Yacht tender
Yacht tenders offer the best balance between price and stability and are perfect for first-time boat owners. They come with plastic floorboards, while some are made with fabric and wood slats. They range from 6 to 20 feet, and can accommodate as many as four persons.
Yacht tenders are commonly used for family runabouts or for boarding yachts. They are usually made of inflatable parts such as keels and compartments. They also have transom and spray decks. They may be powered by 6hp motors but can be maneuvered with oars. They usually have an average capacity of 600 pounds.
Yacht tenders may come with various accessories like rod holders, bow handles, oar rests, grab lines, a foot pump, and a carrying bag.
V-hull
V-hull Inflatable Boats are usually made of PVC polyester and marine plywood flooring. They are ideal for recreational water sports like fishing. Underneath their floorboards are wood keels or inflation tubes, which give a V-keel to these boats' bows, allowing them to cut cleanly into the water especially during sharp turns.
V-hull Inflatable Boats are specifically constructed to give great buoyancy and stability when encountering 15-hp four-stroke outboards. They may seat up to eight persons or 2,800 pounds. They come with rubbing brakes, carry handles, bailers, tow rings, pilot handles, paddles, and a storage bag.
Performance hulls
Performance hulls may be made of strong fabric and are ideal for experienced boaters looking for fast speed action. They have speed tubes below their collars which produce a hydrodynamic lift. Larger types have a five-person seating capacity or up to 1,763 pounds. They may be as long as 12 feet and may have a short shaft power of up to 35 hp.
Performance hulls come with inflatable keels and high pressure floors that have reinforced transoms made of plywood for added stability. They are usually made with two bailers, overpressure and inflation valves, rub rails, carry handles, tow rings, foot bellows, tie down straps, telescopic paddles, and a storage bag.
Rigid hulls
Also known as Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats or RIBs, rigid hulls may be made of rigid fiberglass hull, hypalon fabric, and inflatable collar. They are meant for experienced boaters only. The fiberglass hull is formed like a V at the bow to provide exceptional buoyancy and stability. They are ideal to use for sports, recreational, military, safety, and rescue purposes. Some models have removable collars for easy storage and repair.
Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats are built with motors that operate up to 20 hp. They come with a bow locker, rub strake, port and starboard towing bridle D-rings, bow eyes, carry handles, locking oar system, oar holders, motor clamp plates, self-bailer valves, aluminum oars, foot pump, and a repair kit.
Rigid hulls come are usually about 12 feet long and can accommodate as many as five persons (or up to around 1,210 pounds). |
