Best inflatables 2022

An inflatable boat is an indispensable means of transportation on water spaces. Buying the best inflatable boat in 2021 is a great solution for fishing, sports or simple travel.

Every person leading an active lifestyle should have an inflatable boat in their arsenal. It does not take up much space, unlike models with a solid body or a stationary motor, and is also easy to operate and transport. Also, if desired, an engine can be put on such a boat, which makes it universal.

Editor’s Choice

UREX-2800

The double rowing boat is made of reinforced PVC fabric with a density of 750 g/sq.m. The 36 cm diameter U-shaped balloon is divided into two isolated compartments in order to provide buoyancy in case of accidents. 

The non-inflatable stretch bottom does not have a floorboard. At the stern, a transom 18 mm thick is rigidly glued, designed for a motor with a maximum power of 5 hp. The seams are taped by hand. A carrying handle is installed on the bow, oarlocks and handrail cables are on the sides. 

Two rigid seats are mounted in holders of the lyktros-lykpaz system, which allows movement along the cockpit. In addition to the benches, the package includes a foot pump, oars, a repair kit, a transport bag with comfortable shoulder straps.

Technical specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

Top 16 best inflatable boats in 2022 according to KP

1. BoatMaster 250 Т

The single boat is aimed at lovers of fishing and recreation on the water alone. Safety in swimming is provided by three sealed compartments into which a U-shaped cylinder is divided. At the stern, it is closed by a transom, where you can install an outboard motor with a power of up to 6 hp. The boat easily goes on planing even with two passengers on board. The carrying capacity of 220 kg is sufficient for this, but fishing will be too crowded. 

The bottom is not inflatable, but the kit comes with a rigid folding floor made of waterproof plywood. The bench is fixed in the lyktros-lykpaz system. A carrying handle is installed on the bow, oarlocks are on the sides, holders for oars in the mooring position, handrail cables are stretched. The package includes a foot pump, two oars, a seat, a transport bag.

Technical specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

2. Phoenix 250

Phoenix 250 is a small-sized vessel designed for boat trips in a small distance from the coast, fishing in calm water, etc. This model can accommodate two passengers. Between the cylinders of the boat (36 cm in diameter each), a bottom made of moisture-resistant non-slip plywood is inserted. There is an eye-ring on the bow of the boat, and a lifeline is stretched along the side for the safety of passengers.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

3. TONER Breeze 220

A single rowing boat is designed for sailing in lakes and slow rivers. Suitable for fishermen and running hunters who constantly move through the forest and have to overcome water obstacles. 

The balloon with a diameter of 33 cm, O-shaped, is made of a five-layer PVC fabric with a density of 750 g/sq.m. Seams are welded. Two pressurized compartments maintain buoyancy even in crashes. An anchor eye is installed on the bow, handrail cables are stretched on the sides and oarlocks and oar locks in the mooring position are provided. The hard seat is installed in fixed holders inside the cockpit. 

Includes 3 liter foot pump, two paddles, hard bench, repair kit, transport bag-backpack.

Technical specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

4. SILVERADO AIR DECK 310

The motor-rowing boat is made of non-reinforced PVC fabric with a density of 1100 g/sq.m, and the high-pressure inflatable bottom is made of a special Double Wall fabric. Safety of navigation and high carrying capacity are provided by 5 sealed compartments.

Originally, Air Deck is a high-pressure inflatable flooring technology made from PVC fabric rolled onto nylon. The top and bottom surfaces of the floor are held together with multiple nylon threads. 

A U-shaped balloon with a diameter of 41 cm is closed at the stern by a glued transom with overlays at the attachment points of an outboard motor with a power of up to 15 hp. Attachments for an additional fuel tank are provided near the stern. An anchor eye is installed on the bow, and carrying handles are on the stern. Handrail cables are stretched along the sides, oarlocks are installed on the cylinders. The kit includes two hard seats, a foot pump, a repair kit bag-backpack for carrying.

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5. Leader Compact 220

A single compact boat will be very convenient for anglers or hunters, as this model is light and mobile. The boat’s cylinder is divided into two isolated compartments, which allows it to stay afloat in case of serious damage. The material of the boat is five-layer PVC with a density of 750 g/m2. The weight during transportation is 9.6 kg, which allows you to easily move with a boat equipped in a special backpack or transport it in the trunk of a car.

Main characteristics

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6. Grinda 250

The double rowing boat is made of PVC fabric with a density of 750 g/sq.m on the cylinders and 850 g/sq.m on the tension bottom. An O-shaped balloon with a diameter of 32 cm is divided into two sealed compartments that provide buoyancy in case of breaks and punctures. 

A carrying handle is installed on the nose, and handrail cables are stretched along the sides. Oarlocks are installed on the upper surface of the cylinder, on the side of the cockpit there are holders of the lyktros-lykpaz type for two hard benches.

The package includes two hard benches, two oars, a foot pump, a repair kit, a backpack bag for carrying. There is no rigid transom at the stern, there are no sockets for installing an external transom.

Technical specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

7. First Profi 280C

Double rowing boat made of PVC fabric with a density of 750 g/sq.m. The O-shaped cylinder with a diameter of 36 cm is divided into two independent compartments to ensure the safety of navigation. From the bottom side the balloon is reinforced with a PVC profile. 

There is a single handle on the nose for carrying or towing. Handrail cables are fixed on the outer side of the cylinder, swivel oarlocks and oar holders in the parking position are installed at the top. 

At the stern there are nests for an external transom. Two rigid benches are fixed in the lyktros-lykpaz system on the inside of the cockpit. The delivery set includes two seats, two oars, a foot pump, a repair kit, a transport bag.

Technical specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

8. Intex Seahawk-2

The two-man boat is made of two-layer PVC fabric with a polyester mesh lining. Purpose: fishing and walking in small, quiet ponds. The inflatable bottom is divided into two independent sections, which, together with the balloon, constitute the swimming safety system. There is no keel. Along the perimeter of the O-shaped balloon, a wire rope is stretched. Oarlocks, clamps and holders for oars are fixed on the cylinder.  

Included are two oars, a hand pump, and a waterproof cockpit-mounted document bag. There are no seats and mounts for them – too. An inflatable seat must be purchased separately.

Technical specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

9. Light 200

Light and compact boat, designed for one passenger. This model is equipped with two insulated cylinders, which increases its stability, and in case of damage to one of them, it will remain afloat. The boat is transported in a special hermetic bag as hand luggage due to its low weight. PVC material is quite dense, so the boat is resistant to external influences.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

10. Bestway Hydro-Force Raft

The boat is designed for fishing and water crossings through shallow lakes and calm rivers during sea hunting. The balloon is made of non-reinforced PVC fabric and is divided into two independent compartments to ensure the safety of swimming. The third compartment is a low-pressure inflatable bottom.

The bright orange color of the hull helps to find a boat lost in the reeds or coastal thickets. The seats are inflatable and can also become a means of rescue in case of accidents.

Along the perimeter of the cylinder, a handrail cable is stretched, fastenings for a mounted transom are provided at the stern.

The manufacturer recommends installing a motor with a power of no more than 1 hp on the boat. Transom and motor not included.

Technical specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

11. Drakkar 2600 STANDART

The double rowing boat is made of the reinforced German PVC fabric of the Heytex trademark. This material of the Boat series, that is, “boat”, it is specially designed and produced for high reliability and durability boats. The fabric is not afraid of the effects of gasoline and oils, solar ultraviolet radiation and has antibacterial protection, which helps against the formation of fungi. The fabric from which the boat is made has a density of 800 g/sq.m. 

The balloon is divided into two independent compartments, providing buoyancy in case of accidents. Handrail cables are stretched along the sides, oarlocks are installed. The cockpit is provided with fastenings for rigid seats of the lyktros-lykpaz system.

Technical specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

12. Aqua Optima 210

The model can be used for fishing, hunting or for overcoming water obstacles when hiking. The boat is incredibly light and compact, which allows you to easily transport it even without using a car. This model is made of durable PVC material with a density of 750 g/sq.m, resistant to external influences. The cylinder with a diameter of 28 cm has two independent compartments with separate valves. “Aqua Optima 210” is equipped with lifeline belts, each of which is stretched along the outer side of the boat’s side between two pucks.

Main characteristics

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13. Jilong Fishman 400set JL007210-1N

Four-seater inflatable boat with the possibility of installing a motor. This is a great option for outdoor activities, boat trips or fishing. This model is made of durable PVC material, resistant to environmental influences. The dimensions of the boat provide comfortable accommodation for passengers. The model is equipped with two independent compartments; if one of them is damaged, the second will allow the boat to stay afloat.

Main characteristics

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14. FORT BOAT boat 200

The inflatable boat FORT boat 200 is made of durable German-made PVC material. The rowing boat is equipped with one can, fixed with the help of the “Liktros-Likpaz” system, which can be moved along the length of the cockpit of the inflatable boat. Two independent compartments ensure the stability of the boat in case of damage.

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15. Intex Excursion-5 Set

The inflatable boat INTEX Excursion-5 Set is designed for 5 people (capacity 455 kg) and is suitable for almost any purpose. It consists of three independent air chambers, and is also equipped with an additional one in case of damage. The boat is made of reinforced three-layer PVC brand Super-Tough. This material is durable and resistant to external influences. The inflatable floor is reinforced with additional stiffening ribs – internal vinyl partitions). A special feature of this model is the reinforced fasteners for the transom suspension with the subsequent installation of a motor with a power of up to 1.5 hp / 1.1 kW. The seats are inflatable, two of which are with a back.

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16. Rumb R-200 GR

Model of the domestic manufacturer “Rumb”. The boat is single, compact, light and comfortable, the maximum load capacity is 100 kg. An eye-ring is installed on the bow of the boat, and a lifeline belt along the sides for the safety of passengers. .The model is made of PVC and is durable. The material is resistant to fuels and lubricants, ultraviolet rays and mechanical damage.

Main characteristics

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What other inflatable boats to pay attention to

1. YACHTMAN-260 М

The double rowing boat is designed for boating and fishing in conditions of maximum comfort and safety. The O-shaped balloon is made of reinforced PVC fabric with a density of 850 g/sq.m. The cylinder with a diameter of 36 cm is divided into two independent compartments to provide buoyancy in case of accidents. 

On the wide stern there are sockets for attaching a removable transom. A carrying handle is installed on the bow, oarlocks and oar holders in the mooring position are installed on top of the balloon, lifeline cables are stretched along the sides, reinforced with a mooring bar. 

Two rigid benches are fixed in the lyktros-lykpaz system. Includes foot pump, paddles, repair kit, backpack bag.

Technical specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

2. Inzer Canoe B

A single boat with a canoe-type hull is made of PVC fabric with a density of 750 g/sq.m. Cylinders with a diameter of 31 cm are divided into two independent compartments with valves to ensure buoyancy in case of accidents. 

The floor is stretched, reinforced with solid plywood flooring. The paddle is kayak, two-bladed, so oarlocks are not provided on the sides. The pointed nose and stern make it easier to move through the reeds. 

Installation of an external transom is not provided. The delivery set includes a hard seat, a foot pump, a repair kit and a transport bag-backpack. 

For an additional fee, you can equip the boat with an inflatable chair, an inflatable bottom, a valve for accelerated bleeding of air from a cylinder.

Technical specifications

Advantages and disadvantages

3. Pilot S-280-M

This is a great classic model of an inflatable boat, has a high stability. Thanks to the pointed front end, the boat glides easily on the surface of the water, which saves rowing power. The boat is double, the seats are made of laminated plywood, they can be moved. Five-layer PVC fabric is resistant to external influences, and a dense reinforced bottom (850 g/m2) reliably protects against accidental damage. The kit includes a pump (volume 5 l), two seats, two oars, a repair kit and a packing bag.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

4. LAS Malek

This model is ideal for calm fishing or crossing small water spaces. A distinctive feature is mobility (dimensions 70x35x25 cm). The material is resistant to external influences, the cylinders are made of reinforced PVC Vinyplan by the Finnish company Scantarp. On the bow of the boat there is an eye-handle, the bottom is tension.

Main characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

How to choose an inflatable boat

A boat is a vehicle of increased danger, and therefore its choice must be approached very responsibly. Expert of the online hypermarket “VseInstrumenty.ru” Maxim Sokolov told the KP what characteristics to look for when buying an inflatable boat.

Material

Inflatable boats are often referred to as rubber boats. Although there are almost no boats made of rubber on the market. They were replaced by more reliable and easy-to-use PVC boats. They are stronger, do not crack over time, do not rot or stick together, and are less demanding to care for. In addition, PVC provides higher structural rigidity.

Passenger capacity and carrying capacity

Keep in mind that camping and fishing equipment often takes up a lot of space. Not always in a double boat can comfortably accommodate 2 fishermen. You can focus on the length of the boat: usually for one passenger a boat up to 280 – 300 cm long is recommended, for two – up to 300 – 320 cm. The weight and dimensions in the deflated state are also important for the convenience of transporting the boat.

bottom type

Three options are possible. For boats without decking, the bottom is a PVC film without stiffeners. Standing on it is uncomfortable: it is unstable. Rigid flooring is stable, but takes up a lot of space during storage and transportation. The inflatable flooring allows you to safely get up in the boat, but at the same time it is much more compact than the hard one.

Possibility of installing a motor

If you do not plan to install a motor, choose a rowing boat. If the motor may be needed in the future – a motor with a stationary rigid transom or a motor-rower with a mounted transom in the kit or with mounts for it. Please note: the motor is usually not included in the boat kit.

Mistakes when choosing a boat

The most common mistakes when choosing a boat in the video from the YouTube channel “PerviyLodochny.rf”

Popular questions and answers

The KP answers questions from readers Alexander Orishev, special course “Fundamentals of fishing tourism”.