Inflatable Boat Safety - is it safe - YES!
When
you first think about it, you might wonder if an inflatable
boat is as safe as a regular hard-shell watercraft. The fact
is inflatable boats are just as safe as traditional boats,
and in some instances they may even be safer.
Inflatable boats tend to be more buoyant than traditional
boats mainly because of the inflatable collar or tubes. The
inflatable sections help spread the buoyancy out over the
entire boat, making it less likely to sink. Also, the
collars or tubes on an inflatable boat are usually designed
with separate chambers. That means if one chamber becomes
deflated, the overall buoyancy will not be noticeably
affected.
One indication that inflatable boats are safe is that they
are preferred by the coast guard as offshore rescue vessels.
The probable reason why the coast guard prefer these boats
is because they are almost impossible to capsize and handle
better in rough water. Several air chambers assure buoyancy
even if one chamber looses air pressure due to a leak.
The design of inflatable boats also make them a more stable
watercraft. Unlike traditional boats, an inflatable boat
sits flat on the water and has a low center of gravity. This
makes them almost impossible to tip over. They can also
handle rough water better, and people standing up in the
boat are not going to cause the craft to capsize. Divers and
swimmers can use the sides to pull themselves up without
causing the boat to rock or flip.
 When using an inflatable boat, you should always take along
a foot pump and a repair kit. Even though boats with
independent inflatable chambers can still operate with one
chamber deflated, there may be instances when you may have
to patch a puncture or re-inflate the boat at some point. It
is important to have the necessary tools to make minor
repairs. You should also be familiar with how to make minor
repairs when they are necessary.
Due to advanced technology over the past two decades,
inflatable boats have become a very viable alternative for
many types of boating needs. Many of these boats come with
generous warranties and product guarantees. Also, getting
these boats to the water is easy as they inflate and deflate
very quickly and can be easily stored in the trunk of a car.
There is one other area that is much more likely to be safer
when you buy an inflatable boat, that is your wallet.
Inflatable boats are significantly cheaper than traditional
boats, so you are much less likely to go over your budget
when shopping for an inflatable boat. |
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