An inflatable catamaran makes an easy cottage boat and a steady yacht tender: no trailer, boathouse or slip, it launches off a beach, and the twin pontoons make it steadier to step into. Most cottage owners choose the Battle Cat 10 ft; tender owners with tight lockers usually pick the 8 ft. Call us before using one in salt water.
Not everyone wants a big boat. A lot of cottagers and boaters just want something easy that gets the family around the lake, out to the island for a swim, or from the mooring to shore and back. That is the job an inflatable catamaran does best. For the full picture on the boats, see our inflatable catamaran buyer's guide.
As a cottage boat
Here is how it fits a typical cottage weekend: pump it up Friday evening, use it all weekend, rinse and dry it Sunday, and it goes back in the shed or the car. No boathouse, no marina bill, no trailer, no ramp.
It is especially good at a few cottage situations that make hard boats awkward:
- Rocky or gravel shorelines. You can nose a light inflatable onto the beach and carry it up, instead of anchoring off and wading.
- Shallow bays. A light boat with a short-shaft outboard draws very little, and you can always tilt the motor and paddle the last bit.
- Shared or small docks. Soft pontoons are kinder to a neighbour's dock than an aluminium hull.
- Cottages you drive to, then walk to. At 98 lb for the 10 ft, two people can carry it down to the water.
- Swim days. Add the 3-step rope ladder (three anti-slip steps, 34 inch length, 400+ lb capacity) and it becomes a floating swim platform.
As a yacht tender
The Battle Cat product pages call it a good yacht tender and note that it deflates into a locker. The twin pontoons help most at the moment you need it most: stepping down from a swim platform with bags, kids or a dog, when a single-tube dinghy tends to dip toward whoever is stepping in.
Which size for which job
| Job | Size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tender where locker space is tight | 8 ft | 84 lb, rated 2 persons / 600 lb, up to 6 hp |
| Cottage family boat | 10 ft | 98 lb, rated 4 people / 1000 lb, up to 10 hp |
| Cottage boat for a bigger crew or more gear | 12 ft | 130 lb, rated 4 people / 1200 lb, up to 20 hp |
| Tender for a crew of four | 10 ft | The 8 ft is rated for 2 persons |
Our inflatable catamaran size guide works through real crew-and-gear loads.
What to look for in a cottage boat or tender
- Weight you can actually carry. Check the boat weight on the product page, then add the motor.
- A floor you can stand on. The Battle Cat uses a high-pressure drop-stitch floor with a teak-look pad.
- Easy motor mounting. The Battle Cat takes a short-shaft gas or electric outboard on the transom.
- What is in the box. Each Battle Cat comes with a manual pump, two aluminum paddles, bench seating and a repair kit.
- Who supports it. Buy from a shop that will still answer the phone next season.
Motors: electric is a strong fit here
For short cottage runs and tender duty, an electric outboard is hard to beat: quiet at the dock, no fuel jug to store, and nothing to winterize except the battery. We carry the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus and the Torqeedo Travel S, both listed as 3 HP equivalent and about 20 kg with the battery. See our electric outboard guide, and our earlier post on whether you need an electric outboard for your cottage boat for when gas still makes more sense.
Licensing works the same either way. Transport Canada requires a Pleasure Craft Licence once engines total at least 10 horsepower (7.5 kW), and the driver of any motorized recreational boat needs proof of competency, electric included. That covers the teenager running to the store in the tender too.
Care and storage at the cottage
Heat and sun are hard on any inflatable over a whole summer. For a weekend, leaving it inflated at the dock is fine; check pressure before each run, since it rises in the afternoon sun and drops overnight. For weekday gaps, pull it out of the water and keep it in the shade, or rinse, dry and deflate it. Mice love a cottage shed, so store it bagged and off the floor.
For the off-season, see our inflatable catamaran winter storage guide.
What customers say about the support
“Excellent customer service - if you have an issue, email or call Canadian Board Co”Nancy M., verified buyer, Battle Cat 10 ft
“Great company. Awesome products. Jaeger has been a pleasure to deal with.”Ian Judd, Google review
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an inflatable catamaran be used as a yacht tender?
Yes. The Battle Cat product pages describe it as a good yacht tender that deflates into a locker, and the twin pontoons make stepping in from a swim platform steadier. Call us before using it in salt water, as saltwater care is still being confirmed with Rover Marine.
Which Battle Cat is best as a tender?
The 8 ft if locker space is tight and you carry two people, since it weighs 84 lb and is rated 2 persons / 600 lb. If you regularly carry three or four, choose the 10 ft.
Is an inflatable catamaran a good cottage boat?
For island runs, swim days, fishing and short trips around the lake, yes. It needs no trailer, boathouse or slip, launches off a beach and stores in a shed. It is not a boat for long crossings in afternoon wind on big water.
Can I leave my inflatable catamaran on the dock all summer?
For a weekend, yes, with pressure checked before each run. Over a whole summer, sun and heat are hard on any inflatable, so pull it out of the water and keep it shaded between uses, or deflate and store it.
Do I need a licence for a tender in Canada?
A Pleasure Craft Licence is needed once engines total at least 10 horsepower (7.5 kW). Anyone driving a motorized recreational boat, including an electric tender, needs proof of competency such as a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
What motor is best for a cottage inflatable?
For short runs and tender duty, an electric outboard such as the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus or Torqeedo Travel S is quiet and fuel-free. For long runs and heavy loads, a small gas outboard within Rover Marine's recommended range may suit better.
Related Canadian Board Co. guides and gear
Find your cottage boat
Compare the Battle Cat 8, 10 and 12 ft, or call 1-800-399-5260 and tell us about your dock, shoreline and crew.
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