It can be hard to find space to store a boat – whether a kayak, canoe, dinghy, etc. – in your house or car. It can also be an expensive investment. A great solution to these issues is to get an inflatable boat.
In this article, I’ll guide you on what we consider to be the best inflatable boat to buy in the market.
Inflatable boats are very cost-effective and great for leisure trips or fishing adventures.
With this type of boat, you do not have to worry about shipping your boat to the water on a trailer because it can fit in the trunk of your car. Inflatable boats are also as safe as regular boats and have many of the same features.
What is the best inflatable boat to buy? The best inflatable boats are as follows:
- All-around best inflatable boat: Intex Excursion 5-Person Inflatable Boat – Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
- Best for fishing: Intex Mariner 4-Person Inflatable Boat – Click here to see it on Amazon
- Best value option: Intex Seahawk 4-Person Inflatable Boat
Read on to learn more about each boat and why these are our top picks.
Also, for an excellent inflatable boat, take a look at our top pick, the Intex Excursion 5-Person Inflatable Boat:
Click here to see it on Amazon.
What Is the Best Inflatable Boat to Buy?
1. Best All-Around Inflatable Boat: Intex Excursion 5-Person Inflatable Boat
For us, the best inflatable boat to buy is the Intex Excursion 5-Person Inflatable Boat because it can fit up to 5 people, making it great for large groups.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Specs:
- Passengers: 5
- Max weight: 1,100 pounds
- 3 air chambers for safety and buoyancy
- 3 inflatable seats with 2 with backrests
- 4 built-in fishing rod holders
- Includes 2 (two) 54-inch aluminum oars, and hand pump
Intex Excursion 5-Person Inflatable Boat is a recreational boat and has been US Coast Guard approved. It comes with 4 built-in fishing rod holders on each side of the boat, has a motor mount fitting with 1.5 maximum horsepower, and has a SUPER-TOUGH vinyl construction for durability.
This inflatable boat is easy to launch and retrieve because of the Boston valve on two main hull chambers. The boat also comes with a carrying bag with handles so you can store the boat in any storage compartment.
The seats are low for stability and comfort, and the included 54-inch deluxe aluminum oars are easy to assemble for use and to disassemble for storage.
There are also two welded oar locks on each side and an all-around grab line for your convenience. Other than that, it has a hi-output manual hand pump and 3 air chambers, such as an auxiliary air chamber in the hull for extra buoyancy.
2. Best Inflatable Boat for Fishing: Intex Mariner 4-Person Inflatable Boat
Another boat that we consider the best inflatable boat to buy is an inflatable boat for fishing, and it is the Intex Mariner 4-Person Inflatable Boat.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
This inflatable boat is somewhat similar to the Excursion 5 because it offers sturdy and long-lasting 3-ply construction but with a little smaller frame. It is also equipped with plenty of accessories such as two rod holders and two rotating oar locks, which are handy for fishing. It has battery and gear pouches as well.
Specs:
- Passengers: 4
- Max weight: 880 pounds
- 4 Boston valves for quick inflation and fast-deflation
- 2 fishing rod holders
- 3 inflatable seat cushions
- Includes 2 (two) 54-inch deluxe aluminum oars and a high-output hand pump
This inflatable boat can hold more steadily in structure and function due to its condensed footprint and increased durability. The boat is built to handle bumps, scrapes, and scratches.
The Intex Mariner 4 is built with a very sturdy PVC vinyl material that is made to last. The material of the boat not only gives protection against ruptures or abrasions but also helps resist UV rays, salt, grime, gas, and chemicals that can be found in the lake or river.
Other than that, this particular type of PVC is excellent for holding in the air, so you won’t have to re-inflate your boat often. The floor on this boat is made up of heavy-duty plastic flooring rather than inflatable flooring, making it more stable in the water and much easier to stand while you fish.
If you plan to pair up your Intex Mariner 4 with an angling motor, you can easily install the Intex Mariner 4 Motor Mount. With the motor installed, you not only take away the paddling necessity, but you will also have much easier control of your boat if situations start to get rough.
If the water gets a bit rough, you can just simply turn on your motor and head to the shore. The Intext Mariner 4 Motor is very quiet, making it great for fishing because it won’t scare away the fish.
3. Best Value Inflatable Boat: Intex Seahawk 4-Person Inflatable Boat
And lastly, if you are wondering, “what is the best inflatable boat to buy?” no list is complete without a lower budget, high-value option. The best inflatable boat to buy with the best value is the Intex Seahawk 4-Person Inflatable Boat.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
We consider this the best inflatable boat with the best value because it can carry up to 4 people. It is best for fishing, comes with a high-output hand pump, two (2) rod holders, oar holders, and a gear pouch. It is easy to maneuver too.
Specs:
- Passengers: 4
- Max weight: 1,050 lbs.
- 2 48-inch aluminum oars
- 2 inflatable seat cushions
- 2 pairs of heavy-duty welded oar locks
- Includes high-output hand pump, motor mount fittings, and gear pouch
The Intex Seahawk is perfect for fishing or recreational boating and comes with everything you need to enjoy your boating experience. The inflatable boat is made of super-tough 30-gauge PVC vinyl that can withstand damage from sunlight, abrasion, and impacts.
It also includes a U.S. Coast Guard ID, two air chambers for safety, an internal hull chamber with an inflatable floor that’s comfy yet firm, inflatable cushions, bonded oarlocks, and a wide-ranging grab line.
What Kind of Inflatable Boat Is Right for You?
Inflatable boats also come in different types. It can be a kayak, a canoe, a party boat, and single or tandem. But how do you know what’s the right one for you?
- Kayak – This inflatable boat is the smallest and most agile boat available. It is lightweight and can easily be stored in any storage compartment, and can fit any vehicle.
- Canoe –This kind of inflatable boat is commonly a decent choice for 1-2 people with some equipment. It can deal with enough gear to easily go out on a fishing spree or a canoe trip.
- Party Boat – Party boats are rafts and bigger inflatable boats that can manage up to 6 people or more. Most inflatable rafts for recreational use have additional features like cup holders, coolers, and often mounted oars.
Where to Store Your Inflatable Boat
Inflatable boats are not cheap. You invest money in it to enjoy some leisure time in the water, so it is worth properly storing and taking care of it. This will let you use it time and again and increase its lifespan.
Your inflatable boat should be stored away from the sun because the sunlight can be damaging. It is best to store the boat in a cool and dry place. Ensure that there is some ventilation for some air movement to help avoid mold, which can greatly damage inflatable boats.
Before storing your boat, you should clean it first and let it dry. You can use cleaners that are approved for PVC use. Harsh chemicals like bleach can crack or decay the rubber of the boat.
How Frequently Will You Use Your Inflatable Boat?
If you belong to those who hardly ever use their inflatable boat, then you can get those that are not quite expensive. However, if you regularly use your inflatable boat, then spending some extra cash is important because you have to get a durable boat and high quality that is ideal for regular use.
If you want to use your inflatable boat as often as you can, then consider increasing your budget to get the best inflatable boat to buy in the market. If you still have some extra budget, you can buy an extra inflatable kayak for your other family members or just for your kids so they won’t use your best boat.
Getting a boat for weekend or holiday fishing or leisure trips is a perfect way to get away from it all. If you use it every week or more, you’ll want to ensure you invest in a quality, rugged, durable boat that will withstand lots of use.
Conclusion – Best Inflatable Boat
So what is the best inflatable boat to buy? From our research, the best inflatable boat options are:
- All-around best inflatable boat: Intex Excursion 5-Person Inflatable Boat – Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
- Best for fishing: Intex Mariner 4-Person Inflatable Boat – Click here to see it on Amazon
- Best value option: Intex Seahawk 4-Person Inflatable Boat
If you have a low budget for a new boat, then inflatable boats are a good choice. Not only are they cheaper in price than non-inflatable boats, but you won’t have a problem when it comes to storage as well as transportation.
No matter what inflatable boat you pick, think first about how you’ll use it, how often you’ll use it, how many people will be in the boat, and what type of activities you want to do with it.
Ultimately, we suggest choosing the Intex model because it’s more relaxed, durable, and can be used in groups at a reasonable and affordable price.
These boats aren’t high-performance boats or premier fishing boats like the non-inflatable ones, but they can be considered close to the non-inflatable boats but with inherent limitations.
We hope this guide will help you search for the best inflatable boat to buy that fits your needs.
Related reading:
Intex Mariner 3 Review and Specs
Intex Excursion 4 Review and Specs
