If you’re looking for a small open boat for various purposes, this article will help you find the best inflatable dinghy available in the market right now. If you are still confused, the difference between a boat and a dinghy is in their intended purpose. An inflatable boat is a transportation vehicle, whereas a dinghy is a small open boat used as a tender, lifeboat, or pleasure craft on a larger ship.
Rubber dinghies can do what many other larger boats simply cannot achieve. These small open boats are versatile and utilitarian and can come in handy in various situations. Inflatable dinghies can be pleasure boats that can act as a tender boat when your boat is mooring. Inflatable dinghies are also suitable vehicles if you do work around the marinas, thanks to their maneuverability. For more ideas on how to get the best out of your rubber dinghy, check out BoatUS’s article on the basics of using one.
Now when we say that inflatable dinghies are versatile, they truly are. Whether you want to mount a motor, strap on some oars, or set up a sail – there are inflatable dinghies that can do that. There are not many other boats as versatile as an inflatable dinghy.
As with other water-borne vessels, choosing quality is always the best route to go. Picking a cheaper boat at the cost of compromised safety could lead to unwanted circumstances – which you should definitely avoid.
When choosing the best inflatable dinghies, you should consider several factors below:
- Carrying capacity: Regardless of the purpose, considering a dinghy’s carry capacity is important. More weight capacity means you can carry more gear, take more people, or equip heavier motor.
- Hard bottom floor: Some lightweight inflatable dinghies have rubber floors, which causes them to flex too much on the water. Consider getting an inflatable dinghy with a hard bottom floor for increased stability and comfort.
- Seats: If you’re planning to use the dinghy as a boat tender, chances are, you’ll be taking some people with you. Most inflatable dinghies come with just one seat, so you might need to get some additional ones for this purpose.
- Weight: The versatility of an inflatable dinghy comes from its lightweight feature. Some dinghy models are heavier than others. So if you’re looking for that versatility and portability, be sure you pick the right model.
Choosing The Best Inflatable Dinghy
To help you narrow down the options of which inflatable dinghies are worth buying, here are our recommendations for the best inflatable dinghies for you.
1. Inflatable Sport Boats Marlin 9.8′
The Inflatable Sport Boats brand offers water vessels that are easy to assemble and disassemble, making them the perfect choice for portability. The Marlin 9.8′ comes with a sturdy aluminum bench seat, but one of its drawbacks is that it has an air floor instead of an aluminum floor. It also comes with a three-year manufacturer guarantee.
All the seams in the Marlin 9.8′ are heat welded, meaning they won’t come off even under tremendous pressure and extreme situations. Upon purchasing the Marlin, you will get a manufacturer’s certificate which you can use to register the boat in the U.S. Coast Guard.
The stern of the Marlin 9.8′ is equipped with motor mount fittings that can hold any engine up to 15 HP, so you can choose it if you’re planning on taking the boat far out in the open water. Otherwise, you can use the included aluminum oars to paddle your boat.
2. BRIS 10.8′ Inflatable Dinghy
The BRIS 10.8′ inflatable dinghy is a quite versatile rubber water vessel that will serve you well whether as a tender boat, a fishing boat, or a cruising vessel. However, this BRIS dinghy is not the fastest of the bunch. It can only hold engines up to 5 HP, so you should choose other products if speed is what you want. Otherwise, it will get you to your destination at a gentle cruising speed.
It features 3 separate air chambers to ensure safety in case one of them gets accidentally punctured. Even though the BRIS has an air floor deck, it is surprisingly rigid – even almost comparable to aluminum floors. The BRIS 10.8′ is made from 1100D PVC fabric with 0.9mm thickness with the aluminum floorboard.
Setting up the BRIS 10.8′ dinghy is also a breeze – it has one of the fastest setup processes among other inflatable dinghies on this list.
3. Inflatable Sport Boats Swordfish 10.8′
The Inflatable Sport Boats Swordfish is the bigger and sturdier brother of the Marlin. Released as one of the latest lineups, it has exciting technologies such as heat-welded seams, contoured design, and plenty of other state-of-the-art features.
The boat is created by nautical engineers to maximize rear buoyancy and faster takeoff. The extended air tube at the rear of the boat allows for heavier and stronger motors with balanced stability.
In the retail package, you will get everything you need to get on the water such as an aluminum bench seat, a removable seat cushion, two aluminum oars with lock-in holders, a foot pump, and two repair patches.
The Inflatable Sport Boats Swordfish is also USCG approved and will ship with manufacturer certification that you can use to register it. The manufacturer also offers 3 years limited warranty.
4. BRIS 9.8′ Inflatable Dinghy
The BRIS 9.8′ Inflatable Dinghy is a smaller form factor of the infamous 10.8′ dinghy from the same brand. It offers premium 1100D PVC materials with 0.9mm thickness, which provides the boat with a robust exterior that is resistant to tearing and tension breaking.
Every inch of the seam in this boat is heat-welded, which means it is very durable even under extreme conditions. It features a heavy-duty sectional aluminum floor that provides a corrosion-proof platform. The retail package includes a PVC hull, aluminum floor panels, two aluminum benches, two aluminum oars, a repair kit, and a foot pump.
5. Inflatable Sport Boats Killer Whale
The Inflatable Sport Boats Killer Whale offers a complete package with a combination of style, quality, and performance. This lineup of inflatable dinghies is one of the most popular to use with a motor. The extended rear part of the dinghy allows you to attach both 2-stroke and 4-stroke motors up to 15HP.
It boasts an impressive performance that can help you enjoy the excitement of both fresh and saltwater environments. This hard-bottom inflatable boat is one of the leading products in the market.
The retail package comes with everything you need to get on the water: two aluminum oars, a storage bag, a foot pump, two repair patches, and two adjustable sliding bench seats. The boat is also USCG-approved, meaning it meets all standard safety requirements.
Conclusion
The above listed are our picks for the best inflatable dinghy available on the market right now. If you would be interested in other inflatable boats, we also have our comprehensive list of the best inflatable boats that you could find. If you’re all out for dinghies, then take your pick, all of those options have our confidence to be of great investment for you.