Inflatable boat - device, features of different types, how to choose size, bottom, equipment

You have decided to buy an inflatable boat. Congratulations - this is a great decision! Believe me, even if you break away from the everyday hustle and bustle just a few times a season and go fishing, relax on the islands or just go for a ride, your purchase will pay off handsomely!

In order for the purchase of an inflatable boat to leave the most positive impressions of your vacation, you need to make the right choice. We recommend reading this article to the end, we will try to help you with this.

So - what should an inflatable boat be like?

Firstly, durable and reliable . When going on vacation on the water, you must be sure that the boat will not let you down, especially if you have your wife and children with you. Every product has its own price, competition is very high now, so all manufacturers have approximately the same prices for models of the same class. And if you find a boat with a noticeably lower price, you should know that the manufacturer has saved significantly on something. Before you rush to make such a purchase, think about whether it’s worth risking your (and your loved ones’) safety.

The strength of a boat is determined by the material from which it is made (manufacturer, number of layers, thickness and density) and the quality of workmanship.

Secondly, the boat must be roomy to transport you, your family, friends and things (gasoline tank, food, fishing rods, tents, etc.). It is important to immediately decide why the boat is being purchased and how many people are planned to be transported on the boat - based on this, choose the length of the boat. two very important points here

1st . Don't be fooled by the length of the boat. You might think that 3 meters is a lot! No no and one more time no! The useful part, the cockpit, is much smaller - the space is eaten up by the thickness of the sides and the cylinders protruding from the rear (this is done for stability).

In the photo: loading boat 365 for a two-day vacation, a family of three who still have to board here.

2nd point - DO NOT take into account such a characteristic as maximum passenger capacity. The number of people comfortably moving in a boat is usually less than this parameter. Here you should rely only on the experience of other people. According to statistics, 70% of buyers! In the first year or two, they change the boat and motor to a longer and more powerful one.

On the other hand, you shouldn’t go to the other extreme and choose a very long boat and the most powerful motor that can be installed on such a boat. Here factors such as cost (which increases rapidly with increasing length and power), weight of the boat and motor, as well as transportation dimensions (weight and dimensions of bags with the boat and motor) come into play. Therefore, you need to think carefully, weigh all the pros and cons and make a compromise choice for your specific case.

Let's summarize what has been said.

1. Decide for yourself - why you are buying a boat, how many people will ride on it most often and how many you may have to transport sometimes (so to speak, a reserve of capacity) - based on this, you decide on the length.

2. Based on how far you will have to carry the boat to the water, how convenient it is to do this (access to the water, or, conversely, a steep bank), will someone help you, is it possible to use transom wheels or a trailer, what is the The capacity of your car is determined by the weight of the boat and the type of boat (with a hard floor or an inflatable bottom).

3. Get an idea of ​​the price range of boats and plan your purchase budget.

4. Decide on the density of the fabric. This is also a parameter that, on the one hand, speaks of strength, and on the other, greatly increases the weight of the boat. Here you also need to find the best option for yourself.

5. Next, choose based on cost and appearance.

If you have any difficulties with your choice, you can contact us for help:

by phone (8452) 468-999, Saratov, by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You must have JavaScript enabled to view it. or using the form on the right “Ask a question”

Below are examples of choosing a boat for various purposes and the most important parameters (characteristics) of inflatable boats.

Example one.

The boat is bought for fishing (hunting) for one person, for yourself. In this case, there is no point in buying a boat longer than 3.40 m, the weight of such a boat is quite large and it is difficult to handle it alone, but there is enough space in it for one. The optimal length is 2.90-3.20 m, the weight of such a boat will be 40-50 kg. Here you need to focus on your strength, health and age. The less confidence you have in your abilities, the easier and therefore shorter it is to choose a boat. If you are looking for a boat with less weight, you can pay attention to boats with an inflatable bottom (LPND - low pressure inflatable bottom and Airdeck - high pressure inflatable bottom). Boats with an inflatable bottom are assembled faster. For such boats, a 5 liter motor is quite suitable. strength

Example two.

The boat is bought with the expectation that the two of you will go fishing or on vacation. Here the minimum length is 3.20. Fishing in such a boat is already a bit cramped for two people, 3.40 is much better. In the 3.20 boat you can go on vacation as a family of two with a child; there is practically nowhere to put things. Next, you should again focus on your own strengths. Two people on a 5 hp engine. forces - the movement is already in displacement mode, so if you want to move faster, buy a more powerful motor.

Example three.

You buy a boat and expect that more than two people will sail on it. In this case, you need to take a boat of at least 3.40, and preferably at least 3.60. Motor 8 l. strength and more.

Example four.

You need a boat for entertainment and active recreation on the water. You want to ride with the breeze. It is supposed to be used for towing cheesecakes or a skier. Then a fairly long boat of 3.60 or more, with the ability to install a powerful motor of up to 30 hp, is suitable for you. strength and bright colors. You should pay attention to models with increased speed characteristics, usually labeled “sport” (Kasatka 385 Sport) and RIB boats, which are becoming increasingly popular.

General technical characteristics of boats taken into account when choosing.

Density of fabric of cylinders and bottom.

Nowadays, most fabrics are of fairly high quality and a density of 850-900 g/m2 is quite enough for a medium-sized boat for normal use. Lower density is suitable only for very small boats. If the boat is longer than 360 cm, then it is advisable to choose a higher density. Do not forget that the thicker the material, the stronger it is, but the weight of such a boat is much greater. If you need a very durable boat, choose a density of up to 1350 g/m2, for example Gladiator Professional.

Reinforcement of the bottom of the boat along the keel, cylinders and stringers with protective tapes.

Here you need to take into account the operating conditions of the boat and the topography of the coastal zone (presence of sharp stones, snags, etc.). If you are going to sail a boat in the coastal zone in the reeds (hunting, fishing, spearfishing) and there is a risk of running into snags, then you should choose a boat with an increased bottom strength of 1100 or 1350 g/m3. These are the Gladiator Active and Professional models. The most vulnerable place is the keel, so there must be protection here.

Most Gladiator boat models have wide 180 mm tank armor as standard!

Seams - welded or glued.

It is believed that adhesive seams are more durable; there the joint is stitched, glued with a special glue and protected on top with an additional strip, which makes the connection even more reliable. But, if a brand that produces boats with welded seams has established itself as reliable, then you should not deny yourself the model you like.

Diameter of cylinders.

The diameter of inflatable boat cylinders for a motor is usually 40-50 cm. The larger the diameter, the greater the boat's load capacity and the better protection from waves, but also the greater the weight of the boat.

Payols (slang, boat floor).

Floorboards made of waterproof plywood or aluminum. Such a bottom, unlike an inflatable one, will be more rigid, but also heavier. A boat with a hard bottom and keel has much better seaworthiness.

We consider the rigidity and solidity of the assembled floors to be a very important indicator of the boat’s behavior on the wave. It depends on the thickness of the floorboards, the connections between them, the stringers and how the floor is adjusted to the boat itself. Sometimes, even when moving through water ripples, the floor of the boat begins to shake unpleasantly, and on a large wave the floors with poor rigidity shake. This negatively affects the durability of the boat and simply personal comfort. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to determine this when purchasing; you can only trust the seller’s opinion or read reviews.

Aluminum floors are more durable, but also more slippery. There is an opinion that aluminum floors and benches get hot in the sun - as a result of our tests, such a pattern was not revealed on our models. If this occurs on some models, please write to us by email indicating the model.

Stringer.

Rigid aluminum floor elements, which are placed on the side of the floors and increase the rigidity of the floor. When choosing a boat, pay special attention to ease of assembly. It is very difficult to put on a stringer on some boat models, especially those over 340 cm in length. Therefore, if possible, ask to assemble the boat, by the way, in most cases we do this when selling, or when purchasing absentee, find reviews on how the floors are assembled. The Gladiator “Active” and “Professional” boats have an excellent solution. Their stringer design simplifies assembly significantly. Almost all buyers who had the opportunity to compare with other models noted this feature.

Seat fastening.

It is more convenient when the sliding type of lyktros-lykpaz fastening is used. In this case, it is easy to adjust the seat to suit you. The permanently installed seats are not very comfortable.

Boat color.

For fishing, hunting and diving, green boats are most often purchased. The camouflage colors of boats are very popular, although boats in this color are somewhat more expensive than single-color ones. The camouflage on Gladiator boats is presented in three versions: classic, “reed” - imitating coastal vegetation, and digital - the latter is also readily purchased by recreationalists - it looks very nice. Also, a boat of such colors will not attract unnecessary attention from various inspections. Well, for relaxation and rides, any bright colors are suitable - it’s a matter of taste. We do not recommend purchasing boats with black inserts - they get very hot in the sun, and although the red and black boat looks very stylish, it also gets very hot.

Dimensions of the boat when folded.

When choosing a boat, do not forget to consider its dimensions and how it will fit into your car. The dimensions of the bags with the boat and payolas are indicated in the characteristics of each boat.

Accessories and useful little things.

Handles for carrying the boat - rear and front (it is more convenient for one to control the boat when the rear handles are at the ends of the cylinders, and not on the sides), pilot handles.

Soft pads for benches, sometimes made with seat bags. It’s much more comfortable to sit with them; you don’t feel the heat of the bench in the sun.

There should be a water drain valve at the bottom of the transom. An anchor eye is usually placed on the bow of the boat, protecting the sides from being rubbed by the anchor rope. To prevent boat cylinders from being damaged by excess pressure in hot weather, it is advisable to have a bleed valve. It is also convenient when there is a safety eyebolt on the transom, which is used to insure the motor, tow a cheesecake or another boat.

Inflatable boats "POSEIDON", St. Petersburg

Mediterranean cockpit

In essence, this is an open deck, limited by low sides. Only the helm seat is protected from oncoming wind spray by a transparent shield. But sports yachts don’t even have it. The crew needs complete freedom to quickly move around the deck and control the sails.

The Mediterranean cockpit is most often located at the stern. But the option in the middle part of the deck is not excluded. Here you feel less rocking and the waves don’t wash over you so much.

The Mediterranean Sea is warm, passengers enjoy the hot rays of the sun and escape the heat by swimming in sea water. Therefore, the main purpose of cruising yachts is boat trips and travel.

By the way!
We manufacture and install additional swim platforms for yachts .

Inflatable boats "Our Boats", St. Petersburg

Cockpit of a cruising yacht

In most cases, cruising yachts are not built for sports regattas. Their main purpose is sea cruises for the purpose of recreation and entertainment. On board, everyone can comfortably accommodate a family or a group of several people, plus a crew. Navigation is also provided by trained skippers.

The design of such vessels is carefully thought out. The bow and stern parts of their cockpits are open. This is done for sunbathing, swimming and fishing.

The main volume in the center of the hull is occupied by 3-4 cabins and a glazed salon with panoramic windows. Above it is an open cockpit, which acts as a captain's bridge and a veranda in a summer villa. Passengers spend their time here, enjoying the fresh wind and sunshine. If they are too hot, then a light bimini canopy is pulled over the cockpit. A more closed awning of another type, the sprayhouse, protects from rain and splashes.

We advise you to study! What kind of awnings we make for cruising yachts.

There is a comfortable latrine and shower with hot water on board. Another shower is located in the open aft cockpit. It is intended for washing after swimming in sea water. Meals for the crew and passengers are provided by the cook, who works in a well-equipped galley. Food gets damaged in the freezer.

The panoramic windows of the salon open, letting in a fresh breeze. Evenings spent in the cockpit of a cruise yacht under the furry ocean stars are memorable for a lifetime. It’s not for nothing that a vacation on a cruising yacht is so highly rated among travel enthusiasts.

Cockpits are absolutely necessary elements of a boat, yacht or boat. Now you know what it is!

Inflatable boats "GLADIATOR", Khabarovsk

Scandinavian cockpit

Outside the Mediterranean Sea, the climate is much more severe. An open cockpit does not provide safety even for a large cruising yacht. And you just have to forget about comfort. Even the relatively shallow Baltic Sea can sink any yacht in a storm. The North, White, Irish and Norwegian Seas, and the Bay of Biscay are famous for their harsh conditions. For sailing in these waters, a closed cockpit was invented, which is most often called Scandinavian. He made it possible to travel comfortably under sail in the most difficult climatic conditions.

Structurally, the Scandinavian cockpit is a completely enclosed room where the crew and passengers are accommodated. Yacht sailors can dry off and warm up here after working with the sails. The skipper is allocated a place at the helm, equipped with navigation instruments and a radio station.

A similar cockpit is placed in the center of the deck. Here the pitching is not felt as strongly as at the bow or stern. Passengers unaccustomed to harsh sailing conditions suffer less from seasickness.

The fully sealed Scandinavian cockpit provides excellent protection from the vicissitudes of the northern climate. But these are not all their advantages - it is quite possible to arrange comfortable cabins inside.

This material is not afraid of sea water, so it has been used for centuries for wooden hull parts and interior decoration on ships. Teak wood creates amazing comfort thanks to its texture and aroma of natural essential oils.

Scandinavian cockpits also have their drawbacks. The most important is the limited visibility, which makes it difficult for the helmsman to control the vessel. Luxury pleasure yachts today are increasingly being built with a so-called “deck salon”, that is, a fully glazed cockpit. In this way, they compensate for another drawback of Scandinavian cockpits - cramped space.

Inflatable boats "SibRiver", Krasnoyarsk

Cruising yachts with Mediterranean cockpit

Sailboats with a Mediterranean cockpit are usually called sailing yachts with a large cockpit offset to the stern. Now, this is perhaps the most popular and widespread type of sailing ship.

Several large shipyards are constantly building boats in this class; innovations and cheaper production are constantly underway. For buyers, this is a definite plus - there is plenty to choose from, and the price-quality ratio will be acceptable.

Where do they go on these boats? This arrangement is well suited for calm seas. They are often purchased by charter companies, so you can always rent one to see if it's your type of boat or not.

They will appeal to yachtsmen from “warm seas” who like to spend time in the cockpit at anchor or in the marina. However, this does not mean at all that such a yacht cannot cross the ocean. With proper preparation, top models are quite capable of conquering big waves.

• https://itboat.com/catalog/7-krejserskie-jahty-so-sredizemnomorskim-kokpitom
• https://www.matrixplus.ru/motokater-032.htm
• https://lodkoff.tmweb.ru/
• https://www.katera-lodki.ru/kokpit2

Inflatable boats "Altair", St. Petersburg

Self-draining cockpit

Even in calm weather or with light winds, the movement of the ship raises the oncoming wave. Its spray quickly fills the windswept Mediterranean cockpit. Increasing the height of the sides does not solve the problem, but aggravates it. They simply collect more water, flooding the ship.

The solution looks somewhat paradoxical. Water is removed from the deck by gravity through scupper tubes with a diameter of up to 5 cm. They are built into the sides near the deck. During turns and rolls, non-return valves prevent water from entering the cockpit through the scuppers. But it very effectively removes overboard those that got inside with splashes or rain. At the same time, the ship does not slow down. Even if the wave completely floods the cockpit, two to three minutes are enough to free it.

The current trend in self-draining cockpits is a cutout in the stern to the waterline level. It prevents water from accumulating in the confined space of the afterpeak and threatening the stability of the vessel. In addition, this cockpit design makes it easier to fish and swim from the stern. And on cruise yachts this is a very important option.

A self-draining cockpit is not a guarantee of safety. During a storm, the possibility of flooding is very real. A particularly dangerous situation arises when the vessel is being piloted by an inexperienced skipper. Strong waves can wash over the side and capsize the yacht. Therefore, going out into stormy seas for yachts with a Mediterranean cockpit is extremely undesirable.

Inflatable boats BERKUT, Engels

Self-draining boat cockpit

Bad weather or poor handling and other factors can cause water to enter the cockpit. When moving, some of the water enters the cockpit. This is due to the spray generated by the boat cutting through the waves. And although they are trying to make boat designs more protected from water ingress, as practice shows, it is difficult to completely get rid of this problem. That's why boat owners use a self-draining cockpit. Its essence lies in the installation of special scuppers. A scupper is a hole created to drain water from the hull. They are always open, but their use must be careful. Since they can also play the opposite role: to draw water into the cockpit. Therefore, due to the possibility of the reverse effect of scuppers, manufacturers began to place them on the outside of the boat. But this arrangement of the self-draining system is inconvenient to use, since to open it it is necessary to open the motor and remove the scupper plug.

Yacht cockpit

For this type of vessel, the cockpit of the boat can be closed or open. It can also have a different location: on the edge or in the center. Sailboats with a central cockpit are widespread in the northern regions. The closed cockpit is a separate cabin, the open one is simply a fenced part of the deck where passengers are located. The central location of the boat cockpit has its advantages: - if desired, it can be equipped as a separate cabin with additional (sleeping) places; — with this arrangement of the cockpit, the waves will not be able to reach the passengers. This also applies to the open cockpit type; — compared to the stern or bow, the central cockpit is less susceptible to pitching. Passengers suffering from seasickness will appreciate this. Therefore, a yacht with a central cockpit is most often purchased for the convenience and comfort of passengers.

Self-draining cockpit

Even in calm weather or with light winds, the movement of the ship raises the oncoming wave. Its spray quickly fills the windswept Mediterranean cockpit. Increasing the height of the sides does not solve the problem, but aggravates it. They simply collect more water, flooding the ship.

The solution looks somewhat paradoxical. Water is removed from the deck by gravity through scupper tubes with a diameter of up to 5 cm. They are built into the sides near the deck. During turns and rolls, non-return valves prevent water from entering the cockpit through the scuppers. But it very effectively removes overboard those that got inside with splashes or rain. At the same time, the ship does not slow down. Even if the wave completely floods the cockpit, two to three minutes are enough to free it.

The current trend in self-draining cockpits is a cutout in the stern to the waterline level. It prevents water from accumulating in the confined space of the afterpeak and threatening the stability of the vessel. In addition, this cockpit design makes it easier to fish and swim from the stern. And on cruise yachts this is a very important option.

A self-draining cockpit is not a guarantee of safety. During a storm, the possibility of flooding is very real. A particularly dangerous situation arises when the vessel is being piloted by an inexperienced skipper. Strong waves can wash over the side and capsize the yacht. Therefore, going out into stormy seas for yachts with a Mediterranean cockpit is extremely undesirable.

Mediterranean cockpit

In essence, this is an open deck, limited by low sides. Only the helm seat is protected from oncoming wind spray by a transparent shield. But sports yachts don’t even have it. The crew needs complete freedom to quickly move around the deck and control the sails.

The Mediterranean cockpit is most often located at the stern. But the option in the middle part of the deck is not excluded. Here you feel less rocking and the waves don’t wash over you so much.

The Mediterranean Sea is warm, passengers enjoy the hot rays of the sun and escape the heat by swimming in sea water. Therefore, the main purpose of cruising yachts is boat trips and travel.

By the way! We manufacture and install additional swim platforms for yachts .

For protection from rain and storm waves, Mediterranean cockpits are equipped with hard canopies or removable awnings. They do not provide one hundred percent protection, so a winter flight even in the Mediterranean Sea is extremely difficult. The main danger is filling the cockpit with water and, as a result, flooding the yacht.

Scandinavian cockpit

Outside the Mediterranean Sea, the climate is much more severe. An open cockpit does not provide safety even for a large cruising yacht. And you just have to forget about comfort. Even the relatively shallow Baltic Sea can sink any yacht in a storm. The North, White, Irish and Norwegian Seas, and the Bay of Biscay are famous for their harsh conditions. For sailing in these waters, a closed cockpit was invented, which is most often called Scandinavian. He made it possible to travel comfortably under sail in the most difficult climatic conditions.

Structurally, the Scandinavian cockpit is a completely enclosed room where the crew and passengers are accommodated. Yacht sailors can dry off and warm up here after working with the sails. The skipper is allocated a place at the helm, equipped with navigation instruments and a radio station.

A similar cockpit is placed in the center of the deck. Here the pitching is not felt as strongly as at the bow or stern. Passengers unaccustomed to harsh sailing conditions suffer less from seasickness.

The fully sealed Scandinavian cockpit provides excellent protection from the vicissitudes of the northern climate. But these are not all their advantages - it is quite possible to arrange comfortable cabins inside.