Inflatable Boat

The Characteristics of Inflatable Boats

There are many shapes and forms of boats. Boats come in many types, too. One of them is the inflatable boat.

An inflatable boat is normally lightweight. Its bow and sides are made out of movable tubes that are filled with pressurized gas. Inflatable boats that are longer than 10 feet often have floors or decks that contain firm plywood or aluminum sheets that are placed between the tubes. Smaller boats have floors that are flexible and are attached to the hulls. Both big and small inflatable boats may have a rigid transom which provides a location and foundation for mounting an outboard motor.

The tubes of inflatable boats are usually made out of rubberized, sheets of Hypalon or PVC. These materials are lightweight but durable. Often, the tubes are made in separate sections, each with a valve to intake or exhale air. This way, the boat can remain afloat even if one or two sections have been punctured.

A section can easily be fixed with repair kits, in case of punctures. However, more extensive damage requires the inflatable boat to be dry docked.

Inflatable boats are some of the undisputed masters of speed. Some boats even have an inflated keel. This creates a groove along the line of the hull which significantly improves the boat's ability to cut through waves. Since the boat is light, the vessel may start hydroplaning at high speeds. This makes it faster than the engine would normally allow since the hull would not be affected by the water's drag.

Because of the versatility of inflatable boats, they are used in a variety of ways. For example, they can be used as rescue craft, dive boats for scuba diving, transport for soldiers from a vessel to the shore or tenders for larger boats or ships. They are utilized for recreational purposes such as a towboat for water skiing, for racing, or even for recreational fishing.

Many people think that inflatable boats are a recent development. However, these kinds of boats were already present even during ancient times. For example, historians who explore old caves discovered carved images of animal skins filled with air. These animal skins were used as one-man floats to cross rivers.

However, it was only during the early 1900s when inflatable boats became viable for production due to the availability of rubber. During this time, they performed as rafts.

After World War 2, with the introduction of advanced materials and with the further development of rubber, inflatable boats became widely used.