In recent years, inflatable boats have become very popular among water activity enthusiasts.
They have been designed for different purposes and activities, which is why you need to choose carefully to get the right boat for your use. With that in mind, we are here to help you find the best large inflatable boat.
Here are the best large inflatable boats (Dec 2024 Update):
- Best For Fishing: Intex Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series
- Best For Big Families: Newport Vessels 12ft 6in Catalina Inflatable Boat
- Best For Mild Rivers: Intex Excursion 5 Person Inflatable Boat
- Best For Quick-Fills: Intex Mariner Inflatable Boat Set Series
- Best For Snorkeling: BRIS 10.8 ft Inflatable Boat
- Best For Shallow Water: BRIS 14.1ft Inflatable Boat
| 6 Best Large Inflatable Boats | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Fishing | Intex Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series | |
Best For Big Families | Newport Vessels 12ft 6in Catalina Inflatable Boat | |
Best For Mild Rivers | Intex Excursion 5 Person Inflatable Boat | |
Best For Quick-Fills | Intex Mariner Inflatable Boat Set Series | |
Best For Snorkeling | BRIS 10.8 ft Inflatable Boat | |
Best For Shallow Water | BRIS 14.1ft Inflatable Boat | |
Best For Fishing: Intex Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series
- Durable and reliable - a rigid I-beam floor with three air chambers made of puncture-free PVC material
- Convenient to use – some fishing rod holders, fast-deflate Boston valves, an Intex high-output pump, and two 48” aluminum oars
- The paddles seem a little flimsy
This inflatable boat will take your fishing experience to the next level.
While featuring a rigid I-beam floor with three air chambers made of puncture-free PVC material, it offers fast-deflate Boston valves, an Intex high-output pump, and two 48” aluminum oars.
It holds up great in some choppy water and the size is perfect for one pro fisherman with his gears. The structure is good for ponds and coves.
It does come with a patch kit just in case. You’ll also benefit from its fishing rod holders as well.
| Intex Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series Specifications | |
|---|---|
Inflated Dimension | 116 x 54 x 17 inches |
Max Load Capacity | 790 lbs. |
Max Person Capacity | 3 |
Highlight Features | a rigid I-beam floor with three air chambers made of puncture-free PVC material some fishing rod holders, fast-deflate Boston valves, an Intex high-output pump, and two 48” aluminum oar |
The Intex Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series is an excellent option if you are looking for the best large inflatable boat for fishing
Best For Big Families: Newport Vessels 12ft 6in Catalina Inflatable Boat
- Spacious – the inflated measurement of 5 ft 6 in x 12 ft. 6 in x 18 in
- Beefy, strong, and dependable - 24mm-thick triple-layered 1,100 denier Polyester reinforced and corrosion-resistant PVC coating
- Handy and easy to use – include various accessories
- The weight of this boat is quite heavy
- The inflate valves could be better
Unlike other counterparts here, this inflatable boat is ultra-large in size, measured by 5 ft 6 in x 12 ft. 6 in x 18 in once inflated.
Combined with its 24mm-thick triple-layered 1,100-denier Polyester reinforced and corrosion-resistant PVC coating, it is perfect to hold 6 people at a time with the max weight capacity of 1603 pounds.
It also provides you with oar holders and locks, carrying handles, topside D-rings, towing D-rings, and other accessories for boating experience enhancement.
| Newport Vessels 12ft 6in Catalina Inflatable Boat Specifications | |
|---|---|
Inflated Dimension | 5 ft 6 in x 12 ft. 6 in x 18 in |
Max Load Capacity | 1,603 lbs. |
Max Person Capacity | 6 |
Highlight Features | the inflated measurement of 5 ft 6 in x 12 ft. 6 in x 18 in 24mm-thick triple-layered 1,100 denier Polyester reinforced and corrosion-resistant PVC coating include various accessories |
The Newport Vessels 12ft 6in Catalina Inflatable Boat suffices for 6 people and accommodates the max loading weight of 1603 pounds, making it the best choice for big families.
Best For Mild Rivers: Intex Excursion 5 Person Inflatable Boat
- Ideal for lakes and mild rivers - puncture-resistant PVC material & an inflatable I-beam floor
- Comfortable – feature one middle seat and 2 inflatable seats with backrests
- Easy to store - fold nicely back up in the bag
- The valve for the bottom is a bit hard to get air released
The Intex Excursion 5 Person Inflatable Boat is professionally designed for expeditions on lakes and mild rivers.
It’s crafted of puncture-resistant PVC material, features an inflatable I-beam floor, and also includes a high-output pump, welded on locks and oar holders, and 2.54” aluminum oars.
It is all made for your convenience, comfort, and safety while on the water. Particularly, there is one middle seat and 2 inflatable seats with backrests, which is perfect for a family. The boat also folds nicely back up in the bag.
| Intex Excursion 5 Person Inflatable Boat Specifications | |
|---|---|
Inflated Dimension | 144 x 66 x 17 inches |
Max Load Capacity | 1300 pounds |
Max Person Capacity | 5 |
Highlight Features | puncture-resistant PVC material & an inflatable I-beam floor feature one middle seat and 2 inflatable seats with backrests fold nicely back up in the bag |
Its inflatable I-beam floor and heavy-duty PVC material make it a shining candidate for mild rivers
Best For Quick-Fills: Intex Mariner Inflatable Boat Set Series
- Resist sunlight, impact, and abrasion efficiently - strong molecular plastic structure
- High protection and safety - an all-around nylon grab line & a durable rock guard
- Easy to handle and control – inflatable keel
- Quicker to inflate/deflate – 4 Boston valves
- Heavy and a big struggling to carry in a bag
- Sit a little lower to the water
This inflatable boat can accommodate the max loading weight of 1100 pounds, equivalent to around 5 or 6 people at a time.
It is measured by 129" x 57" x 19" once inflated fully and highlights a beefy rock-guard line the hull circumference. For higher safety levels, it is added with a nylon grab line circling the upper hull as well as features an inflatable keel.
| Intex Mariner Inflatable Boat Set Series Specifications | |
|---|---|
Inflated Dimension | 129" x 57" x 19" |
Max Load Capacity | 1100 pounds |
Max Person Capacity | 6 |
Highlight Features | strong molecular plastic structure an all-around nylon grab line & a durable rock guard inflatable keel 4 Boston valves |
But what truly sets it apart from the competition is the four Boston valves on the major hull chamber. They help the inflation/deflation a lot quicker to save you tons of time.
With an emphasis on the four Boston valves, the Intex Mariner Inflatable Boat Set Series is perfect for quick fills
Best For Snorkeling: BRIS 10.8 ft Inflatable Boat
- Deliver superior durability - .9mm 1100D PVC material with polyester support & heat welded seams
- Able to handle extreme conditions and abrasions - separate inner air chambers, heavy-duty sectional aluminum floor, and more
- Reliable – a 3-year warranty & a 30-day money-back guarantee
- It is heavy
- Instructions are hard to understand.
Made of 0.9mm 1100D PVC material with polyester support while all the seams are heat welded, this inline boat offers a step-above durability level.
It can hold up well against breaking, tension, and tearing efficiently as well as the abuse of saltwater or extreme humidity.
Not to say that it’s built with separate inner air chambers, heavy-duty sectional aluminum floor, and marine plywood transom covered with triangular splash guards. So if you plan to go snorkeling, this option is surely a great companion.
If this brand is new to you, rest assured as your purchase will be under not only their 3-year warranty but also a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| BRIS 10.8 ft Inflatable Boat Specifications | |
|---|---|
Inflated Dimension | 10.8ft x 5ft x 16.5" |
Max Load Capacity | 1213 lbs. |
Max Person Capacity | 4 adults + 1 child |
Highlight Features | 0.9mm 1100D PVC material with polyester support heat welded seams separate inner air chambers heavy-duty sectional aluminum floor marine plywood transom covered with triangular splash guards a 3-year warranty & a 30-day money-back guarantee |
Standing out from the competition due to its superior durability and rugged construction, the BRIS 10.8 ft Inflatable Boat is ideal for snorkeling.
Best For Shallow Water: BRIS 14.1ft Inflatable Boat
- Robust, rugged, and safe - heat-welded seams, 1100D PVC material, and separate chambers per side tube
- High stability - high-pressure inflatable air deck floor and large diameter 17.5-inch tube design
- Dependable – good warranty policies
- Wish the seats were aluminum for extra lightness
There are lots of good reasons making this inflatable boat become our top pick for shallow water areas. Such as the heat-welded seams, 1100D PVC material, and separate chambers per side tube.
But the most notable is its stable, high-pressure inflatable air deck floor and large diameter 17.5-inch tube design.
Thanks for this perfect combo, you can walk or even jump on it without worrying to fall off.
The boat is also under BRIS’s warranty policies so you can confidently try it.
| BRIS 14.1ft Inflatable Boat Specifications | |
|---|---|
Inflated Dimension | 14.1 ft x 4.3 ft x 17.5 inches |
Max Load Capacity | 770 lbs. |
Max Person Capacity | 3 |
Highlight Features | heat-welded seams, 1100D PVC material, and separate chambers per side tube high-pressure inflatable air deck floor and large diameter 17.5-inch tube design good warranty policies |
The BRIS 14.1ft Inflatable Boat boasts the best performance on shallow water areas of the options we tested, and it stood up to these manufacturer claims
How To Choose The Best Large Inflatable Boat?
Capacity
One of the first things to consider when choosing an inflatable boat is the number of people who will sit in it.
The maximum capacity is often shown along with other specifications of a boat, which indicates the number of people can safely squeeze into the boat and travel from one location to another with proper safety manners.
Therefore, you should predetermine the people count you want and look for that capacity when browsing models.
Purpose Of Use
Boats can be categorized based on the purpose of use, you should look into these types and see which one fits your needs.
- Fishing: for this purpose, you need a pontoon boat that consists of 2 large air tubes tied to each other with a metal frame or an air bladder. It has a large weight capacity and is easy to maneuver.
- Multipurpose: an inflatable kayak is suitable if you use it for different tasks. Kayaks are portable, easy to use, safe, and durable.
- Recreation: for this purpose, you should get an inflatable raft, which is also the most common choice. It has a simple structure so it cannot withstand the sea current well, making it suitable for small water bodies only.
- Water sports: you should get an inflatable dinghy for this purpose. These boats come with high quality, featuring different flooring types, and can handle the sea current to some extent. Dinghies are now durable, rugged, lightweight, versatile, and compact to be handled by one person.
- Patrolling and surveillance: for this purpose, a rigid inflatable boat is the best choice as it offers superior buoyancy. These boats are also easy to maneuver and can be used on the sea.
Floor-Type
When it comes to the floor type, you will mostly choose between hard floor and air floor:
- Hard floor: this type makes the boat heavier, less flexible, and stiffer. However, it’s more suitable for more powerful motors, larger boat sizes, and more durable.
- Air floor: this type is more lightweight, featuring a surface firm enough for standing, walking, and jumping. It’s also easy to set up and more comfortable to kneel on.
- Roll up: made of wood slats or aluminum, this is the most basic type of floor. It’s cheaper but not durable or rigid. This type makes boats convenient and compact, portable, and easy to set up, suitable for low speed and short trips.
- Self-bailing: this type of floor allows water to exit the boat. But it requires maintenance and proper storing when not in use.
Which Brands Make The Best Large Inflatable Boat?
Intex
Over the past 50 years, this brand has been offering high-quality products to meet customers’ needs. Not just that, its products are also safe, affordable, and comfortable.
Newport Vessels
With the aim of 100% customer satisfaction, this brand focuses on improving quality and performance for its products. It also uses high-quality materials to ensure efficiency.
FAQs
Are inflatable boats any good?
Yes, they are. Though they cannot be as durable as those made from solid materials, inflatable boats can offer great performance in addition to portability and maneuverability.
How do I know if my boat is fully inflated?
When the boat is fully inflated, it will feel hard to the touch.
Why are inflatable boats so expensive?
The biggest reason for this is that construction materials are expensive.
How long will an inflatable boat last?
An inflatable boat can have a life span of 10 to 15 years.
Can you take an inflatable boat in the ocean?
This depends on the quality and durability of the boat. For example, a rigid inflatable boat is built to be used on the sea, but other types can withstand small water bodies only.
Conclusion
We hope that this post has provided all the information you need to figure out the best large inflatable boat. Once you have determined what you want to buy, make sure you get it from a reliable brand.
