The 5 best 5 person inflatable boats?

5 person inflatable boat Checklist: These features are important in the test

• Area of use: 5 person inflatable boats differ in shape, size and area of use.
• Family and leisure: Almost all inflatable boats are suitable for leisure use, or even specially designed for it. If you want to transport other luggage in addition to the passengers, you should make sure that the five-person inflatable boat has sufficient load capacity.
• Fishing: Most 5-man inflatable boats are ideal for anglers or fishing groups. Boats that can also be used for fishing in coastal waters are particularly interesting.
• Size and payload: The maximum payload depends on the size and volume of the 5 person inflatable boat. The value describes how much weight the boat may be loaded with. When purchasing, the maximum payload should always be taken into account, especially if luggage or equipment is to be transported.
• Material: These 5 materials are most commonly used in the manufacture of inflatable boats. The thicker the material, the more robust the outer skin of the inflatable boat is, but at the same time the weight of the boat increases.
• Plastic: This material is used particularly for inexpensive inflatable boats. However, boats made of plastic/plastic lose air quickly.
• PVC: Inflatable boats made of PVC have a good price-performance ratio. With regular maintenance, boats made from this material have a service life of 10 to 15 years.
• Hypalon-neoprene mix: As this material is very robust, it is ideal for inflatable boats. However, the strong hull also has its price and boats made of this material are more expensive than those made of plastic or PVC.
• Ethylene propylene diene rubber: An expensive and at the same time very high-quality material. Inflatable boats made from this rubber are robust and durable.
• Multi-layer fabrics: Many manufacturers use an outer shell consisting of several layers. The quality here can vary greatly, with many manufacturers having developed their own very high-quality fabrics. The more layers, the more robust and heavier the inflatable boat.
• Floor: A 5 person inflatable boat can be equipped with different floors. The difference lies in their robustness, durability, stability and transport properties. As a general rule, solid shelves provide the best stability, while foldable shelves are the easiest to transport.
• Wood/aluminum floor: The material is robust and durable, although aluminum has slightly better properties than wood, which can splinter. These shelves ensure a firm stand and can be set up with little effort.
• High-pressure floor: There are air floors that are already integrated in the inflatable boat for people and compressed air floors that have to be placed in the boat. They are easy to transport when deflated and can be set up quickly. They offer good stability, although not as firm as wood/aluminum floors.
• Slatted floor: The floor consists of individual, interconnected slats. The floor can be rolled up and is easy to transport, store and set up.
• Foldable vs. rib: There are inflatable boats that are made entirely of plastic or similar, or so-called rib inflatable boats, where the tubes are made of a solid material.
• Foldable inflatable boats: For most applications away from the sea, these 5 person inflatable boats are more than sufficient. They are easy to transport and store and are ideal for recreational use and for anglers. On the open sea, however, these boats are not the right choice and are less motorizable than rib inflatable boats.
• Rib inflatable boats: With this inflatable boat you can also travel safely near the coast and on open waters. The strongly pronounced hull makes the boat more stable and less susceptible to waves. Rib inflatable boats can also be motorized. However, these boats are more expensive, require more space for storage and are more difficult to transport.
• Motorization: Many 4 person inflatable boats can also be equipped with a diesel/petrol or electric motor. When buying, check whether and up to how much horsepower an engine can be retrofitted, as this is not the case with every boat.
• Price: There is a wide range of inflatable boats for 5 persons. Inexpensive models such as the Intex Excursion 5 are available from just $199. High-quality models cost between $450 and $1200.

Find out more “ The most popular inflatable boats 2024.