The first generation inflatable boats were manufactured from fabric that are "proofed" or made airtight by the application of thin layers of vulcanized rubber. The fabric used back then was commonly cotton but silk was also an option especially in airships. When ultra light material for inflatable was needed for boats, then silk was used as the preferred material. The first manufacturers of inflatable boats were tire companies...more
Natural rubber has its flaws as material for inflatable boats. To make a more sea worthy inflatable the military developed neoprene during WWII as a more viable replacement for natural rubber boats. Neoprene is a form on synthetic rubber produced by the polymerization of chloroprene. It has generally good chemical stability and retains its flexibility in a wide temperature range. Neoprene is as elastic as rubber but stronger and...more
PVC is a form of plastic that is used in more than ways than one. It is used as water conduits, electrical wire covering, kitchen flooring and more. In recent year s the use of PVC as material for inflatable boats became popular. To make the PVC a good enough material for inflatable boats, a whole range of plasticizers and dyes were added to the formulation of drain-pipe-quality PVC to make the "sea worthy".In a nutshell, PVC is cheap! PVC is also easier to weld as it can be thermoelectrically welded quiet efficiently by machines. Neoprene and Hypalon boats cannot be welded. They have to be glued manually by very skilled workers. This is one reason why PVC is cheaper than neoprene and Hypalon. However, PVC is very photodegradable. Leave it in the hot tropical sun and the PVC will break down quickly. PVC inflatable boat manufacturers claim that they coat their PVC boats with special ultraviolet coatings like the ones in marine varnishes and paints. However, results are yet to be reported.Plasticizers added to PVC to make it more pliable and flexible also destabilize the PVC itself. The consistency of PVC inflatable boats also differs per batch made. Quality...more
Neoprene, PVC and Hypalon are coatings for inflatable boats for them to be air tight and waterproofed. These chemicals have nothing to do in strengthening the inflatable boat itself. What makes the boat strong is its base fabric to which neoprene, PVC and Hypalon are bonded. The traditional materials were cotton and silk. However,...more
When first-generation life rafts were produced during WW II, they were yellows as manufacturers thought that the yellow was the easiest color to spot in rescue missions. For decades, yellow was the color of choice for serious inflatable boats whether they are life rafts or not. However, research shows that orange is an even more...more
It is not unusual to buy second-hand boats. Some prefer second-hand boats as they are cheaper. However, buying a new inflatable boat is easier than buying a used boat. For one thing you don't have to worry if the boat is in good condition. The boat should be in good condition as it is brand new. If there are defects you can easily return it under warranty. The only foreseeable problem is that the boat is manufactured by some obscure company.It is always safe to buy a branded name. There are plenty of inflatable boats that can be rightly picked right off the display of a boat trade show. The boats displayed are so loaded with freebies and add-ons that one is tempted to buy the boat right off. With discounts that are jaw-dropping low, with a 0% interest available right then and then, a 5-year warranty and a cooler full of free beer, who would not buy that boat even if you can't even pronounce the manufacturer's name.One of the easy-to-spot flaws of this boat is foot pump. Most are so small and inadequate that you need to energetically pump the whole thing for 30 minutes to inflate the seat- maybe another hour or so to pump up the rest of the boat. To get...more
There are plenty of online stores that sell inflatable boats nowadays. You have a wide array of choices that sometimes choosing the best one for you is quite a task. In some cases, it is better to source for a used inflatable boat.How...more
If you are looking for a set of boat building plans there are a few important things to consider before purchasing.Designers ExperienceThere's a lot of detail and information involved in designing a boat. Make sure the boat plans you...more
When it comes to trout fishing in small lakes, rivers and streams you can't beat the versatility of inflatable pontoon boats. When you compare them to wading pontoon boats allow you to cover a lot larger area in order to find where the fish are...more
Paris is possibly the only city in the world which has been called by great many names. Everybody has a different way of describing the city. Some refer to it as the fashion capital of Europe; some call it the most romantic city of the world. But...more
I thought it would be of interest to write this article about the history of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race as It's one of the most famous boat races in the world and is one of England's greatest sporting Icon competition's.The...more
Antifoulant Paints - How They WorkAntifouling paint keeps marine growth such as barnacles, mussels and sometimes oysters, and plant growth from attaching to your sailboat, trawler or motor yacht. Most antifouling paints use the dispersion of metals...more