Rigid Inflatable Boats vs Soft Bottom Inflatable Boats

Are you looking forward to a light and affordable vessel to take out on a sunny day? Then inflatable boats are highly recommended. Along with the fact that these boats can either be fully or partially deflated and stored away, it also uses little to zero engine power compared to the powerboats of the same capacity.

Before choosing between rigid or soft bottom inflatable boats, there are some significant pointers to be considered:

• The capacity requirements
• Speed preference
• Propulsion system to be used (hand oared or outboards)
• Storage space

Inflatable boats come in different shapes, sizes, and properties. One of the leading such differences is the bottom - soft bottom and rigid bottom both have their pros and cons. Let us look at those in detail.

Soft bottom inflatable boats

Soft bottom boats are a straightforward choice for those looking for some leisure time on shallow waters with minimum power requirements and fewer people. The base comes in different floor types like air, slat, wood, or aluminum.

Pros: 

• Lightweight
• The air floor boat can easily be deflated, rolled up, and stored.
• Cheap and easy to purchase
• Easy to inflate and deflate

Cons:

• Difficult to manoeuvre, especially during strong winds
• Less carrying capacity
• Speed limitations
• Uncomfortable ride in choppy water

Despite the cons, the soft bottom inflated boats are very much in demand as a budget-friendly option for boaters looking for a simple, stress-free durable option to boat with.

Although the ride could be a bit uncomfortable or unstable since it could achieve planing at lower speeds, using a v-keel is advised for reducing the bumpy feel.

Rigid Bottom Inflatable Boats

Hard bottom inflatable boats are also known as rigid inflatable boats or RIB. These are what could be called making use of the best of both worlds.

It is an incredibly cost-effective boating option for those looking for something that could go at higher speeds with lesser weight and power requirements than a typical speed boat.

That being said, before jumping in to choose a RIB, here are some pros and cons for you to weigh in:

Pros:

• The rigid V-shaped hull helps in cutting through the water smoothly
• Can mount engine up to 300HP
• The oversized air tubes keep the water out of the boat
• Easy to navigate and manoeuvre
• Better carrying capacity
• Better stability

Cons:

• Heavier when compared to a Soft bottom inflatable boat
• Comparatively costlier
• Storage is an issue considering complete deflation is not possible

Hard flooring in these boats is made of marine plywood or aluminum profile, which has excellent wear resistance. It helps maintain the rigidity and stability of the vessel resulting in a carefree ride with drier clothes.

The boats are buoyant with the inflated collar's help and stable due to the rigid keels. These are used for covering larger areas and rough waters.