Small, versatile and easy to use, inflatable models are a boater's best friend. They can be used as an alternate cottage boat for short cruises or to run errands. They can take you ashore or discover new adventures from anchorages. They can even be enjoyed by your kids, who are taking their first step into the exciting realm of recreational boating. Whatever the purpose, these portable marvels are built stronger, safer, and shine of appointments from bow to stern.

Definitions
Nautical glossaries define a dinghy as; a small, open boat carried on or towed behind a larger boat as a tender or a lifeboat for going ashore; small sailboat or row boat; or a rubber life raft. A dinghy is constructed of wood, fiberglass or built on twin inflated fabric sponsons. A tender is a small dinghy or launch used to transport crew and equipment from shore to a larger boat or ship. An inflatable dinghy is defined as a small open boat that can be inflated by an air pump or deflated to easily stow.
Throughout my life-long career of working in the marine industry, I have attended hundreds of boat shows and have heard boaters use both terms. In this month's Water Ways, I＊ll discuss the various models of inflatables available and insightful tips on towing, maintenance, and practical uses.

Models 每 Which One For You?
There are several styles of inflatable boats on the market. The one for you highly depends on what you will be using it for. Hard or soft bottom, folding bottom, console or no console 每 listed below is brief description on the models available to help you determine which inflatable best suits your lifestyle.

Dinghy
A dinghy can be rowed or propelled by a small outboard engine. Most powerboats more than 25 feet tow or carry a dinghy. They can easily inflate when you're at an anchorage or deflate and stored aboard your boat when not in use.

Inflatable每 Soft Bottom
This design sports a soft bottom and is constructed of a single or double layer of tube material. This is the easiest to deflate and store. Just pull the plugs, roll it up and place it in its designated storage bag. They are usually rowed or paddled and are economical. Sizes range from five to eight feet.

Inflatable 每 Folding Bottom
The bottom stiffening panels on models with folding bottoms are constructed of plastic, wood or aluminum, which are joined or hinged. They are simple to store since they easily deflate, the bottom panels remove, and safely stow in a designated storage bag. The transom board can support outboard engines ranging from 2 to 5 hp, they are light enough to be manhandled onto the foredeck and the tubes are manufactured with several separate air chambers to ensure safety. Sizes range from seven to 15 feet.

Inflatable每 Hard Bottom
The Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB/Hard Bottom) consists of inflated chambers attached to a one-piece, bottom and transom unit, providing optimum stability. The V-bottom and transom unit is fiberglass or aluminum, offering the strength and rigidity to handle larger outboard engines, ranging from 9.9 to 25 hp. The engine is controlled and steered by the tiller handle while the driver sits on the inflated hull tube or floor. Passengers either sit on a bench seat or the hull.
Sizes range from eight to 15 feet.

Inflatable 每 Hard Bottom with Console
Models incorporating a hard bottom with a console are available in various sizes and offer the driver a wheel, throttle, plus a helm seat for increased control. They also come equipped with a full width bench (or benches) for the passengers, along with a handful of amenities including storage space, grab handles, an anchor locker and some even boast a radar arch to mount electronics, lights or speakers. Since they range from 11 up 24 feet+, they are rarely deflated for storage and when traveling with a cruiser or yacht, they are commonly lifted on davits or at times, towed. These boats are also considered an ideal alternative as a second cottage runabout since they have larger cockpits to haul groceries or other supplies, increased passenger capacities, higher power ratings ranging from 25 to 100 hp+. They can also be used for various watersports.

Many Uses for inflatables at an Anchorage or Marina
Regardless of the model you do choose, inflatables boats are one of most useful tools for cruisers and yachts. While settled at an anchorage or slip during a cruise, you＊ll most likely want to go somewhere. Since you can＊t walk on water, an inflatable is your two-way ticket to various activities. It allows you to leave the cruiser to take your dog to shore, pick up supplies, visit neighboring boats, go exploring, sight seeing, wash your hull...the list goes on. Many boaters use their inflatable to taxi for restaurant outings. Additionally, kids and teenagers love to escape from their parents at the marina. With an inflatable, they can go fishing, swimming, have impromptu dinghy races with friends, explore or just have fun.

When we go to our favorite islands, we temporarily anchor our cruiser, then use the inflatable to explore the water depth along the rocky shoreline to find a suitable place to tie off instead of anchoring. This is a great way to ensure a safe, secure location, whether you plan on staying one night or one week. Inflatables also allow you to easily set or adjust anchors. If a fierce wind suddenly picks up, and there's no dock crew at the marina, one of your crew members can take the inflatable from the middle of the harbour, climb onto the dock, and serve as your dock crew to catch lines.

Emergencies
Inflatables were originally created to serve as lifeboats and if an emergency occurs, your inflatable can be a godsend. In the event your engine(s) break down or you run out of gas, you can use your inflatable to tow your vessel from impending danger to safer water, then drop the anchor and make the repairs. The easiest way to tow your inflatable is to tie the tow line to the bow eye of the inflatable. Then, tow in reverse because you can steer (see side bar). Additionally, if your battery(s) dies, or require vital replacement parts for your engine, you can easily do a quick run to the nearest commercial center (depending on your location) for the required supplies.

Towing Your Inflatable
When leaving or returning to the harbour, pull the inflatable up to close to your vessel, so the tow line is not in the water. Be sure it's secure to the outside corner of the transom, preventing it from getting damaged between the boat and the dock.

To safely tow an inflatable out in the open water, let out on a long tow line approximately 100 feet, depending on the water conditions and your speed. Always tie your tow line with a bowline to the bow eye in the hard bottom. On the tow boat end, rig up a bridle, loop two dock line eyes over your two stern cleats and tie a bowline in the end of one line. In the second line, tie another bowline through the first line to form a V. These two lines should be the same length. Then, attach the tow line with a third bowline through the other two. Secure the oars with shock cords, tip up the engine, and remove all loose gear.

Once you have picked your cruising speed for the tow boat, notice where the inflatable is riding relative to the rollers that run between your wakes. Near the top of the backside of a roller is best. To change the position of the inflatable, note your cruising rpm, and how much the inflatable has to be let out, slow down, shift into neutral, adjust the tow rope length, and then resume your noted speed.

Maintenance
Take care of your inflatable and your inflatable will take care of you. Be sure to bail and sponge rain water out regularly, so it doesn＊t turn green, and clean up oil or gas spills immediately. Keep sharp objects out of harms way. Also, inflate the tubes to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Frequently wash with mild water and boat soap.

Storage
In the fall, when your inflatable has to be stored for the winter, most marinas can accommodate inflatables in sheds between larger boats. If you want to store it at home, make sure it rests on the hull, which takes the weight of the sponsons. It must also be kept indoors to prevent damage from snow and ice.

Fun Times
Boaters think of their inflatable as their floating ATV, a ※go have fun§ toy. Extend your reach on the water beyond the swim platform. Step into your dinghy and a whole new world of fun on the water awaits you and your family!

Safety First
The Canadian Coast Guard mandates that powered pleasure crafts less than 6 meters (19＊8§) in length must be equipped with the following regulatory safety equipment:

- Canadian-approved PFD or lifejacket (of appropriate size) for everyone on board.
- One buoyant heaving line no less than 15 meters in length.
- An anchor with no less than 15 meters of cable, rope or chain.
- A bailer
- A watertight flashlight or three Canadian-approved flares, Type A, B or C
- A manual water pump with sufficient hose.
- A sound-signaling device or a sound-signaling appliance.
- Navigation lights that meet the applicable standards set out in the Collision Regulations if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset and before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.

Also be sure to bring a portable VHF or even a walkie-talkie in the event of an emergency or if you need to communicate with the crew on your boat. To protect water sensitive items, store them in waterproof plastic bags.

Always wear life jackets. Since inflatables are extremely responsive with other waves and wakes, inflatables can easily topple passengers or the driver overboard. Snap the tether kill switch to your pants or PFD.

Curing Breakdown Blues
There's nothing more disheartening than breaking down amidst a beautiful cruise. Thankfully, with your inflatable in tow, there is light at the end of that tunnel some boaters see a lot later than sooner. Towing a cruiser with an inflatable may seem like pushing a bulldozer with a Volkswagen Beetle. But it can be done and when properly executed, you can safely bring your vessel out of harms way into calmer waters or even a marina to get repaired.

The easiest way to a tow your vessel with an inflatable is to tie the tow line from the bow of your vessel to the bow eye of the inflatable. Then, tow in reverse. While this may sound a bit out of the ordinary, you will be able to steer. If you hook the tow line to the dinghy transom or loop it around the engine or attempt to hang on to it, the boat will veer off to one side or the other and you will never be able to steer the inflatable (or your vessel for that matter) where you want it to go.

Remember, to successfully tow from the back of any boat, the tow line must be connected to a pivot point, approximately one-third the distance ahead of the transom, similar to a ski tow boat. This allows the transom to swing or steer under the rope. Since this pivot point is not available on a inflatable, towing from the bow eye of the inflatable permits easy and successful steering. (Page Top)