Inflatable Boats or Aluminum Boats?

Which Kind of Boats Suit Me?

Confuse, confuse, confuse! I am confused! What kind of boats should I buy? Aluminum boats or inflatable boats? Which kind is better? Aluminum boats are good but inflatable boats seem nicer. Arghh... What should I do?

Well, if you are in such situation, the first thing you should do is to keep all your money/credit cards tight in you wallet, and then lock it in your drawer! Do not buy any boat in such confusing situation! Make yourself clear first before taking any action otherwise you will end up regretting on the improper boat you bought.

Choosing the boat kinds is just like choosing yourself a shirt. What will you consider when getting a shirt of your own? Yes, you will properly ask these questions.

·         How am I using it?

·         Where am I using it?

·         Who else is using it?

·         How much I afford to spend?

These 4 questions will directly guide you to what you need for sure. You have actually got all the answers within yourself. Calm down and start thinking now.

Basically, there are 2 kinds of boats, hard-sided boats and inflatable boats. Hard-sided boats are built with hard materials and are fixed in features such as aluminum boats. On the other hand, inflatable boats are built with fabrics that could be deflated and inflated at your fancy. Obviously, inflatable boats are more mobile in this case.

1)    How am I using my boats?

Every single boat is designed for different activities. Some are even specialized in one purpose. Thus, choosing the boat of your favor depends a lot on the activities you going to do.

Attention No.1: Loading Capacity Of The Boats

Make sure the boat you chose meet the requirement of your activities, especially the requirement of the loading capacity and the flexibility. A big and aluminum boat doesn't mean that it can carry more as the weight of the boat itself might just have consumed most of the loading capacity. However, the light weight inflatable boats have no such worries. The buoyancy tubes which are inflated with air provide a more efficient loading capacity.

Attention No.2: Multi-function Of The Boat

By the way, some inflatable boats are designed for multipurpose use. Activities such as paddling, sailing, rowing, fishing and cruising just best fitted on inflatable boats. Thus, it's important for you to make yourself clear, what activities you want to do with your boats. Compare with inflatable boats, aluminum boats do have some limitations, as they are not flexible enough to transform.

2)    Where am I using my boats?

Boating on a lake is totally different from boating on the sea. Beware of this statement.

Attention No.3: Materials Of The Boats

Some boats are not designed to cope with the strong UV and the salty water on the sea. Thus the materials of the boats are essential for where you going to use the boats. Sea eagle inflatable boats which built with 1000 denier reinforced material are simply the best whether on sea water or lake water.

Attention No.4: Stability Of The Boats

Besides, stability is another point of consideration. As there are waves in the ocean, a more stable boat and proper keel design are needed to overcome those rough sea water. Buoyancy and materials of a boat play a big role here.

3)    Who else is using my boats?

Beside you yourself, who else will be using the boats? It is equally important for you to consider the ability of other users(if any)to control/handle the boats.

Attention No.5: Light Weight Of The Boats

If you have children and they are using the boats too, beware of the weight of the boats. Whether they can launch the boats themselves or not has to be taken in consideration. Inflatable boats are free-and-easy boats. Inflation of the boats is easy with an air pump and the air light weight should not be a problem for children to carry.

Attention No.6: Friendly-user Handling Of The Boats

A lesser power motor boat should be chose for first time boater as lacking of experience will definitely cause difficulties in handling the boats. Just do not forget to take consideration on other user (if any) when choosing a boat.

4)    How much I afford to spend on my boats?

The budget is one of the issues here. When come to choose a boat, other than the price of the boat itself, please do not forget about the fee behind the boats. What I mean here is those extra fee such as storage, insurance, fuel & gas, trailers, repairs, lodging, setting up a tow vehicle, ski, licenses, permit and maintenance fee. It will be such an amount of money to take care of a boat.

Attention No.7: Transporting & Storing Cost Of The Boats

However, inflatable boats with the ability to deflate just save up a lot of transporting fee as you can keep the clothes stack size deflated inflatable boats in your car boot. Unlike those aluminum boats, you have to not only deal with trailers and towing machines, but you have to deal with the storage problem as well. Storing an aluminum boat definitely will cost you something.

Attention No.8: Fuel-Consuming Of The Boats

Besides the storing issue, the light weight inflatable boats need lesser power to be moved and as a result, you have just saved up pennies on fuel. Comparing with aluminum boats, a bigger HP engine is needed to move the boats in a way consuming more gas.

Attention No.9: Resale Market Of The Boats

Inflatable boats are considered economical not only because of the cheaper price of the boat itself and its attribution to save, the good residual resale price is just an add-on privilege.

Choosing aluminum boats or inflatable boats is really depends on yourself. Considering on the 'attention point' mentioned, you are very clear which kind of boats suit you most. However, I will definitely recommend inflatable boats due to the advantages inflatable boats have. The convenience and all-in-one functions that inflatable boats provide are just unbeatable.

Pick of the Day:

Salter Crusader RX Inflatable Boats

This multifunctional Salter Crusader RX inflatable boat is great for exploring the water, such as rowing to a nearby island, or moving between shore and a larger boat. Its wide, round body is easy to handle and offers ample room for goods and passengers. Install an outboard motor (sold separately) for faster speeds.

·         Medium-sized multifunctional round-nosed (bow) inflatable boat offers a wide, round body so you have ample room for passengers and goods

·         80mm all-around durable rubber strake on the tube provides extra protection

·         Top trim guard includes a safety rope

·         Built-in oarlocks and oar holder for easy rowing

·         16.2mm thick aluminum bench seat

·         One-way drain valve with plug

·         Stainless steel D-rings for convenient towing with an 8mm tow rope

·         Fibreglass-wrapped marine plywood transom comes with motor mount plates on both sides and additional PVC, rust-free screws to prevent delamination

·         Made of 0.9mm thick Mirasol PVC with 1.2mm keel and bottom

·         Aluminum floor can be used for added rigidity and durability