Rigid and Inflatable Boats: Differences and Motor Packages
An inflatable boat can be the easiest and best way to get out on water with no fuss, easy boating, minimal expense, no paddling, and most importantly, quick in and out of the water.
Have been in the inflatable boat market for a while and have no idea where to start?
No worries. This guide will explain everything you need to know about inflatable boats. Whether you are a beginner or a pro racer, you will get all the necessary information to help you make a wise choice.
You will also learn some must-have modifications to make your boating trips with inflatable boats to the next level!
Table of contents:
What is an Inflatable Boat
As the name implies, an inflatable boat is a lightweight boat containing pressurized gas inside. The sides and bow part of the inflatable boats are usually constructed with flexible and inflatable tubes made from durable materials like PVC or Hypalon.
The biggest highlight of the inflatable boat is its portability, lightweight, and ease of use and maintain. You can inflate the boat for boating in minutes and deflate it (and folds it up) for quick storage and easy carrying. More importantly, it’s cheaper than traditional boats.
Some inflatable boats feature a rigid transom which allows you to mount an outboard motor to provide more fun and save your effort paddling.
Thanks to its convenience and utility, the inflatable boat is getting more and more popular in fishing, diving, and leisure cruising. It provides an easily storable and portable way to get you out on small lakes (with less cost). Also, it’s widely used as tender boats for large vessels.
Inflatable boats come in different sizes and types, which serve different purposes:
- Inflatable raft: This type of inflatable boat is the most basic, coming with air floor and transom. It’s comfortable to sit on and jump around, mostly for general recreational uses like beach fun or floating around on lakes or rivers.
- Inflatable pontoon boat: The inflatable pontoon style boat is made up of two large air tubes connected by a frame or air bladder. In the middle, there is a platform or seating area. It’s mostly favored by fishermen for fly fishing.
- Inflatable kayak: It’s an inflatable boat in the shape of a kayak (also called a folding kayak), suitable for lake recreation, fishing, river running, or voyages. It’s simple to set up and beginner friendly.
- Inflatable dinghy: It’s usually used as a tender for larger boats, featuring both oar clasps and motor mounts. It’s also popular among RV owners for getting on the water quickly.
- Rigid inflatable boat (RIB): It comes with a strong and rigid hull and inflatable sides. So it combines the best of both worlds, with imporved stability and manuverbility of a traditional boat, as well as the buoyancy and flexibility of inflatable boats. It’s commonly used for rescue operations and military applications, also suitable for high speed activities.
Is an Inflatable Boat Worth It (Top 6 Features & Benefits)
New to inflatable boats and still on the fence about whether to purchase your first inflatable boat?
Whether you are looking for a boat for fishing or recreation, you can find an inflatable boat solution for your specific needs.
Check out the top 6 features and benefits of inflatable boats and make a wise decision.
#1. Portable
As mentioned above, inflatable boats are mostly favored by their portability. They are small and easy to travel with. There’s no need for a trailer or a dedicated storage space. Just toss it in the back of your truck and roll it out. You are ready for your trip.
#2. Easy to Store & Transport
If you are one of those who doesn’t have enough room or storage for a traditional boat or a car to haul a boat, an inflatable boat can save your day.
The small inflatable boat can fold down small enough to fit in the back of your car. Just deflate it, throw it in your trunk and off you go. No trailer with light hookups that break. In the off season, you can simply deflate it and stick it in the garage or basement. Easy peasy.
#3. Versatile
There are different types of inflatable boats designed for various water activities. Whether you are buying a boat for fishing, sailing, diving, or just exploring the surrounding areas, you can find an inflatable boat to get the job done perfectly.
Besides that, some inflatable boats come with additional features to satisfy your specialized needs. For example, fishing rod holders, motor mounts, and other accessories to make fishing easier.
#4. Ease of Use
If you just want something small to float around your local lakes and catch some fish, inflatable boats are a great option to start with.
It’s really simple to rig it up. The whole process of inflating the boat and putting it in the water (and mounting the motor while in the water) is pretty straightforward. If you know the process and get the electric pump, it goes very quickly, usually under 20 minutes. And it’s extremely stable and easy to maneuver in the water!
#5. Affordable
Inflatable boats are usually less expensive than traditional hard-hulled boats. For example, a comparably sized and equipped aluminum or fiberglass boat would cost a whole lot more than an inflatable one. In addition, inflatable boats are easier to maintain, which saves on repair costs.
#6. Durable
Although inflatable boats are inexpensive, they are impressively durable! Most inflatable boats are made of high quality hypalon. A lot of users reported having their inflatable boats for over 30 years and the boats are still in great condition.
It’s true that inflatable boats may spring some leaks from time to time, but they can be easily repaired. Just keep an eye on the punctures when in storage or when taking the boat in and out of the water.
Key takeaway: The benefits of inflatable boats can go on and on, and whether to go with an inflatable boat eventually depends on your personal needs and budget. However, if storage and transportation are a big issue, you really can’t beat an inflatable.
Inflatable Boats with Motors
Worried about being stuck in the middle of a lake with all your gears and trying to swim to shore?
With only paddling, you might end up with struggling especially if you’re going against the wind. And that’s a real safety concern.
Getting an inflatable boat with a motor can save you from that desperate situation!
A motorized inflatable boat is more than an extra piece of mind. It brings your boating experience to the next level, just like a charm:
- Improved performance: Inflatable boats are lightweight, so they require less power to move through the water than traditional vessels. That’s to say, you can get to a faster speed more quickly.
- Better Maneuverability: An inflatable boat motor allows you to control the boat more easily. Take the popular ePropulsion eLite electric motor as an example. Just press the start button and twist on the handle, and you are ready to go.
- More Coverage and Fun: An inflatable boat with motor will get you to spots you can’t access from the bank. At the same time, you will cover the water more quickly, which means more fun on the water.
That’s why a small outboard motor has now become a must-have modification for every brand new inflatable boat. However, remember to take the motor sizes, weight, and cost into consideration in your decision.
Also, keep in mind that you might need to register any motorized boat, even if it’s just a little inflatable boat with a small trolling motor. Check your state laws for details.
Best Inflatable Boat Motors
Looking for a reliable motor to power your inflatable boat?
Here are the top 2 recommendations based on customer feedback and professional reviews worldwide.
Both recommended inflatable boat motors are electric outboards, so there’s no concern about noise, the smell of fumes, maintenance, and long distances.
#1. ePropulsion eLite
The 500 W / 1.5 HP ePropulsion eLite is designed for inflatable boats and RIBs. This small inflatable boat motor is compact and lightweight (only 6.7 kg / 14.7 lbs including battery), so it’s super easy to transport.
It features an integrated battery, so the installation is straightforward without any wiring. In terms of performance, you can get around 1.5 hours runtime and 5.6 miles of range at half throttle, which is pretty impressive and trolling motors can never compare.
| Half Power 250W |
Full Power 500W |
Sport Mode 750W |
|
| Speed (kph / mph) |
6.0 / 3.7 | 7.5 / 4.7 | 8.3 / 5.2 |
| Max Run Time (hh:mm) |
1:30 | 0:45 | ** |
| Range (km / miles) |
9.0 / 5.6 | 5.6 / 3.5 | / |
Check out what the eLite owner says about this inflatable boat motor in real-life applications:
#2. Spirit 1.0 Evo
If you want a more powerful solution with extra range and faster speed, the 3 HP Spirit 1.0 Evo is a great option for your inflatable boat.
This inflatable boat motor features a 1276Wh large integrated lithium battery for long range and easy installation (without any wiring). It weighs only 20 kg or 44 lbs including the battery, making it portable and easy to transport in a convenient carry bag.
With this inflatable boat motor, you can easily go 22 miles at 4.5 mph or go fishing all day long at trolling speed:
| Power (W) | Speed (mph / kph) | Runtime (hh:mm) | Range (mile / km) |
| 35 | 2.2 / 3.5 | 12:25 | 80 / 129 |
| 65 | 2.7 / 4.3 | 19:35 | 53 / 85.3 |
| 125 | 3.5 / 5.6 | 10:00 | 35 / 56 |
| 250 | 4.4 / 7.1 | 5:00 | 22 / 35.5 |
| 500 | 5.3 / 8.5 | 2:30 | 13.3 / 21.3 |
| 750 | 5.7 / 9.2 | 1:40 | 9.5 / 15.3 |
| 1000 | 6.2 / 10 | 1:15 | 7.8 / 12.5 |
Check out how this inflatable boat motor performs on a tender in the Hawaii Ocean:
Installation and Maintenance
With modern electric motors and battery technology, you can motorize an inflatable boat in just minutes.
Take the ePropulsion eLite inflatable boat motor as an example. The installation can be easily done with 5 steps:
- Step 1. Choose the right location and make sure there are no sharp objects nearby.
- Step 2. Inflate the boat to the correct pressure with a quality pump. It will be much more efficient to do it with an electric pump, but pay special attention so as not to over inflate the boat.
- Step 3. Place the clamp bracket in the center of the transom. If there’s no rigid transom, a motor mount kit would be helpful.
- Step 4. Hold the eLite inflatable boat motor with both hands and align the quick-release mount with the clamp bracket damping shaft, then slowly lower the motor into place.
- Step 5. Test the buoyancy of the inflatable boat in the water and make sure the motor works properly. Remember to secure extra oars in case of emergency.
Also, don’t forget to properly maintain the inflatable boat if you want it to last long. Here are some practical tips:
- Inspect inflatable boats for damage regularly to avoid accidents while having fun in the water. If there is any damage to your boat, don’t waste your time because it will be unsafe to use.
- If possible, inflate a boat and leave it for at least 24 hours, then check if there is any loss of pressure in the tubes.
- Check and maintain the propulsion system according to the manual. If you want to save trouble, go for an electric outboard motor that requires significantly less maintenance than its combustion counterparts.
- Deflate the boat when not in use to avoid damaging the surface when you or your kids accidentally hit it.
- Before storing the inflatable boat, clean it with soap and water, then wipe it thoroughly and air dry.
- Keep the inflatable boats in an enclosed place to protect them from UV exposure. It also discourages rodents or insects from infesting them.