Why are all the inflatable sizes odd lengths? Why not 7', 8', 9' and so on?
Most of your inflatables will come in odd sizes (i.e. 8'9", 10'1", 11'3") the reason is they use the metric system and then when converted over to standard it comes out to odd measurements. The prefix of the model will be a 270 or 300 or 310 and this is simply your metric measurement. The 270 model would be a 2.70 meter boat and that would convert to roughly 8'10".
What's the right size inflatable for me?
As a rule you should want the inflatable to be at least 2 feet shorter than the width of your boat. Make sure to look at the capacity plate on the inflatable, you want to make sure its short enough that it does not hang over the sides of your big boat and you can get around it, but long enough that it safely holds all of your guests. All inflatables are not the same, you can find smaller boats with larger capacities if they are built better.
What is the difference in floors?
There are 4 different floor types that are common amongst all brands. The rollup floor, the piece assembled hard floor, the airdeck inflatable floor, the fiberglass floor.
The rollup floor is a slatted wood floor it is light weight and easy to rollup, this model is good for the person who is constantly rolling it up and putting it into a bag. It is easy to carry and stow.
The con is it has no real rigidity. Great on portability but no so great on performance
The sport/assembled solid floor: This boat comes with 3-5 boards that get put together. Assembly is very difficult when alone. The pros are that you are getting a solid floor boat that can also be folded up and stowed. Try to stay away from wood itself as they swell in the saltwater and it makes assembly very difficult and the weight go up. Try to go with fiberglass pieces or aluminum (aluminum doesn't do as well in saltwater). This boat can also be carried in two seperate packages keeping the weight down when bagged up. The con is it is heavy and hard to assemble alone.
The airdeck/inflatable air floor: This is in my opinion the best rollup you can buy. it is lightweight and easy to assemble. Make sure you get one that holds over 10 psi or else its too weak and will cause major plaining problems and a very poor ride. if you do get one that holds 11 or 12 psi air pressure, it is light weight, easy to rollup and stow, you can do it all by yourself. The cons are some less pressure air floors are a poor performance, some air floors are easily punctured. If you get a solid floor this is the best roll up in my opinion
The RIB: this stands for rigid inflatable boat, it comes in either a single deck where you have a V-bottom and you are standing directly on the V-bottom when in the boat (these give you the rigid bottom ride but cut down on some of the weight) or the dual floor where you have a V-bottom and you stand on a flat floor and most of the time thry foam fill in between the two layers. The pros are the best riding/towing inflatable you will find is a rigid. The cons are they are heavy, can not be stowed away, and can chip the swim platform of your big boat.
What is the difference between materials?
There are two major materials in the inflatable game. You have PVC and Hypalon. Ask 100 people and you will get 100 different views. Hypalon was the original material. All of your avon's and achilles are still made with Hypalon. Hypalon is better against UV rays and prolonged sun exposure. Hypalon will last 20-30 years. PVC is a stronger material for punctures and tears. However when PVC first hit the market it would only last 5-6 years on its own. Many companies like Mercury put addatives into there PVC to get them to last 15-18 years. Hypalon is a longer lasting material PVC is stronger. If you can get a PVC boat with a built in addative and put a cover on it, you have a longer lasting stronger boat. This is great for the North. If you are going to be in the bahamas year round, Hypalon's the answer.
Inflatable buying tips:
1-a good warranty backed by a well known company nationwide.
2-a light weight boat with high capacity.
3-a high psi airfloor is important.
4-a one way drain valve that does not require you to put your hand into the water.
5-a reinforced v-keel so you can ride up on the beach.
6-oars mounted off to sides (often oars are mounted in the dead center and this makes it tough to sit on the tubes)
7-fast plaining, some models adapt there end cones to plain off faster, this will make you enjoy your inflatable more.
8-a bowed up nose, this will help you stay dry (all inflatables are wet but some less than others) it will also help when you are towing it.
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