One of the first things you must consider when deciding which inflatable boat to buy is the type of material it is made from.
Choosing the right kind of material is crucial as it will certainly impact your inflatable boat experience.
If you’re considering buying an inflatable boat, be it a dinghy, pontoon boat, kayak, or just an inflatable raft, you are probably curious about its lifespan, so in other words, how long you can expect your boat to function safely.
Knowing how long inflatable boats last is especially important if you are considering buying a used inflatable watercraft.
What is the average lifespan of inflatable boats?
On average, the life expectancy of a properly kept inflatable boat is 10-15 years.
With that said, know that it’s hard to give an average lifespan because there are several factors at play that will shorten or lengthen it.
Here are the factors that can lengthen, or reduce the lifespan of an inflatable boat:
- age of boat
- material used (PVC vs Hypalon)
- hand glued vs machine welded seams
- amount of UV rays the boat was exposed to
- how the boat was stored when not in use
If you want your inflatable boat performing at its best, you need to keep it inflated at the correct air pressure.
But as with many things in life, the answer isn’t simple.
Read this entire article to find out what the correct air pressure is for an inflatable boat, be it a dinghy, kayak, SUP or a pontoon boat.
Recommended air pressure for the different parts of an inflatable boat
Here is the data you are primarily looking for. Mind you, these are averages. Be sure to read the rest of the article as well.
| Recommended PSI | |
|---|---|
| Main tubes | 2.5 – 3.5 |
| Keel | 4 – 4.5 |
| High pressure air floor |
8.5 – 11.5 |
| SUPs | 10 – 20 |
With that said, keep in mind that the recommended PSI for your dinghy, kayak or pontoon boat may vary slightly. Read more
After buying an inflatable boat, you need to get it to the water of course.
How you will transport your inflatable will depend mainly on the type and size of your boat, and your car.
How hard is it to transport your inflatable boat to the water?
People with traditional boats have it tough. They either need to rent a dock, or have a trailer and winch ready to put the boat onto water.
Inflatable boats are much simpler to transport than bulky traditional boats. If you have a car, boating with an inflatable is literally just a drive away.
But what is the best way to transport your inflatable dinghy or pontoon?
Let’s have a look at several methods. Read more
Boating is a great water sport, but staying safe while having fun is imperative. Many people have asked me the question:
Are inflatable boats safe?
If you’re considering buying an inflatable, or you’re going on a boat trip with an inflatable boat, rest assured. As long as the main safety guidelines are followed, inflatable boats are as safe, if not safer than hard boats. Read more
The flooring of an inflatable boat is an important factor to consider, since each floor type has it’s uses, pros and cons. The 4 types of flooring you’ll encounter in inflatable boats are:
- roll up floors
- hard floors
- air floors
- rigid floors in RIBs
Everybody who has a love for water absolutely needs some form of transportation on the water.
Whether you want to go fishing, find new beaches, go kayaking or need a tender for a larger boat, you should consider inflatable boats.
If you’ve ever seen an inflatable boat being set up at the beach, being paddled on the water or even driven with a motor, you’ll have seen how great they are both in terms of economy and usage. They are much cheaper than traditional wooden or fiberglass boats, are more portable and easier to maintain.
There are several categories of inflatable boats, with each type having a specific purpose.
Please choose wisely with a clear purpose, otherwise you will find yourself regretting your choice. The type of inflatable you will ultimately pick will depend on how you will use your inflatable watercraft.
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