Advantages of inflatable over other boats?

[canuckjgc]

Hi all -- considering buying a 16' good quality PVC inflatable with 22" tubes and 6'10" beam. It will ride on a trailer all year (I won't fold it up and put it away). Fabric bottom but aluminum floor. It will stay covered when not in use.

For general boating, rivers, lakes, maybe a bit of ocean, is there any great advantage of an inflatable over an aluminum or fibreglass skiff or runabout? Especially considering I will use a trailer regardless? I've heard inflatables are pretty rough riding with the water is even a little choppy, and interior space is not great.

Right now I just like the looks of it and it appears stable, but what are the other reasons you bought an inflatable?

Thanks!

 

[arks]

Re: Advantages of inflatable over other boats?

First, let me say that I don't own an inflatable- but some of my friends do.

For general boating, rivers, lakes, maybe a bit of ocean, is there any great advantage of an inflatable over an aluminum or fibreglass skiff or runabout?

I see the biggest advantages as:
-they are more bouyant than a comparable "hard" boat and may have a larger payload capacity.
-the fact they won't damage other boats hulls when tied to them.
-they can be rolled up and stored in a bag (or 2).

I've heard inflatables are pretty rough riding with the water is even a little choppy, and interior space is not great.

Both statements are true, the ride is particularly hard with the flat bottomed models. And those tubes use up a lot of space.

IMO, a very good compromise would be a rigid-hull inflatable, ot RIB. They seem to offer the best features of soft and hard hulls.
Maybe that's why the Coast Guard has hundreds of 'em.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Advantages of inflatable over other boats?

The biggest advantage to me is they are the most seaworthy boats made for their size. I feel very comfortable in a 14 to 17' inflatable in 10' seas where you would never consider taking any other kind of boat that size in seas that big.

I'm not sure I agree that inflatables ride rougher than other boats. The RIB's do ride like any other deep v hull. The fabric bottom boats tend to slap and shake a little more.

As mentioned, payload can be a big deal for some people. You can carry lots of people and gear on an inflatable.

Plus, set up correctly, they're WAY fun! And safe.

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: Advantages of inflatable over other boats?

Fun and safe are keys for me. Do you find that inflatables have a much shallower draft than other boats? I'm hoping to scoot up rivers with my outboard in shallow water drive mode...

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Advantages of inflatable over other boats?

Yeah, my 14 footer draws maybe 4 to 6 inches when on plane. The good part about them also is if you come across a rocky area that you're worried about, just get out and pull the boat over the shallow area.

What brand of boat are you looking at? 16 footer is a great size. I would have gotten that size if I had the $$ to get the bigger engine it would need. I've got an 18hp on my 14' boat. I'm thinking a 30hp would be perfect for the 16'.

 

[salvagesolution]

Re: Advantages of inflatable over other boats?

they are SAFE and for alot of people and gear they cant be beat however alot of inflateables are concidered "disposeable" especialy the soft bottom ones on the hard bottom ones to replace a tube on a 12 footer...it will run you anywhere from 1200 to 2000 BUT with proper care a tube might last you 10 to 12 years

 

[TunaNugget]

Re: Advantages of inflatable over other boats?

I have both. The inflatable is more stable, but I'm constantly having to fix it. I'm sure it won't last nearly as long as the fiberglass dinghy already has. It's more of a "money is no object" proposition.

 

[mudslinging79]

Re: Advantages of inflatable over other boats?

for me, i like the inflatable cause i can throw it on top of the rig and not have to mess with a trailer. im not the best at backing up a trailer down a ramp, so i can back down, throw it in the water, unload accesories, park, and be done while most people are still unloading their trailer.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Advantages of inflatable over other boats?

I don't know too much about inflatables but I did see a test for a Nautica 12 ft.rib Fairly sofisticated w a 20 gallon tank and remote steering.It weighed over 400 lbs.My 18 ft al. utility is 375.of course no tank or remote.Boat is 32 years old allways ridden hard and put away wet,spent 80%of its life outside uncovered year round in northern NY. I did replace the seats and transom boards I wonder how well a rib would hold up even under better conditions.
From my limited reading it appears some models are difficult to get the best out of.The nautica had transom wedges and a hydrafoil.It did manage 26 mph with a 25 Etec and total weight of about 1,000lbs.