| For many people the idea of spending a leisurely day | | | | In many cases the transom will also be made of rigid |
| floating on a river or lake sounds just heavenly. The | | | | material so that it's possible to mount an outboard |
| high costs of maintaining a boat, however, do not. | | | | motor. |
| Fortunately, inflatables provide an excellent alternative | | | | The tubes are made of a rubberized, synthetic hypalon |
| to their fiberglass counterparts. | | | | or PVC. These materials are very lightweight and |
| Inflatable boats may have been around since | | | | provide secure buoyancy. Different manufacturers use |
| prehistoric times. Archaeologists have found drawings | | | | slightly differing variations on these which can result in |
| of man using inflated animal skins to cross rivers and | | | | some inflatables having thicker walls than others |
| get across lakes. In many waterside cultures, young | | | | (something to consider when selecting the boat you |
| children were taught sailing and swimming skills by | | | | want to use). |
| using inflated animal bladders. | | | | One of the best aspects of inflatables is that they are |
| It wasn't until 1838 when Charles Goodyear perfected | | | | designed to be taken apart and stored in a small area. |
| the process of vulcanizing rubber that inflatables really | | | | This means you don't have to find some place to park |
| had widespread potential. The following year, 1839, the | | | | a large boat, not do you have to worry about |
| Duke of Wellington tested the very first inflatable | | | | maintaining property insurance on inflatable boats. |
| pontoons. This was followed very shortly by the | | | | Furthermore, most of these types of boats don't even |
| development of two types of inflatable boats which | | | | require a trailer or boat ramp for putting them in the |
| were meant to be used in Arctic expeditions. | | | | water. You can simply carry or pull your boat to the |
| These first inflatables were often made from | | | | water's edge and inflate it right there. |
| Mackintosh cloth which was most commonly used for | | | | When conducting your homework on brands of |
| raincoats. The cloth was infused with rubber to make it | | | | inflatables, the two names that are sure to pop up are |
| more durable and airproof. There was a pocket | | | | Intex and Stansport. Both companies are known for |
| created to contain the bellows which was used to | | | | producing high quality, safe and reliable inflatable boats. |
| inflate the boats. | | | | Intex is, in fact, known for manufacturing boats with an |
| It wasn't until the early 1900's, when rubber | | | | extra degree of safety against punctures because |
| manufacturing really took off, that the inflatable boats | | | | their tubes have the thickest walls while still maintaining |
| used were developed. Now inflatables are used for | | | | the flexibility needed for ease of storage. |
| dive boats, rescue operations, lifesaving rafts, military | | | | Stansport, a name known in the outdoor industry for |
| maneuvers, and so much more. | | | | producing a huge range of products, also |
| For most of these boats, the sides and bow are made | | | | manufactures one of the top 4 and 6 man inflatable |
| up of flexible tubes which can be filled with pressurized | | | | boats. Both of these companies routinely exceed |
| gas. These tubes are frequently separate chambers | | | | regulation standards in the production of their boats |
| to help reduce the impact of a puncture and will have | | | | and other items. |
| independent valves for inflation. | | | | If you just don't have the space or the money, but you |
| For smaller inflatable boats the floor and hull are | | | | have the desire to have a boat, inflatable boats may |
| frequently left flexible, but for boats 10 feet or more | | | | be a viable option to consider. These boats have high |
| the floor and hull may consist of 3-5 pieces of | | | | safety ratings, and they have to adhere to the same |
| plywood or aluminum sheets. These braces will be | | | | testing and regulations as other vehicles, but they won't |
| placed between the tubes but are not rigidly joined to | | | | break your wallet. |
| enable them to be easily removed. | | | | |