Rubber boats for fishing: varieties and tips for choosing

A good half of the inhabitants of our country is fond of fishing. Someone likes active fishing and spinning, someone prefers to sit peacefully on the shore in anticipation of a bite. However, both of them periodically face the question of buying an inflatable rubber boat for fishing, because it is often impossible to catch from the shore, which is overgrown with grass.

Depending on the number of seats:

• 1-seater;
• 2-seater.

By type of design and driving force:

• rowing boats;
• motor;
• with a hinged transom;
• with an inflatable bottom;
• with inflatable keel.

Pros:

• this type of boat is great for fishing in small waters, when you don’t need to sail far from the shore;
• the absence of additional load in the form of a motor makes the boat lighter by several tens of kilograms, on average, such boats weigh 3–7 kg;
• they cost a couple of tens of thousands cheaper than their counterparts with motors and are offered on the market for 10,000–15,000 rubles.

Advantages:

• good if fishing involves long river rafting;
• have a stationary transom on which the motor is mounted;
• for the manufacture of materials of increased strength are usually used;
• also equipped with a hard bottom, which allows you to fish even while standing.

Flaws:

• the presence of a motor, although it simplifies the life of a fisherman, however, adds about 30 kg of weight to the boat;
• there are "motorboats" about 40 thousand rubles.

Pros:

• convenient for swimming at medium distances;
• transom and motor can be removed at any time;
• the hinged structure is smaller than the stationary one;
• price and weight are about the same with motor boats.

Advantages:

• when using a motor, you can move through the water faster than in the previous two options;
• does not require additional installation of a hard bottom;
• the bottom is made of a special material, so that the chance of accidentally piercing the boat with a hook is minimized;
• the mass of the boat is about 15 kg, the price is about 15 thousand rubles (values ​​​​are indicated without a motor).

The downside is the ability to roll over with a sharp entrance to the turn.

Pros:

• perfect for long-distance swims, as the presence of a keel increases the speed of the boat both on the oar and when using the motor;
• has a hinged transom.

Flaws - this is the price, which starts from 17-20 thousand rubles, and the weight is about 35-40 kg.

The rating presents models of boats of various configurations and price categories. Let's start with the most budgetary.

Lightweight, compact boat with removable transom and inflatable bottom. The dimensions of the craft are 117x211 cm, weight - 3.5 kg, carrying capacity - 182 kg.The manufacturer claims that there will be enough space on board for three, however, in reality, only two medium-sized adults will be comfortable here. A good option for those who like to fish alone.

The kit includes a pump, oars, oarlocks. The oars represent the weak side of this model, as they are prefabricated and can spin at any time. In addition, they are quite short.

The issue price is approximately 2000 rubles.

A boat with rigid sliding seats and a built-in transom with a height of 38.1 cm. The maximum engine power for this model is 6 hp. With. Size 140x290 cm, cockpit (place for rower / helmsman) - 58x192 cm. The weight of the equipped boat is 32 kg, the load capacity is 250 kg.

It is stated that the boat is a three-seater, but due to its small size, only two can comfortably accommodate.

The boat is equipped with oars, oarlocks, a handrail cable, a pump and a repair kit.

The price starts from 21300 rubles.

Motorized inflatable boat made of reinforced PVC, with inflatable bottom, keel and water drain valve. Dimensions - 175x350 cm, cockpit - 80x240 cm, fully loaded weight - up to 52 kg, load capacity - 500 kg, maximum possible engine power - 10-15 hp. With. With such characteristics, three or four people can go fishing.

When buying, in addition to the boat, you will receive oars, oarlocks, handles for transportation and a repair kit. The weak side is the low-power pump that comes with the kit.

The minimum cost is 50,000 rubles.

Motor boat with inflatable keel and plywood floorboard. Dimensions - 172x334 cm, cockpit - 45x251 cm, weight - up to 59 kg, load capacity - 500 kg, permissible engine power - 15–18 hp. With. Designed for 3-4 people, easy to maintain and assemble, stays afloat even in a storm.

Equipped with hard seats, oars, oarlocks, handrail cable, pump, repair kit. The weak side is the pump and the difficulty of folding after use.

The price starts from 32,000 rubles.

Boat with motor, aluminum or plywood floorboard and inflatable keel. Dimensions - 172x330 cm (depending on modification), cockpit 67-78x235-246 cm, weight - 52-66 kg, load capacity - 420-610 kg, maximum engine power - 18-25 hp. With. Depending on modification can withstand 3-6 people, has a valve for pumping water, holds the wave well.

The boat comes with hard seats, oars, oarlocks, handrail cable, handles for transportation, a pump, a repair kit, and a removable awning. The weak point is assembly.

The cost starts from 32650 rubles.

Reinforced PVC boat with motor. Depending on the modification, it may have an inflatable keel and a bottom. In the case of an inflatable bottom, the floorboard is plywood and collapsible. Dimensions - 152x290 cm, cockpit - 63x192 cm, load capacity - 300-350 kg, maximum engine power - 5-9.9 liters. With. The boat has enough space for 2-3 people. Easy to assemble and also floats well.

Together with the boat you will receive oars, oarlocks, a handrail cable, a pump, a repair kit. The weak point is poorly impregnated payol, which swells with prolonged exposure to water.

The price starts from 15200 rubles.

Which model to choose depends only on your preferences and requirements for the boat. Below we will consider the most basic aspects that you should pay attention to.

If the reservoir is small, an ordinary rowing boat can provide comfortable fishing.

Boats of the middle price category have a carrying capacity of about 300-400 kg. For the opportunity to take on board an additional 200-300 kg, you will have to pay about 10-15 thousand rubles.

Material.

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Five-layer, durable, elastic, maintainable. Available in various thicknesses. However, it should be remembered that the higher the thickness, the less mobile the boat will be.
• Rubber. Now this can only be purchased from the hands, since they are practically not mass-produced. The material is easily pierced, does not cope well with a large wave, the seams begin to diverge over time.

To increase the service life and reduce the number of punctures, preference should be given to a boat rubberized on both sides.

Seam type.

• Joint to joint. The most reliable option, since it is possible to personally check the tightness of the seam connection.
• overlap. Difficulties may arise. It is impossible to see exactly how the seams are glued, which means that there is a possibility that the boat will begin to let air through.
• Application seam tapes allows you to increase the strength of the seams.

Relevant for all boats in case if you suddenly run out of fuel or the engine breaks down:

• wooden - heavy, but will not drown if accidentally dropped into a pond;
• aluminum - light, however, easily go to the bottom.

Also pay attention to the ease of assembly, the presence and power of a regular pump, so as not to spend money on buying a new one.

For information on how to choose a quality PVC inflatable boat for fishing, see the following video.