How to choose inflatable boat for fishing

Inflatable boats have several advantages when comparing them with other types of boats, and these advantages are not limited by structure or materials.

• compactness and light weight;
• elasticity and resilience;
• mobility and great seakeeping abilities;
• high speed and good carrying capacity;
• easiness of emergency repair and ability to be stored at home;
• affordable price;
• do not require special care.

Despite this such boat doesn’t require big loads to be fixed in rough water. That makes the boat lightweight and improves maneuverability and ease-of-operation.

So, you have decided to buy an inflatable boat. Its price, colour and design are suitable. But these are not enough for making final decision. In this article we try answer the most common questions that appear while choosing a boat.

What should you consider?

Where are you going to use your boat? In calm lakes and rivers or in the rough sea?
For what purpose do you need a boat? Are you planning bottom or spinning fishing? Maybe you need a boat for hunting or just for family recreation?
How many people the boat is supposed to carry?
Which accessories do you need to feel comfortable on board?
Do you need fast boat? If you do how fast should it be?
Are you planning short trips or want to spend a lot of time on water?

Choosing a PVC boat pay attention to such characteristics:

• Overall length (cm)
• Overall width (cm)
• Inside length (cm)
• Inside width (cm)
• Buoyancy tube diameter (cm)
• Amount of airtight compartments
• Passengers capacity
• Carrying capacity (kg)
• Maximum power allowed (h.p.)
• Maximum power recommended (h.p.)
• Overall weight with standard specification (kg)
• PVC fabrics (g/m2)
• Transom height (mm)
• Hull angle, degrees
• Type of the bottom
• Type of the boat

How to choose a boat for fishing?

The main advantage of inflatable boats is definitely that they are simple to put on water. Small boats can be carried in backpack. Average inflatable boat can be easily put into trunk and doesn’t require any special equipment. One person can prepare and put such boat on water without difficulties. There are lots of such boats. It is suitable for fishing on calm water and also can be auxiliary watercraft for yacht or launch. Such boat will be good assistant for divers - some equipment can be carried on it.

Choosing a boat for fishing you should remember that it must be capacious even if you plan to fish alone. And surely it must be comfortable. Generally it means that boat must have slats(rigid bottom) so one can stand in the boat while fishing. It is especially important for those who prefer spinnings. Also such flooring improves maneuverability and seakeeping ability of a boat.

It is also important to remember that the bigger buoyancy tube is the less inside space you have. So pay additional attention to inside width and length of a boat.

Remember that the boat should be lightweight enough so you can carry it by yourself and it also must be compact to be put into trunk of your car or into your backpack. There are boats that with carrying capacity of 140 kg. can be put into special backpack.

Materials of boat for fishing

Best choice is boat made of multilayer reinforced PVC fabrics. They withstand temperatures from -30ºС to +70ºС. They are not only resistible to ultraviolet but also useful in inimical environment (salt water, combustible or oil).

It is also advised to mount additional seats. There are comfortable foldable and inflatable seats that will make your water recreation more pleasant.

Rowing or motor boat?

It is simple choice. If the water reservoir where you plan to boat is quite small, good choice is rowing boat. Such boats are cheaper than motor boats by the way. But we do not recommend to choose one-seat boat. Two-seat boat provides enough space for you to move inside the boat and you can take more thing with you.

How to choose inflatable boat for hunting

Boats for hunting must be reliable and noiseless. Main conditions of hunting on the boat are steadiness, rigid flooring and capaciousness.While duck hunting it is better to limit passengers to two people on board even if the boat’s passengers capacity is four or six persons. In such case hunters sit back to back, nothing bothers their visibility and safety is observed. Professionals advice to choose boats with reinforced buoyancy tubes. Such boats are much harder to damage. The best colour for hunting is camouflage. It allows to “merge” with surroundings and hides your location from ducks. And the length of the boat must be 3 meters or more. Remember, you take on board not only your friends but also equipment, dog and later your preys.

How to choose a boat for diving?

Best choice for diving is an inflatable boat with rigid bottom. Such boat is more reliable,and has bigger carrying capacity than ordinary inflatable boat. If you plan to use a boat for diving , remember that it must have passengers capacity of 4 to 6 persons. Don’t overload the boat. The boat must be stable - you need not just descend into the water but also get back into the boat.

How to choose a boat for family recreation?

For family recreation one should choose a boat carefully. It depends on many factors. Where the family plans to boat on small or big water reservoir, rough or calm water, or maybe in open sea? How many adults will be on board and how many children. Aqua-Storm Company specialists recommend boats of 3 or more meters length for family recreation. Also we advice to think about motor you plan to buy for the boat. Safety is also highly important - there should be safety vests for adults and children, anchor and bimini top on board.



It is advised to choose light colours of the boat so it doesn’t heat on the sun and children don’t feel uncomfortable touching the boat. Dark colours heat on the sun faster than light colours.

What boat to choose for boating on long distances?

Choosing a boat for expeditions or long trips? Than every detail is important: where you are going to use it, it will be shallow rocky rivers or affluent, will you have to drag the boat on shallow water or carry it by yourself with your things and equipment. It is often recommended to choose a boat made of reinforced PVC for long trips, such material protects the boat from damages, but one should consider that reinforced boat is twice heavier. Main characteristics of a boat for expeditions are good carrying capacity, safety, comfort and great sea-keeping abilities. Carrying capacity is one of the most important factors. In such case you should choose a boat depending on duration and autonomy of expedition.Remember that you take equipment, fuel and food with you. You should take dodger with you as you are going to travel on PVC boat. It will protect you are your stuff from the sun, wind and splashes.

PVC boats have good operational qualities that is so important for autonomic trips. They have great seakeeping abilities even on unnavigable rivers or reservoirs, rapids and shallow waters. Motor makes such boat stable and fast. Even using low powered motors this boat can reach quite good speed.

Upgrade of an inflatable boat

Even if you don’t plan it now, one day you will want to upgrade your boat. It means to equip the boat with things that were not included in standard specification but improves abilities of your watercraft and thereafter yours. It can be anchor rope holder that fixates anchor rope, or dodger that will protect you from the hot sun, rain and wind. Another important thing for fishermen are fishing rod holders. We advice to mount rod holders to avoid losing of favourite rod. And there are many other things you can upgrade in your boat. Most of fishermen try to upgrade boat by themselves, and sometimes it makes the boat only worse. It is better to use services of professionals. Especially if you need substantial changes.