Most people shopping for an inflatable boat end up choosing between different shapes of the same old design: the V-hull dinghy - RIB, slated floor, or PVC floor. They’ve been around forever, and while they work, they’re heavy, draggy, and can feel unstable when you’re loading family, pets, or gear.
What many buyers don’t realise is that there’s another option. Inflatable catamarans apply the same principles that make big cruising cats so popular: stability, efficiency, and usable space - but in a compact, lightweight package. The result? A tender or runabout that planes faster, carries more with less effort, and stays steady underfoot.
This guide will show you how inflatable catamarans stack up against traditional dinghies, and why more boaters are making the switch.
What Defines a Catamaran vs a Dinghy
- Dinghy: Traditional V-shaped or round-tube inflatable with a flat floor. Often used as yacht tenders or entry-level runabouts.
- Inflatable Catamaran: Two slim hulls with an open deck in between. This design reduces drag, boosts stability, and creates more usable deck space.
Stability and Ride Comfort
- Catamaran stability: Dual hulls resist rolling, making it easier to board, move around, and even stand to fish. Perfect for families and pets.
- Dinghy stability: Round tubes can feel “tippy” if passengers shift weight suddenly. Boarding from a yacht or dock can be awkward.
Vee hulls do track well and so do inflatable catamarans. Many manufacturers choose simple flat-bottomed profiles which definitely don’t track well and skid around when you turn corners. Tracking can be especially important for tenders arriving at docks and back to the the main vessel.
Efficiency, Speed, and Drag
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Catamarans: Slim hulls glide through the water efficiently, requiring less outboard horsepower. Perfect for electric outboards such as Torqeedo
Tip: For petrol motors we quite like Tohatsu, Mercury, Yamaha, Suzuki. Hondas we never recommend and have had poor experiences with. For electric motors we would typically recommend first ePropulsion, then Torqeedo
- Dinghies: Wider drag profile means more power and more fuel required for similar performance.
Takeaway: With a catamaran, you save on fuel and can use a smaller, lighter motor.
Inflatable catamarans have less surface area than a vee hull which means less friction and less drag. This can mean that inflatable catamarans can be powered by smaller outboards or get further range from a single charge on an electric outboard battery
Weight, Packability, and Transport
- Catamarans: True Kit boats are designed to be lightweight, thanks to German Valmex® fabric and thermo-welded seams. They can be easily carried, packed into a car, or stored on a yacht.
- Dinghies: Heavier and bulkier, often requiring davits or a trailer.
For campervan adventurers in Australia or boaters in the Mediterranean, portability is a huge advantage.
Use Cases and Best Match
- Families: A Catamaran like the Discovery is ideal - stable, spacious, and easy for kids to board.
- Yacht Tenders: Navigator catamaran offers compact storage and a dry ride.
- Fishing: Tactician & Discovery catamarans provides space to stand and cast comfortably.
Why True Kit Chose the Catamaran Path
True Kit’s design philosophy is built around three promises:
- Lightweight: Easy to carry, lift, and launch.
- Efficient: Catamaran hulls cut drag, ideal for small petrol or electric outboards.
- Premium Quality: Constructed from German Valmex® fabric with thermo-welded seams, built to withstand sun and salt.
The result is an inflatable boat that outperforms dinghies in stability, efficiency, and durability.
When a Dinghy Might Still Be the Right Choice
A dinghy may still make sense if…
- You’re looking for the lowest upfront cost.
- You only need a tender occasionally, for very short trips.
- You don’t mind the extra bulk and weight.
- Or, you need something much bigger.
But for most families, anglers, and cruisers, a catamaran is the more versatile choice.
Decision Checklist
- Want stability for children, pets, or fishing? → Catamaran.
- Need a compact, dry yacht tender? → Catamaran.
- Shopping on price alone? → Dinghy.
- Value portability and fuel efficiency? → Catamaran.
In nearly every case, inflatable catamarans offer a better long-term solution.
FAQs
Q: Are inflatable catamarans harder to set up than dinghies?
No. True Kit catamarans inflate in minutes with either a manual or electric pump.
Q: What size motor do I need?
A small petrol outboard (Yamaha, Tohatsu, Mercury, Suzuki) or an electric motor like ePropulsion or Torqeedo works perfectly. Thanks to efficiency, less horsepower is needed compared to a dinghy.
Q: Can inflatable catamarans handle rougher conditions?
Yes. Their twin-hull design offers greater stability in choppy seas and passing wakes. Watch this video: Chasing Surf in a True Kit Inflatable - Crossing the Bar and trying to swamp the boat!
Q: Which True Kit is best for a yacht tender?
The Navigator 2.5m or 3m is designed specifically as a lightweight, compact tender.
Which Inflatable Boat Is Right for You?
When comparing an inflatable catamaran vs inflatable dinghy, the decision depends on how you’ll use it. Dinghies remain common, but for families, yacht owners, and anglers across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond, inflatable catamarans deliver superior stability, efficiency, and convenience.
Rather than struggling with a heavy dinghy, why not enjoy the freedom of a lightweight catamaran?
Explore the True Kit range of inflatable boats and find the right fit for your adventures.
