First time boat owners – looking for a safe and fun family boat that’s easy to transport on your next camping trip? The rubber dinghy is made for you! These basic, portable little boats can be inflated and launched in a jiffy – and they’re light on the wallet, too!
One of the most maneuverable boats around, inflatable boats are available as either a rigid or roll-up inflatable. Staying light on the water, the body is filled with pressurized gas in flexible tubes and come in a number of different sizes. Typically rubber ducks range from 1.8m to 4.3m in size. Whether your inflatable is powered with a 2hp or a 250hp outboard, you can take it on freshwater and saltwater for a day of cruising, fishing, or general all-out fun.
Boating at the dam
If you’re looking to do some quiet cruising about or fishing at the dam, then a simple roll-up, inflatable dinghy with small outboard motor will suit you perfectly. You can find inflatable boats for sale that can be taken apart for easy storage and transportation. This type of inflatable boat often serve as a life raft on bigger boats. Note, however, that the flat bottom of these boats isn’t ideal for high speeds or rough waters. Rather stick to small harbours or dams with calmer water conditions and avoid rocky areas which could damage the craft.
The sides of the boat are made from flexible tubes. Smaller boats generally have a flexible floor and hull while larger boats often have a rigid floor. The motor, which powers the boat, is typically mounted on a rigid transom.
For ‘medium performance’ boating – fishing, exploring and tubing, you can use the Suzumar 2.9m or 3.9 Inflatable rubber duck. This type of inflatable dinghy has a shallow V-shaped bottom and a removable solid floor, and the inflatable keel offers stability and smooth turning. The Suzumar is designed and built to Suzuki specifications, with heavy-duty materials for safety and durability, including aluminium floors and stainless steel fittings. These dinghies can accommodate three to five passengers; the perfect family rubber duck.
Ocean-going dinghy
‘High performance’ boating – basic off-shore fishing, diving and water sports – calls for a semi-rigid or rigid rubber duck.
Hull – this is the bottom part of the boat, which is in contact with the water. These come in a variety of designs and shapes. Most of the hulls on RIB’s are empty and not filled with foam or bottles, as your floatation comes from your pontoons.
Pontoons – this is the inflatable tubes on the boat. They are made of either PVC or Hyperlon. Hyperlon is the better of the two materials, but is very expensive!! Most RIB’s will have at least 3 air compartments in the pontoons. By law, the boat is required to be able to float with only one compartment inflated. So, should you puncture 2 air compartments, the boat will still float.
Inflatable boats do not like direct sunlight. The boat will therefore have to be parked in a garage or under a car port or at least have a boat cover over it.
Often referred to as the 4x4s of the ocean, these inflatables have fiberglass hulls, lending them the ability to cut through choppy waters and waves with ease. In fact, because they’re inflatable, they’re even more stable and buoyant than conventional boats, in rough conditions. Durable, lightweight, easy to launch on the beach or in the surf, and easy to handle on the ocean, these inflatables can reach impressive speeds and are spacious enough to accommodate all that fishing tackle.
Scuba diving boats must be able to carry a diving crew comfortably.
