Inflatable Boats are Naturally Safe and Stable - Here’s How To Enhance Their
Overall Safety
Inflatable boats such as inflatable kayaks, inflatable catamarans, and inflatable sport boats have several advantages over their traditional watercraft
counterparts. They typically cost less, are easy to transport, and can operate
in more shallow waters than a deep hull boat. But many people don’t realize that
inflatable boats are just as safe, or even more secure, than traditional boats.
Because of their safety reputation, inflatable boats are now essentially the
standard for use by the military, coast guard and other rescue agencies
worldwide.
Buoyancy
Buoyancy is one of the main concerns with any watercraft. How high a boat sits
in the water and how well it stays afloat are important contributors to overall
safety. Buoyancy also helps determine the amount and weight of cargo that a boat
can transport.
Inflatable boats and inflatable kayaks tend to be more buoyant than traditional
watercraft, mainly because of the inflatable collar or tubes. The inflatable
sections help spread the buoyancy out over the entire area of the boat, making
it more resistant to sinking. In addition, the collars or tubes on an inflatable
boat are usually designed with separate chambers so that if one chamber becomes
deflated, the overall buoyancy will not be noticeably affected.
Stability
Not only does the design of inflatable boats contribute to increased buoyancy,
it also helps make the watercraft more stable. Unlike traditional V-hulled
boats, an inflatable boat sits flat in the water and has a low center of
gravity, making them virtually impossible to tip. They are better able to handle
rough water, and people standing up in the boat are not going to cause the craft
to capsize. And swimmers and divers can use the sides to pull themselves up
without causing the boat to rock or flip.
Power & Maneuverability
With the right size motor, inflatable boats can be quicker and more powerful
than traditional boats because they are much lighter. For this same reason, they
are much more responsive and easy to maneuver. In fact, because inflatable boats
are so light and quick, it is important that you do not use too large of a
motor. For general boating and fishing on inflatable boats, an 8 horsepower
motor is adequate for watercraft up to 14 feet. Larger boats and inflatable
sports boats for activities such as water skiing will require a motor with
around 30 horsepower.
Next > Other
Safety Factors To Consider
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