Rigid, inflatable or semi-rigid dinghy: which should you choose?
Do you own a boat and are considering buying a tender for it?
In this article, we'll go over the differences between rigid, inflatable, and semi-rigid tenders to shed some light on your choice.
All three types have their advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to understand the differences between them so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
Rigid boat tenders
A rigid tender is usually constructed from fibreglass or aluminium. It can be fitted with a rigid or inflatable floor.
Rigid tend to be more durable and stable than inflatable tenders, making them ideal for long-term use.
They are also often faster than inflatable tenders, making them ideal for water sports such as waterskiing or windsurfing.
However, they are also heavier and more difficult to store.
Concerning budgets, a standard rigid annex with a rigid floor can cost between €2,000 and €4,000. However, for larger models or with extra features such as an outboard motor, prices can easily exceed €10,000.
Example
Model: Approximately 400
Brand : Armor
Price: about €2,500
This rigid tender is 4 in length.05m and a width of 1.60m with 5 seats and an engine capacity of up to 10 hp. It is fitted with wheels to make it easy to move around.
Inflatable boat tenders
On the other hand, an inflatable tender is made of materials such as PVC or hypalon.
They are lightweight and easy to store as they can be deflated. They're also easier to carry as they're lightweight and can sometimes even be folded up and stowed in a carrier bag.
However, inflatable tenders are less stable than rigid tenders, making them less ideal for water sports. They also need to be inflated and deflated with each use, which can be tedious.
On the price side, the most basic inflatable models can cost between €500 and €1,000, while top-of-the-range models with features such as inflatable floors can cost between €2,000 and €5,000. Outboard motors for inflatable tenders can cost between €1,000 and €2,000 more.
Example:
Model: Zodiac Cadet 310 Aero
Brand : Zodiac
Price: approximately €1,300
This 3.10 metre inflatable dinghy is made from PVC and has an inflatable floor. It can accommodate up to 4 people and can be fitted with an outboard motor of up to 10 hp. It's also easy to transport and store, as it can be deflated and folded.
Boat tenders semi-rigid
Semi-rigid tenders, meanwhile, 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 more lightweight and more easy to store than rigid tenders. They are also faster than inflatable tenders, but not as fast as rigid tenders.
Semi-rigid tenders have become very popular in recent years for use as extra boats or for water-based leisure activities, such as fishing or sea trips.
Semi-rigid boat tenders are priced between rigid and inflatable tenders. The most basic models can cost between €1,000 and €2,000, while top-of-the-range tender models 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 the 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 rather than a tender.
Example:
Model:Zodiac Cadet 310 RIB ALU
Make : Zodiac
Price: approximately 2,000 euros
This tender is 3.10 metres long and 1.60 metres wide. It has an aluminium floor and a high-strength PVC float. The boat can accommodate up to 4 people and can be powered by up to 15 horsepower. It also has several carrying handles for easy transport.
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