From Personal Belly Boats to High Performance Racers - An Overview of Inflatable
Boats
Author: C.J. Gustafson
Inflatable boats, also called rubber boats or dinghies, have been around in one
form or another for thousands of years. They now come in many different sizes
and models and include inflatable kayaks, sport boats, and inflatable
catamarans. Their versatility and relatively low cost have contributed to their
popularity, and more and more water enthusiasts are discovering the advantages
of owing an inflatable boat.
Evolution of the Inflatable Boat
Historical records indicate that the first inflatable boats were animal skins
filled with air. Over the years, many cultures have created various versions of
inflatable watercraft, and in 1839, the Duke of Wellington tested the first
inflatable pontoons. In the decades that followed, many new designs were
introduced and some of them were utilized by European military forces.
The inflatable boats were used to transport torpedoes and other cargo. They also
allowed troops to make discreet landings in shallow water, and their compact
size and storability made them easy to bring with, even on overland marches
where it would not have been possible to bring a traditional boat.
One of the models, the Zodiac, grew to be very popular with the military and
contributed significantly to the rise of the civilian inflatable boat industry,
both in Europe and in the United States. After World War II, surplus inflatable
boats were sold to the public and the general population had a chance to
experience how easy and enjoyable these boats can be.
Since then, inflatable kayaks, sailing inflatables, inflatable canoes, sport
boats, and belly boats have been added to the mix. Some inflatable boats run 45
feet in length or more and may include inboard steering, luxury features, and
even full cabins. Inflatable boats have evolved so much that today, the only
thing inflatable on some boats is the collar around the perimeter gunwales of
the deck.
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Inflatable Boats
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