Having an inflatable boat makes it easy to head out on the lake for a little light fishing, or to use as a dinghy for your larger pleasure craft. There are a few things that you should keep in mind when purchasing a boat, however.
The first is the type of boat that you will want. There is a big difference between a one-man fishing pontoon and a four-person full-size Zodiac. You should also decide if you want a boat that has the ability to mount an outboard trolling motor on it or not as not all inflatables can accommodate this.
Make sure that the boat you choose has a grab line that fully surrounds the exterior, and try to choose one that uses a multiple chamber system to keep the boat afloat should a chamber become punctured or develop a leak on the water.
The following boats all offer a variety of these features and more. They are the top 10 best inflatable boats currently on the market in 2021.
Product | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|
OUR #1 RATED  Intex Explorer 200 | 4.5 out of 5 | |
 Intex Excursion 5 | 4 out of 5 | |
 Intex Seahawk 4 | 4 out of 5 | |
 Intex Challenger 2 | 4 out of 5 | |
 Intex Mariner 4 | 4 out of 5 |
AIRHEAD Angler Bay Inflatable Boat
This boat l for light fishing or just a lazy day out on the lake. Perfect for up to six people this roomy interior features a fully inflated bottom and two large inflatable seat cushions. The sides of the boat are reinforced and features a full surround exterior grab rope and a full-length grab rope on both interior sides.
Four oar mounts and four cup holders add convenience and safety. This is a great entry level boat for those who have not owned an inflatable boat before. Airhead offers a full line of accessories that are compatible with the Angler Bay, including power pumps and premium oars.
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BRIS 1.2mm PVC Inflatable Boat
The BRIS 12.5 ft. inflatable fishing boat is a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable, comfortable, and durable inflatable boat for fishing, river navigation, for other water activities. Made of thick 1.2mm PVC, this boat features a 12.5 mm aluminum floor for extra stability.
The one-way drain valve and plug make emptying any water that gets inside easy. The boat has two large D-ring tow rings and a very stable pontoon design that is reminiscent of Navy Zodiac boats.
One thing that makes this a great choice is the 12.5 mm marine plywood panel at the back of the boat that allows for the installation of an outboard motor. There are also nine interior tie-down rings as well as full surround gram ropes.
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HydroForce Marine Pro Inflatable Raft
The HydroForce Marine Pro inflatable raft is one of the best low-cost rafts on the market today. The wide body makes it very stable and the extra strength 3-ply reinforced vinyl means that you will get years of durable and reliable use out of it.
The boat has a weight capacity of almost 600 pounds, meaning that even two grown men can comfortably ride in the raft with a decent amount of fishing or hunting gear. The boat comes with a pair of strong aluminum oars and even has its own inflation pump.
Full surround rope grabs on the outside and oar storage clips make it easy to handle. The high-pressure inflatable floor gives you a steady footing when getting in or out and the oversized inflatable seat cushions make riding comfortable, even all day.
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Classic Accessories Colorado Inflatable Pontoon Boat
Unlike the rest of the boats on this list, this one is less for the family and more for the adventurous individual. This one man personal watercraft is ideal for a day out fishing by yourself. The pontoon design makes it super stable and the abundant storage makes it ideal for even a full day on the water.
Cup holders on both sides hold your favorite beverages. The open floor design lets your feet dangle in the water while fishing or you can use the footrests. The boat has a motor mount for getting where you want to go quickly, but also has a pair of perma-mount full-length oars for those times when you want to move quietly.
The boat features a rod holder. There is also a large gear basket behind the fold-down seat. The small footboard makes it easy to spin around and handle gear in the basket or storage compartments (optional seat swivel mount is not included but available). There is even an anchor system to help keep you where you want to be without drifting.
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GoPlus Inflatable Dinghy Boat
The GoPlus 2 person inflatable Fishing Dinghy is the perfect companion to your larger pleasure craft if you want to hit the water for a little remote fishing, or if you need a dinghy to go back and forth to shore in the middle of your outing.
The size is perfect for two larger people or up to four smaller individuals. The aluminum seat provides a stable and comfortable place to sit, the deep well means less chance of water getting inside and the full-size marine grade plywood panel makes it easy to mount an outboard motor for trolling.
The boat features a hard deck flooring that allows you to stand comfortably in the boat. The oak holders and locks make storing the oars when not in use easier. Dual chamber design with a full partition between them means that you can have more stability while in use. The dual design also means that should one pontoon tube leak or even completely deflate the boat can stand afloat ensuring your safety.
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Intex Mariner 4
Extra strength PVC plastic makes this one of the most durable boats on this list. Features four Boston valves on the main chamber for quick inflation and deflation, as well as an inflatable keel to help keep the boat stable. The boat has a strong rock guard to help prevent damage during groundings.
The fully inflated extra strength floor makes getting in and out easier. The boat has two full-size fishing rod holders as well as two full-size oar mounts with oar locks. The three full-size inflatable cushion seats make it a very comfortable boat to sit in even for long periods of time. The center seat is perfectly positioned for rowing. Two full-size oars are included with the boat.
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Intex Challenger 2
The INTEX Challenger 2 2-person inflatable boat comes with everything that you need to unpack it and get started enjoying it in minutes. The boat includes a pair of fresh oars, pump, and hose. The 3 air chamber design helps to ensure stability and safety.
The high output air pump means you can inflate the boat very fast. The boat has 2 Boston style quick fill and fast deflate vales so you can be out of the water, deflated, and packed up to head home in no time. Oar lock and holders are welded on to ensure durability.
The boat does have a motor mount fitting that allows for up to a 3 HP trolling motor to be fitted easily. This is a great boat for use as a small dinghy for a larger pleasure craft or for the kids to take out for a day of fishing if they like separate from the adults.
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Intex Seahawk 4
The INTEX Seahawk 4 is a fabulous inflatable 4-person boat featuring aluminum oars and a high output air pump. The boat has a highly puncture resistant PVC construction and features a multi-chamber design that helps keep the boat safely up should one chamber lose pressure.
The inflatable cushions are included for comfort and the built-in fishing rod holder, cup holder, and oar mounts are all welded in place for durability. The Seahawk features a full surround grab rope, as well as an inner hull chamber inside the inflatable floor for extra rigidity and stability.
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Intex Excursion 5
The INTEX excursion 5 is a great five-person full-size boat offering a level of comfort and convenience that you don’t often find in a boat at this price. The boat includes a high output inflation pump, multiple Boston style valves for quick inflation and deflation, full-size oars, and more.
The three air chamber design is great and the inflatable I-beam, a floor provides rigidity and comfort when on the water. The boat has a motor mount fitting to hold up to a 5HP trolling motor.
The oar mounts include oar locks and are welded in place the best part is that the inflatable seating includes full seat backs for extra comfort. The center of the board includes a bench seat that is perfectly positioned for rowing.
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Intex Explorer 200
This great boat is the perfect emergency raft to keep in your survival kit for if you need it. The raft includes oaks, a mini hand pump, and repair kit. Small enough to store in with your emergency supplies if you live in flood-prone or hurricane-prone areas, but roomy enough to accommodate two adults for a short time.
This boat is designed for calm waters and does not have a rock shield so keep that in mind. No seating is provided and the floor is semi-rigid inflatable.
This is not intended for use as a full-time watercraft but makes a great emergency raft. Bright orange color helps rescuers find you when you need them. The front grab rope is strong and mounts are welded.
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Which Inflatable Boat Should You Buy?
These are the top 10 best inflatable boats on the market today. They each offer you a stable, comfortable, and highly durable option for fishing or for use as a dinghy. No matter which one you choose you are sure to get many years of great service out of them.
Just remember to always boat responsible and never under the influence. Use safety equipment, especially when children are present. Most importantly, make sure that no matter which inflatable boat you choose, you always have fun using it!
Lauren Gamble is an author, mompreneur, co-founder of Naturally Made Essentials. She is on a mission to help thousands of women across the world achieve a healthy, happy lifestyle through teaching natural health practices.
