Bombard Inflatable Boats for Sale

Bombard

In the early 1950s, Alain Bombard wanted to prove that shipwreck survivors could stay alive on the open sea for extended periods. In 1952, the French doctor and biologist therefore set out on a fairly radical experiment on himself. Aboard L’Hérétique, an inflatable boat just 4.65 meters long, he crossed the Atlantic from the Canary Islands and reached Barbados after 65 days. He lived on caught fish and plankton, among other things, and used rainwater as well as liquid extracted from fish. The story made Bombard internationally famous and at the same time became an almost unbeatable demonstration of what an inflatable boat can withstand.

Bombard wasn’t even running a Bombard

A small historical detail is often overlooked: Alain Bombard’s L’Hérétique was not a boat of the Bombard brand, because that brand didn’t exist in 1952. The inflatable boat came from Zodiac. It was not until 1959 that Zodiac launched the first boat under the name BOMBARD. The adventurer’s name thus became a brand in its own right – and has remained closely associated with ruggedness, safety and straightforward inflatable boats.

Later, Bombard developed further within the Zodiac world. Today, both brands belong to the French Z Nautic Group.

Less lounge, more boat

The difference between Bombard and its sister brand Zodiac is now mainly a question of positioning. While Zodiac has increasingly expanded its range with comfortable, high-quality RIBs, Bombard remains more focused on functional boats. With Bombard, it’s all about open deck space, manageable weight, outboards and boats that are suitable for fishing, diving, water skiing or simply cruising around.

You could call that spartan. Then again, you could also say that an inflatable boat is occasionally quite practical when there should still be room for something other than seat cushions.

Explorer: the all-rounder

The Explorer range forms Bombard’s rugged RIB branch. A rigid hull is combined with the characteristic inflatable tubes along the sides. The result is relatively light yet stable boats with plenty of usable interior space.

Older Explorers in particular are frequently found on the used boat market. Consoles, bench seats and other equipment can differ considerably.

Sunrider: a little more leisure comfort

The Sunrider range is somewhat more comfort-oriented. These are RIBs as well, but with equipment geared more toward family and leisure use. Consoles, seating and sunbathing areas come more to the fore, without the boat turning into a floating lounge. Sunrider models therefore sit pretty much exactly between a pure workhorse and a comfortable leisure RIB.

Commando: an inflatable boat stays an inflatable boat

Bombard also sticks with a boat type that many manufacturers pushed into the background long ago: the fully dismountable inflatable boat. The Commando models do without a rigid GRP hull, which makes them comparatively easy to transport and store. That makes them interesting as a tender or fishing boat, or for sailboat skippers who don't want to keep their boat in the harbor permanently. This brings things full circle to the original idea behind the inflatable boat: low weight, a small pack size and still a fully capable little powerboat.

Buying a used Bombard

With a used Bombard, the condition of the tubes deserves attention first. Chafe marks, repairs, valves, glued or welded seams and the transitions to the hull should be checked carefully. Heavy UV exposure and years of outdoor storage can leave their traces, too.

With RIBs, the rigid hull, transom and deck come into play as well. At the stern in particular, check whether the area around the outboard mounting is solid and free of structural damage. And of course the outboard largely determines value and follow-up costs. Operating hours, service records, corrosion and a clean test run are therefore at least as important as a good-looking tube.

A name that comes with an obligation

In 1952, Alain Bombard was not thinking about sun pads or as many cup holders as possible. His inflatable boat was meant to keep him alive. Few of today's Bombards are likely to be used in such existential circumstances. But the fact that the brand still focuses on rugged, uncomplicated boats rather than nautical luxury fits the man whose name it bears rather well.