Natural rubber has its flaws as material for inflatable boats. To make a more sea worthy inflatable the military developed neoprene during WWII as a more viable replacement for natural rubber boats. Neoprene is a form on synthetic rubber produced by the polymerization of chloroprene. It has generally good chemical stability and retains its flexibility in a wide temperature range. Neoprene is as elastic as rubber but stronger and...more
PVC is a form of plastic that is used in more than ways than one. It is used as water conduits, electrical wire covering, kitchen flooring and more. In recent year s the use of PVC as material for inflatable boats became popular. To make the PVC a good enough material for inflatable boats, a whole range of plasticizers and dyes were added to the formulation of drain-pipe-quality PVC to make the "sea worthy".In a nutshell, PVC is...more
Neoprene, PVC and Hypalon are coatings for inflatable boats for them to be air tight and waterproofed. These chemicals have nothing to do in strengthening the inflatable boat itself. What makes the boat strong is its base fabric to which neoprene, PVC and Hypalon are bonded. The traditional materials were cotton and silk. However, synthetic fabrics- polyester and nylon- have displaced the traditional materials of silk and cotton. The differences between polyester and nylon are not as diverse as that between PVC and Hypalon though.Seasoned sailors are familiar with the characteristics of nylon and polyester because both are used as cordage on boats. Polyester is great for rigging where minimal stretch and durability even under the hot sun is needs. Nylon rope is favored as anchor rode, dinghy painter and as dock lines because it's very durable and has the ability to stretch to accommodate weight or absorb force. It can stretch to twice its normal length without losing its strength.Nylon is quite photo-degradable though. A new and flexible dinghy painter can turn stiff and hard to manage when exposed to the harsh sun and salty water. Nylon's ability to stretch...more
When first-generation life rafts were produced during WW II, they were yellows as manufacturers thought that the yellow was the easiest color to spot in rescue missions. For decades, yellow was the color of choice for serious inflatable boats whether they are life rafts or not. However, research shows that orange is an even more...more
It is not unusual to buy second-hand boats. Some prefer second-hand boats as they are cheaper. However, buying a new inflatable boat is easier than buying a used boat. For one thing you don't have to worry if the boat is in good condition. The boat should be in good condition as it is brand new. If there are defects you can...more
There are plenty of online stores that sell inflatable boats nowadays. You have a wide array of choices that sometimes choosing the best one for you is quite a task. In some cases, it is better to source for a used inflatable boat.How do you choose a used boat? Here is a checklist of the things that you need to inspect when buying a used boat: overall appearance; fabric condition; tube seams; hard-bottom-to-tube seams; bottom seams; transom-to-tube seams; outboard bracket; bottom abrasion inside and outside; valve condition and operation; valve-to-tube seams; oarlocks; floorboards; transom; steering cables; oars and paddles; pump; owner's manual and repair kit.The list is extensive as it's the same checklist for a new inflatable boat. Make sure that the boat is inflated without the engine, floorboard and other things. Check the fabric of the boat. It is alright for a Hypalon to have a chalky fabric but not on a PVC boat. Check that the boat is not coated with petroleum jelly or oil to make it look good. PVC boat is especially vulnerable to silicone-based protectant such as Armourall.It is not easy to tell from its looks if a boat is made of PVC or Hypalon. Most...more
If you are looking for a set of boat building plans there are a few important things to consider before purchasing.Designers ExperienceThere's a lot of detail and information involved in designing a boat. Make sure the boat plans you...more
When it comes to trout fishing in small lakes, rivers and streams you can't beat the versatility of inflatable pontoon boats. When you compare them to wading pontoon boats allow you to cover a lot larger area in order to find where the fish are...more
Paris is possibly the only city in the world which has been called by great many names. Everybody has a different way of describing the city. Some refer to it as the fashion capital of Europe; some call it the most romantic city of the world. But...more
I thought it would be of interest to write this article about the history of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race as It's one of the most famous boat races in the world and is one of England's greatest sporting Icon competition's.The...more
Antifoulant Paints - How They WorkAntifouling paint keeps marine growth such as barnacles, mussels and sometimes oysters, and plant growth from attaching to your sailboat, trawler or motor yacht. Most antifouling paints use the dispersion of metals...more
When you think of shipping vehicles, you probably think of cars. We've all seen the big transport trailers loaded up with cars, but what about boat transportation or motorcycle shipping? These are a couple of things that people frequently need to...more