If Robinson Cruz had an inflatable boat, he would not stick out on the uninhabited island 28 years 2 months and 19 days! But such a miracle of the technique didn’t exist at those times. Robin wasn’t fortunate, but how lucky are you! Be glad, hunters and fishermen, because we will leave on the searches of inflatable ship right now!
It is difficult to decide at the existent variety of models which one befits you. If we’ll take for basis of classification material of which a hull is made, it is possible to divide all of inflatable boats into 4 basic types: made of rubberized fabric, of unreinforced polyvinylchloride (further - PVC), of reinforced PVC and of polymer named hypalon. Let’s discuss each of types in more detail.
Boats made of rubberized fabric differ from others by the lowest price. But except for this dignity, they have a row of failings. First, short term of service (only about 3 years). Rubberized fabric contained much more caoutchouc before and while right exploitation saved its properties far longer. Maintenance of caoutchouc became much lower today, that’s why the term of boat service is shorter now. Second, such models require a thorough care and careful handling, especially in a winter period. If to fold up and to put away a boat which is not dried up, material will be necessarily spoilt (it will simply begin to rot). And here we approached to the third serious failing - practically complete absence of service. For example, there is no where to deadline the spoiled boat with a serious break or numerous punctures. It’s also above the strength of layman to remove a disrepair without assistance. Nevertheless, boats made of rubberized fabric due to relatively low price and large variety remain popular till now.
The next type of boats, which we will consider are boats made of unreinforced PVC. They do not require tireless attention to themselves, do without drying and stay in a line-up, but this type of boats is more sensible to the punctures and other mechanical damages as compared to the boats, made of rubberized fabric. The main failing of the boats made of unreinforced PVC is an unreliability of construction. Such a boat can be folded at a big water-wave since it doesn’t have a hard framework, therefore it is good for swimming only in shallow reservoirs with quiet water. So, for alloyed amateurs on thresholds is not recommended to utilize boats of this type: not only they can appear in the water but also a framework of the boat will suffer. And repair of such a boat will not be very cheap. Demand on a models made of unreinforced PVC is presently not high because of the listed failings. The most expensive boats are made of hypalon and polyurethane. Their distinguishing features are high durability and resistance to influence of ultraviolet rays. The last factor is not so important for our breadths as for an equatorial and tropical climatic areas, therefore boats of this type are rare for us. Besides, this boats cost two times more than analogical models made of PVC. Boats made of reinforced polyvinylchloride got most distribution presently. They are 30-50% more expensive than the rubberized fabric boats, but in this case they are worthy of it. The reinforced boats service life is 20-30 years (10 times more than service life of rubberized fabric boats!). The hard framework allows to use the models of this class on the most different water: from a quiet forest lake to the Gulf of Finland and stormy threshold rivers. Material which a framework is made of is simple, does not require drying and is very strong. It maintains loadings to 5 and even 8 tons on 1 square metre, that exceeds an analogical index of rubberized fabric almost in 5 times. Absolute advantages of reinforced PVC are oil and gas resistance, and also wide temperature range of the use (from -40 to +70°C). In addition, this material holds an air well, is steady to environment influence and mechanical damages. An advantage of this boats category is also a presence of quite good service in a city. So, problems with repair of this category of boats will not arise even in the case of serious damages.
Since we understood classification, you finally decided to provide yourself with an inflatable boat. What do you need to pay attention on at a purchase?
At first, guarantee for material: it makes 5 years for high-quality material. Secondly, guarantee for stitches (they can be welded and glued). The welded stitches are reliable and will not let you down even at a tropical heat. But if you are not going on an inflatable boat to rescue Robinson Cruz, then good glued stitches will provide sufficient reliability and safety, and they will appear at least as good as welded.
Finally, general guarantee. This kind of guarantee, as well as other kinds, is specified in a passport and for a high-quality boat makes not less than 2 years. It means that at any breakage (it can be rowlock tearing off or loss of impermeability by a filling valve) during the designated term company is required to give you free technical service and repair. Therefore at the boat purchase it’s important to take into account availability of service. It’s possible to find all of necessary information from a salesman or it must be indicated in a guarantee coupon.
In conclusion a few words about accessories, which can be purchased in addition to the boat itself. They are different awnings and holders for spinnings, removable wheels for comfortable transporting overland, bulwarks, which raise navigability of the boat, protect from splashes and create a comfort for passengers. And even folding ramp using which man can climb in a boat from water unassisted. By the way, this invention already found the judges in rows of professional divers and simply amateurs to dive far away from a bank.
So, now everybody has a boat: fishermen fish, hunters track down the cane game, travelers left in a tour...
