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Best inflatable dinghies and tenders

Last updated November 4, 2026

This guide is for boaters who need a tender for a bigger boat, or a small motor dinghy for lakes and sheltered water. These are not whitewater boats. If your plan involves rapids, look at our river raft guides instead.

RaftFinder does not test boats. We compared the listed specs and what owners report. For this guide that means length, width, tube diameter, material, load, weight and motor rating. Several picks have very little listed, and we say so rather than fill the gaps.

1. Best for a motor tender with a listed rating

Swordfish 10.8 SB-330A air-deck dinghy

The Swordfish SB-330A is an air-deck dinghy, 10 ft 8 in long with 18 in PVC tubes. It lists a 15 hp max motor and a 1268 lb max load, so you can check it against your outboard. At 80 lb it is the lighter of the two boats with listed weights. Person capacity is not listed, and no owner feedback was provided. Skip it if you need a confirmed seat count.

Length: 10 ft 8 in
Weight: 80 lb
Tubes: 18 in

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RaftFinder spec plateSwordfish 10.8 SB-330A air-deck dinghy

Max load: 1268 lb
Length: 10 ft 8 in
Tubes: 18 in
Weight: 80 lb

2. Best for groups and hauling gear

Newport Catalina 12 ft 6 in inflatable dinghy

The Newport Catalina is 12 ft 6 in long with 18 in PVC tubes. It is rated for 6 people and a 1603 lb max load, the biggest load figure here. The trade-off is weight: at 162 lb it is a heavy boat to move around. No max motor or floor type is listed, so check those before pairing it with an outboard. Avoid it if you carry the boat by hand a lot.

Length: 12 ft 6 in
Capacity: 6 people
Weight: 162 lb
Tubes: 18 in

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RaftFinder spec plateNewport Catalina 12 ft 6 in inflatable dinghy

Persons: 6
Max load: 1603 lb
Length: 12 ft 6 in
Tubes: 18 in

3. Longest hull with an aluminum transom

Bris 14.5 ft inflatable dinghy with aluminum transom

The name lists a 14.5 ft length and an aluminum transom, which points to motor use. Nothing else is listed: no load, weight, tube size or max motor, and no owner feedback. Get those figures from the maker before you choose it. Skip it if you need to compare numbers first.

Length: 14 ft 9 in
Capacity: 9 people
Floor: Aluminum
Weight: 258 lb

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RaftFinder spec plateBris 14.5 ft inflatable dinghy with aluminum transom

Persons: 9
Max load: 2866 lb
Length: 14 ft 9 in
Tubes: 19.7 in

4. Worth a look as a 12 ft sport boat

Bris 12 ft inflatable sport boat

The Bris 12 ft is named as a sport boat. That is all we have: no width, capacity, weight, floor type or motor rating, and no owner feedback. It may suit someone who already knows the brand, but we cannot back it up with specs. Do not buy it for a specific load or outboard without confirming the numbers.

Length: 12 ft
Capacity: 5 people
Floor: Aluminum
Weight: 132 lb

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RaftFinder spec plateBris 12 ft inflatable sport boat

Persons: 5
Max load: 1322 lb
Length: 12 ft
Tubes: 17.7 in

5. Shortest of the Bris models

Bris 10.8 ft inflatable dinghy

The Bris 10.8 ft is named as a 10.8 ft inflatable dinghy. Weight, load, capacity, tube diameter, material and motor rating are not listed, and there is no owner feedback. Its size suggests a tender-style boat, but we cannot confirm that carry weight or motor use. Do not choose it if you need verified figures.

Length: 10 ft 8 in
Capacity: 4 people
Floor: Aluminum
Weight: 121 lb

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RaftFinder spec plateBris 10.8 ft inflatable dinghy

Persons: 4
Max load: 1213 lb
Length: 10 ft 8 in
Tubes: 16.5 in

Length and size

The Bris 14.5 ft is the longest by name, then the Newport Catalina at 12 ft 6 in, the Bris 12 ft, the Swordfish at 10 ft 8 in, and the Bris 10.8 ft. Width is listed for only two boats: the Swordfish at 5 ft 3 in and the Newport at 2 ft 6 in. Both list 18 in tube diameter.

Load and capacity

The Newport lists 6 people and a 1603 lb max load. The Swordfish lists a 1268 lb max load, with person capacity not listed. For the three Bris boats, load and capacity are not listed.

Weight to carry

The Swordfish weighs 80 lb. The Newport weighs 162 lb, about twice as much, so moving it takes more effort. Weight is not listed for the Bris boats.

Motor and transom

Only the Swordfish lists a max motor, at 15 hp. The Bris 14.5 ft is named as having an aluminum transom, but its motor rating is not listed. The Newport’s max motor is not listed.

Floor and material

The Swordfish is sold as an air-deck dinghy. Floor type is not listed for the other four. Both the Swordfish and the Newport are PVC. Material is not listed for the Bris boats.

Owner feedback

No owner feedback was provided for any of these boats, so this comparison rests on specs alone.

Questions

Can I use these on whitewater?

No. This guide covers dinghies and tenders for lakes, sheltered water and use with a bigger boat. They are not whitewater boats.

Which one lists a max motor size?

Only the Swordfish SB-330A, at 15 hp. Max motor is not listed for the Newport Catalina or the three Bris boats.

Which is easiest to carry?

Of the boats with a listed weight, the Swordfish at 80 lb. The Newport Catalina is 162 lb, which is heavy to move around. Weight is not listed for the Bris boats.

Which fits the most people?

The Newport Catalina is rated for 6 people and a 1603 lb max load. Person capacity is not listed for the others.

Why do the Bris boats have so little information?

Only their names are available to us: 10.8 ft, 12 ft sport boat, and 14.5 ft with an aluminum transom. We do not guess at missing specs, so check with the maker before buying.