The Best Inflatable Rafts for You

What is Best for You Depends on Your Use and the Price You are Willing to Pay

There are numerous types and models of inflatable rafts available on the market today.  In order to decide which type of raft you should purchase depends on the area in which you are planning to use it.

If you are planning to use your inflatable raft to float around the beach and on placid waters, then an inexpensive model will be adequate to fulfill your needs. Sevylor carries a variety of affordable rafts that your whole family can enjoy. This company offers pool rafts and boats that seat one person for as low as $13. Again, these inflatable rafts are designed for pool or beach use in calm waters. As these models do not include DIN safety chambers, you may not want to use these in rougher waves as you may end up with just a handful of shredded material.

For use on white water or the open sea, you will want to purchase something that is more durable than these cheaper models. There are many reputable companies that manufacture inflatable rafts. One of the leaders of the inflatable business is the Zodiac Inflatable Company, which owns approximately a third of the entire inflatable market. This French-based company was the first to produce inflatable boats and rafts and provides the life rafts for the United States Coast Guard and Navy. It offers many models of inflatable boats and rafts, the smaller models being the “Zoom” series. There are five different models available in this line ranging from 7’ 11” to 12’6”.  These range in price from $1000 to $2300, the less expensive models having a slatted floor while the more expensive have a patented air floor/keel design. These models are ideal for white water use or going out on the open sea.

Another inflatable raft producer is Alpacka Rafts that offers several different types of these craft. The smallest is the Alpacka, which only weighs approximately 5 lbs. when deflated, making this an ideal inflatable raft for one person to carry for long treks through the wilderness. This “pack raft” is only 67” by 38” and costs $775. Alpacka also manufactures the Alpacka Dory, which also weighs five pounds when deflated but expands to 83” by 39.5”.  This model can carry one or two passengers, although when carrying two people it is not recommended to use in white water. The Alpacka Dory costs approximately $1,200.

If you wish to purchase a white water raft that carries six to eight people, you may want to check out the models that are made by Maravia Rafts out of Boise, Idaho. This company offers several models of inflatable rafts that seat four to seven passengers. One of the smaller models that Maravia offers is the Elan-Self-Bailing Raft that is 12’ long and costs approximately $4,242. One of the larger models of inflatable rafts is the Tempest 2 Self-Bailing Raft, which measures 16’10” by 7’6” and can seat up to seven paddlers. The approximate cost of this model $6,116.

These companies are just a few of the numerous manufacturers of inflatable rafts. Others include NRS, Sotar, and Saturn. If you are not sure as to which brand or model that you wish to purchase, there are several boat retailers that carry several of these products and can give you information about each one so that you can compare them easily. Two of these retailers are the Inflatable Boat Center and the Pacific River Supply Company. You can find information about these retailers on their Web sites.

Finding the ideal raft for you and your family may take some time and energy, but in the end you should be able to find the perfect craft to meet your rafting needs.

See Also: Disadvantages of Rigid Inflatable Boats

About The Author:
Cara Kelley is a successful author and regular contributor to best-inflatable-boats.com.