$4.95 How to Buy An Inflatable “Guide” A-24 RIB ® ® www.apexinflatables.
INDEX Introduction----------------------------------------------------------3 Which is The Right Inflatable for you? ------------------------4 Categories of Boats------------------------------------------------5 Materials---------------------------------------------------------6 & 7 Design Features----------------------------------------------------8 Interior Space-------------------------------------------------------9 Tubes----------------------------------------------------------------10 Inflatables Kee
Bonjour: We at APEX want you to get the maximum enjoyment from the inflatable boat that you decide to buy. More and more people are realizing the big advantages these boats offer in a large variety of situations. Many different models using various materials and designs exist on the market today. This booklet is an effort by us at APEX to help you choose a boat that fits your unique needs.
WHICH IS THE RIGHT INFLATABLE FOR YOU? First, you need to consider how you intend to use your inflatable. This will influence the design and size of the boat that best meets your needs. Such considerations should include: - Number of passengers and gear you will normally carry to estimate the weight capacity. - Room needed for bulky equipment and supplies. - What type of conditions and elements you will expose your boat to Ultra Violet (UV), etc.
Categories of Boats Four (4) main categories of inflatable boats exist on the market: 1) Rigid Inflatables Boats (R.I.B). 2) Performance Rigid Roll Up. 3) Collapsible boat with floorboards). 4) Flat-bottom boat with slatted floor and no keel (often wrongly marketed as a performance Roll-Up. See pg. 10 1. The RIBs offer higher performance capability and stability as a sport boat.
MATERIALS APEX Fabric Inflatable boats are typically manufactured from a fabric that is reinforced with a coating on both sides, creating a material with several layers, as follows: Outer Layer – To protect the boat against the elements and abrasions, this layer must be extremely tough. The layer must be resistant to ultraviolet (UV) sun rays, as well as gasoline products, water, environmental pollutants and temperature variations.
PVC materials are cheaper, lighter products that can be machine welded. However, they have much less resistance to UV rays and will become brittle upon contact with chemicals such as oils and gasoline. Do not be confused by fancy names given to PVC by some boat manufactures, they are all part of the PVC family of products. PVC is PVC! Apex recommends Hypalon for a tough material that give extended durability.
DESIGN FEATURES Overall Length Overall Beam Tube Diameter APEX A-9 Typical 10’ 8’ 11” 5’ 2” 16” 1/2 10’ 0” 4’ 10” 15” You pay for it You do not need it Innovation in design is important to us at APEX. We are constantly striving to improve the performance and reliability of our boats while maintaining a superior value for the price. Certain design features are important to the customer in their search for a boat. We have outlined these features and recommend that you make the comparison. www.
INTERIOR SPACE The overall exterior lengths of Inflatables boats are measured tip to tip. Almost all manufacturers build boats with a long cone at the rear. This is a cheap method of finishing off the stern of the boat. The cone adds to the overall length without increasing buoyancy or the usable interior space of the boat and, therefore, gives a false impression of the usable capacity of a boat and value.
TUBES One thing is certain with tubes: bigger is better! A-8 Larger tubes: Increase buoyancy, thus allowing higher payloads. Create more stability Provide a drier ride by keeping water out of the boat. Create more interior depth and space inside the boat. Compare the APEX boat with their competitors. We are consistently at the top of market for tube size. Inflatable keel The keels allow the boat to plain and change direction faster, while providing more directional stability and less leeway drifting.
FLOORS, TRANSOMS For fully collapsible models, floors are generally made from wood or aluminum. The wood must be marine grade. Some wood floors are varnished. This may have a nice appearance when new, but can create more maintenance afterwards. APEX boats are made with marine grade plywood transoms and floors protected by 2 layer of 2 components epoxy barrier and then a layer of polyurethane. We use a light Grey paint to better resistance to fading under UV.
OTHER IMPORTANT FEATURES Rubbing Strake The rubbing strake is the tough rubber strip that goes around the boat to protect it from abrasions, and from splash & spray keeping you dry. Make sure that this streaking is made of a thick, tough material in a light color. Dark colors attract more UV, heat, dirt, and will deteriorate faster leaving marks on other vessels. APEX boats have a tough, raised, light Grey nonmarking strake for better protection.
APEX MODELS Rigid Inflatables Boat Model A-8 A-9 A-9LT A-10 A-10LT A-11 A-12 A-15 Tender A-15OPEN A-17 Sport A-17OPEN A-20 Sport A-20OPEN A-24 RIB Length 8’ 8’11” 8’11” 10’ 10’ 11’ 12’ 14’6” 14’6” 17’3” 17’3” 19’8” 19’8” 24’6” Beam 5’ 5’2” 5’1” 5’7” 5’7” 5’7” 5’10” 6’7” 6’7” 7’7” 7’7” 8’2” 8’2” 9’9” Tube ∅ 16 “1/2 16” 1/2 16” 1/2 17” 17” 17” 18” 1/2 20” 20” 23” 23” 23” 23” 24” Persons 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 12 10 20 Weight 94 115 79 135 88 145 165 418 333 790 638 950 790 2130 Persons 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5
INFLATABLES BOAT COMPARTION CHART RIGID INFLATABLES BOAT Name APEX Model A-8 Approx. External Internal Internal Tube Max Capacity HP Persons Length Beam Length Beam Sq. Ft ∅ 8’ 5’ 5’4” 2’4” 12 16”½ 10 4 Payload Lbs. 750 Weight Lbs.
Apex offers many different models of Rigid Hull, Collapsible and Roll Up Boats, as well as White Water Raft and Banana Tubes. For more information and copy of our catalogue, please visit WWW.APEXINFLATABLES.COM or call 1-800-422-5977 Your APEX® Dealer: United States APEX® Inflatables 919 Bay Ridge Road Annapolis, Maryland 21403 USA Telephone (410) 267-0850 1-800-422-5977 Fax (410) 267-8020 E-mail: apexusa@verizon.net Factory Costa Rica APEX® Inflatables America’s Yate S.A. El Coyol Alajuela P.O.
