this article helpful, please leave a comment below, share it on social media, and subscribe to our email list.

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Reader Interactions

July 3, 2021 at 10:26 am

I have one for my canoe, my dinghy, and my power boat So, the next time you see a 5 year old boat in Seabridge marina in Ventura California, that looks brand new, it’s my boat.

July 30, 2021 at 8:17 am

It is a great article and quite intresting to read too thanks for sharing such good information with us.

August 1, 2021 at 4:15 pm

Thanks for reading, Cassey. We’re always here to help – don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments!

December 14, 2021 at 2:08 pm

Travis – My name is Mark and I am a member of the Great Lakes Cruising Club. We’ve been around since 1934, we have 2,500 US & Canadian members and we are a volunteer driven organization. For the last twelve years we have operated an on-line school, the GLCCSchool.com. Annually we present 35-40 webinars and have an attendance of around 900 people. We really liked your article on dinghies and are wondering if you would consider turning that into a presentation for our school. If you have the slightest interest please check us out and send me an email so we can explore this further. Thanks.

January 23, 2022 at 2:27 pm

Thank you for all of the applicable information. I appreciate how the differences of each type of boat were well defined. This article was extremely helpful.

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• Inflators Boat and tube inflators

Swordfish 10.8′ Air Floor 2-n-1 EVA Floor

Product Information

$ 1,899.99 Original price was: $1,899.99. $ 1,699.99 Current price is: $1,699.99.

USA Delivered Price | Free Shipping

Inflatable Sport Boat’s Swordfish 10.8′ air floor model dinghy is the first Inflatable Sport Boat model to have EVA foam teak decking installed on the air floor. The foam teak floor gives you added protection, stability, grip, and comfort. The swordfish dinghy is our largest air floor dinghy. Handles 5 people and up to a 15 HP motor.

Have Questions? Call us  (530) 268-4757

Description

Dinghy features.

[checklist style=”arrow”]

• The sleek white contoured design was created by nautical engineers for rear buoyancy and faster planing at takeoff. “Easy Planing” extended rear pontoons and transom area allows for more maximum weight and larger motors with balanced stability. All seams are HEAT WELDED and guaranteed to last in fresh water, salt water and extreme humidity. Eliminating the use of problematic glue and nose cones. Incredibly portable and easy to assemble or dissemble in 10 minutes.
• Drop stitch high-pressure air deck floor with EVA foam teak decking installed. Thick PVC designed to hold 8 PSI and gets rock hard providing a stable boat floor. The thick .9 mm, 1100 denier reinforced PVC material is UV, oil stain, and puncture restraint. White material protects against the suns heat, faded material and compares to heavy duty material used for white water river rafts.
• Product ships COMPLETE . Includes : 1 aluminum bench seats / removable seat cushion and bag ($80 value) / 2 aluminum oars with lock-in holders / carry & storage bag / foot pump / 2 repair patches / one way drain plug / 1 front + 4 rear exterior heavy duty carrying handles / 2 front towing D-rings. SPECIAL: comes with preinstalled EVA foam teak decking on one side of the air floor. The air floor is reversible and has 2 valves. 
• USCG approved. Manufacturer Certification of Origin for boat registration is included in manual and 3 year manufacturer limited warranty. Designed in California, U.S.A based company.
• Dimensions: Model: SB-330A – Swordfish 10.8′ Air Floor. Length: 10 ft 8 in. Tube diameter: 18 in, Inflated width: 5 ft 3 in, Chambers: 3 + 1 keel + 1 air floor, Max Power: 15HP, Max Load: 1268 lbs, Max Persons: 5. Inflatable Keel and V Hull. Deflated boat in bag for storage: 80 lbs; 44 x 24 x 11 inches.

[/checklist]

Inflatable Floor Sport Boat – Model Dimensions

Model: sb-330a – swordfish 10.8′  eva 2-n-1 air floor, length: 10  ft 8 in, tube diameter: 18 in, inflated width: 5 ft 3 in, chambers: 3 + 1 keel + 1 air floor, max power : 15 hp, load: 1268 lbs, max persons: 5, interior air floor dimensions: 84″ length x 30″ width. (air floor 4″ bow hole. located 7″ from the front of the hole to bow tip of air floor), boat deflated in carry bag for storage: 80 lbs; 44 x 24 x 11 inches., aluminum accessories: 2 oars – 6 lbs; one bench seat – 4 lbs., box dimensions: 130 lbs; 47 x 24 x 15 inches., inflatable sport boats mission.

Inflatable Sport boats have a multifaceted purpose in both fresh and saltwater environments around the world. These inflatable dinghy tender sport boats are built tough for rough ocean water, emergency situations, tendering, fishing, or even on a calm pond. Regardless of how you use your dinghy, you can rely on the quality and durability of your Inflatable Sport Boat. We stand behind the quality of our Sport Boats and guarantee our 3 year warranty.

Inflatable Dinghy – Industry Leading Specs

Inflatable Sport Boat’s are your “All Sport Dinghy” designed by nautical experts for optimal performance and durability. Providing the industry’s best specs for all inflatable tender dinghy sport boats. Industry leading: Larger diameter tubes, “Easy Planing” extended 30″ rear pontoons, reinforced transom, entirely welded seams and 9 mm 1100 denier thick PVC material with no problematic nose cones. The intention is to eliminate the problematic areas on dinghies; glued material, transom, and nose cones. Your Inflatable Sport Boat will provide you with multiple years of use.

Inflatable Sport Boats can be propelled manually or motorized. Compatible with either 2 or 4 stroke motors; 15″ short shaft outboards (recommended) and 20″ long shaft. All Inflatable Sport Boats have been USCG rated and approved. In addition, all boats are registered and include the proper paperwork for boat registration in owners manual. Each boat has it’s own unique HIN number for registration and warranty purposes.

Tags: inflatable sport boat, inflatable boat, inflatable dinghy, inflatable zodiac boat, portable boat, yacht tender, inflatable tender, sail boat tender, yacht dinghy, dinghy boat, inflatable fishing boat, fishing boat, fishing dinghy, inflatable floor boat

Additional information

3 reviews for Swordfish 10.8′ Air Floor 2-n-1 EVA Floor

Harry Shriver – October 1, 2020

Email from Harry: Dear Sir, I just wanted to tell you how much fun and enjoyment my family and I have had with our new Swordfish Inflatable boat. We have a beach-house on the Puget Sound where the boat is used. We have been going on site seeing tours, putting out 2 crab pots( we even got some crab fo dinner), playing around the bay, visiting a group of seals. My 13y/o grandson is fully capable of running the boat with a 6 hp outboard motor. This motor is very adequate in propelling the boat even with 3 adults and 2 kids. We were out in some heavy winds and chop in the water but the boat handled it well. We have to drag the boat over a short stretch of rough shoreline to get it back to base. I have detected no flaws on the undersurface of the boat. The blow up air floor is an added bonus.

Overall you can say you have a very happy customer. Harry Shriver

Ed Collett (verified owner) – December 7, 2022

A quality inflatable boat requires a significant cash outlay! I spent a great deal of time researching inflatables. After much of what my wife calls “overthinking”, I purchased a 10.8 foot Swordfish from Inflatable Sports Boats, headquartered in Roseville, California.

Purchasing a quality inflatable requires a significant cash outlay. I was looking for a company with a proven track record: Inflatable Sports Boats is headed toward their 15th year of service. I wanted quality materials and design: They use state of the art materials and all seams are heat bounded. Their design is low drag, quick to plane, and engineered for safety. Beyond this, their customer service reflected pride in what they make and a willingness to go above and beyond to help me make an informed choice. My contact was Eric Brown, and I can honestly say the level of service he provided exceeded anything I’ve experienced. Compare materials, compare design, compare warranties, and then give Eric a call!

Dave B. – July 15, 2023

Like another reviewer, I, too, spent quite a bit of time researching inflatables. I was looking for something that my wife and I could use along with our lab to go fishing and just enjoy a day out on the water. I am happy to say the Swordfish was the right choice! The main attraction to this inflatable for me was the quality and weight. I needed a boat that my wife and I could lift into the back of our SUV.

After only a couple outings, I can set this up in about 20 min. That includes filling it with air, connecting the transom wheels and putting a 6hp outboard on it. Folding it away takes a little less time. I use a makita hand held blower to get most it of it full and top off with the foot pump. I wanted the 2nd bench seat, which I got but don’t really use. Eric (the owner) suggested I didn’t need it, I should have listened to him. I sit on the side tube next to the motor and guide it along.

It’s rated for 15hp but I use a 6hp. I wanted something I could easily lift and the 6hp is just right. All in all, this is a great boat, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high quality inflatable.

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Killer Whale 10.8′

Inflatable sport boat killer whale 10.8' aluminum floor model is our "flag ship" sport boat. handles 5 people or 1260 lbs and up to a 15 hp motor. this boat has all the bells and whistles. everything you could ask for in a dinghy..

Aluminum Slide on Bench Seat – 95cm Seat with SLIDE ON

Seat Sizes: 95cm Seat with SLIDE ON

PSI 15 Auto-Set Pump

The PSI Auto-Set Pump quickly inflates the Yacht Dock and Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board AIRBO 10.6' ISUP with automatic settings.

Double Action PSI Hand Pump

Double Action PSI Hand Pump for Drop Stitch air floor and water platforms. Gets the job done quickly without the need for a power source.

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Shark 9.8′

Inflatable sport boat shark 9.8' aluminum floor model dinghy is loaded and comes with 2 bench seats. handles 5 people and up to a 15 hp motor. great size yacht tender or recreational inflatable boat for all your needs..

White Marlin 9.8′ Air Floor

The white marlin 9.8' air floor model dinghy is your sailboat's best friend. this air floor yacht tender inflates in 8 mins and is on the water. deflates in minutes down to a manageable 70 lbs, 4ft by 2ft carry bag.  handles 5 people and up to a 15 hp motor. enjoy the ease of the ridged air floor and smooth ride., new for 2022: 2 styles of air floor, style 1:  pvc air floor only.  blow out sale $1499 , style 2: eva teak foam decking 2-n-1: teak foam side reversible to the pvc side..

Dinghy Wheels

Easily install dinghy wheels to make it easy to launch your dinghy by yourself. Wheels can be easily removed with pins after installation for storage.

Bow Triangle Storage Bag

Bow storage bag for your inflatable boat. Great anchors, belongings, pumps, and documents. Bag hovers above the aluminum floorboard keeping everything dry inside.

EVA Teak Wood Foam Decking – Aluminum and Air Floor Options

Eva foam additional add on to your aluminum or air flooring. easy peel and stick your eva teak wood decking and renew your dinghy floor..

Soft Rope Ladder

Soft rope ladder for additional help boarding your Yacht Dock and Sport Boat.

Replacement Fin

Repair kit for inflatable sport boats dinghy. PVC patches and PVC adhesive glue to repair small holes in inflatable boats.

Inflatable AIR FLOOR for 270, 300, 330

The inflatable drop stitch air floor will fit all sport boat models depending on the length. this gives inflatable sport boat owners the option to have either style floors for their boat or replace an old floor..

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> > Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. 12-03-2021, 09:17   a new (I have a worn out Redcrest on her last legs). I noticed that PVC inflatables are becoming an alternative to Hypalon ones, but I am confused by the new brands and ranges. I see brands like (from , not Rhode Island), Sports (ISB, from Colorado?), ALEKO (which makes everything from inflatable spas to retractable awnings), BRIS inflatables, etc. I am more familiar with , , Achilles, Saturn, etc. Most online review sites I consulted also list Intex inflatables as alternatives for tenders, which makes me doubt the reviewers' knowledge (Intex are good for a swimming pool but not much else IMHO). I would appreciate if you can share your wisdom on these inflatables. I am looking for a model that can 4 adults from to shore, with a transom, and that can be rowed or pushed by a small . Cheers, MOKSHA 13-05-2022, 05:29   30-05-2023, 03:21   Boat: Navigator , you should definitely check out the Navigator Hard Boat LK series. These boats come with some truly impressive features that can take your experience to the next level. One feature that stands out in the series is the inclusion of a . This inflatable , similar to a fish's fin, provides remarkable stability and ensures smoother movement on the . It's a great addition for those who value control and maneuverability. If you're on the hunt for a reliable dinghy that can comfortably transport four adults from your boat to the shore, the Navigator LK series is an excellent choice. With its transom, you can easily attach a small for added convenience. And when you're in the mood for a more traditional approach, you can simply grab those oars and row away. Among the sea of brands and options available, the Navigator LK series stands out due to its exceptional quality construction and thoughtful design. It's the kind of that offers both versatility and dependability, ensuring you have a fantastic companion. I hope this information has been helpful to you. Happy boating! 30-05-2023, 04:02   Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran Boat LK series. These boats come with some truly impressive features that can take your boating experience to the next level. One feature that stands out in the series is the inclusion of a keel. This inflatable keel, similar to a fish's fin, provides remarkable stability and ensures smoother movement on the . It's a great addition for those who value control and maneuverability. If you're on the hunt for a reliable dinghy that can comfortably transport four adults from your boat to the shore, the Navigator LK series is an excellent choice. With its transom, you can easily attach a small outboard for added convenience. And when you're in the mood for a more traditional approach, you can simply grab those oars and row away. Among the sea of brands and options available, the Navigator LK series stands out due to its exceptional quality construction and thoughtful design. It's the kind of that offers both versatility and dependability, ensuring you have a fantastic boating companion. I hope this information has been helpful to you. Happy boating! 30-05-2023, 04:07   Boat: Cabo Rico 34 30-05-2023, 09:22   Boat: Catalina 34 and Achillis inflatables from 10 to 16 feet. Great boats of course, but they've gotten so expensive I looked at less expensive alternatives last time around. I'm on my 4th season now with a 10' , and have really liked the boat for its large 18" tube diameter, high pressure inflatable floor, and tough bottom that has stood up to rocks, shells, etc. The downside is it's heavy for its length, and doesn't pack down as small as a lighter boat with smaller tubes, but that's the tradeoff for its dry ride and the feeling like you're in a substantial boat that can handle waves. The other tradeoff is that it's not hypalon, so you need to take good care of it. I keep mine protected with a fitted cover, and I apply 3m 303 UV protectant every season. 4 years in it looks like new and appears to be in great shape. I use it as my on my 34, and I also it using it for dive trips, trips, etc. 30-05-2023, 10:27   Boat: Morgan 382 already of seams, it let go all at once and suddenly sank right out from under me. It is honestly priced for it's low quality, however. So if you need something for only one season, it could . 30-05-2023, 10:39   Boat: Westsail 32 in my 3 years of using it daily, in the tropics, and that was without dinghy chaps. My only rub, so to speak, was the wooden edges of the folding floor would rub against the tubes and create wear points. Would be smart to insert some foam/soft tubing there to prevent chafe. But they aren't really , either. I bet you can find a good on a used Hypalon dinghy, in good condition. I think that would be my preference over a new PVC dinghy. 30-05-2023, 11:26   Boat: Morgan 382 30-05-2023, 13:21   Boat: Cal 33-2 30-05-2023, 13:31   Boat: 1983 Pearson 424 Ketch . It lives on our in the summer and is stored outside, under the boat in the .   30-05-2023, 14:50   Boat: EggHarbor,Sportfish,35 that offers both versatility and dependability, ensuring you have a fantastic boating companion. I hope this information has been helpful to you. Happy boating! Bruh. How much stock do you own? It seems like alot of bots are coming from .What's up with that? 30-05-2023, 15:04   Boat: Catalina 34 31-05-2023, 06:50   Boat: 1990 Macintosh 47, "Merlin" in your “worst” column. We had a hypalon air deck dinghy. But the air decks are pvc, and last about a year. Not covered by warranty. $800 a pop. Replaced it with an AB dingh, which we’ve had for 5 years, and love. 02-06-2023, 05:13   Boat: Dragonfly 32 Supreme that offers both versatility and dependability, ensuring you have a fantastic boating companion. I hope this information has been helpful to you. Happy boating! , Thread Tools Rate This Thread : Posting Rules post new threads post replies post attachments edit your posts is are code is are are are Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post tweitz Auxiliary Equipment & Dinghy 20 24-11-2022 10:58 YPSILANTI Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 36 09-02-2017 18:13 zboss Marine Electronics 7 14-07-2013 05:48 Alan Welch General Sailing Forum 10 23-12-2009 11:57 unbusted67 Product or Service Reviews & Evaluations 23 11-12-2009 17:04 - - - - - - - Privacy Guaranteed - your email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time. Hi, I'm DinghyGo®, The 3-in-1 Inflatable Sailboat! With me, you’ll enjoy the maximum amount of sailing fun and the ultimate feeling of freedom. I am flexible, can be taken with you to any place and do whatever you want to do: sailing, rowing or using an outboard engine. I only require some air, water and care. I fold into a compact and portable package, allowing you to bring me along with ease in your car, caravan, camper or yacht. In just a few minutes I will be ready for use. DinghyGo Orca 325 3D CAD views video DinghyGo Orca sailing video Yacht Magazine test DinghyGo Nomad 3 "best allrounder" Will you be my sailing buddy to go on adventures with? Come on and get to know me a bit better ! My Cruiser Life Magazine Choosing the Best Dinghy for Your Boat It is often said that a boater’s dinghy is like their car. When traveling between ports, you will often only have a land vehicle if you rent one. But your dinghy comes with you, and it’s an essential link to shore. Unless you dock your boat every night, your dinghy gives you the ability to go out to dinner, go to the store, or find a secluded beach to call your own. Dinghy boats come in an assortment of shapes and sizes. So how do you choose between a hard dinghy that rows well or a fast dinghy with motor? Let’s look at the options and see if we can’t find the best dinghy for your and your crew. Table of Contents Sailing dinghy, dinghies as tenders, dingy dinghies – what is a dingy, what are some uses for a dinghy, basic types of boat dinghy, lifting ability and storage when underway, hard dinghies, inflatable dinghy boat options, what’s the best dinghy for your cruising boat, dinghy boat faqs, what is a dinghy. A dinghy is a small boat. But there are two primary dinghy meaning uses that you should be aware of.  Sailing dinghies Dinghy boats as yacht tenders Firstly, a dinghy is a small sailboat usually used for racing. So you might hear about “dinghy races” or “dinghy sailors.” These are the sorts of little boats that kids would learn to sail, but they’re also raced in the Summer Olympics.  Optics are the classic sailing dinghy. Its purpose is to sail and have fun. They usually carry one or two people and nothing else. Secondly, a dinghy serves as a tender to a larger boat. In cruising and living aboard, this is the most commonly used definition. Your dinghy is like your car. Your boat is like your house or RV, and you park it somewhere comfortable. Maybe a scenic, quiet, and protected anchorage. Then you hop in the dinghy to explore the area or go into town for supplies.  A dinghy allows you not to have to pull up to a dock. Anchoring is usually free, and mooring fields are cheaper than taking a slip. Plus, living “on the hook” is more fun–there are fresh breezes, and your neighbors aren’t right next to you. You have more privacy and your own little slice of the ocean. But to live like this, a good dinghy is important. It has to be safe in most conditions and be able to haul you and your gear. In addition, it should be able to handle the occasional provisioning run–meaning it needs room for lots of groceries.  Many cruisers affectionate call their dinghy “the dink” or some other fun name. In the US, a motorized dinghy will need to be state-registered. Fun fact–RV owners who tow small cars refer to them as “dinghies.” They are cheaper to operate and easier to maneuver once they get where they’re going, so they’re used in the same way that boaters use dinghy boats. Dinghies as tenders come in many forms.  Kayaks or canoes Hard boats with small motors Inflatable boats that row RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boats) with motors — these can be slow or very fast Dingy (adjective) – dirty, unclean, shabby, or squalid Dinghy (noun) – a small boat carried on or towed behind a larger boat as a tender or lifeboat… Definitions from Marriam-Webster Dictonary So if your dinghy is a dingy boat, you should invest in some good boat soap and clean it.  Related reading: What Is the Main Function of a Boat Trailer’s Safety Chains? Why is a Dinghy Important? The dinghy is your primary method for getting ashore for cruisers traveling far from home or for liveaboards who aren’t tied to a dock. Having a good dinghy means you don’t have to get a dock every night. It means you can anchor in quiet coves in between towns. If you have a dog, it means they can get to shore morning and night for “shore leave.” And if you want to explore shallow creeks or go fishing, it’ll do that too. The importance of a dinghy depends entirely on your cruising style. Some people don’t want to anchor–they’ll be at a dock every night no matter what. Those rare evenings between destinations when they do anchor for an evening, they don’t go ashore. A dinghy isn’t very important for them and won’t get used much. On the other hand, some people live via their dinghy. The big boat gets them between destinations, but the dinghy is their “daily driver.”  The easiest way to explain how cruisers use their dinghy is by example. So here is a look at how boaters visiting the Bahamas usually use their dinghies.  You find a cozy island where you want to hang out and drop the hook in a protected cove. Then, you launch your dinghy and go to town, find secluded beaches, or just go exploring. Maybe you’ll want to find some coral reefs for fishing or snorkeling or see the tiny islets and rocks that protect the anchorage. Some islands have hiking trails or miles and miles of beaches. Marinas are few and far between the islands, and the best and quietest spots are far from them. Most towns don’t have big docks–just small dinghy docks where you can tie up for free and walk to the store. In the Abacos, several of the most popular towns have harbors full of mooring balls and several small dinghy docks that make it easy to visit the town. In these instances, everything you need for your boat will get there by way of the dinghy. You’ll take your trash to shore in the morning and bring home groceries. You might also take your propane tanks in for a refill or get some jerry cans filled with freshwater or diesel.  Finding the Right Dinghy For Your Boat With so many choices, finding the dinghy for you can be a daunting task. Make it easier by learning about your choices, understanding how you will use it and what you will carry, and planning for where you will keep it on your boat. Dinghies come in as many different designs as big boats do. You can pick between hard, inflatable, or RIB for the hull. A RIB (rigid inflatable boat) has a hard hull surrounded by inflatable tubes – so it’s kind of a hybrid. For locomotion, you can have oars, a sail, a motor, or any combination of those. Motors used on dinghies are usually small and portable, although go-fast RIBs can have larger 15 to 25 horsepower motors installed. It should also be noted here that dinghies are relative to the size of the “mothership.” For a 100-plus-foot motor yacht, the dinghy might be a 40-foot center console with triple 300 horsepower engines. So in dollars, their “dinghy tender” might cost quadruple what the rest of us spent on our “big boats.” Dinghies should be suited to their purpose. For example, cruise ship dinghies ferry passengers to and from shore at destinations without cruise terminals. They’re passenger ferries and hold 30 or 50 passengers for the journey. For cruisers, a suitable dinghy usually means something that will get them to shore and back–the distance will vary. It must carry two to four people and a week’s worth of groceries. Your choice of dinghy depends radically on the boat that will be carrying it. How will you deal with your dinghy when you’re underway? If it’s an inflatable that can roll up and store in a locker, life is easy. But what if you want a hard dinghy or a RIB? Below are the most common options for lifting a bigger boat aboard. No matter how you get your dinghy aboard, once it’s on deck it must be lashed upside down to ensure it remains secure even in heavy seas. Towing is often done but never recommended. Towing a dinghy limits the maneuverability of your big boat, making docking in tight spaces tricky. Plus, it opens up your dinghy to a world of possible disasters, including coming loose and being lost, or flooding and capsizing due to high winds or waves (or other boater’s wakes). Keeping your dinghy in the water also means more maintenance since you’ll have to scrape its bottom regularly. Most dinghies do not have bilge pumps, so bailing after every rainstorm will become a thing. Underway, the load on the tow lines is high, and if you must tow, make sure to do so with a proper towing harness and bridle. Also, always remove your outboard before towing–it’s safer on the big boat. If there is one advantage of towing, it is that your dinghy will be ready to go–it is already launched when you get where you’re going. Also, note that a towed dinghy makes an easy target for theft in the anchorage–an important consideration in some parts of the world. It’s an easy thing for a thief to come along and cut the line while you sleep. The dinghy will drift away silently, and you won’t be any the wiser until morning.  Many cruising boats install davits on the transom. These provide lifting points that hoist the dinghy out of the water. Davits are an excellent upgrade because they allow you to keep the dinghy out of the water while traveling and hoist it up every night. Your dinghy will be cleaner, and you can take the plug out to let rainwater drain out. It’s safer too since you can easily lock it to the boat for long-term storage. As handy as davits are, they can also be a pain. Getting the lifting harness and equipment just right can be a hassle. Dinghies on davits are prone to swinging in wind and waves, which can quickly chafe lines or even an inflatable’s PVC or Hypalon. If the dinghy is heavy or has a large outboard, the swinging can quickly get out of control to the point that it will damage the davits. Strap your dinghy down so that it doesn’t move at all, even when you’re in quiet anchorages. You never know when a ferry boat will throw a big wake your way! Finally, the location of davits on the stern is less than ideal. Most boats don’t balance well with too much weight that far aft. Furthermore, should you take a wave over the stern during an overly boisterous passage, you can probably kiss your dinghy–and maybe even your davits–goodbye. Most salty sailors store their boats on the foredeck when at sea, even if they do have davits. Foredeck or Rooftop Hoists Powerboats usually have motorized hoists that lift their dinghies onto the high deck. Traditional trawlers can use their mini mast and block and tackle to do the same job. Sailboats use their mast and rigging to hoist a dinghy onto the deck. This can be a good way to get inflatables up to deflate them for storage, or to move a hard boat into position to be strapped down. Once aboard, the dinghy can be sat on the deck in cradles or flipped over and sat upside down. How it stores will depend entirely on your boat and how much space you have–and where you have it.  Hard dinghies have rigid hulls, just like regular boats. Many are made of fiberglass, but there are also molded plastic ones. There are also a handful of classic or homebuilt wood dinghies out there.  Hard dinghies come in all sorts of sizes and shapes. Some are beautifully designed by the world’s best yacht designers, like Lyle Hess’s Fatty Knees. Others are functional, floating, plastic bathtubs, like the Walkers Bay 8.  Rowing Dinghy Rowing dinghies are paddled with oars and a center-mounted seat. This limits the space on the boat considerably. The rower sits facing aft, which is awkward to maneuver the boat from but provides lots of power into each stroke.  Nearly all dinghies are made to be paddled, to some extent. But if rowing is a big part of your plan, you need to research carefully. Many dinghies row poorly. Flat and wide boats are difficult to control and hard to get to track straight in any wind or chop.  On the other hand, proper rowing dinghies are a pleasure. Look for classic designs that have a dominant keel line and soft chines.  Some cruisers and solo sailers use plastic kayaks as rowing dinghies. So long as it holds enough supplies and gets you where you need to go, it’s a great idea. Best of all, kayaks are much easier to maneuver in strong winds than rowboats, and faster too. In the world of dinghies, a kayak is like riding a bicycle. Some cruisers want to know about the functionality of using standup paddleboards (SUPs) as a solo sailor’s dinghy. The truth is, SUPs make terrible dinghies. They have no gear carrying capacity, and they are impossible to lock up once you get to the dinghy dock. To make matters worse, they’re difficult–if not impossible–to paddle into strong winds or choppy conditions. Sailboat Dinghy Adding the ability to sail your dinghy moves it from the tool category into the toy category. We all like to have water toys, and if you can practically turn your dinghy car into a water toy, too, that’s pretty cool. But, sailing a dinghy comes with an entirely new set of problems. It will need a sail rig, a keel of some sort, and a rudder to sail well. This will not work on any dinghy–it will need to have been designed from the get-go to sail. Nice dinghies don’t come cheap, and adding a sail kit usually makes it substantially more expensive. But for purists who love the freedom and peace of real sailing, there are not many things that are more fun than skirting around the harbor silently in your sailing dinghy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SAILING • AVOCET ⛵️ (@svavocet) Hard Dinghy with Motor You can add a motor to most dinghy designs as long as you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and do not overpower or overload it. Engines are heavy, and adding all of that weight to a tiny boat’s transom can quickly cause trouble. Hard dinghies that are a suitable size for cruising boats seldom plane. A planing dinghy goes fast–so you can expect that most dinghies in the 8 to 12-foot range are going to be slow. The exception to this is the RIB–a hybrid hard-inflatable dinghy. For more details on RIBs, see below. What’s left is the fiberglass or plastic dinghies that can’t get on plane–they have displacement hulls. They are usually rated for between two and five horsepower. Adding more horsepower does not necessarily make the dinghy go faster. The engines can be gas, propane, or electric.  Once you get into slightly larger boats, in the 15 to 18-foot range, there are a few that will get on plane. But these boats are so large and heavy that you cannot lift them on most cruising boats. For example, Boston Whaler has made a series of tenders and small tenders, like their 130 Super Sport . But, with an engine and fuel, this little boat weighs over 1,000 pounds. Pros and Cons of Rigid Hard Dinghies Indestructible–much more robust than inflatable options Can be very good looking Always ready to go Options for rowing or sailing Tippy–much less stable than inflatable boats No way to store in a small space–can’t roll up or deflate Low weight carrying capacity Generally limited to low-horsepower motors Cannot plane (go fast) Can be very heavy and bulky Best Hard Dinghy Brands West marine dinghy. West Marine sells a few models of rigid dinghy. They are made of molded plastic, extremely tough, and can be oared or powered by a small outboard. Unfortunately, none of the West Marine models come with a sail kit.  The West Marine Classic Dinghy is similar to a popular model known as the Walkers Bay 8. These can often be found on the used market and have many great options. They have a sail kit and a tube kit that converts them almost into a RIB.  Porta-Boat makes a unique, folding, rigid boat design. The boat panels fold together into a flat case that looks a little like a surfboard. You can unfold the Porta-Boat on your foredeck and launch it. When lightly loaded and given a big enough outboard, Porta-Boats are fast enough to plane–a rare find in rigid dinghies. Portland Pudgy The unique looks of the plastic Portland Pudgy betray its biggest plus–it is designed to serve as a lifeboat. For a cruiser outfitting their boat for crossing oceans, liferafts are expensive and take up a lot of space. So having a dinghy that could potentially serve that purpose could save you several thousand dollars–plus the liferaft packing service cost every one to three years. The Pudgy is a cute dinghy, virtually indestructible, and equipped however you like. It’s made of roto molded polyethylene, just like a plastic kayak. You can row it, motor it, or sail it. The survival kit adds liferaft supplies and a canopy for emergencies. Best of all, the various pieces fit inside compartments built in the hull.  Fatty Knees, Trinka, Sam Morse Cherub, etc. There are a handful of really classy classic dinghies out there, but you have to do a little research to find them. Usually, they result from a professional yacht designer answering a cruiser’s problem. For example, when Lin and Larry Pardey were sailing around the world on their Lyle Hess-designed Serafynn, Hess designed them a dinghy that fit perfectly on their boat. That little dinghy eventually became the well-loved Fatty Knees.  Dinghies of this class look great, and they usually row and sail beautifully. Most will accept a tiny outboard for power. None will get on plane, and space and hauling capacity are not as much as with a RIB. Some of these dinghies are still made, while others are rare finds on the used market. Chesapeake Light Craft CLC Kits The selection of small rigid boats that make good tenders is surprisingly limited. If you’re a hand person, you might consider building one from a plywood kit. Several suppliers of such kits, but Chesapeake Light Craft in Annapolis is the biggest. Their boats range from tiny rowing prams to motor and sailing yachts.  This type of boat building is known as stitch and glue. Panels of marine-grade plywood are stitched together and then glued together with epoxy. The result is a robust design that is lightweight and can last decades with proper care. A nesting dinghy is one particularly interesting design that you can make from plywood. These are built in two or three sections, each stacking neatly in the other. So on your deck, the dinghy is small–only five or six feet long. However, when assembled, they can be 12 or more feet long. Inflatable boats also come in a variety of types. The only universal feature is the inflatable tubes surrounding the boat, but the interiors and floors vary. Besides the cost of the boat, the deciding factor usually comes down to storage space and setup.  Roll-up floors are made of the same rubber as the hull but with wood slats that make it sturdier. Some are entirely flat and made of plywood or aluminum panels–these are generally called solid-floor boats. Next, there are inflatable floor boats with a high-pressure floor that you can stand on, like a paddleboard. And finally, RIBs have fiberglass or aluminum hulls surrounded by the inflatable tube. Inflatables are probably the most popular dinghy option because they are easy to come by and easy to store. Once inflated and on the water, they are very stable and difficult to capsize. In addition, they hold an insane amount of weight, so you never have to worry about overloading it with your groceries or supplies.  Inflatables are sold with oars for rowing, but they make terrible rowboats. They blow around on the water and are difficult to control. With no keel, they don’t track and make terrible leeway in wind or chop. Some do have an inflatable keel, which gives the hull and little shape and greatly improves handling. RIBs are easier to paddle since they have a keel and do track better. Most inflatable or RIB owners will opt for engine power eventually, even if they like rowing. Inflatables can be quite fast, and some are designed to get on plane. In my personal experience, you need a minimum of 8 horsepower to plane a RIB, although 9.9-horsepower motors are even better. If you carry more than two people aboard or have a lot of gear, consider a 15-horsepower engine as the minimum. Rigid Inflatable Boats Making hybrids tends to not work out very well with many things in life. The results often take on all the disadvantages of each thing and few of the advantages. But with rigid inflatable boats, this isn’t the case. Luckily, these boats really are the best of both worlds.  The advantages are that RIBs are lightweight yet supremely stable for their size. Large inflatable tubes all around the hull provide a dry ride and are very difficult to capsize. They can be loaded for bear and carry lots of people and supplies.  The hard bottom of the boat gives it a solid keel and good handling characteristics on the water. If you want to get on plane, a RIB is your best bet. All you have to do is buy one that will safely handle a large enough outboard motor. The complexity of a RIB’s design is proportional to its cost. The simplest boats are small, with a single floor. In other words, the floor you stand on is also the outer hull. It slopes down to the keel, making it harder to stand on than a flat floor. They have no built-in storage options. They’ll have seating on the outer tubes or a simple bench seat. One step up is the double-floor RIB. These have a flat floor attached to the hull, so there is space below. These boats usually have some storage under the floor, near the bow. They’re easier to stand in, but they are also much heavier and more expensive.  Larger RIBs may have built-in seats and possibly a wheel-style helm. This looks comfortable, but it takes up a lot of space and weight that might be handier for extra people or more groceries.  The first rule is that if you have the space and budget for a RIB, you should get the RIB. You might be able to fit an air floor roll-up boat, but you’ll never like it as much. Some of them are very nice–but they aren’t RIBs, and they never will be.  If you absolutely, positively can’t fit or afford a RIB, then there are still plenty of options. But the remaining types of inflatables will always feel like a rubber toy boat more than a solidly built vessel. Material – PVC vs Hypalon Dinghies The vinyl material that makes up the tubes of an inflatable comes in either PVC or Hypalon. PVC is cheaper and the most common. Unfortunately, PVC is broken down the quickest from the sun’s UV rays. Hypalon is the solution for areas with intense sun exposure. Hypalon will last twice as long as PVC boats. But, of course, it does come at a cost–it’s much more expensive than PVC. It’s also important to note that you cannot use PVC patches and repair kits on Hypalon boats–so repairs and even the glue for a Hypalon craft will cost more. Hypalon is also called CSM, or chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) synthetic rubber. You also need to consider the size of the tubes and how many air chambers they are dived into. The larger the tube, the greater the boat’s reserve buoyancy and the better its handling and carrying capacity is. The more air chambers it has, the safer it will be should one chamber spring a leak or get punctured. A cruising sailors dinghy should have a minimum of three air chambers, but four is even better. Rigid Hull Construction Material – Fiberglass or Aluminum The rigid hard bottom of a RIB can be made of fiberglass or aluminum. Aluminum is an attractive option since this type of robust design was popularized by AB and now Highfield. Aluminum is strong and lightweight. It can still be dented and scratched, but the chances of it getting holed are very low.  Fiberglass boats are less expensive and heavier. But, just like any fiberglass vessel, they can be chipped and cracked by impacts with rocks or docks. Luckily, fiberglass is extremely easy to fix, whereas aluminum would require welding. It’s also easy to modify a fiberglass dinghy. If, for example, you wanted to add a cleat to the transom for towing, you could do so easily. That sort of modification is harder to do correctly with aluminum. Small Dinghy Seating Capacity, Storage Space, and Load Limits No matter whether you’re looking for a RIB dinghy boat with motor, a sailing dinghy, or a kayak, your choice always comes back to what exactly it is you need to carry. Small boats like these don’t have a lot of extra buoyance to spare when you overload them. If you sometimes need to carry an extra person or two, but your dinghy is too small, that could pose a big problem. If you need to ferry new house batteries out to your boat, but all you have is a kayak with 50 pounds for cargo–that’s not going to happen.  Whatever boat you like, take a look at its maximum loading capabilities. Thanks to the official US Coast Guard capacity plate, most dinghies will have this marked on them. This will rate the vessel for a maximum number of people, a maximum amount of weight, and maximum engine horsepower.  Pros and Cons of Inflatable Dinghies Can roll up or deflate for smaller storage Lighter than hard boats Enormous weight carrying capability Extremely stable–won’t flip even if you stand on one side Can carry more horsepower and go faster than hard dinghies Since they store smaller, you can usually fit a larger inflatable on your boat than you can a rigid boat Material degrades in the sun from UV damage Tubes can be punctured by rocks or chaffed bylines in extreme circumstances Best Inflatable and RIB Brands West Marine earns a place on the list for simple ubiquity. West Marine dinghies are rebranded versions of those built by other companies – usually Zodiacs. Most, if not all, are made in China.  But the advantage is in their availability – most coastal areas of the US are near a West Marine store, and most stores have a few dinghy models in stock. You can go and see them in person, and you can pick them up and take them home on the same day. Pretty much every other option on the list will have to be ordered sight-unseen. West Marine sells a selection of inflatable dinghies, from roll-ups and slat-floor models to top-of-the-line RIBs. They keep parts in stock at most stores, and the better boats are available in either PVC or Hypalon.  Highfield Boats Highfield is best known for its hard-wearing Hypalon aluminum-hulled RIBs. These sharp and sturdy boats are found on most charter boats since they last the longest. The company also makes PVC roll-up models. Highfields are pretty much the hottest ticket in RIBs right now–their boats look and perform marvelously. Their boats range from the tiny 6’7″ RU 200 roll-up to the SP900–a 30-foot, 900-horsepower center console powerhouse. The most popular dinghy tender is the Classic 310. If you need something lighter, the Ultralight line is excellent as well. Zodiac Nautic Zodiac is a French maker of inflatable boats. They have a full line, from small roll-ups to large professional rescue RIBs. Their boats are divided among different product lines. Cruisers will want to look into the Cadet line of dinghies, which come in roll-up and RIB versions.  If you’re looking for a boat with a helm, the Yachtline has four size options. These boats have built-in seating for up to nine people and engines up to 90 horsepower. AB Inflatables AB started as Antilles Boatworks–as you might imagine, their target market is the Caribbean. They make hardy Hypalon RIBs with aluminum hulls built for life in the tropics, plus jet boat yacht tenders and professional SAR and law enforcement RIBs. Achilles makes roll-up, slat-floor, and RIB dinghies in various sizes.  Like the mothership you call home, your dinghy is uniquely yours. No two boaters will make the same choices – everyone has different priorities. For the couple driving a classic wooden boat, nothing will do but an equally classic wooden dinghy. On the other hand, speed and comfort requirements dictate a go-fast RIB for the ultra-modern motor trawler. There’s never a one-size-fits-all answer to boating, so research carefully and think about how you’re going to use your dink. The good news is, there’s an active used market for dinghies out there–so upgrading and trading until you get it right is an option. Is it dinghy or dingy? A dinghy is a small boat, usually used by a bigger boat to carry supplies and people to shore and back. For example, “The yacht’s dinghy brought the crew to shore, where they went shopping.” Dingy is an adjective meaning dirty, unclean, or squalid. For example, “After two weeks at sea, the dingy sailor desperately needed a shave and a long, hot shower.” Why is a boat called a dinghy? The English word “dinghy” comes from a similar Hindi word that describes small rowing boats used on the rivers in India. According to Merriam-Webster, it first appeared in English around 1810. It likely became a loanword during the times of British India. What is a dinghy for a boat? The most common type of dinghy is a small boat used as a tender. It runs back and forth to shore, tending the needs of the larger vessel. For example, it might take passengers ashore, pick them up, or just pick up and move supplies. Sailing dinghies are small racing sailboats, like those used by sailing clubs to teach sailing and racing skills. Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay. Leave a comment Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Yachting World Digital Edition Best inflatable boats: 6 affordable options for getting on the water Drew Maglio March 9, 2023 The best inflatable boats encompass a wide array of vessels with varied abilities that are suited to a myriad of purposes… As a result, it is necessary to offer the following caveat and disclaimer: the term ‘inflatable boat’ can be confusing as there are some large RIBs (Rigid-hulled Inflatable Boats) with multiple high-powered engines that are designed to perform search and rescue operations in the most demanding coastal conditions imaginable, while other inflatable boats are suitable only for playing in a swimming pool or on a calm lake or river. This guide highlights some of the best inflatable boats for various common and specific uses. Even the best inflatable kayak will be wholly unsuited to acting as a yacht tender ( see explainer below ), while the best yacht tender will likely not make an ideal inflatable fishing platform. With so many designs available, it’s crucial to select the right inflatable boat for the job. At a glance: 1,949.99 Best inflatable boat for use as a tender  5 Best premium inflatable boat  4.8 Best inflatable kayak  4.6 16 Best inflatable boat for fishing  4.8 Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. 6 of the best inflatable boats. Inflatable Sport Boats Killer Whale Best inflatable boat for use as a tender First up on our list is arguably the best value, fully-modular PVC tender that can currently be purchased on the market. Featuring an 1,100 denier thread count and heat-welded seams backed by a 3-year warranty, this inflatable boat is sure to last a long time. Coming in three different sizes with both modular aluminum and air floor options, there is an option to fit the requirements of most cruisers looking for a fully storable tender – a huge benefit for owners of sub-40ft boats. While there are many options available, I would advise buyers to go with one of the 9.8’ or 10.8’ models with the solid, modular aluminum floor, as these have the best performance-to-price ratio. These models will also handle the best when blasting along in chop with up to a 15hp outboard. While the 8.8’ model will be fine for lighter use, the 10.8’ is a lot more boat for not a lot more money or storage space onboard. However, if speed of set-up is your priority, the easiest models to set up and break down are without a doubt the air floor models. Reasons to buy – Heat-welded seams – 3-year warranty – Semi-rigid floor – Includes all necessary accessories like bag, pump, oars, bench, etc. – Some air floor models feature EVA faux teak decking Reasons to avoid – Fairly expensive for a PVC tender (close to some cheaper glued Hypalon options) – Not as rigid as a true RIB – Can only take up to a 15hp outboard – Modular aluminum floor options can be more difficult to install than air floor models – Wide, light inflatable boats without a keel such as these tend to row very poorly Specifications  – Size: 10.8 feet – Weight: 80 pounds – Material: h eat-welded re-enforced UV and puncture resistant PVC – Capacity: 5 person West Marine RIB 350 – Tremendous value – Quality materials – Very robust and capable – Big and heavy – Requires serious storage/lifting capabilities – Fiberglass floor will require more maintenance and is also heavier – Still nearly $4,000 – Size:  Length: 11 feet 5 inches – Weight: 161 pounds – Material:  Floor:  fiberglass |  Transom construction:  fiberglass and birch marine plywood – Capacity: 1320 pounds./4 person Next up on our list is a premium but affordable RIB option for cruisers with either davits or a spot on the foredeck of their yacht, looking for a tender with a lot of capability. This model features a double-floor, lift points, and an integrated anchor locker. At 161lbs and 11’6”, this model is hefty, but this sturdy construction allows the RIB to sport up to a 25hp outboard. Coming in at under $4,000, the RIB-350 is priced well below many of the other offerings on the market, and is of sound construction and materials. While the RIB-350 is a very good and affordable dinghy option for serious cruisers, I would like to see a double aluminum floor option in the future. Buy it now on West Marine Inflatable kayaks and other inflatable row boats While the boats above are undoubtedly some of the best fully inflatable boats on the market, they are ill-suited to applications where rowing is preferred or required. For the sake of exploring rivers, streams, or even lakes by paddle, an inflatable kayak is a much better option. Unlike their solid cousins, inflatable kayaks are surprisingly stable, while retaining many of the unique properties of a solid kayak — such as exceptional tracking through the water, good speed, inertia, etc. Inflatable kayaks tend to accomplish these things by having a completely flat bottom, with the exception of a rigid fin that typically slides into place on a stitched track that is integral to the bottom of the kayak. From there, there are many unique and proprietary features that differentiate one inflatable kayak offering from another. For small boats of 20-28’ without the ability to launch or store a proper tender, an inflatable kayak can often be a way to add versatility without many of the downsides that come with owning and operating what is essentially another vessel (i.e. cost, storage space and additional fuel storage). Intex Explorer K2 Kayak – Very directionally stable thanks to the included skeg – Lightweight and easy to carry – Fast – Comfortable to sit in – Only comes in one color – No storage nets or bin – Size: Display length: 58.74 centimetres – Weight: 13.4 kilograms – Material: vinyl – Capacity: 350 pounds / 2 person The Intex Explorer is the company’s no-frills, functional inflatable kayak that is designed for two people. Although not as stiff and robust as more premium options, the Index Explorer will work wonderfully well for exploring lakes and rivers and may even be used in some very calm coastal areas. Intex Challenger K2 Best tried and tested inflatable kayak – Affordable – Has cargo net to hold gear – Nicer color than Explorer – Not as rigid as the Excursion Pro – Low bow makes it susceptible to splashing – Size:  Inflated size: 11 feet 6 inches X 2 feet 6 inches X 1 foot 3 inches – Weight: 36.4 pounds – Capacity: 2 person The Intex Challenger K2 is the company’s mid-range inflatable kayak and the one that I have owned and enjoyed for years. Like the other models, the Challenger K2 features a fully-inflatable construction, detachable skeg that slides into place, and inflatable seats that are actually very comfortable. Despite the similar cost, the Challenger K2 has one benefit over the Explorer that is noteworthy: the cargo net is actually surprisingly useful as I always find myself stowing gear like life jackets, waterproof cameras, etc. underneath it. Buy it now on Amazon Buy it now on Target Intex Excursion Pro K2 Best inflatable boat for rowing – Higher pressure air tubes to increase rigidity – Integrated foot rests and rod holders – Comes with two different skegs for shallow and deep water – Only comes in one colour – No dedicated storage solution for gear – Size: Inflated size: 12 feet 7 inches x 3 feet 1 inch x 1 foot 6 inches – Weight: 19.77 kilograms – Material: plastic The Excursion Pro is Intex’s premium inflatable kayak, although it is still very affordable. This model features a more rugged construction and numerous creature comforts like foot rests and integrated rod holders. More pronounced coverings also create small storage cubbies at either end of the kayak, although it would be nice to see a dedicated storage bag on future models. Classic Accessories Colorado Pontoon Boat Best inflatable boat for fishing – Rugged steel frame construction – Abrasion-resistant bottom – Elevated seat allows for better visibility and functionality – Pontoon design makes boat more stable – Lots of integrated storage – Fairly expensive for what is essentially an inflatable fishing raft – Cannot accept an outboard motor – Steel frame could rust over time if used in salt water – Size: Assembled size: 108 inches L x 56 inches W x 28 inches H – Weight: 77 pounds – Material: PVC bottom, tough nylon top, powder-coated steel tube frame, bronze oar locks, cold and heat-resistant bladders and rugged 7-foot two-piece aluminum oars – Capacity: one person The final inflatable boat on our list is the Colorado, offered by Classic Accessories, which has been designed primarily as an epic river fishing platform for a single user. With an abrasion-resistant bottom, this river raft was made for navigating the craggy shallows that trout and other freshwater fish tend to inhabit. With a rugged steel frame and a wealth of storage, including rod holders, this pontoon boat is the mountain angler’s ultimate tool. This raft can also be fitted with a trolling motor. What makes an inflatable boat a tender? In the context of inflatable boats, a tender is a small inflatable boat designed to be an auxiliary vessel to a larger boat or yacht. There are many types of tenders, including those with rigid bottoms as well as wholly inflatable and storable models. Tenders may be very expensive or very cheap depending on the design. Typically, the most expensive tenders are constructed with painted aluminum bottoms and double floors, where the walking surface is covered with some type of faux teak vinyl or foam decking. On these more expensive tenders, the tubes are typically constructed of heat-welded (rather than glued) hypalon, which is far more durable to UV than PVC. Therefore, fully-fledged tenders are typically the preserve of wealthy liveaboard cruisers who spend most of their time in tropical regions where their tender is in use nearly all of the time and is therefore constantly exposed to UV radiation. For casual part-time and/or temperate cruisers, more affordable but equally suitable, tender options exist. For less demanding applications where stowage ability and modularity takes precedence, fully-inflatable boats with an aluminum floor are often preferred, though a model with a rigid air floor may also be used. In terms of rigidity while underway, expect boats with an aluminum hull and double floor to be the most rigid, while air-floor models are typically the least rigid and therefore the worst option for handling coastal chop and outboards above 10hp. RIBs with fiberglass hulls and floors also exist, but these are typically heavier, not as rigid, and also prone to degradation from constant immersion in water (blisters) and UV radiation (chalking). While fiberglass is a wonderful material for larger vessels, I do not recommend it for RIBs as aluminum tends to be a much more performant and long-lasting choice. Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated sailing page for more marine products. Sports & Outdoors Boating & Sailing Image Unavailable To view this video download Flash Player INTEX 68373EP Mariner 3 Inflatable Boat Set: Includes Deluxe 54in Boat Oars and High-Output Pump – Wear-Resistant Keel – Removable Fishing Rod Holders – 3-Person – 880lb Weight Capacity Delivery & Support This item will be shipped by the seller. To learn more about this seller’s shipping methods, visit the link below and look for the tab called “Shipping”. You will be able to track your Amazon order in your orders . If you need more help with tracking your package, please visit Track Your Package . Learn more about Triplenet Pricing INC’s shipping policy The A-to-z Guarantee protects you when you purchase items sold and fulfilled by a third party seller in our store. It covers both the timely delivery and the condition of your items. If you're not happy with either and can’t resolve the issue directly with the seller, you can report the problem to us for further assistance. Learn more about A-to-z Guarantee This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. You may receive a partial or no refund on used, damaged or materially different returns. Purchase options and add-ons Size 117"x50"x18" Color Gray Brand Intex Material Polyvinyl Chloride Product Dimensions 117"L x 50"W Item Weight 69.69 Pounds Age Range (Description) 96 months to 1188 months Global Trade Identification Number 00078257304363 UPC 078257304363 Manufacturer Intex About this item SUPER-TOUGH – 3-ply laminate construction combined with SuperStrong enhanced molecular formulation PVC provides superior structural strength and unmatched resistance to damage from abrasion,impact and sunlight, while allowing more pressure for rigidity TRIPLE AIR CHAMBERS – Three air chambers, including one inner auxillary chamber for added safety to keep you afloat; inflation and deflation is made easy constructed with two quick-fill Boston valves to get you on the water faster ACCESSORIES – Included with (2) 54-inch boat oars for easy paddling, (2) built-in fishing rod holders, a motor mount fitting, welded-on oar holders, grab handles on each side and an all-around grab line for convenience PUMP INCLUDED – The water is calling to get out there and explore; simply inflate the Mariner 3 in just minutes with the convenience of the high-output hand pump WEIGHT CAPACITY – Boating and fishing is always better with a pal, the Mariner 3 recommended capacity is perfect for three adults, holding up to 880 pounds in weight Frequently bought together Similar items that ship from close to you Product Description The Intex Mariner 3 inflatable boat is constructed for supreme strength and durability with SUPER TOUGH PVC. This material is comprised of three separate layers - two outer layers of heavy-gauge PVC laminated to an inner layer of polyester mesh for extra reinforcement. Great for boating or fishing with friends, this roomy Pro Series boat is designed for three adults. Extra reinforcements include a keel rock guard and heavy-duty, extruded plastic flooring for stability and rigidity. Inflating or deflating is a breeze with two Boston valves on the main hull chamber. Fishing and relaxing have never been easier with two built- in fishing rod holders and gear pouch. Motor mount fittings and a battery pouch are included for the flexibility of adding the Intex motor bracket and trolling motor. Two grab handles on each bow and an all-around grab line are provided for your convenience, as well as oar holders and rotational oar locks, a U.S. Coast Guard I.D., and a repair patch kit. What's in the box Inflatable Boat Aluminum Oars High Output Air Pump Repair Patch Kit From the brand Our best-selling products Visit the Store Know more about our products From the manufacturer Product details Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 117 x 50 x 18 inches; 69.69 Pounds Manufacturer recommended age ‏ : ‎ 8 years and up Item model number ‏ : ‎ 68373EP Department ‏ : ‎ adults Date First Available ‏ : ‎ December 27, 2013 Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Intex ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00HJGLMTQ #5,439 in Boating Equipment Product guides and documents Looking for specific info, videos for this product. Click to play video Such a cool boat. Tiny Reviews Customer Review: Most excellent boat Mariner Series Boats Intex Development Company Limited Customer Review: Durable but leaks air INTEX 68373EP Mariner 3 Inflatable Boat Set ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review Customer Review: Can be defective, no quality control. Customer Review: Slipping Boston Valve, Can't Hold Air Amazon Customer Seams around boston valves leak. Dangerous. Customer reviews 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 73% 11% 5% 3% 8% 73% 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 73% 11% 5% 3% 8% 11% 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 73% 11% 5% 3% 8% 5% 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 73% 11% 5% 3% 8% 3% 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 73% 11% 5% 3% 8% 8% Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. Customers say Customers like the build quality, value for money, and ease of inflation of the water flotation device. They mention it withstands abuse, is a solid bargain, and inflates easily. Customers also like the stability and say it works well. However, some are disappointed with leakage and differ on the weight. AI-generated from the text of customer reviews Customers like the build quality of the water flotation device. They mention it's sturdy, withstands abuse, and has added protection in most of the right spots. "...I was excited about it. The boat seems to be well made . It is vary durable on the bottom. Dragging across sticks and rocks (within reason) are ok...." Read more "...The material it is made out of is very strong and durable ...." Read more "...Pros: Very Sturdy Boat , Love the Floor, Easy to set up and break down, Great boat to get into difficult places..." Read more "...It's has a great hard floor so you can stand up in it. Made from tough material that is quality very durableWell made product..." Read more Customers appreciate the value of the water flotation device. They mention it's a solid bargain, has the capacity they need, and fits their budget. Customers also say the design is hard to believe for the price. "...Overall for the price this boat is great . It makes it even greater that you can put it in the trunk of your car and take it anywhere." Read more "...Lots of fun and priced very nice !" Read more "...This is an excellent product for the price and we all had a blast. Enjoy!" Read more "...All in all this is one of the best boats for the money . I promise you will not be disappointed in this purchase...." Read more Customers find the water flotation device easy to inflate. They mention it has an inflatable hull that helps it cut through the water. Customers also appreciate the ability to deflate and place back into its bag. "...It was windy. We made it to land and deflated the boat. It deflated quickly and was easy to roll up and store back in the trunk for the next..." Read more "...The three inflatable bench seats are good ...I only wish they were quick release valves like the ones on the main body of the boat for quick deflation..." Read more "...Also the seats are a pain to deflate . But as far as durability I've not had a problem with punctures at all...." Read more "...Thankfully, I was able to stop them. The boat is easy to blow up ...." Read more Customers like the stability of the water flotation device. They mention it's tough, super stable, and feels secure in it. They appreciate the mariners rigid floor system and solid floor insert. In addition, customers say the valves hold perfectly and the boat handles turbulence well. "...I placed the boat in the water. I got in the boat and I was off. It seems to float so that is good...." Read more "...pro'sIt's very stable in the water It's has a great hard floor so you can stand up in it...." Read more "...The oarlocks pivot and hold the oars securely . Nice set-up." Read more "...This is a great boat. It is tough and super stable . It fits myself and three children with a LOT of room to spare...." Read more Customers find the setup of the water flotation device easy. They mention the boat is very easy to row, the transom plates are easy to hook up, and it's super easy to modify. Customers also say it'll navigate the river with little difficulty and is easy to roll up and store back in the trunk. "...It deflated quickly and was easy to roll up and store back in the trunk for the next adventure. I was excited about it...." Read more "This raft does the trick! It is easy to set up and easy to break down...." Read more "...We beat another Jon boat who pulled in and loaded up. It was very easy and the valves let the air out quickly...." Read more "...Well made productWill hold a lot of weight and cargo Easy to row and get where you want easilyCon's..." Read more Customers like the product. They mention the Minn Kota trolling motor works well, the paddles work ok, and everything went fine. They also say the boat runs well when loaded and the included high-output manual air pump works great. Customers say it works great for fishing and the bag works well for life vests. "...in the water when moored into the oar locks, but the entire system works very well ...." Read more "...As far as room , it works good for two adults and a child plus your cooler and stuff. There definitely is not enough room for four people." Read more "...I have taken this boat out ten times so far and never had one issue . I've had up to 4 grown adults on this boat but it is a tight fit...." Read more "...on the trip out to discover undergrowth & obstacles and the paddles worked ok ...." Read more Customers have mixed opinions about the weight of the water flotation device. Some mention it's light enough to carry alone, while others say it'd be a bit heavy and bulky. "...I put the battery in and carried to the water. Yes the boat is heavy . I think it is around 120lbs to carry. With two or three people it is easy...." Read more "...they are up to the task of moving this boat along well, while being light weight . The oarlocks pivot and hold the oars securely. Nice set-up." Read more "...Once inflated the boat is pretty heavy and large, so plan your put-in locations well...." Read more "...The boat is heavy I mean It's around 100lb.Not easy to move by yourself ( I can movie it but it's not easily done )..." Read more Customers are dissatisfied with the leakage of the water flotation device. They mention it's durable until it gets a pin hole leak on the top side of the boat and the valve doesn't seal right. "...This was my fault, because of what I mentioned before. The valve did not seal right , because the ring was caught in the threads where it screws on...." Read more "...scenario to blame for almost returning the boat due to leaks in two of the chambers ...." Read more "...I'm taking off 1 star because it has a slow leak in one of the sections." Read more "...It didn't really surprise me that is started leaking once I started using it again. I bought this one for the reduction in overall weight...." Read more Reviews with images Solid raft, seaworthy and packable Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews Top reviews from the United States There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later.. Top reviews from other countries Amazon Newsletter About Amazon Accessibility Sustainability Press Center Investor Relations Amazon Devices Amazon Science Sell on Amazon Sell apps on Amazon Supply to Amazon Protect & Build Your Brand Become an Affiliate Become a Delivery Driver Start a Package Delivery Business Advertise Your Products Self-Publish with Us Become an Amazon Hub Partner › See More Ways to Make Money Amazon Visa Amazon Store Card Amazon Secured Card Amazon Business Card Shop with Points Credit Card Marketplace Reload Your Balance Amazon Currency Converter Your Account Your Orders Shipping Rates & Policies Amazon Prime Returns & Replacements Manage Your Content and Devices Recalls and Product Safety Alerts Registry & Gift List Conditions of Use Privacy Notice Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure Your Ads Privacy Choices Best Inflatable Boats – Pumpin’ Watercraft The best inflatable boats can help you explore bays, rivers, lakes, and coastlines more easily and more affordably. The problem is that there are a whole heap of different inflatable options available. Boats. Pontoons. Dinghies. Rafts. The list goes on…. We know how important it can be to find the right vessel, so we’ve put this guide together to help you navigate through the various features and designs, whether you’re looking for a multi-use recreational vessel or a compact fishing boat. Ok, let’s get on with it 🙂 Our Top Picks: Sea Eagle FastCat  (best overall) Sea Eagle Rescue14  (best inflatable raft) Inflatable Sport Boats Shark 9.8  (best inflatable dinghy) Bris 15.4 Inflatable Rescue & Dive Raft  (best heavy-duty inflatable boat) Airhead Angler Bay Inflatable Boat  (best budget inflatable boat) Sea Eagle 375FC FoldCat  (best inflatable fishing pontoon boat overall) Sea Eagle 385FTA FastTrack Angler  (best motor-ready fishing boat) Classic Accessories Colorado Pontoon Boat  (best budget pontoon) Sea Eagle PackFish7  (best budget fishing boat) Table of Contents 9 Best Inflatable Boats, Rafts And Dinghies For Recreational Use 1: sea eagle fastcat (best overall). Length: 12 foot 10 inches Width: 56 inches Weight: 112 pounds (97 pounds without transom) Weight Capacity: 1200 pounds The Sea Eagle FastCat is a durable catamaran-style boat that has a high weight capacity and room for up to two people. It features all-over high-pressure drop-stitch construction which can give it a more rigid feel and can make it faster and more efficient over the water. It features four independent air chambers for added safety and it can be inflated in just 15 minutes. Another great feature is the non-slip EVA floor to make it safer and more comfortable for standing. This is a stable boat that can be ideal for day-tripping or fishing, with universal Scotty mounting pads included so you can attach your own rod holders or other accessories (sold separately). There are D-rings as well, so you can attach other items or secure your gear. It also features a transom for attaching a motor (included with certain packages), up to a 6 hp capacity. Non-slip floor – safer for standing Drop-stitch construction – increased rigidity for improved performance Suitable for a 6 hp motor – attach your own motor or choose a motor-included package 2: Sea Eagle Rescue14 (best inflatable raft) Length: 14 foot Width: 72 inches Weight: 120 pounds (159 pounds with inflatable floor/185 pound with plastic floor) Weight Capacity: 2000 pounds This Sea Eagle Rescue14 is a durable raft that is designed to be used as a rescue boat, with a high weight capacity and space for up to seven adults. Its bright orange color is highly visible and it also benefits from having a 6-inch rubbing strake and reflective strips around the entire boat. It features five separate air chambers for increased safety and added buoyancy. However, if you choose the option with the plastic floor there will be four independent air chambers rather than five. There are seven heavy-duty D-rings designed for rescue situations, as well as ⅝ inch grab lines. This stable boat is also designed to handle a motor up to 40 hp with the plastic floorboards installed, or 25 hp with the inflatable drop-stitch floor installed. The rear pontoon tubes and rigid drop-stitch keel make planing easier, helping you to ride over waves for increased speed. Highly visible – bright color and reflective strips for added visibility and safety during rescues High capacity – room for up to seven adults Planing hull – for better speed, buoyancy, and improved control 3: Inflatable Sport Boats Shark 9.8 (best inflatable dinghy) Length: 9 foot 8 inches Width: 60 inches Weight: 70 pounds Weight Capacity: 1158 pounds The Inflatable Sport Boats Shark 9.8 is a compact and lightweight inflatable dinghy that can be ideal for exploring waterways as well as for use as a tender. It features reinforced 1100 denier white PVC fabric which is resistant to both UV damage and punctures, with heat-welded seams for added durability. The Shark comes with two aluminum oars and two aluminum bench seats. It has a high weight capacity, with room for up to five people. The aluminum floor is designed to slide easily into place and helps to add rigidity to the construction. You can add your own motor (sold separately) up to a maximum of 15 hp. The V-shaped hull and inflatable keel can help improve performance, with the rear pontoon design helping to maximize planing for faster speeds. Lightweight – weighs just 70 pounds when folded UV-resistant fabric – for increased durability Oars included – ideal for immediate use 4: Bris 15.4 Inflatable Rescue & Dive Raft (best heavy-duty inflatable boat) Length: 15 foot 5 inches Width: 79 inches Weight: 216 pounds Weight Capacity: 2094 pounds This Bris 15.4 Inflatable Raft is a roomy, durable boat that is made out of 1.2 millimeter thick 2000 decitex PVC, with a double layer of fabric on the bottom for added protection from sand and rocks. It also benefits from having a tough aluminum floor and a transom made out of marine plywood. There are plenty of D-rings for securing items, including ones for towing, both at the bow and the rear pontoon tubes. You’ll also find grab lines around the boat and carry handles. The boat features five separate air chambers for added safety and a one-way drain valve that comes with a plug. There are three aluminum bench seats included and room for up to nine people. This inflatable raft comes with a set of aluminum oars, a carrying bag, and a foot pump. Spacious – room for up to nine people Durable construction – tough PVC fabric with high tear resistance Grab lines – easier re-entry from the water 5: Airhead Angler Bay Inflatable Boat (best budget inflatable boat) Length: 11 foot 8 inches Width: 66.5 inches Weight: 40 pounds The Airhead Angler Bay Inflatable Boat is a lightweight, affordable option that can be ideal for calm lakes and slow-moving rivers. It can be great for families, with the capacity to carry up to six people. However, you might find it’s more comfortable with up to four people on board. A great feature of this one is that it has two built-in rod holders and molded drink holders, so it can be ideal for a day of fishing. It comes with one inflatable seat that can be moved around, and features swiveling oarlocks as well as oar holders on the sides. Oars are not included. For added safety and ease of re-entry, there are grab lines around the boat and inside. You’ll also find drain plugs to help get rid of excess water. You can add a motor up to 3 hp to this but you will first need to install the Airhead Trolling Motor Transom (sold separately). Affordable – budget-friendly option Grab lines – easier to climb back in Rod holders – ideal for fishing trips 6: Inflatable Sport Boats Dolphin 8.8 Length: 8 foot 8 inches Weight: 60 pounds Weight Capacity: 1070 pounds This Inflatable Sport Boats Dolphin 8.8 is a lightweight and compact inflatable raft that can be ideal for carrying up to four people to and from a larger boat. It can also be ideal for fishing and recreational use on lakes and rivers. If you want to add a motor (sold separately), there is a transom included and it can handle up to a 10 hp motor. It also features durable PVC fabric and is designed to handle both freshwater and saltwater, as well as be resistant to UV light and humidity. One feature that helps to keep this boat lightweight is the inflatable drop-stitch floor, which can also help to provide rigidity for better performance. It comes with one aluminum bench seat, a set of aluminum oars plus a foot pump, and repair patches. Lightweight – easier to carry Motor compatible – up to max 10 hp (sold separately) Drop-stitch floor – the rigid inflatable floor can be deflated and rolled up with the rest of the boat 7: Newport Vessels Seascape Length: 9 foot Weight: 93 pounds Weight Capacity: 1067 pounds The Newport Vessels Seascape is a durable 9-foot dinghy that is made from three layers of tough 1100 denier PVC with a protective UV-resistant coating and strong heat-welded seams. It has wide 18-inch tubes for added stability, even at high speeds. It’s compatible with a motor of up to 10 hp (sold separately) so you can cover water more quickly if you choose. Another good feature is the inflatable drop-stitch floor, which is crafted for durability and to provide comfort and rigidity. You’ll also find grab lines around the perimeter for added safety. This can hold up to three people and comes with one aluminum bench seat as well as a set of oars. Durable – UV-resistant coating, ideal for freshwater and saltwater Wide tubes – for increased stability Drop-stitch floor – high-pressure inflatable floor for improved comfort and performance 8: HydroForce Caspian Pro Length: 9 foot 3 inches Weight: 98 pounds Weight Capacity: 1058 pounds The HydroForce Caspian Pro is a budget-friendly inflatable boat that is designed to hold up to three adults and one child. It can be ideal for lake trips or even fishing. It features PVC construction with UV protection and abrasion resistance, as well as four separate air chambers for added safety. For added buoyancy, there is a high-pressure inflatable keel which can also give you better boat control, particularly at higher speeds. The Caspian Pro features a marine plywood transom to allow you to add your own motor up to 10 hp (sold separately). It comes with grab lines, a steel tow ring, as well as a rubber strake for added durability. Additionally, it features rotational oarlocks and comes with a seat of oars and a hand pump. Grab lines – for safety and ease of re-entry Affordable – budget boat Inflatable keel – increased control on the water 9: Intex Mariner 4 Length: 10 foot 9 inches Width: 57 inches Weight: 90 pounds Weight Capacity: 1100 pounds This Intex Mariner 4 is a budget raft that can be great for light recreational use or fishing. It features three inflatable thwart seats, with room for up to four people. However, if you’re looking to fish or if you prefer more space for comfort, you might find it’s better suited to two adults plus your gear. It’s made from two layers of durable PVC with a further layer of polyester mesh for added strength. It also has a heavy-duty plastic floor for added rigidity. A handy feature of this raft is the included fishing rod holders, so you can safely stow your rods while you make your way to a good spot on the lake. The Mariner 4 also comes with a set of aluminum oars and welded oarlocks, as well as mount fittings if you want to attach a trolling motor (sold separately). Budget-friendly – affordable Oars included – aluminum oars and rotational oarlocks as standard Rigid plastic floor – improves comfort and durability 9 Best Inflatable Fishing Boats And Pontoons 1: sea eagle 375fc foldcat (best inflatable fishing pontoon boat overall). Length: 12 foot 4 inches Width: 54 inches Weight: 48 pounds (75 pounds with aluminum cross boards) Weight Capacity: 650 pounds This Sea Eagle 375FC FoldCat is a very stable and durable fishing pontoon that can be ideal for either one or two anglers. It features a patented folding design for easy assembling and disassembling, and it can be inflated in just 10 minutes. Video: How To Assemble And Use The Sea Eagle Foldcat It features aluminum cross boards that provide a stable platform for standing, making it easier to cast and retrieve. It also features swiveling seats so you can rotate 360 degrees to face whatever direction necessary. The seats are padded for added comfort for all-day fishing trips and can give you good visibility. A nice feature of this is the full fabric floor, so that if you do happen to drop anything off the cross boards, they can fall onto the floor underneath. This can also be a great place to store your cooler and additional tackle, freeing up your standing space on the cross boards. This comes in various packages which can include rod holders, a set of oars, oarlocks, a casting bar, and even a motor (with certain packages). Very stable – pontoon hull Easy to set up – inflates in only 10 minutes and has an efficient folding system Various package options – choose the features and accessories you want and need 2: Sea Eagle 385FTA FastTrack Angler (best motor-ready fishing boat) Length: 12 foot 6 inches Width: 36 inches Weight: 44 pounds Weight Capacity: 635 pounds The Sea Eagle 385FTA FastTrack Angler is a lightweight fishing kayak that can be a good choice if you’re looking for a compact inflatable boat that can be easy to travel with and simple to set up. It can perform well on flatwater and is rated for up to Class II whitewater, so it can be a versatile little boat. It is also rated for use with an electric motor of up to 34-pound thrust (motor sold with certain packages). A great feature of this kayak is that it has a reinforced non-slip floor, which can make standing a little safer and can be useful if you happen to drop a hook. This kayak can be ideal for either one or two anglers. It features a FastTrack rigid inflatable keel and narrow bow for improved speed and tracking in current, wind, and open water. It also features rod holders, a fish ruler, and front and rear spray skirts for added storage. Lightweight – easier to carry and set up on your own Non-slip floor – durable and safer to stand on Fast – rigid inflatable keel helps paddling/motor efficiency 3: Classic Accessories Colorado Pontoon Boat (best budget pontoon) Weight: 71.5 pounds Weight Capacity: 400 pounds The Classic Accessories Colorado Pontoon is an affordable pontoon that is designed for one angler. It’s made out of heavy-duty abrasion-resistant PVC and can be a good choice for lakes and bays and slow-moving rivers with up to Class I rapids. It has plenty of storage for all your gear, including mesh pockets and zippered pockets on the pontoon tubes, plus a large rear storage basket that also has a motor mount (motor sold separately). It features a padded seat and adjustable non-slip footrests, although there’s no floor to put your feet on, so you’re likely to get wet. This budget pontoon comes with a set of aluminum oars and bronze oarlocks. Affordable – budget-friendly solo angling pontoon Stable – built for flatwater but can handle up to Class I whitewater Good storage – lots of pockets and pouches as well as a rear cargo tray 4: Sea Eagle PackFish7 (best budget fishing boat) Length: 7 foot Width: 39 inches Weight: 22 pounds (32 pounds with floorboards, seat, and oars) Weight Capacity: 300 pounds This Sea Eagle PackFish7 is a compact, affordable fishing raft that is built for one person, making it an ideal option if you’re looking for a budget boat that’s easy to transport. This one packs down to just 20 x 20 x 5 inches and stores inside a backpack so you can easily hike it into more remote locations and take it on vacation. It features two built-in rod holders and fish rulers, as well as two stow pouches to keep your gear safe. The pouches also have cup holders so you’re set for a day on the water. A nice feature of the PackFish7 is the tracking strips under the hull, which can help to stabilize the vessel and keep you tracking straight in wind or current. It also comes with an inflatable seat and a set of oars. The rigid floorboard is available with the Pro Fishing Package. Compact – easy to maneuver and stows in a backpack for easy traveling Built-in rod holders – easily store your rods on board Lightweight – easy to carry on your own 5: Star Rival Sit-On-Top Inflatable Kayak Width: 38 inches Weight: 31 pounds The Star Rival Sit-On-Top is a highly visible inflatable kayak that can be great if you’re looking for a vessel with a clear and spacious deck. This is a wide, stable kayak, with a high-pressure drop-stitch deck which is designed like a stand-up paddle board to provide a more rigid platform. This can make it great for standing to fish, as there is more space to move around. There are five Scotty mount bases, which can make it easy to attach your favorite accessories and rod holders (sold separately). There is also bungee rigging on the deck at the bow and stern so you can secure your gear for the day. Another great feature of this kayak is the high-back aluminum frame seat, which lets you sit a little higher off the deck for increased visibility and can be removed completely if you want even more deck space. Brightly colored – for increased visibility on the water Drop-stitch deck – increased performance and stability for standing Accessory bases – makes it easy to attach your own fishing accessories 6: Bris 10.8 Inflatable Pontoon Boat Weight: 121 pounds Weight Capacity: 1213 pounds The Bris 10.8 Inflatable Pontoon is a durable dinghy that is made out of 1100 denier PVC fabric which is built for abrasion resistance and has a rubber strake for added durability. It features 16.5-inch tubes and comes with two aluminum bench seats. This dinghy has a high weight capacity and space for up to five people. However, if you’re planning to use it for fishing, you might find it’s better with just one or two adults so that you have more space to store your gear and move around. A good feature of this one is the grab lines for added safety. It also features an aluminum floor, which can help increase rigidity and provide a stable platform for standing. With the marine plywood transom you can install a short shaft motor up to 15 hp (sold separately) if you want to boost your speed over water. It comes with a set of aluminum oars, a repair kit, a bag to carry it in, and a foot pump. Aluminum floor – rigid for easier standing Foot pump included – no need to purchase separately High weight capacity – can easily accommodate heavy fishing gear 7: Inflatable Sport Boats Killer Whale 10.8 Length: 10 foot 8 inches Width: 63 inches Weight: 80 pounds (without aluminum floor) Weight Capacity: 1268 pounds The Inflatable Sport Boats Killer Whale 10.8 is an inflatable dinghy that has a high weight capacity and large 18 inch wide tubes for increased stability in rougher conditions. This vessel has room for up to five people but for fishing trips, it can be more comfortable with just two anglers if you want to use some of the space for your gear. It comes with one aluminum bench seat, so it can also be ideal for fishing on your own. You can attach a motor to the transom, up to 15 hp (sold separately) so you can get to your favorite fishing spot more quickly. There are two aluminum oars with oarlocks included with the dinghy and it comes with a slide-in aluminum floor, which can help to increase the rigidity of the hull for improved speed. Large tubes – for increased buoyancy, stability, and planing Transom – for attaching a 15 hp motor (sold separately) Aluminum floor – durable and rigid 8: Sea Eagle 285 Frameless Pontoon Boat Width: 48 inches Weight Capacity: 450 pounds This Sea Eagle 285 Frameless Pontoon Boat can be a great option if you’re planning to fish on your own. This is a lightweight, compact vessel that’s convenient to travel with and easy to set up on your own – with a set up time of just five minutes. It features a U-hull design so the pontoon tubes extend at the front rather than the back. It has a raised fabric floor for minimal contact with the water, meaning you can access shallower depths that might be out of range for larger boats. There is plenty of space on board for you and your fishing gear, with two universal Scotty mounts, allowing you to customize it with your accessories (sold separately). It comes in various packages, with options including a swivel seat and a motor. Lightweight – easy to carry and transport on your own Fast set-up – takes five minutes to inflate Customizable – add your own accessories and choose package options to suit 9: Aquos Heavy-Duty 7.5 Inflatable Pontoon Length: 7 foot 6 inches Weight Capacity: 374 pounds This Aquos Heavy-Duty Pontoon is a budget option that comes with a 20-pound electric trolling motor (battery is not included), so it can be ideal if you’re a new angler looking for a starter pontoon. It does have the capacity to take up to a 55-pound trolling motor (sold separately) if you want to upgrade it. This is a stable vessel that features a durable aluminum floor that sits on top of the inflatable pontoon tubes to maximize space. There is a height-adjustable folding seat included, so you can sit comfortably while fishing, paddling, or motoring. You also get a paddle included, which can be used either while seated or from a standing position. Budget option – affordable, ideal for new boaters or anglers Motor included – 20 pound trolling motor Height adjustable seat – to improve visibility for sight fishing Why Buy An Inflatable Boat? One of the reasons to buy an inflatable boat is that it can be a lot more affordable than a non-inflatable one of comparable size and capacity. This can open up boating to a larger number of people who may otherwise not be able to afford it. As well as generally costing less, especially many of the budget options, inflatables also tend to cost less to own in the long run . For example, most can be deflated and loaded into the back of your truck, your trunk, or the backseat of your car – something that you probably can’t do with a full-size standard vessel, essentially eliminating the need for a trailer. You’ll also find that you usually don’t need to pay to store it at a marina or docks, as you can deflate it and store it inside its own carry bag at home or in your garage. Additionally, repairs can be less expensive, as they can often be done on your own using a repair patch kit. Easy To Transport And Store Because they are lightweight and can pack down to fit in the back of your car, inflatables can be much easier to travel with. This means you can transport them between different bodies of water more easily than if you had a standard boat, which would likely require a trailer. Because of their portability, inflatable boats can be ideal for storing on larger boats to be used as dinghies or tenders. They can also be great for storing on board an RV or in some cases, a closet at home. More Fuel Efficient Because inflatables are lighter by design, it also means they can be more fuel-efficient than standard boats because the motor doesn’t have to work as hard to move the vessel. This can help to reduce costs if you use a gas-powered motor and can mean you can stay on the water longer if you use an electric motor as you shouldn’t need to recharge as frequently. How To Choose An Inflatable Boat: The Different Types A pontoon can be one of the most stable types of inflatable vessels because of the design of the hull , featuring a tube on either side, which can make them ideal for fishing and standing . Some pontoons will have an open deck that sits on top of the pontoon tubes, creating more space for you and your gear without restriction from side walls. Some of these types can be more tricky to set up because they may require additional attachments, such as the installation of the floor and seat. Some may also be more awkward to travel with and may have several different parts. A dinghy can be ideal to use for recreation as well as for use as a tender for accessing larger vessels. They often have keels and pontoon tubes that extend at the stern which can allow them to plane when motorized . Hull shape can vary and can be flat or V-shaped. Some vessels will come with rigid floors for increased performance, comfort, and stability. The type of floor the vessel has will usually determine how easy it is to set up and travel with. For example, an inflatable floor can often be rolled up with the rest of the boat, unlike an aluminum or wooden floor. A raft tends to have a flat bottom and will either feature an inflatable floor or a rigid floor. Because of the design of the wide, flat bottomed hull , you may find that speed is sacrificed but this is not always the case, as some life rafts designed for rescue are built for speed with planing hulls. Some rafts will often have highly visible strips so that they can be easily seen, and they will also tend to have grab lines around the perimeter for added safety during rescues. An inflatable kayak will often be easy to store , transport and set up. A kayak will tend to be easier to paddle and maneuver on your own compared to a larger, wider vessel because it can be paddled using a single kayak paddle rather than oars . This is because kayaks are often narrower, which can also make them quicker over the water when manually powered. However, some of them will also be capable of having a motor attached for increased power and speed. Inflatable Boat Features To Look For One thing that you might want to think about is how much the boat weighs. Despite being inflatable, some of them can still be pretty heavy and awkward to carry. Probably less awkward than a standard boat but you may want to consider whether or not you’ll need someone to help you unload it and set it up. Vessels with inflatable floors may weigh less than those with aluminum or wooden floors, so this could be an option if you’re looking to keep the overall weight to a minimum. However, a hard floor can be more durable and can increase performance, as well as stability but may be more difficult to set up compared to an inflatable floor. Generally, most vessels will have a maximum carrying capacity, which often includes a maximum total weight as well as a maximum number of people. Remember to think about who will be joining you on your trip and the amount of gear you want to be able to bring. While some vessels may have a very generous weight capacity, this doesn’t always mean there will be enough room for you and your crew to fit comfortably or safely. It’s not recommended to overload your boat beyond its suggested capacity. Size can be important as this will determine how much on board space you’re likely to have, especially if you’re hoping to have room for a couple of adults, a couple of kids, and a dog, for example. The inflated size will also usually determine how large the boat will be when it’s deflated, with more compact ones often being smaller than larger ones when they’re packed down. Remember to consider the size of the tubes, if it’s a dinghy or raft, as this can affect the available space on board. Some pontoon-style boats may have a more open space on top of the tubes than a dinghy, for example. Wider tubes can be more useful in rougher water , as this can increase stability and can be smoother when traveling at higher speeds. Larger tubes can also mean increased buoyancy. Safety Features Inflatable vessels are generally buoyant by design because they’re filled with air. But it can be a good idea to look for one that has multiple air chambers . This means that if one chamber was to suffer a puncture or damage, the remaining chambers can help you to stay afloat until you can get to shore to repair the damaged chamber. Another feature you might want to look for is grab lines on the perimeter. These can be beneficial in a rescue situation as you can grab hold of them to help climb back into the boat if you fall overboard. High visibility features, such as bright colors or reflective strips, can also be useful, especially if you plan to boat in low light or in areas where there’s a lot of other traffic. How Should You Store And Care For Them? It can be best to store your inflatable in a dry place away from bright sunlight, humidity, and extreme temperatures. It can also be a good idea to store it off the ground, especially if you plan to store it in a garage. Remember to clean and dry your vessel before you deflate it for storage, otherwise, you might find mold and mildew growth the next time you go to use it. Some inflatable vessels are designed to be compact and easy to store, and can often be stored inside a closet in your home. It can be useful to store the vessel inside the bag it came with as this can help to keep it free of dust, dirt, and damage. Frequently Asked Questions How Portable Are Inflatable Boats? This depends on the type, as some can be very portable and can be carried on your back in a backpack. Others can be more awkward to travel with, especially if they have aluminum floors or framed seats. Most of them, however, will fit in the trunk of your car or across the back seats, or even in the back of a pickup. How Easy Is It To Store Inflatable Boats? Some can be stored in a closet at home or in your garage. Many inflatables will usually come with a storage bag to keep the vessel safe while in storage. Are Inflatable Fishing Boats Safe? Yes, they can be very safe because of their increased buoyancy. Inflatable fishing boats are often made from strong, durable material that is designed to resist dropped hooks and abrasions. They are also usually very stable by design. How Fast Do Inflatable Boats Inflate? This will often depend on the type of pump you use and the efficiency of the boat’s inflation system. Some compact vessels can inflate in as little as five minutes. But others may take 30 minutes or more, depending on the size and type of boat. Can A Motor Be Mounted To An Inflatable Boat? Yes, many inflatable boats can have a motor attached. However, the boat will usually need to have a transom to allow you to mount the motor. Some inflatables come with transoms included but others may require you to buy a transom separately. Do You Need A Boat License For An Inflatable Boat? This depends on the state where you plan to boat and the size of the motor that’s attached. In most cases, if there is no motor attached you may not need a license. In some states, you need a license or boating safety card to operate vessels with motors greater than 10 hp, for example. State laws vary. Do I Have To Register An Inflatable Boat? Some states or areas may require registration even if your boat does not have a motor, so it’s best to check with your local department, as registration will sometimes depend on the length of your vessel. If you add a motor, you will probably need to register it in most states. Our Final Words Now that you’ve seen a few options, it’s time to narrow it down to the finalists. We think the best inflatable boat for recreation is the Sea Eagle FastCat because it has drop-stitch construction for added speed, stability, and durability and benefits from having a spacious deck. It’s also easy to set up. A great runner up in this category is the Inflatable Sport Boats Shark 9.8 because of its high capacity and ability to carry up to five people, making it an ideal choice for families. The winner of the best inflatable boat for fishing is the Sea Eagle 375 FoldCat because it’s lightweight, stable, and features a spacious standing deck and swiveling seats. A worthy runner up in the fishing category is the Sea Eagle PackFish7 because it can be carried on your back for convenience and is an affordable little vessel that has the added benefit of built-in rod holders. Remember to think about where you want to use your vessel and who, if anyone, will be joining you on board. Not all of our selections will be suitable for every boater, so it can be important to choose the right one to suit your particular activity. Leave a Comment Cancel reply Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates © Copyright 2024 by Kayak Guru. Inflatable Boats Under $500 By: Bradley Axmith We gave our Gear Lovers one job: Find the best and most popular products and review them. Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews. Dreaming of exploring hidden coves or casting a line from a secluded spot? Inflatable boats offer an affordable way to maximize your on-water fun. These versatile vessels can be your gateway to calm water adventures, from leisurely paddles on lakes to thrilling fishing trips on rivers. Plus, they serve as the perfect dinghy for effortlessly getting to and from your anchored sailboat or motorboat. But with so many options, finding a quality inflatable boat under $500 can feel like navigating a stormy sea. Whether you’re seeking a sturdy dinghy for easy shore access, a comfortable inflatable kayak for solo outings, or a stable platform for fishing, we’ve got you covered. Some of these options also make great water toys. We’ve assembled a comprehensive list of the best cheap inflatable boats, all priced for the budget-conscious explorer. Intex Excursion 5 The Intex Excursion 5 is a spacious inflatable raft for family fun or fishing expeditions. I’ve used this boat as a dinghy from my sailboat to go ashore and for cozy fishing trips into smaller waterways. There are a lot of DIY upgrades that can be applied to this boat. Accommodates a Crew: Take up to 5 paddlers on your next water adventure, with plenty of room for gear. Motor Mount Ready: Attach a small outboard motor (up to 3hp) for effortless cruising (motor sold separately). Built-in Convenience: Features fishing rod holders, detachable seats, and a gear bag for a fully equipped experience. Inflatable Advantage: Enjoy the portability and easy storage of an inflatable, without sacrificing stability thanks to its multiple air chambers. Saturn CB290 Inflatable Boat The Saturn CB290 is a no-frills, inflatable boat for budget-minded boaters. It’s lightweight, easy to store and transport, making it ideal for quick trips on lakes, rivers, or bays. For sailors looking for a small, affordable life raft and a tender to go ashore, you can’t find anything this versatile at a cheaper price. While it lacks features like an inflatable keel found on some Saturn models, it offers basic functionality at a lower price point. Key Features: Easy to store and transport (deflates to the size of a medium suitcase) Attachable motor mount (gas or electric) High-pressure floor for rigidity Aluminum oars and pump included Keep in mind: This is a basic model with a flat bottom for stability, but less directional control than some inflatables. For improved tracking, consider adding an optional DIY keel (e.g., pool noodle). Overall, the CB290 is a good option for casual boaters who prioritize affordability and portability. Intex Explorer K2 – Cheap floating cheerful Hit the water on a budget with the Intex Explorer K2, a user-friendly inflatable kayak for two. Here’s the inflatable fun: Perfect for Paddling Duos: Enjoy leisurely adventures with a friend or partner in this comfy two-person kayak. Easy Inflation & Deflation: Get on the water fast with the included pump. Deflates quickly for convenient storage. Stable & Spacious: The K2 Challenger offers surprising stability for a relaxed paddling experience, with plenty of room for two. All-Inclusive Package: Includes paddles, pump, carry bag, and repair kit, so you’re ready to roll (or paddle) right out of the box. The Intex K2 Challenger is a fantastic inflatable kayak for less ambitious paddlers who want a no-frills option for fun on the water. This is a cheaper model that floats and can introduce younger enthusiasts to kayaking. Aqua Marina Tomahawk Kayak Slash through waves with the Aqua Marina Tomahawk, a higher-performance inflatable kayak that tracks just a bit better atop a wider, more stable boat. Here’s the paddle power: Track Like a Dream: Cut through water with ease thanks to the molded keel design for smooth paddling. Inflatable Advantage: Enjoy the portability and ease of storage that inflatables offer, without sacrificing rigidity due to drop-stitch construction. Built for Comfort: Adjustable seating and ample legroom ensure a comfortable ride, even on longer treks. Ready to Explore: Includes everything you need to get paddling, from a carry bag and repair kit to a comfy seat and adjustable footrests. Suitable on lakes, bays, and even light chop with the Aqua Marina Tomahawk. It’s the inflatable kayak that lets you explore farther, faster, and in total comfort. Sea Eagle 9 The Sea Eagle 9 is a versatile and affordable inflatable raft for fishing, rowing, or exploring lakes and bays. Here’s a quick rundown: Holds up to 4 people with a weight capacity of 1200 lbs. Lightweight and deflates to a compact size for easy storage and transport. Inflates in 15 minutes with high-pressure floor for rigidity. Stable design with 4 separate air chambers for safety. Available in various packages including oars, motor mount, electric motor, and more. Currently discounted with free shipping (offer ends June 30th, 2024). Seems like a good option for a no-frills inflatable boat for casual fun on the water. It’s cheaper than the Intex Excursion and can be upgraded as much. But it’s more compact and packable. Alternative Options for Small Craft These were just a small list of inflatable boats under $500! Hopefully, something appealed to you, dear reader. If you’re looking for a wider selection of inflatable dinghies specifically designed for ferrying passengers between your anchored vessel and the shore, be sure to check out our more expansive guide to inflatable boats. We’ve also curated a dedicated guide to the best inflatable kayaks , highlighting features like comfort, stability, and ease of use. These are especially handy for the space-deprived apartment dweller or for easier transport. And for those seeking a serene glide across the water, don’t forget about inflatable paddle boards! We have a helpful guide to some of the best SUPs that we’ve tested and reviewe. Craving something a little more high-tech? Explore the world of electric water toys with our guide to electric surfboards and eFoils. These exhilarating options offer a unique way to experience the water. No matter your budget or paddling preference, there’s an inflatable vessel that doesn’t have to break the bank. On this page Table of content:, breadcrumbs. / Inflatable Boats Under $500 Continue reading Lund 1875 Crossover XS Yamaha Luxury Series Lifesaving Pro Premium Quality Margaritaville Men’s Anchor Lace Gallery of inflatable boats under $500 review. Leaning back and fishing in the Excursion 5. The Betta 412 side by side with two comparable inflatable kayaks. The Betta has higher seats than the Aqua Marina Steam and the Razor K2 tandem. That makes paddling more comfortable but can seem more tippy for newbie kayakers. This inflatable boat is relatively easy to maneuver. Pretty fast for an inflatable kayak. 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[What You Need to Know] Kayaking Gear for Beginners What to Wear Kayaking Kayak Safety All Mountain Snowboards Snowboard Boots Snowboard Bindings Snowboard Helmets Snowboard Jackets Atomic Skis Blizzard Skis Ski Resorts in the US Travel Backpacks Weekender Bags Packing Cubes Suitcases and Travel Luggages The Best All-inclusive Resorts in the World Men’s Yoga Pants Yoga Shorts Yoga Mat Bags Yoga Blocks Laptop Backpack Mini Backpacks Mesh Backpacks Clear Backpacks Fanny Packs Water Bottles Waterproof Jacket Waterproof Pants Waterproof Watches Waterproof Headphones Snorkel Fins Best Snorkels Best Dive Sites in the World Best Dive Resorts in the World Central & South America North America Southeast Asia Indian Ocean Asia Pacific Middle East & Red Sea All Liveaboards Liveaboards in Australia Liveaboards in Fiji Liveaboards in Micronesia Liveaboards in Myanmar (Burma) Liveaboards in the Maldives Liveaboards in the Philippines Liveaboards in Egypt Liveaboards in Costa Rica Liveaboards in Belize Liveaboards in Mexico Liveaboards in the Galapagos Islands Aggressor Liveaboards Liveaboard in Thailand Liveaboards in Indonesia The Best Starboard Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide Bluefin Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide Isle Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide Red Paddle Co. Ride 10’6 ROC Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide The Best iRocker Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide Blackfin Paddle Boards Pontoon Boats Bowrider Boats Motor Yachts Cabin Cruiser Boats Inflatable Boats Electric Surfboard Efoil Board Jet Body Boards All-Mountain Skis Ski Bindings Ski Poles for Downhill & Touring Ski Goggles Ski Gloves and Mittens Ski Jackets Ski and Snowboarding Pants and Bibs Ski Helmets Best Resorts in North America Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort Copper Mountain Ski Resort Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort Area Review Jackson Hole Ski Resort Telluride Ski Resort Aspen Ski Resort Crested Butte Ski Resort Kirkwood Ski Resort Alta Ski Resor Park City Ski Resort Winter Park Resort Breckenridge Ski Resort Vail Ski Resort Snowmass Ski Resort Heavenly Ski Resort Taos Ski Valley Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort Ski Santa Fe Angel Fire Ski Resort Sun Valley Ski resort All-Inclusive Resorts in Aruba All-Inclusive Resorts in Cabo All-inclusive resort in Cancun All-Inclusive Resorts In Costa Rica All-Inclusive Resorts in Cozumel All-Inclusive Resorts in Hawaii All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico All-Inclusive Puerto Rico Resorts All-Inclusive Resorts in Tulum All-Inclusive Resorts in Turks and Caicos Best Diving in the Caribbean Diving in Guadeloupe Diving in Aruba Diving in Antigua and Barbuda Diving in the Bahamas Diving in Barbados Diving in Bonaire Diving in the British Virgin Islands Diving in Cayman Islands Diving in Cuba Diving in Curacao Diving in Dominican Republic Diving in Grenada Diving in Jamaica Diving in Martinique Diving in Puerto Rico Diving in St. Maarten Diving in St. Lucia Diving in Tobago Diving in the Turks and Caicos Diving in Belize Diving in Costa Rica Diving in the Galapagos Islands Diving in Mexico Diving in Roatan Honduras Diving in California Diving in Florida Diving in North Carolina Best Diving in Southeast Asia Diving in Thailand Diving in the Philippines Diving in Indonesia Diving in Vietnam Diving in Cambodia Diving in the Maldives Diving in Australia Diving in Japan Diving in Fiji Best Diving in Europe Diving in Mallorca Diving in Malta Diving In Denmark Diving in Egypt All Liveaboards in Thailand Liveaboards in the Similan Islands All Liveaboards in Indonesia Liveaboards in Komodo Women’s Life Vest All-Inclusive Resorts in Playa del Carmen All Diving in Mexico Diving in Cozumel Diving In Similan Islands – Khao Lak Area Diving in Malapascua All the Diving in Indonesia Diving in Bali Diving in Gili Islands Diving in Komodo Diving in Sulawesi Diving in Raja Ampat All Diving in Australia Diving In Brothers Islands Paddle boarding Everyday Life 339 IMAGES Best Inflatable Dinghy Boats for 2023 Gear: Tiwal Inflatable Sailing Dinghy DinghyGo Sailing Inflatables For Sale, UK Best portable sailing dinghies for under £5k Best Inflatable Dinghies Comparison Best Inflatable Dinghies Comparison VIDEO How to use Inflatable RIB Dinghy DinghyGo, the inflatable sailboat @ Hiswa 2013 waterfunzone DinghyGo Nomad 3 sailing VISUTI Inflatable Dinghy Boat Transom Sport Tender Boat, 4 Person Yellow Color Inflatable Sailboat: Nimble Despite Light Winds, Full Load Sailing Today: Inflatables test COMMENTS Tender Choices Learn how to choose the best inflatable dinghy for your sailing needs and preferences. Consider factors such as size, weight, speed, storage, fabric and propulsion. Best sailing tender: get a buzz from your boat or boot Explore the latest sailing tender ideas, from lightweight composite boats that can be rigged as dinghies, to nesting inflatables that can reach high speeds and foil. Find out the features, prices and benefits of different models and brands. How to Choose an Inflatable Dinghy Learn about the pros and cons of different types of inflatable dinghies for sailboats, from air-floor to rigid-bottom models. Find out how to match your cruising style and stowage capacity with the best option for your needs. The 6 Best Inflatable Dinghy Boats The 6 Best Inflatable Dinghies. 1. Newport Vessels Dana Inflatable Dinghy Tender. Newport Vessels is one of the most recognizable and popular inflatable dinghy manufacturers. The Dana dinghy model is constructed from USCG-rated and three-layer 1100 Denier UV-protected PVC, which makes it durable and sun-resistant. 2023 Boat of the Year Best Dinghy: Tiwal 3R The Tiwal 3R is a fast and portable inflatable sailboat that can be set up in 30 minutes and sailed by one or two people. It has a 77-square-foot racing sail, a V-shaped hull, and a mast-color system for easy control. Best inflatable boat: 9 compact tenders put to the test Talamex Superlight SLA230. Talamex is a Dutch brand imported by EP Barrus. This inflatable boat had the narrowest diameter sponsons on test, which creates more internal space, but less freeboard. It's an extremely lightweight package, with a thin transom board, but nice long oars and a good carrying handle on the bow. 8 Best Inflatable Dinghies Of 2024 So without further ado, here are our top picks for the best-ever inflatable dinghies, in no particular order. 1. Tangkula New Inflatable Boat Tender Raft Dinghy. Tangkula New 1.2mm PVC 10.5' Inflatable Boat Tender Raft Dinghy with Floor Gray. 1.2mm thickness PVC Inflatable Boat. Best Inflatable Dinghies of 2024 Reviewed Compare the top 5 inflatable dinghies for sailboat use based on speed, stability, capacity, and features. Learn how to choose the best type of dinghy for your needs and budget. Best portable sailing dinghies for under £5k Best portable sailing dinghies for under £5k. We put six portable sailing dinghies under £5,000 to the test to see which one is the best all-rounder and really deserves a place on your boat. New inflatable technologies have opened the door to all-round portable sailing dinghies that are far more capable than their predecessors. 2022 Boat of the Year: Best Dinghy The Happy Cat Hurricane is a portable catamaran for adventure racing and recreational sailing. It sails like a champ, turns easily, and can be transformed into a motorboat or a sunshade. RU-250 Roll-Up Inflatable Dinghy Comparable to Zodiac and Highfield inflatable boats. Length: 8'3". Width: 4'10". Stowed Dimensions: 3'3" x 1'11" x 11". Weight: Only 52 lbs. Tube Diameter: 15.2". Material: PVC-coated 1100 decitex polyester fabric with heat-welded seams. Hop into your trusty West Marine RU-250 Roll-Up Inflatable Dinghy and make a splashy entrance—because even ... Best Inflatable Dinghy Best Value: Sea Eagle 10'6" Sport Runabout. The Sea Eagle Inflatable Tender Dinghy is a rather thick PVC inflatable boat that comes with built-in oarlocks and stainless steel D-ring which make it easy to tow. Contrary to its size, it can actually fit five people, or take on fewer and have a little room for cargo. Choosing the Best Dinghy for Your Boat Generally speaking, fully inflatable dinghies that measure around 10-feet in length support a 5-8 horsepower outboard, which is sufficient for the basics. For a more capable inflatable, look for a 10-25 horsepower outboard. Just be cautious, as too much power can flip a lightweight dinghy. Newport 8ft 10in Dana Inflatable Sport Tender Dinghy Boat WHY NEWPORT: The crisp white PVC fabric of a Newport dinghy will earn you regular compliments at the dock, and makes you easy to spot while flying across the water at 15-20mph (depending on model and horsepower). Inflatable tail tubes allow for great stability and quick take offs, while the inflatable keel allows for excellent planing and steering. Inflatable Sport Boat Swordfish 10.8' Air Floor Inflatable Dinghy Model: SB-330A - Swordfish 10.8′ EVA 2-N-1 Air Floor. Interior air floor dimensions: 84″ length x 30″ width. (Air floor 4″ bow hole. Located 7″ from the front of the hole to bow tip of air floor) Boat deflated in carry bag for storage: 80 lbs; 44 x 24 x 11 inches. Box dimensions: 130 lbs; 47 x 24 x 15 inches. Best and worst inflatable dinghy brands? Hey there! If you're in the market for a new inflatable dinghy, you should definitely check out the Navigator Hard Deck Boat LK series. These boats come with some truly impressive features that can take your boating experience to the next level. One feature that stands out in the series is the inclusion of a keel.This inflatable keel, similar to a fish's fin, provides remarkable stability and ... DinghyGo, the inflatable sailboat website Hi, I'm DinghyGo®, The 3-in-1 Inflatable Sailboat! With me, you'll enjoy the maximum amount of sailing fun and the ultimate feeling of freedom. I am flexible, can be taken with you to any place and do whatever you want to do: sailing, rowing or using an outboard engine. I only require some air, water and care. I fold into a compact and ... Choosing the Best Dinghy for Your Boat A RIB (rigid inflatable boat) has a hard hull surrounded by inflatable tubes - so it's kind of a hybrid. For locomotion, you can have oars, a sail, a motor, or any combination of those. Motors used on dinghies are usually small and portable, although go-fast RIBs can have larger 15 to 25 horsepower motors installed. Best inflatable boats: 6 affordable options for getting on the water Inflatable Sport Boats Killer Whale. Buy it now. $1,949.99. Best inflatable boat for use as a tender. 5. West Marine RIB-350. Buy it now. $3,899.99. Best premium inflatable boat. INTEX 68373EP Mariner 3 Inflatable Boat Set: Includes Deluxe 54in Boat The Intex Mariner 3 inflatable boat is constructed for supreme strength and durability with SUPER TOUGH PVC. This material is comprised of three separate layers - two outer layers of heavy-gauge PVC laminated to an inner layer of polyester mesh for extra reinforcement. ... Best Sellers Rank: #109,853 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports ... Best Inflatable Boats Review [2024] 9 Best Inflatable Boats, Rafts And Dinghies For Recreational Use. 1: Sea Eagle FastCat (best overall) 2: Sea Eagle Rescue14 (best inflatable raft) 3: Inflatable Sport Boats Shark 9.8 (best inflatable dinghy) 4: Bris 15.4 Inflatable Rescue & Dive Raft (best heavy-duty inflatable boat) 5: Airhead Angler Bay Inflatable Boat (best budget inflatable ... 20 Best Inflatable Boats in 2024 Amazon. The Intex Seahawk is one of the most cost-effective inflatable boats on the market. It will give you some of the comforts and utility of a premium boat for a fraction of the cost. The 30-gauge PVC vinyl will resist damage from abrasions, sun, and impacts. Best Inflatable Boats Highfield Classic 460. Highfield has a long history of building high-end RIBs, and its Classic 460 remains among the most popular inflatable boats in its extensive lineup. Built for the open ocean with a 4mm marine-grade aluminum hull and heavy 1100 dtex tubes, the Classic 460 features a self-draining deck that lets any spray or rain simply run ... Inflatable Boats Under $500 But with so many options, finding a quality inflatable boat under $500 can feel like navigating a stormy sea. Whether you're seeking a sturdy dinghy for easy shore access, a comfortable inflatable kayak for solo outings, or a stable platform for fishing, we've got you covered. ... We've assembled a comprehensive list of the best cheap ... catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht