Rigid, inflatable, or semi-rigid annex: which one to choose?
Do you own a boat and are considering purchasing a tender for it?
In this article, we will review the differences between rigid, inflatable, and semi-rigid tenders to help you make your choice.
The three types have their advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to understand the differences between them in order to choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.
Rigid Boat Tenders
A rigid tender is generally constructed from fiberglass or aluminum. It can have a rigid or inflatable floor.
Rigid tenders tend to be more durable and stable than inflatable tenders, making them ideal for long-term use.
They are also often faster than inflatable tenders, making them ideal for water sports such as water skiing or windsurfing.
However, they are also heavier and more difficult to store.
Regarding budgets, a standard rigid tender with a rigid floor can cost between 2,000 and 4,000 €. However, for larger models or those with additional features like an outboard motor, prices can easily exceed 10,000 €.
Example
Model: Aviron 400
Brand: Armor
Price: around 2,500 €
This rigid tender is 4.05m in length and 1.60m in width, accommodating 5 people and can be equipped with an engine up to 10 hp. It is equipped with wheels for easy movement.
Inflatable Boat Tenders
On the other hand, an inflatable tender is made from materials like PVC or Hypalon.
They are lightweight and easy to store as they can be deflated. They are also easier to transport as they are lightweight and can sometimes even be folded and stored in a carry bag.
However, inflatable tenders are less stable than rigid tenders, making them less ideal for water sports. They also need to be inflated and deflated with each use, which can be tedious.
Price-wise, the most basic inflatable models can cost between 500 and 1,000 €, while high-end models with features like inflatable floors can cost between 2,000 and 5,000 €. Outboard motors for inflatable tenders can cost an additional 1,000 to 2,000 €.
Example:
Model: Zodiac Cadet 310 Aero
Brand: Zodiac
Price: around 1,300 €
This 3.10 meter inflatable dinghy is made of PVC and features an inflatable floor. It can accommodate up to 4 people and can be equipped with an outboard motor up to 10 horsepower. It is also easy to transport and store, as it can be deflated and folded.
Semi-rigid boat dinghies
Semi-rigid dinghies, on the other hand, are a compromise between rigid dinghies and inflatable dinghies.
They have a rigid bottom and inflatable floats in PVC or hypalon.
Semi-rigid dinghies offer better stability than inflatable dinghies, while being more lightweight and easier to store than rigid dinghies. They are also faster than inflatable dinghies, but not as much as rigid dinghies.
Semi-rigid dinghies have become very popular in recent years for use as a support boat or for water recreation, such as fishing or outings at sea.
The prices of semi-rigid boat dinghies are between those of rigid dinghies and inflatable dinghies. The most basic models can cost between 1,000 and 2,000 €, while high-end models with additional features such as outboard motors can cost between 5,000 and 10,000 €. Prices can also vary depending on the size and quality of the materials used. There are obviously much more expensive semi-rigid boat models for several thousand euros, but these are more often used as the main boat rather than just a dinghy.
Example:
Model: Zodiac Cadet 310 RIB ALU
Brand: Zodiac
Price: around 2,000 euros
This dinghy is 3.10 meters long and 1.60 meters wide. It is equipped with an aluminum floor and a high-strength PVC float. The boat can accommodate up to 4 people and can be motorized up to 15 horsepower. It also has several carrying handles to facilitate its transport.
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