Inflatable sales, world-wide appear to be level at around 130,000 annually. Popularity of pleasure models in North America where boat storage is not a major concern, seems to have peaked, while special application RIB models have increased in numbers.

At one time, I was an importer and distributor for a full line inflatable manufacturer and I have witnessed many changes in both the product and the distribution. For example, engine manufacturers such as Mercury and Yamaha over the last few years, have successfully introduced lower end inflatables, through their dealer networks, with the purpose of boosting motor sales.

The "inflatable" seems to have established its place in the world of boating, so if you are a prospective buyer, the following is what I believe you should know.

Let’s divide inflatables into six types:

1) Toys.
Inflated for use a day at a time and not intended for heavy duty or life saving applications

2) Soft Bottom.
For use as a yacht dinghy, or casual fishing boat, or back-up floatation.

3) Insert Bottom.
Same as soft bottoms, but with a wood, aluminum or inflatable insert, for floor stability.

4) RIB.
A narrow, V-bottom, fiberglass boat, with inflatable tubes attached around the outside.

5) Sport Tunnels.
Tunnel hull and catamaran boats designed for open water sports & limited racing classes.

6) Life Rafts.
These are generally containerized with pull cord inflation. The better ones are covered and self righting, with packaged food and signal equipment on board.

Recommendations:

Buy the type of inflatable that perfectly matches your application and needs.
Anything less is a waste of money.

Buy Hypalon.
Inflatables are made using either a PVC, polyurethane or a material called Hypalon. While PVC’s have come a long way since Cousteau’s first dive, they still do not provide the all important UV resistance and strength that Hypalon does. So why not make all boats with Hypalon? Simple. Hypalon is very difficult to work with, which increases building costs and there is always some buyer for a cheap boat. Be wary of the dealer that tells you his PVC tender is as good as a Hypalon tender. If the latest PVC is really as good as Hypalon, why do Coast Guard, Fisheries and Navy Seals, insist on Hypalon?

Inflation is NOT a cinch.
Once inflated and set up, your boat will probably stay that way for the summer. Just look around at the large number of sailboats with an inflatable covering most of their foredeck.

Comfort:
Very few inflatables are designed for extended use with any degree of comfort. While riding in an inflatable may look like fun in the promotion video, in reality you sit on a tube and bounce along while trying to stay on board by holding a line along the side and securing a toe hold inside the boat. Larger RIBs with center consoles and bimini tops are somewhat more comfortable, but in rough water, what you gain in safety, you lose in comfort.

Wear your waterproof watch.
Except for very large RIBs, it is not easy to stay dry in an inflatable. Especially if you have to ride on the tubes. It’s not just water over the side, but spray from under the boat will blow back on you. In soft bottom inflatables you can count on getting your feet wet.

Handling.
The handling characteristics for the various boats within each inflatable category are very similar. At the same time, inflatables handling quite differently than conventional glass boats. Be sure to actually take a ride in either the boat you are buying, or one very close in design, in order to know what to expect.

Hardware interchangeability:
Check the details regarding parts for your inflatable, such as, if an oar breaks is there an original or after-market product readily available that will fit your boats oar lock. Some inflatables install valves that require a unique fitting insert for inflation. Avoid such possible problems before you buy.

Warranties and Service:
A warranty is only as good as the ability of your dealer to provide the service. Inflatables do need specialized care and servicing. Check out the experience and track record of your dealer because you won’t be sending your Zodiac back to France or your Mercury Quicksilver back to Fondu Lac.

Costs:
Here’s a surprise. Except for the toy boats, an inflatable will cost you more money than an equivalent size fiberglass or wood boat. And when you get into sizes over six meters, we’re talking a lot more. The justification for such an expense is their ability to take a pounding in rough water and the added security of having a few compartments of air surrounding you. This has given inflatables their place in coastal water operations and as a yacht tender.