Inflatable Boats

Boat Mfrs > Motor Yachts | Sailing Yachts | Fishing Boats | Power Boats | Sailboats

Inflatable boats are filled with air, which allows them to float on the surface of the water.  Today's modern inflatable boats have multiple air chambers to prevent them from sinking and are made from very durable materials.  While you may think that inflatable boats aren't as strong as conventional boats, think again!  The Coast Guard uses inflatable boats in bad weather when boats with standard hulls just won't cut it.

While inflatable boats are light, they are able to carry many times the load of conventional boats of similar size because of their incredible buoyancy.  Inflatable boats are fun for recreational boaters who like to try different waters, because most of them can easily fit in the trunk of a car when they are deflated.

Inflatable boats are also used by yacht owners.  They make great dinghies to get to and from moorings, and are also easy to stow on board for boaters who are making longer trips.  Because of their soft sides, inflatable boats won't scratch the yacht's exterior when they bump against it.

Some of the larger inflatable boats have a fiberglass bottom.  These kinds of inflatable boats give you the best of both worlds — a fiberglass vee bottom to smooth out the ride, excellent flotation and weight-bearing ability, and the capability to bump into other boats without scratching them.  Some inflatable boats also have twin outboard motors, which allows them to get up to a good speed.

Inflatable boat lengths range from 7 feet to 22 feet, and prices range from $300 to $20,000.  For the most part, inflatable boats are comparable in price to fiberglass boats of the same size.

Inflatable Boat Manufacturers

• Achilles Inflatable Boats
  

  1407 80th Street SW Everett, WA 98203 800-829-2912 www.achillesusa.com/boats/

  Producer of small inflatable boats made with multi-layer, reinforced fabric.

  
  
• Caribe Inflatables U.S.A.
  

  25175 S.W. 142nd Avenue Homestead, FL 33032 305-257-1290 www.caribeinflatables.com/

  Leading maker of rowable & powered inflatable boats and accessories.

  
  
• Porta-Bote International
  

  1074 Independence Avenue Mountainview, CA 94043 650-961-5334 www.porta-bote.com/

  Offers portable folding boats and dinghies as an alternative to inflatables.

  
  
• Viking Life Saving Equipment
  

  1400 NW 159th Street Suite 101 Miami, FL 33169 305-614-5800 www.viking-life.com/

  Produces liferafts and powered rescue boats designed for life-saving missions.

  
  
• Walker Bay Boats
  

  717 Butterfield Road Yakima, WA 98901 888-44Walker www.walkerbay.com/

  Makers of small dinghies, inflatables, and small sail boats.

  
  
• Winslow LifeRaft Company
  

  11700 Winslow Drive Lake Suzy, FL 34269 800-838-3012 www.winslowliferaft.com/

  Manufacturer of quality marine and aviation liferafts.

  
  

Inflatable Boats