Choosing an inflatable boat? Find out what to pay attention to

Fun, relaxation, adrenaline and adventure. You can enjoy all of this on water to the full if you choose the right partner. Inflatable boats are light, storable and durable. But it is not enough to reach for the first one you like. Read by which criteria to choose the boat.

With its enthusiasm and passion for paddling, the Czech Republic would be equal to any coastal state. Many ponds are lined with fishing rods, thousands of inflatable boats annually navigate the domestic rivers, and the unique paddling lingo has no equivalent in the world. If you also want to be one of the proud Czech paddlers, we have some tips for choosing the right inflatable boat.

Choose the type of inflatable boat

You can choose from several types. These include a kayak, a canoe, a raft or a fishing boat. For paddling on backwater, choose recreational inflatable boats and canoes. You can use more stable boats and canoes if you are going down the river with occasional weirs or rapids. If you are going down a wild river, use rafts or kayaks. However, definitely do not go into such waters if you do not have any experience yet. And what is the difference between the various types of inflatable boats?

Inflatable boats for fishermen are already defined by their name and their purpose probably does not have to be explained more. But what the customers often do not know are the differences between a kayak and a canoe. Kayaks are usually designed for a single paddler with a double-sided paddle.

On the other hand, canoes are most often driven by two people, a stern paddler and a bow paddler, who have single-sided paddles. Canoes are also more spacious and designed for longer trips. Kayaks are suitable for faster rides. The indoor cockpit is also an advantage, which protects the paddler from water penetration into the rubber boat.

The last category is rafts. You will not miss such an inflatable boat on the water. It is a large, wide vessel that can accommodate up to 12 people. Rafts are ideal for a family or a group of friends, but they are also used by professional sportsmen for races on the wild rivers.

Material is also important

You will find a large number of sellers in the market offering PVC inflatable boats. But don’t be fooled by quantity. Look for quality. You will find one company in the Czech Republic where you will not find PVC inflatable boats.

GUMOTEX manufactures its rubber boats from natural and synthetic rubber, which is more resistant and flexible than PVC. It is also a more environmentally friendly material that does not crack and lasts unchanged for generations. Even extreme weather will not hurt this rubber material. So you can take your paddling partner to both Antarctica and the tropics.

Moreover, GUMOTEX has its own development. As a result, it has succeeded in bringing to the market a unique material for which it has a patent, as the only company in the world. It has combined its NITRILON® with the well-known and popular drop-stitch, creating a unique combination.

Thanks to its 9 layers, the GUMOTEX material is very durable, yet easy to pack or repair. This unique process, material and technology can be found, for example, on the THAYA inflatable kayak, which the PADDLEexpo paddling jury has named the best inflatable boat of 2019.