Rigid, inflatable or semi-rigid dinghy : what to choose ?
Do you own a boat and are you thinking of buying a tender for it?
In this article, we will review the differences between rigid, inflatable, and semi-rigid dinghies to help you make your choice.
All three types have their advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to understand the differences between them in order to choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
Rigid boat tenders
A rigid dinghy is usually made of fiberglass or aluminum. It can be equipped with a rigid or inflatable floor.
Rigid tenders tend to be more durable and stable than inflatable tenders, making them ideal for long-term use.
They are also often faster than inflatable dinghies, making them ideal for water sports such as waterskiing or windsurfing.
However, they are also heavier and more difficult to store.
In terms of budgets, a standard rigid tender with a rigid floor can cost between €2,000 and €4,000. However, for larger models or with additional features such as an outboard motor, prices can easily exceed €10,000.
Example
Model: Aviron 400
Brand : Armor
Price: about 2 500 €.
This rigid dinghy is 4.05m long and 1.60m wide with 5 seats and can be equipped with an engine up to 10 hp. It is equipped with wheels to facilitate its displacement.
Inflatable boat tenders
On the other hand, an inflatable dinghy is made of materials like PVC or hypalon.
They are lightweight and easy to store because they can be deflated. They are also easier to transport because they are lightweight and can sometimes even be folded and stored in a carry bag.
However, inflatable dinghies are less stable than rigid dinghies, which makes them less ideal for water sports. They also need to be inflated and deflated each time they are used, which can be tedious.
In terms of price, the most basic inflatable models can cost between €500 and €1,000, while high-end models with features like inflatable floors can cost between €2,000 and €5,000. Outboard motors for inflatable tenders can cost an additional €1,000 to €2,000.
Example:
Model: Zodiac Cadet 310 Aero
Brand : Zodiac
Price: about 1 300 €.
This 3.10 meter inflatable dinghy is made of PVC and has an inflatable floor. It can accommodate up to 4 people and can be equipped with an outboard motor up to 10 horsepower. It is also easy to transport and store, as it can be deflated and folded.
Semi-rigid boat tenders
Semi-rigid tenders are a compromise between rigid and inflatable tenders.
They have a rigid bottom and inflatable PVC or hypalon floats.
Semi-rigid tenders offer better stability than inflatable tenders, while being lighter and easier to store than rigid tenders. They are also faster than inflatable tenders, but not as fast as rigid tenders.
RIB dinghies have become very popular in recent years for use as an extra boat or for water-based recreation, such as fishing or sailing.
Prices for RIB tenders fall between those of rigid and inflatable tenders. The most basic models can cost between €1,000 and €2,000, while high-end dinghies with extra features such as outboard motors can cost between €5,000 and €10,000. Prices can also vary depending on the size and quality of materials used. There are of course much more expensive RIB models available for several thousand euros, but these are more likely to be used as a main boat than a tender.
Example:
Model : Zodiac Cadet 310 RIB ALU
Brand : Zodiac
Price: about 2 000 euros
This dinghy is 3.10 meters long and 1.60 meters wide. It is equipped with an aluminum floor and a high resistance PVC float. The boat can accommodate up to 4 people and can be motorized up to 15 horsepower. It also has several carrying handles to facilitate its transport.
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