All You Ever Wanted to Know about Inflatable Boats

Inflatable boats have been around for a very long time and play an integral role in everything from leisure time on the water to safety. The earliest known inflatable boats were actually manufactured from animal hides stitched together and then filled with air. However, modern boats have come a long way from their origins. That said, you’ll need to understand a bit more about the history of these boats to appreciate their uses, the many available types, designs and even the right choice in fabric.

The History of Inflatable Boats

As mentioned, the earliest known inflatable boats were made of stitched animal hides. The pilot would lie across the boat and paddle using his or her hands. As you might imagine, they were of little use other than in helping people cross rivers, though they certainly played an important role in some forms of trade and even warfare. The fate of the inflatable boat seemed sealed, until rubber came onto the scene in the mid 1800s.

In 1839, the first inflatable pontoon was designed and manufactured by the Duke of Wellington, utilizing the vulcanization process discovered by Goodyear in 1838. In 1844, inflatable boats were developed to aid arctic explorers in their quest.

However, it was not until the early 1900s that inflatable boats began to come into their own. It was actually the advent of WWI and catastrophes like the sinking of the Titanic that led to the development of recognizably modern inflatable boats.

As mentioned in numerous investigations, the tragedy of the Titanic could have been prevented with the use of advanced inflatable boats or life rafts. Even if the ship had carried a full complement of wooden lifeboats, only half of the passengers would have been saved. Inflatable craft could have made an incredible difference in the outcome of this tragedy, as well as in numerous other maritime disasters.

Inflatable Boat Uses

Once, inflatable boats were used primarily as lifesaving devices. Typically, they would be found on larger craft, as inflatable rafts or similar designs. However, the story has changed today. For instance, currently, these boats are used as tenders during deep ocean dives. They are also used as fishing boats, as recreational vehicles and more. You will find that inflatable boats are capable of doing almost anything a traditional boat is, with the added benefit of easier transport and lower weight.

Current uses include oceanographic exploration, as well as military uses in both the Navy and the Marines. Other uses include such things as personal automobile transport across water, though a special boat is required for this. In addition, you will find these boats used as personal transport devices, particularly in island nations.

Types of Inflatable Boats

You will find several different types of inflatable boats on the market today. For instance, inflatable kayaks have recently changed the face of river exploration and water sports, while rigid-hulled inflatable boats offer benefits for everything from fishing expeditions to ferrying cars across water. You will also find fully inflatable boats with rigid flooring, which provide benefits for those who lack the space for storing and transporting a traditional rigid hulled vessel. The vast diversity of types is supported by the almost limitless design capacity of inflatable vessels.

Concerns with Fabric

The fabric used to manufacture inflatable boats is of the utmost concern to anyone interested in purchasing these vessels. For instance, while rubber played an integral role in earlier designs, this is not the case today.

In the modern industry, you will find materials such as heavy-duty PVC, as well as Hypalon and neoprene fabrics. These provide numerous benefits over older construction methods. For instance, Hypalon offers considerable resilience, as well as resistance to UV light, scratches, cuts and more, while polyurethane provides a very rigid inflatable surface, though you’ll find this fabric used mostly in Navy applications and other areas where rigidity is required.

Your choice in fabric should be directly related to the type of use you will put the boat to. For instance, if you will be whitewater rafting, then a higher quality material is required. If you will simply be paddling around a lake or in a calm ocean bay, then a lighter material might be all that is required. However, it is essential that you choose a material that will stand up to UV rays, will be resistant to scratches and gouges, and will ensure that your choice in inflatable boats holds up for years of use.

No matter what else, you should ensure that you choose inflatable boats that match your usage needs, as well as your budget. When you find the right mixture of reliability, durability, quality fabric construction and other considerations, you will discover that these boats have an enormous amount to offer. Inflatable boats can be the right choice for almost anyone.

About the Author:

Rob Steele is a freelance writer for AllInflatableBoats.net. Visit the site for reviews of inflatable boats and kayaks, catamarans and tenders.