Inflatable boats have gained substantially in popularity over the past few years, especially in fishing and sport boat circles. Those considering buying inflatable boats or rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) will face a choice between boats made of hypalon and boats made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
Both construction materials offer advantages and disadvantages, and potential buyers should carefully consider how they plan to use their inflatable boat before making their decision.
PVC: Less Expensive and Less Durable Inflatable Boat Material
Most beach balls and inflatable pool toys are built from PVC, and some of the smallest, least expensive inflatable boats on the market are little more than overgrown pool floats. However, well-respected inflatable boat manufacturers such as Zodiac Marine and others build many boats from PVC.
According to the boating industry advocacy group BoatUS, PVC boats are easy to mass-produce because the material, a type of plastic, can be thermobonded or glued by unskilled laborers. However, PVC is difficult to repair outside of the factory, and some owners of PVC inflatable boats find they cannot fix even a small leak in a seam themselves and must pay a shop to have the boat repaired.
PVC inflatables don't last as long as hypalon. PVC is much more vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) sun damage than hypalon, which can be a real drawback for inflatable boat owners who store their boats on deck or on a trailer in the backyard.
And, PVC can be damaged by certain chemicals, including common cleaning supplies, so PVC inflatable boat owners must be careful to use cleansers that have been approved for use on PVC.
Warranties for the best PVC inflatable boats generally run only five years for air leaks, compared to up to 10 years for hypalon models.
Hypalon: Higher Upfront Inflatable Boat Cost, But Longer Lifespan
Hypalon, meanwhile, is a synthetic rubber material developed and patented by chemical manufacturer DuPont. Hypalon offers strong resistance to UV, and many inflatable boat manufacturers use hypalon as their exterior coating, with an inner layer of neoprene rubber; according to BoatUS, this combination provides superior strength and excellent air-holding ability.
Hypalon also resists oil, gasoline, and other chemicals, plus mildew and fungus, and the seams on a hypalon inflatable boat or RIB can be stronger than the fabric itself. The U.S. Coast Guard and many state and local water-based law enforcement agencies use hypalon boats for their patrols.
This durability comes with a price: Because PVC inflatables are cheaper to mass-produce than hypalon boats, they're cheaper to buy initially; new PVC RIB inflatable boats, for example, can cost up to 30 percent less than comparable hypalon rigid inflatable boats.
Inflatable Boat Material Choice Comes Down to Planned Use
Despite hypalon's inherent advantages, PVC still can be a good choice for prospective inflatable boat owners. Boaters who expect to use their inflatable boat only occasionally and to store it below-decks can expect their boat to last well beyond its warranty period, provided they store it and clean it according to manufacturer's instructions.
In addition, owners of larger RIB inflatable boats made from PVC can extend the boats' lifespans by garaging them or keeping them under cover in between uses. It's also possible to lengthen the lifespan of a PVC inflatable boat by sewing a canvas cover and to protect the boat when it's not in use, and some owners of inflatable boats use specially-designed paints to coat their boats and extend their lifespans.
Potential buyers of used PVC inflatable boats should carefully question the sellers about where the boat had been stored and how much UV exposure it's had. And potential buyers of new inflatable boats should consider their planned use and storage of the boat before deciding between hypalon and PVC boats.
Jane Anderson - Jane M. Anderson spends as much time as possible on the water, working and sailing on boats. She grew up sailing Sunfish and Rhodes 19s on ...
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