I would like an inflatable boat that I could take to lochs in Scotland to just go around on and relax. I bought an inflatable boat that was 236cm long but it felt way bigger than I thought it would and felt excessive so I was going to return it but upon doing research it seems any smaller wouldn’t be safe. The other boats I was looking at are 175cm and 150cm. I’m 5ft3, which size would be safe for me to use?
7 foot 8 inches! and it felt too big? lets put this in perpective, your household doors are the same size more or less. paddle boards are way bigger they say to use 11-12 ft but unlike a paddle board, in a dinghy your going to be sat down in it, and they are much wider making them even more stable.
we have 2 inflatable kayaks, one each - different makes. yes they are both 2 seater models and we do use them that way from time to time i.e grandkids with us. but mostly we are in one each, would i use a smaller one? no chance, ok it might turn a fraction quicker, but i just prefer the stability of them for their size.
My advice - hire, don’t buy.
What kind of boat? Kayak? Rowing boat? Canoe? Wee dinghy with sail? Cameron McNeish’s packraft, as seen on TV? All available as inflatable.
What you can safely use depends on your own experience, your training (what RYA courses or others have you done?), weather conditions, water conditions etc. Your height has little to do with it. I’m 5’10” and we almost capsized in a sailing dinghy in a gale as the helm didn’t reef the sails; my 5’3” friend was sailing with a cautious helm who had every sail reefed in to a few inches, they were never going to tip. So I’m not going to be the person to specify what length is safe for you on Loch Lomond (freezing cold, sadly people die every year after falling into the water) or Loch Ken (rescue boat nearby) or Carlingwark Loch (where you could probably wade ashore to Castle Douglas) or Loch Ore (where you could probably swim to safety amongst the other open water swimmers).
Don’t get me wrong: it’s a lovely idea. But we hired a canoe & paddled round Loch Morlich: I asked, can we take the dog? Not advisable - the canoe is very tippy & the water is as cold in the loch as it is off Iceland.
Whatever you do, enjoy safely.
I think hiring is very wise. You can see them in the water and hopefully you will get some good advice as to what is suitable for you.
I would go big rather than small as what looks big in your living room will look much smaller when on the water and even smaller when you're in it rocking from side to side.
I have 2 sailing dinghies which I race regularly. Both are 11 feet long, one a 2 person and the other a single hander.
You will need suitable clothing suited to the boat you're going in and you must wear a life jacket. Some training would be very wise. My boats capsize but I can right them and get back in but only because I had lessons.
It was just this boat I got:
https://amzn.eu/d/aYomjtA
Just was looking for something to go on a casual little ride on the water, wasn’t going to do anything too intense. I’ve seen many people go out on them so didn’t think anything of it in terms of danger. I’ve seen other go out on small boats so I thought this bigger one would be slightly safer.
Most of the lochs I’ve been to do have anywhere to rent a boat which is why I bought an inflatable one
oh my god! its one of them cheap and nasty things only suitable for a puddle in the beach or in a swmming pool. no way would i take that out on any lake or river, the seams split, they puncture far to easily, i hope to god you have decent life jackets at a minimum equipment level.
Uh ok😅 I saw so many people going out on them so thought they were ok. I bought a life jacket so should be safe there. I was only going to go out on really calm days with no wind
Looks like you've thought it through. I'm not sure of the water temperature in lochs. Certainly down south we wear tee-shirt and shorts at this time of year.
I capsized a couple of years ago on the day after the ice in the lake thawed. I was wearing a dry suit so thought I'd be OK but it leaked. Was in the water for half and hour and was OK but as soon as I got out the cold hit me with a vengeance. I was shivering violently and couldn't walk because my ankle wouldn't lock, I couldn't talk properly. Took ages to warm up.
Ideally you need a safety boat (small motorboat) patrolling as we have for races. As a minimum make sure you can swim to shore.
Don't expect to go very far with 5 foot oars. Mine are 7 foot and that is slow hard work.
The lochs are pretty cold so I’ve been told. I think I would only really go out when there was people around just to be extra safe. Just thought it would be a fun relaxing thing to do but don’t want to kill myself trying to do it😅
Loch Ness is 5° all year: it’s deep enough for a monster, remember. A ready gauge is to look at the surrounding hills: the loch is probably the same depth as those tops at the centre.
Loch Lomond can be as cold as 4° or as warm as 15°. But people die there even in summer, the shock of the cold can stop your heart. The flotation jacket just keeps you on the surface & easier to find.
Loch Morlich at Aviemore is the same temperature as the seas off Iceland.
However, lochs in lowland areas are as shallow as the fields around them, hence my suggesting Loch Ore (near Kinross, MH stopover at Loch Ore Meadows country park) and Carlinwark Loch at Castle Douglas (site adjacent). People go open water swimming here; just don’t swallow the water if you go in (duck poo).
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Topic: Inflatable boat size
via mobile 02/8/2025 at 5:25pm
