What material is best for inflatable boats?
Hypalon has been the long term “best” material for inflatable boats. The industry has been reducing the thickness and actual Hypalon content to the point a boat that claims to be of Hypalon has a very small amount in the actual fabric and is really using a coating of Hypalon and some use of high tenacity basic textile and neoprene to limit air leaks. Of course, there are all sorts of adhesives and overlapping seams that supposedly prevent seam failures and air leaks. Oh, I almost forgot, all rigid hull inflatables have separate air chambers just in case one gets punctured to maximize your safety! I personally believe inflatables are inherently dangerous and become totally inoperative when one hull chamber is punctured. Think about it, if one hull deflates your boat becomes something you hang on to hoping some one will come by and save you. How is that so safe? I will take my Rigid Boat any day over some oversold balloon.
