Investing in an inflatable boat can require a substantial outlay of money,
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Tenders and DinghiesThis is the perfect inflatable boat design for most beginners. It's also a practical design for anyone looking for a general purpose boat that offers safety and stability for a reasonable price. Size isn't what determines that an inflatable boat is a yacht tender, since you can get them as small as just under six feet and as large as 20 feet. Within this category you'll find four styles of yacht tender. Each one has a different type of bottom (referred to as the hull by experienced boaters).The smallest yacht tenders generally have a hull design made of a fabric layer and wood or rigid plastic slats running across the width of the boat. The typical slat width is 4 inches. You'll most likely find an inflatable boat under eight feet long with a slatted bottom. These are fine boats for paddling around in, but they aren't high performance and they aren't good for towing things and don't work well with a motor.Inflatable Boats with a KeelA V-hull inflatable boat has an inflation tube running the length of it, or in some cases a keel located beneath the floor slats. Inflating the tube gives your inflatable boat a V-shaped keep at the bow of the boat. The keel cuts through the water better than a flat bottomed boat and improves the handling of the boat. You'll also find that V-hull inflatable boats are designed to be more buoyant, which is nice if you'll be carrying a lot of weighty gear.High Performance InflatablesIf you're looking for great performance and the ability to achieve high speeds, you'll need to step up to the next level of inflatable boat designs. Inflatable boats with high performance hulls handle beautifully and can really be pushed for speed. Be cautious, however, when you begin using an inflatable boat with a high performance hull. The ease of handling and superior performance may make you over-confident. Unless you're truly an experienced boater, this design can quickly overwhelm you.High performance hulls are routinely used for inflatable racing boats, rescue boats and even water skiing. The hull of a high performance boat usually features a complex system of inflatable tubes to give the boat added lift, particularly at high speeds.RIB's (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats)RIB's are exactly what they sound like. These are inflatable boats with a rigid hull, usually made of some type of fiberglass attached to an inflatable collar. You get the V-hull shape at the bow that gradually flattens out going aft. These are probably the most popular of inflatable boat designs for occasional or family users. It combines the stability and buoyancy of an inflatable boat with the improved handling of a fiberglass hull. You also get a lot of style options with a RIB. Some of the larger models come complete with build-in seating areas, storage, and easy to use consoles that make them comparable to a standard fiberglass boat. These designs are comfortable and versatile,
herve leger clothing, making them the ideal all-purpose boat for fishing, water skiing or simply relaxing on the water. There are also a variety of military and rescue applications for RIB's due to their safety and maneuverability. Other Inflatable Boat DesignsThere are also designs that are essentially copies of more traditional, very specific boats. You can, for instance, get an inflatable kayak or an inflatable canoe. These are excellent options if you enjoy kayaking or canoeing but don't have lot of off-season storage space for your boat. These inflatable boat designs also make it easier to pack up and go camping along a river or lake without having to drag a full-sized boat with you the entire trip. When you're ready to go kayaking or canoeing,
christian louboutin replica paypal, simply inflate it and you're ready to go.Inflatable pontoon boats are used primarily for fishing and other relatively still water uses. These have two inflatable tubes that are spaced away from each other with a seat or seats sitting between and slightly above them. Most inflatable pontoon boats hold only one or two individuals. Inflatable pontoon boats are excellent for fishing because they remain stable even if you put your weight more heavily to one side. You can stow your fishing gear in the bottom between the two pontoons, and the small size and maneuverability of this inflatable boat design makes it easy to reach areas most fishing boats can't penetrate.
About the Author:Kevin Urban is the chief editor for AllInflatableBoats.net, the consumer guide to the best inflatable boats and kayaks. Read our reviews of Innova inflatable kayaks - the best pump-up kayaks in the world.Copyright 2009
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