Inflatable Platform Size Guide: Sizes and Ratings by Maker

Inflatable platforms of different sizes

It’s always the same conversation on the dock: “Will it fit four of us?” “Will it fit in the boat?” “Will it fit in the car?” Picking an inflatable platform size means answering all three, and the honest numbers are scattered across a dozen maker pages that measure in feet, meters and model codes. This guide pulls them together. It lists the sizes makers actually sell, with their weights, thicknesses and stated capacities; explains the European model numbers; shows why a bigger deck doesn’t always mean a higher rating; and covers the space, depth and anchoring a larger platform asks for.

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In short: consumer platforms in the US mostly come in 6 x 5, 8 x 5, 7 x 7 and 10 x 10 ft, usually 6 to 8 in thick and rated from about 3 to 10 adults by the maker. Yacht platforms run 2.5 x 1.5 m to 4 x 2 m and are 20 cm thick. Water mats are long and narrow (up to 20 x 5 or 6 ft). How big an inflatable platform you need depends on the maker’s rating for your group, the depth and room you have, and what you can carry and store. Never estimate capacity from the size.

Inflatable platform sizes by maker

PlatformSizeDeck areaThicknessWeightCapacity (as stated)
Solstice drop-stitch, 6 x 56 x 5 ft30 sq ft6 inn/s3 to 5 persons
Solstice drop-stitch, 8 x 58 x 5 ft40 sq ft6 inn/s4 to 6 persons
BOTE Inflatable Dock 77 x 7 ft49 sq ft8 in35 lb1,050 lb
Island Hopper Yacht Dock10 x 6 ft60 sq ft6 inn/s1,500 lb
RAVE Aqua Dock 1010 x 10 ft100 sq ft6 inabout 68 lb10 adults or 1,800 lb
BOTE Inflatable Dock 1010 x 10 ft100 sq ft8 in83 lb2,100 lb (another listing: 1,500)
Solstice drop-stitch, 10 x 1010 x 10 ft100 sq ft6 inn/s8 to 10 persons
Aquaglide Half Deck 7.52.28 x 1.55 m (7.5 x 5.1 ft)3.5 m²10 cmn/sn/s
Jobe Infinity Island Small2.17 x 3.32 m (7.1 x 10.9 ft)4 m² (maker)20 cm23.7 kg390 kg
Jobe Infinity Island2.96 x 4.48 m (9.7 x 14.7 ft)about 8.7 m² (maker)20 cm45 kg800 kg recommended load
NautiBuoy Voyager 8004 x 2 m (13.1 x 6.6 ft)8 m²20 cm40 kg700 kg, 5 people
RAVE Aqua Mat Deluxe 2020 x 5 ft100 sq ft3 in48 lb1,500 lb (one listing: 2,000)
FunAir Floating Island7.43 x 6.62 m (24.4 x 21.7 ft)n/sn/s139 kgUp to 6 guests

“n/s” means the maker or retailer page we checked doesn’t state it. Deck area is length times width for rectangular decks; for shaped platforms such as Jobe’s islands we give the maker’s own figure, which is smaller than the outside dimensions suggest. Area helps compare shapes; it is not a capacity figure. Retail listings sometimes disagree with each other, and we’ve noted where they do.

Reading European and yacht model numbers

Yacht platforms from NautiBuoy and SeaRaft are named by a number rather than a size. The number is the deck area in square meters times 100: a 375 is 2.5 x 1.5 m, a 525 is 3.5 x 1.5 m, a 675 is 4.5 x 1.5 m and an 800 is 4 x 2 m. Aquaglide names some decks by approximate length (the Half Deck 7.5 is about 7.5 ft long). US consumer docks are named by feet: 6 x 5, 8 x 5, 10 x 10.

Bigger doesn’t always mean a higher rating

Three 10 x 10 ft platforms in the table above carry three different ratings: 10 adults or 1,800 lb (RAVE, 6 in thick), 2,100 lb (BOTE, 8 in thick), and 8 to 10 persons (Solstice). Thickness, pressure, fabric and how each maker tests all play a part, and none of them publishes the method. That’s why capacity always comes from the maker’s figure for the exact model, never from a calculation based on size. Where listings conflict, use the lower figure until the maker confirms. Our guide to drop stitch explains how thickness and psi affect stiffness, and the safety checklist covers capacity on the water.

Typical sizes by platform type

  • Fitness and yoga mats: about 7.5 to 8 ft long and 3 ft wide (Glide FIT 7’8″ x 35.5″, Solstice SolFit 7’10” x 36″).
  • Foam water mats: long and narrow; Aqua Lily Pad’s original is 6 ft wide and 9 to 20 ft long, rated from 1 to 4 adults up to 10 to 12 adults by length.
  • Swim platforms and docks: 6 x 5 to 10 x 10 ft in the US; 2.5 x 1.5 to 4 x 2 m for yachts. See boat swim platforms.
  • Sea pools: Henshaw lists typical bespoke sizes of 10 x 4 m and 15 x 5 m for superyachts.
  • Islands and lounges: from about 3 x 3 m (Aquaglide Ohana) to FunAir’s 7.43 x 6.62 m custom island.

How big an inflatable platform for your group

Use the people count the maker gives, then think about what else is on the deck: a cooler, a dog, chairs, a paddleboard waiting to launch. From the published ratings:

  • One or two people (yoga, a fishing spot, a sun deck for two): fitness mats around 8 ft long, or a 6 x 5 ft platform (Solstice rates its 6 x 5 for 3 to 5).
  • A couple with kids: 8 x 5 ft (Solstice: 4 to 6) or 7 x 7 ft (BOTE: 1,050 lb).
  • A full family or a group of friends: 10 x 10 ft (RAVE: 10 adults; Solstice: 8 to 10) or a 10 x 6 ft deck (Island Hopper: 1,500 lb).
  • A yacht’s guests: 4 x 2 m class (NautiBuoy Voyager 800: 5 people) or several linked platforms.
  • Kids running and jumping: a long water mat (RAVE’s 20 x 5 ft mat is rated 1,500 lb); see platform vs floating mat.

Bigger platforms need more water, room and anchor

Size changes the setup as much as the fun. Aquaglide’s figures show it clearly: its Solarium lounge (about 3 x 1.6 m) needs at least 1 m of water and one anchor point with at least 250 kg of anchor weight, while its 3 x 3 m Ohana lounge needs four anchor points, at least 2,000 kg of total anchor weight and at least 3 m from shore. RAVE asks for at least 4 ft of water under its 10 x 10 ft dock. A larger deck catches more wind, swings over a bigger circle and needs more clear water around it. Plan the spot before the size; our anchoring guide covers the details.

Carrying, packing and storing

  • Weight to carry: from 35 lb (BOTE Dock 7) to 83 lb (BOTE Dock 10) for consumer docks; 40 to 45 kg for 4 m class yacht platforms (NautiBuoy, Jobe); 139 kg for FunAir’s island. RAVE’s manual asks for two or more people to carry its 10 x 10 ft dock to the water.
  • Packed size: the NautiBuoy Voyager 800 rolls into a 220 x 35 x 35 cm bag; FunAir’s island packs to 110 x 80 x 75 cm. Measure your tender garage, lazarette or car trunk.
  • Inflation time and pump: a bigger deck at high pressure takes longer. Island Hopper quotes about 8 minutes for its 10 x 6 ft dock with the included double-action hand pump. Our pump guide compares hand and electric options.

Measure before you buy

  1. On a boat: the beam at the stern and the clear water behind it, so the platform floats free of the swim ladder and the drive.
  2. At a lake: depth at the lowest water level, and clear water in every direction for the platform to swing at anchor.
  3. For storage: the bag size and weight against your garage, locker or trunk.
  4. For growth: if you might link platforms later, check the maker’s connection system (Jobe uses double D-rings; NautiBuoy an inflatable Air Toggle beam; Aquaglide Vario-Lock straps). Our modular platforms page explains how linking works.

Compare platforms in our catalog

SpecRAVE Aqua Dock 10 (as a swim platform)Jobe Infinity IslandNautiBuoy Voyager 800
Size (as stated)10 x 10 ft x 6 in2.96 x 4.48 m4 x 2 x 0.2 m
Thickness6 in drop-stitch20 cm single-layer drop-stitch20 cm drop-stitch
Stated capacity10 adults; 1,800 lb800 kg recommended load700 kg; 5 people
Minimum water depth1.2 mnot publishednot published
Constructionnot publishedDrop-stitch with 5 mm EVA deck; 5 ballast bagsPVC with Kevlar reinforcement; patented water-ballast bags with dump system; artificial teak or diamond deck
Inflation pressure5 psinot publishednot published
Weight30.8 kg45 kg40 kg
Packed sizenot publishednot publishedBag 220 x 35 x 35 cm
Anchoring / attachment2 anchor points; 8 D-ringsDouble D-rings link to other Infinity platforms; ladder mountsAir Toggle inflatable link beam; 316 stainless D-rings
Price signalnot published€2,799.99 / £2,351.99 on the official store (when checked)€5,995 ex VAT, Teak version (Greek retailer, when checked)
See it at Bart'sSee it at JobeSee it at Onaqua

Figures as each maker states them; makers measure capacity differently. Check the product page for sources and dates.

For the other factors that decide the right platform (thickness, pressure, material, budget) see how to choose an inflatable platform and platform materials.

Platform size questions

What is the most common inflatable platform size?

In the US, 8 x 5 ft and 10 x 10 ft are the sizes most makers we checked offer, usually 6 in thick. Yacht platforms commonly come in 2.5 x 1.5 m to 4 x 2 m.

How many people fit on a 10 x 10 inflatable platform?

It depends on the model: RAVE rates its 10 x 10 ft dock for 10 adults or 1,800 lb, Solstice for 8 to 10 persons, and BOTE gives 2,100 lb. Use your model’s figure.

Is a thicker platform rated for more?

Often, but not by any formula: the 8 in BOTE Dock 10 is rated higher than the 6 in RAVE Aqua Dock 10, yet makers don’t publish how they test. Compare stated ratings, not thicknesses.

What does “800” mean on a yacht platform?

Deck area: 8 m², which is a 4 x 2 m platform. A 375 is 2.5 x 1.5 m and a 525 is 3.5 x 1.5 m.

What’s the biggest inflatable platform you can buy?

The largest documented one in our research is FunAir’s custom Floating Island at 7.43 x 6.62 m. Bigger layouts are built by linking modules or ordering a custom build; request more information if you need one.

Keep exploring

Browse every platform type, find more guides on our Learn page, or look up a term in the glossary.

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