The main difference between PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and Hypalon (a brand name for Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene) in inflatable boats is the material's durability, resistance to environmental factors, and cost.

Here’s a breakdown:

1. Durability and Resistance

• Hypalon: Known for its excellent resistance to UV rays, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. Hypalon also has a high resistance to abrasion, making it more durable and better suited for rough conditions. It's the material of choice for high-end inflatable boats, particularly those used in commercial or military applications.
• PVC: While PVC is generally more affordable and can be quite durable, it's not as resistant to UV rays or chemicals as Hypalon. Over time, PVC can become brittle and degrade with exposure to sun, heat, and harsh chemicals. It’s more prone to scratches and wear, though it is still durable enough for recreational use in calmer waters.

2. Weight and Flexibility

• Hypalon: Generally heavier and less flexible than PVC, but this is partly due to its thicker, tougher nature. This can make the boat stiffer, but also more resilient to punctures and abrasions.
• PVC: Lighter and more flexible than Hypalon, which can make it easier to roll up and transport. However, this flexibility can sometimes lead to a greater chance of damage if the boat is exposed to rough conditions.

3. Cost

• Hypalon: More expensive than PVC, primarily because it’s more durable and has better performance characteristics in harsh environments. Boats made from Hypalon are usually higher-end, which also contributes to their higher price.
• PVC: Less expensive, making it a popular choice for budget-friendly recreational inflatable boats. It’s great for calmer waters, leisure use, and more occasional outings.

4. Maintenance and Repair

• Hypalon: While more durable, it can be trickier to repair, especially if you're dealing with extensive damage. However, proper maintenance (like storing the boat out of direct sunlight and cleaning it regularly) can prolong its life significantly.
• PVC: Easier to repair using standard patches and adhesives. It’s generally a good option for casual boaters who want something easy to maintain and fix.

5. Lifespan

• Hypalon: Typically lasts longer (often 10+ years) due to its resistance to UV damage and environmental wear.
• PVC: The lifespan of a PVC boat can be shorter (around 5-10 years), depending on exposure to sun, saltwater, and other environmental factors.

Summary:

• Hypalon is best for long-term use in harsh conditions, providing better durability, UV resistance, and longevity, but comes at a higher cost.
• PVC is a lighter, cheaper option that works well for recreational boaters who don’t need the extreme durability Hypalon offers and are likely to use their boat in milder conditions.

Our Recommendation

It mostly comes down to your budget and how you intend to use the boat. If you're planning on doing more intensive, long-term use in challenging conditions, Hypalon is the way to go. If you're looking for something more affordable and easier to handle, PVC might be perfect.

We recommend PVC for most applications as the boat is stored in the bags away from UV therefore its easier to pack down in bags and protected from the Sun, negating the benefits of Hypalon when used as a portable product.

On Sailing applications where the boat is left hanging in the sun its whole life, we recommend Hypalon as the packdown is not frequent if at all, and the product is more UV resistant.

If Sailing and budget friendly, we also offer a boat cover to protect the boat from the sun. (Saves the cost of purchasing Hypalon and keeps boat protected)

Extremely Stable. One of the key features is the super stable ride you will have with a Takacat.  Not only is it stable, it also means that your passengers and cargo stay safe.

Open front (LX Series) is best for boarding from the beach, jetty or larger craft. It is also the best for diving, swimming and getting in and out of the water, it also allows you to drag fish in the front. The front will stay level with the water once you walk to the front (Seen in our photos under LX Series)

The Closed Front is better for storage, if youre wanting to tuck your gear forward it provides a physical barrier to stop gear falling foward. It is however harder to get into when swimming.

Both boats offer very similar performance and are both dry riding. (Subject to wind ofcourse - youll get wet on any boat on a bad day!)

No, Due to the fact the Takacat is light and has a raised bow design, it lifts quickly in teh water, it doesnt scoop water. If weight is poorly distributed to the front excessively or if the boat is going slow and the waves are larger than the freeboard on the sides you can get some water onboard, but that is the benefit of our open transom - the water drains instantly. The open front is great for safety as it is easy to get back into from the water.

Extremely Stable. One of the key features is the super stable ride you will have with a Takacat.  Not only is it stable, it also means that your passengers and cargo stay safe.

Yes, very safe. With various chambers holding air up to 5 separate compartments on larger models, on the unlikely event you get a hole in a tube you will maintain bouyancy via the remaining chambers, this is done by the way of internal baffles within the tubes, creating a compartment of air.

Ropes and welded handles along the tubes provide safety allowing you to be able to sit anywhere and hold on safely.

A market leading 5 Year Warranty on the tubes and 3 Year Warranty of the floor.

Takacat warrants to its Customers the following in relation to the LX, Sport, LX-R & Predator model boats:

 a)  PVC and TPU fabrics are warranted to remain free from serious defects or deterioration which adversely affects the boat’s fitness for purpose for a period of five (5) years commencing on the date of agreement of the sale and purchase.

b) Tube Seams are warranted to remain free from serious defects or deterioration which adversely affects the boat’s fitness for purpose for a period of five (5) years commencing on the date of agreement of the sale and purchase.

c) All Air Deck floors sold with the LX, or Sport Series are warranted to remain free from serious defects or deterioration which adversely affects the boat’s fitness for purpose for a period of three (3) years commencing on the date of agreement of the sale and purchase.

d) All parts, accessories and/or equipment which are sold or purchased separately to the LX, LX-R, Sport, Predator model boats, including but not limited to Carry Handles, D-Rings, Seats, Oars, Transom assembly Beach Wheels are warranted to remain free from serious defects or deterioration which adversely affects the relevant item’s fitness for purpose for a period of two (2) years commencing on the date of the relevant purchase.

Yes, we offer Australia wide delivery to your door or remote area, via our freight partner Fedex TNT.

Takacat are the Original designer of the Inflatable Catamaran design. Starting back in 2007 by Greg Snowden the brand has developed over many years. Its features outweigh those of most other inflatable catamarans.

1. Open Transom - Allows water to Drain Quickly should you ever get a large wave into the boat - Much Safer.

2. Packs Down to smaller Bags - The Transom Floor and Accessories go into one bag, the tubes into a second. Not only does this make the packdown smaller, but it makes the boat easier to manage by splitting the weight.

3. Modular Design - The floor Doubles as a Paddle Board and comes with a dedicated fin for this purpose, for models 340LX and Larger. It also provides the benefit of when the boat is very old, we can supply new tubes, you keep the floor and transom and have got a new boat at approximately 1/3 of the cost of a new boat.

4. Over Inflation Valves - Inflatable boats air will expand in warm conditions, when this happens it adds stress to the seams of the boat. Takacat has Over Inflation Valves in the floor and Tubes to allow this excess pressure to release, stopping that extra pressure and load on the seams eventually causing failure.

5. Heavy Duty Rubbing Strakes - Takacat features heavy duty rub strakes on the bottom of both hulls and the sides of both tubes, this is designed to reduce wear on rough terrain.

6. No Duties or Taxes - When you purchase a boat from overseas, what most fail to tell you is that import and duties must be paid, in addition to freight on imports. This is a hidden cost that stings most buyers importing products from overseas. As Lenta Marine is an Australian Company, based in South Australia, operating our own dedicated Distribution Warehouse, we can send your boat straight from our Adelaide Warehouse with delivery generally between 3-5 business days or overnight for express*

*Fee for Express

7. Local Support - By buying locally you have local support, we carry all spare parts for all models in our SA Distribution Warehouse and can deliver Australia wide generally between 2-3 Business Days or overnight for urgent cases.

8. Australian Owned & Operated Small Business - By buying locally your supporting our family business, our local suppliers and our local freight businesses. Buy SA for SA & Australia.

9. We offer FREE DELIVERY Australia Wide - Buy ordering via our website you will get free delivery.

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