Here is some quick information on the different types of Inflatable boats on the market today. I hope this information allows you to select an inflatable boat best suited for you. The original inflatable boat, still sold today, consist of a soft floor and inflatable tube collar. These are called dinghys and are used by sailboats and small power boats. They don't have keels and usually allow for only small motors up to 2.5 hp. You can see these "dinghys" under the Avon Inflatable boats section of our webpage. The next boat is the roll up. These are available in both high pressure air deck models and woodfloor deck models.These boats have keels and are considered sports boats, with enough horsepower these boats will come up on plane and achieve speeds up to 15 mph. These boats are best suited to sail and power boats who want to store the inflatable rolled up when not in use...we recommend the high pressure air deck models when you want something lighter and quicker to assemble and disassemble. If you are not planning on disassembling the inflatable very often you might consider a wood deck model. These are a little heavier too but the wood deck can be better for activities such as fishing. These roll up boats can be found under both the Avon and Aqualine sections of our webpage. The next type of inflatable boat is the RIB. This stands for rigid inflatable boat. These boats have hard hulls with an inflatable collar. These boats are now the most popular type of inflatable. The RIB's provide the most stable ride and offer the best performance. RIB'hulls are usually made of fiberglass however you can find them made of aluminum which is lighter and in plastic which is also light and very strong. These boats range in sizes from 8' to 16'. We have several brand and models of RIBS on our website, you can see them under the Avon, AB and Walker Bay sections. The last major group of inflatable boats and fast becoming the most desirable are the console RIB's. These boats offer deluxe seating with backrests and full consoles with steering systems. Typically on the outboards you will get electric start and power trim on this type of inflatable. These console RIB's are used on larger yachts as tenders, they are also purchased and towed to a destination by smaller power boats and sailboats. Many are also being sold to non-boats owners and it becomes their principal boat. You can find these console RIB's on our website under the Avon, AB and Walker Bay sections. Well I have given you a quick guide on the different kinds of inflatable boats. The last item I want to share with you is the two major types of boat materials that are used in the making of the tube collar. Most of the boats sold in California and in warmer climates are made from a combination of hypalon coating over a neoprem and vinyl material. The hypalon coated material offers the most UV resistance and carries the longest warranty, 10 years from some manufacturers. The other most popular coating is PVC, this is a type of vinyl with the PVC coating for UV protection,it is heavy duty and an excellent material for inflatables. It is somewhat less expensive than hypalon coatings, and it can be machined glued or welded together where hypalon coated tubes are assembled by hand. The major difference between hypalon and PVC coatings is the ability of hypalon to handle UV rays. Hypalon is the best coating for any boat that is going to be stored outside on the deck of a yacht or on a davit system. The PVC material boats are best suited to the roll up boats we discussed earlier. Well that's a lot of information in a small space. Please feel free to give us a call and we can answer any remaining questions you may have on inflatable boats. Ask for Mitch... 714-568-0187 store, 714-724-1479 cell, 1-877-dinghys |