|
 Register |
|
|
| Which Boat is Best for you? | 2010-1-17 2:45:40 | Some considerations, apart from 'Bigger is Better':
Consider the warranty of the dinghy. Any good manufacturer or retailer will have long warranties on their boats.
Accessories, valves and hardware: One area frequently overlooked by first-time inflatable boat buyers is the quality of fittings and accessories. Usually the difference is obvious on bargain boats, but inexperienced buyers don't realize how big an impact inferior fittings have until they actually use the boat. A good manufacturer will fit accessories like stainless towing eyes, strong aluminum oars, reliable inflation valves and heavy-duty pumps to help you inflate your boat quickly with minimal effort.
But do buy a reasonably sized boat!
Bigger inflatables handle dramatically better than smaller ones. The differences between an 8'6' sportboat and a 10' sportboat in handling, carrying capacity and ride, due to the small surface area of the small boat hulls, are greater than you can imagine until you actually try them side-by-side. A sportboat less than 9' long is capable of planing, but tends to be squirrely on the water, and will fall off a plane easily. 10' boats (and especially 11' boats) have less bow rise when they accelerate and will stay on plane at lower speeds. They are less sensitive to steering inputs so you can relax more while driving them and their larger tubes with slightly greater freeboard will give you a drier ride. Longer boats also have more usable interior volume. Inflatables have pretty dinky interior spaces due to their chunky tubes and forward-mounted transoms. A 9'3' boat may only have 7 feet of interior length, and some of that is in the V-section of the bow. By adding a foot to the length, you gain the same amount in the interior, for a 14% increase in floor space.
People buy smaller boats so they can leave them inflated and stored on deck or a swim step, or for ease of carrying to a car or cabin. They may generally have only two people to transport in their dinghy. If you are short of storage space or transport just you and your spouse, then an 8' boat may be just the ticket. You'll probably never regret having decided on the largest boat for your purpose, but you may regret it if you find the boat too small for your use. If weight is a prime consideration, consider a High Pressure (HP) or High Pressure Inflatable V-Hull (HP-V) boat. These are marvelous because they are lightweight and plane easily with engines from 4hp to 25hp. Their extended range at higher speeds, excellent handling and compact stowed dimensions make them an absolute pleasure to own and operate.
Finding the perfect inflatable isn't so tough. Simply pick the combination of portability and performance that your boating style requires and choose the fabric best suited to your boating environment. A well-built inflatable will often last a decade or more. When all is said and done, it may be the boat you remember most fondly for its amazing versatility and reliability under all conditions.
For a great selection of dinghies all with long warranties, go the the KAIYAN Marine site
| | Previous Next Back |
|
