8 Best Inflatable Boats UK 2022 | Intex, Bestway and More

1. Intex - Excursion 5 Inflatable Boat Set for £186.44
   
2. Bestway - Caspian PRO Hydro-Force inflatable boat for £599.95
   
3. Intex - Seahawk 3 Inflatable Boat Set for £81.89
   
4. Intex - Explorer Pro Inflatable Boat for £33.49
   
5. Boatworld - 250 SLD Yacht Tender Dinghy for £383.00
   

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of inflatable boats available and understand how our ranking was determined.

This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

1. Choose Between a Raft or Dinghy Based on Intended Activities
   
2. Consider the Specified Weight Capacity and Maximum Load
   
3. Make Sure Your Boat is Suitable for Your Needs by Looking at Specific Features
   

Within this category of inflatable rafts and boats you'll find a wide selection of styles, but at the core of them all is one defining factor: they're 100% inflatable, so the floor, seats and sides will all need to be inflated.

They'll typically comprise of between one and four different air chambers with separate valves. A higher amount of chambers will normally equate to a sturdier boat, with most designs going for three. Another cool addition to the larger rafts is their ability to be mounted with a motor, making exploring all day a lot easier.

These inflatable rafts are the perfect addition to any time where being on, around or in water is the order of the day. They conveniently pack down into a nice and neat size to be stuffed into the accompanying carry bag, and coming in a few different sizes, there are rafts to suit the littlest of kids and the laidback lounging lizards of old. 

Also commonly referred to as tenders, this style suits the more serious inflatable boaters. Their main advantage over most inflatable rafts is their ability to have a motor fitted to them, which allows for a wider range of water activities.

While most are only suited to 5 horsepower motors and under, this is still a huge win for people wanting to cover some distance in their inflatable. They're the perfect partners in fishing crime, while also suiting people wanting to explore their local waterways with a more sturdy craft. 

Their design will typically feature a slated aluminium floor to allow for a smoother, faster glide across the water. The solid floor also has an inflatable U-shape wrapped around it, with space at the back to fit a motor mount and a motor onto. Think Baywatch and Hasselhoff-type boats, only not quite as robust. 

If you enjoy other types of water sports, try our Best Stand Up Paddle Boards!

Every inflatable boat worth its weight in water should have a maximum weight accompanying it. This number in kilos will indicate the total amount of weight the boat can handle before its safety starts becoming questionable, and sinking to the depths of the trident is a real possibility. 

Inflatable dinghies typically have a higher maximum weight than rafts. You will find most designs recommending around 250 kg, though the most robust dinghies can be comfortable with almost 500 kg. Their high weight load is a result of an increased buoyancy through a solid floor and a higher grade PVC inflatable construction. 

Inflatable rafts, meanwhile, come in a wider range of sizes, heavily influencing their potential for weight-bearing. Put simply, with the smallest inflatable rafts handling 100 kg and the largest capable of a staggering 445 kg, it certainly pays to check.

There's no standard to an inflatable boat's recommended maximum persons, which is why it's even more important to make sure you understand who and what the boat is built for. Three consequential factors for every boat are size, weight capacity and number of seats. 

As inflatable rafts have the greatest scope for difference, you'll find the cheapest and smallest options can suit one adult or two kids while the largest can seat an astonishing five adults. This doesn't always cross-correlate with the number of seats the raft has, though the fact that it's inflatable means there are worst places to sit than the floor. 

Inflatable dinghies can also play host for up to five people at a time. Their designs benefit from an aluminium seat that can be fastened onto each side, enabling two people to sit comfortably side by side. The rest of the occupants can sit around the perimeter, soaking in all the sights and sprays that the sea or river has to offer. 

For solo excursions, try our Best Kayaks for Beginners!

Pumps and Oars

• Check whether the boat comes with a foot or hand pump
• Hand pumps make for a much faster and easier inflating process
• Often, smaller-sized boats to come with a foot pump 
• Larger boats tend to include to a hand pump
  
• Most inflatable boats will come with a pair of oars and a pump
• Check the specifications, as some products do not include these items
• Save money by choosing a product without these if you already have some

Rod Holders

• A few designs include between two and four fishing rod holders
• If you're a casual fisher, try a non-committal and inexpensive inflatable rafts
• You can paddle or motor to places shore-fishermen can't get to

Seats

• All inflatable dinghies will come with a solid seat bench 
• They are designed to be laid across the boat, comfortably seating two adults
• Inflatable rafts don't come with designated seats as standard
• There are a few models which include inflatable seats
• Some brands even go so far as to include seats with backrests

If you're looking to try something new, check out our Best Surfboards for Beginners!

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

After getting a patch of PVC or Hypalon to cover the damaged area make sure that you sand down the back of the patch to help it adhere properly. Next, you’ll need the appropriate glue for the material; apply several layers until tacky, then adhere to the boat - ensure to push out any air bubbles afterwards.

In general, inflatable boats are very durable when used and cared for properly. However, you will find that boats made from Hypalon will not deteriorate as fast as PVC - though PVC is stronger than it used to be. Nevertheless, you should get a good 5-10 years of use out of either type.

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Written and researched by Connor Macanally