Inflatable boats
If you often change your holiday destination and want to get by without a boat trailer, an inflatable boat is a good choice. These boats offer space for up to five people, are easy to transport in the boot and can also be steered by beginners without any problems.
Depending on the motorisation, everything from leisurely picnic tours to sporty water skiing is possible.
With a maximum of 15 hp at the stern, which can be driven without a licence, you can reach speeds of up to 40 km/h. What's more, as an inflatable boat driver, you don't have to worry about small bumps, for example when mooring. Modern inflatable boats are extremely robust and forgive beginners' mistakes without complaint.
Inflatable boats are driven from the tiller. This means that the steering, throttle and gears are permanently installed on the motor and the driver sits at the back of the boat. This saves space and gives a very direct feel for the boat and engine. It is not without reason that almost every boating career begins in an inflatable boat. What you learn here can later be easily transferred to any other type of boat.
Open sports boats
The next class is the so-called open pleasure craft. Open because they have no cabin or enclosed spaces. These boats offer more interior space than inflatable boats with the same external dimensions, as they do not have a surrounding carrying tube. In addition, they have a permanently mounted steering position where the steering wheel, throttle and gear shift are located.
Depending on the model, open sports boats offer space for up to six people (some models even more), so that the whole family can share in the boating experience. In contrast to inflatable boats, the passengers do not sit on the tube, but on padded seats or benches. This means that even longer tours can be completed in comfort.
Equipped with a windscreen and folding convertible top, this type of boat can also be used to "weather" a sudden rain shower without getting your feet wet.
Open sports boats are predominantly made of glass fibre reinforced plastic, known as GRP. This material is stable, easy to maintain and makes boats extremely durable. A service life of more than 30 years is no exception for plastic boats. Combined with a licence-free outboard motor, open sports boats can reach speeds of up to 30 km/h, depending on their size and load. The boat and motor are transported on a boat trailer.
Cabin boats
Let's move on to the cabin cruisers. As the name suggests, these are plastic boats with a cabin. They are available in various sizes from around 4.50 metres in length. In addition to the advantages of the sports boat described above, they offer a significant additional option: overnight accommodation.
With cabin cruisers, you can easily go on trips lasting several days and are not necessarily dependent on a harbour or campsite.
As a licence-free version with a 15 hp engine, they reach cruising speeds of around 20 km/h with ranges of up to 150 km. Depending on the equipment and price, they also have small cooking facilities (pantry) and a camping toilet.
Cabin boats are particularly popular with families with small children because, in addition to the cabin, they usually also have a fully enclosed cockpit in which children can move around safely.
