11th Feb 2022
The nights are slowly drawing out, and the temperature is gradually rising, which has us dreaming of summer! If you’re looking to purchase an inflatable dinghy ahead of summer, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll be looking at the key features to look out for, as well as a definitive list of the best inflatable dinghies for 2024.
Build Quality: Build quality is, understandably, the most important factor to consider when purchasing an inflatable dinghy. When browsing the web, you’re often presented with two different materials – PVC and Hypalon. PVC is far lighter and economical than Hypalon, but does have a shorter lifecycle. You can find more information on this in our inflatable dinghy guide.
Transportation: This ultimately comes down to your intended use, but an advantageous feature of many inflatable dinghies is how easy they are to transport and launch. For example, Seago 230 Slatted Floor Inflatable Dinghy can be unpacked from the included carry bag and inflated in a matter of minutes, making it a hugely popular option.
Weight: If you’re looking to mount an outboard engine (whether that be petrol or electric!) to the back of your inflatable dinghy, weight is a key factor, as a lightweight inflatable dinghy will not require as much power as a heavier dinghy.
Now, let’s get to the list:
#1 - Seago 230 Go Lite 2.3m Inflatable Dinghy
Specifications:
Size: 2.3m (230 x 130), but also available in
2.5m and 2.7m sizes.
Weight: 13.2kg
Material: 1100 Decitex 700g PVC.
Price: £539.00 (as of January 2024).
Key Features:
Easy to store.
Extremely lightweight - Weighs just 13.2kg.
Suitable for up to two adults.
Two year warranty.
Suitable for up to two adults, this super-lightweight dinghy weighs just 13.2kg thanks to its lightweight and durable 1100 Decitex 700g PVC fabric that is integrated with an air floor and lightweight transom. Included is a carry bag, oars, adjustable aluminium seat, repair kit, rubber rubbing strake and stainless steel towing eyes, making this the perfect dinghy for those who require a lightweight, easy to handle dinghy that can be packed away into small spaces.
If you wish to keep the dinghy inflated when not in use, the UV resistant cover (available separately) will offer protection from UV rays and heat – the two biggest contributors to the shortened life cycle of a tender.
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#2 – Talamex Comfortline 3.5m Air Deck Inflatable Dinghy
Specifications:
Size: 3.5m (350 x 172), but also available in
3.0m, 2.5m and 2.3m sizes.
Weight: 46kg
Material: PVC.
Price: £1,039.99 (as of January 2024).
Key Features:
Easy to store.
Includes repair kit, aluminium seat, paddles, rowing eyes, lifting eyes, landing line and a pressure relief valve.
Room for up to five on board.
Two year warranty.
Talamex’s Comfortline Inflatable Dinghy combines a fine blend of comfort with excellent handling and rowing characteristics. The superb handling capabilities owe to the air deck floor with v keel. Air deck with keel dinghies offer more stability, performance and efficiency in comparison with slatted floor inflatables.
They also have an inflatable tube underneath the floor which changes the dinghies shape, further increasing efficiency and agility. With room for up to five on board, this is a great choice for those seeking a larger inflatable dinghy.
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#3 – Seago 260 Slatted Floor 2.6m Inflatable Dinghy
Specifications:
Size: 2.6m (260 x 142), but also available in
2.3m.
Weight: 31kg.
Material: 1100 Decitex 700g PVC.
Price: £399.99 (as of January 2024), was £488.00.
Key Features:
Easy to roll up.
Repair kit.
Room for up to three on board.
Two year warranty.
A sleek, lightweight tender that offers fantastic strength without too much weight thanks to 1100 Decitex 700g PVC fabric construction. Seago are also a leading safety equipment brand, which is reflected within the dinghy - two grab lines provide a secure point of contact to hold onto whilst travelling, or in the event of a man overboard situation. They’re also handy when transporting the tender from location to location.
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#4 – 3D Tender 200 Superlight Twin Air Inflatable Dinghy 2.0m
Specifications:
Size: 2.0m (200 x 131), but also available in 2.3m, 2.5m and 2.7m sizes.
Weight: 11.9kg.
Material: German PVC.
Price: £619.99 (as of January 2024).
Key Features:
Conical tubes ensure exceptional buoyancy.
Highly portable.
Quick to deploy.
Stylish, contemporary design.
Two year warranty.
One of the lightest inflatable dinghies on the market, 3D Tender Superlight can be deployed quickly and easily in under 7 minutes, plus is compact enough to be stored away in a locker. The German PVC fabric used is the result of several years of development, as 3D Tender searched for the perfect strength to weight ratio – which they have absolutely nailed. Transportation is easy thanks to a specially adapted backpack.
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#5 – Seago 2.9m Air Deck Inflatable Dinghy
Specifications:
Size: 2.9m (200 x 131), but also available in
3.2m, 2.7m and 2.4m sizes.
Weight: 40.5kg.
Material: 1100 Decitex 900g PVC.
Price: £759.00 (as of January 2024), was £849.00.
Key Features:
Aluminum oars.
Carry bag.
Inflatable keel.
Repair kit.
Three year warranty.
With space for up to four onboard and an air deck floor with V keel for maximum efficiency, Seago’s 290 Air Deck is the perfect all-round inflatable dinghy. A padded seat with storage underneath provides superb comfort as well as a place to keep refreshments or any valuables close to hand. The zip is strong and creates a large opening when unzipped, so can be used to store a wide range of items.
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Pirates Cave Provide Quality Inflatable Dinghy Boats In The UK
With so many options available, selecting five standout dinghies was quite the task. The added re-assurance of Seago’s safety background was a big selling point for us, which is why Seago inflatable dinghies are so heavily featured within the list. Elsewhere, the famous French brand, 3D Tender continue to steal the show with their offering of lightweight tenders, whilst Talamex inflatable dinghies are proving to be a brand to keep an eye on, owing to their superb value for money.
For over 30 years we’ve been supplying a wide range of inflatable dinghies - from the brands mentioned above, as well as Waveco and Waveline, with many available for next working day delivery using a fully tracked service. We also stock a huge range of dinghy accessories which include inflatable pumps, oars and paddles, as well as repair kits and even dinghy wheels – making Pirates Cave a one stop shop for all your dinghy and watersports needs!
Should you have any questions, our highly experienced team are on hand to help – why not get in touch today? We pride ourselves on our customer service, which is why we’re rated 4.82/5 on reviews.io!
