Inflatable Boats · Reviews
9.6′ of inflatable boat, room for 2 adults plus 1 child, rated up to an 8 hp (15″ shaft / 100 lbs) outboard. Here is an honest, spec-by-spec look at the CB290 — what it does well, what it costs, and who it is actually for.
If you are shopping inflatable boats, the 9.6' Inflatable Budget Boats CB290 deserves a close look. It is a 9.6' inflatable boat aimed at boaters who want a real boat that still packs into the back of an SUV. It is rated for 2 adults plus 1 child with a 600 lbs load capacity, which covers a realistic day on the water for most buyers.
At 9.6', it is the 2nd smallest of the 26 inflatable boats in Saturn’s current range. At $499, it is the most affordable of the 28 inflatable boats in the current range. If you want to skip ahead, check the current price here.
For this review I went through the full spec sheet line by line, so everything below comes from what the manufacturer actually publishes — dimensions, capacities, and construction — plus what those numbers mean once the CB290 is on the water.
Key Features
- 9.6' long × 4.53' wide
- 14.17" tubes
- 3+1 air chambers
- Rated for 2 adults plus 1 child
- 600 lbs maximum load
- Transom rated up to 8 HP (15" shaft / 100 lbs)
- Weighs 65 lbs
- Packs into 39x20x13"
- 80mm air deck
- 1100 Denier Reinforced PVC
On the Water
On the water, three numbers tell you most of what you need to know: length, beam, and tube diameter. At 9.6' long and 4.53' wide with 14.17" tubes, the CB290 is a compact inflatable with a reassuring footprint. In inflatables, tube diameter and beam do most of the work keeping you level — wide tubes are why these boats feel so much more stable than their weight suggests.
The transom is rated for up to 8 HP (15" shaft / 100 lbs). That keeps you in small-outboard territory — light, affordable motors that one person can lift and mount. That is the whole point of a boat like this: enough power to get you to the spot without the cost, weight, and upkeep of a big rig.
Plan around the 600 lbs load rating, not just the person count. Add up people, motor, fuel or battery, cooler, and gear before you buy. If that math lands close to the limit, size up — a boat that runs near its rating is slower, wetter, and less fun.
Build and Materials
The tubes are 1100 Denier Reinforced PVC. That is the heavy-duty end of the PVC fabrics used on inflatables this size — thicker fabric resists abrasion and holds air pressure more consistently. Seams are Quadruple Overlap. More overlap at a seam means more glued surface holding the tube together, which is exactly what you want on a boat that lives in the sun and gets dragged up beaches.
The spec sheet lists 3+1 air chambers. Separate chambers are a safety feature, not a spec-sheet decoration: if one compartment is ever compromised, the others keep you afloat. The Recessed One-Way valves sit flush in the tubes, so there is nothing sticking out to snag on a dock, a truck bed, or your fishing line.
The 80mm air deck keeps weight down while still giving a firm surface underfoot — a good middle ground between a rigid floor and a basic fabric bottom.
Weight, Portability, and Setup
The CB290 weighs 65 lbs. One reasonably fit person can manage it; two people make it easy. It packs into a 39x20x13" package (74 lbs). The packed bag fits in most car trunks or SUV cargo areas — no trailer, no roof rack, no storage unit.
BoatsToGo does not publish a setup time for this model. For an inflatable this size, plan on 15–20 minutes with a decent pump the first few times; it gets faster once you have done it a couple of times.
Who It's For — and Who Should Skip It
Who it is for: anglers, divers, and families who need a tender — or a standalone fishing boat — without owning a trailer, running up to an 8 HP (15" shaft / 100 lbs) outboard. If your fishing looks like trailer-free launches, skinny water, and packing the whole rig into a vehicle, the CB290 fits the program.
Honest trade-offs: it is still an inflatable, so inflation and setup are part of every trip. Sharp shells, hooks, and rocky shorelines demand the same respect you would give any PVC boat. Rinse it after saltwater use and store it out of long-term direct sun — UV is the slow killer of every inflatable ever made.
Who should skip it: if you want to turn the key and go with zero setup, or you regularly run rocky rivers, a rotomolded or aluminum hull will make you happier.
How It Compares
Within Saturn’s current range, the next step down is the 9.6' Inflatable Dinghy Boats SD290 (9.6 ') at $729 and the next step up is the 9.6' Fishing Inflatable Boats FCB290 (9.6 ') at $699. If you are torn between sizes, the usual advice holds: buy for the load you will actually carry most weekends, not the biggest crew you might take once a year. A smaller boat that runs light is faster, drier, and easier to handle than a bigger one loaded to its limit.
Care and Maintenance
An inflatable boat rewards basic care and punishes neglect — the good news is the care part is simple. Rinse it with fresh water after saltwater use, and let it dry before you roll it up; packing a damp boat away is how mildew starts.
Watch air pressure when temperatures swing. Air expands in the heat and contracts in the cold, so a boat inflated drum-tight on a cool morning can get very firm by midday. Bleed a little air if the tubes feel overly hard, and top up when evenings cool off.
For storage, keep it out of long-term direct sun — UV is the slow killer of every inflatable — and store it loosely rolled or partially inflated rather than folded tight on the same creases every time. Keep sand and grit out of the valves, and carry a small patch kit aboard. None of this is difficult; it is just the routine that keeps an CB290 going for years instead of seasons.
CB290 Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 9.6' |
| Inside Length | 6.6' |
| Width | 4.53' |
| Inside Width | 2.17' |
| Tube Diameter | 14.17" |
| Air Chambers | 3+1 |
| Person Capacity | 2+1 |
| Max Load | 600 lbs |
| Max Motor | 8 HP (15" shaft / 100 lbs) |
| Boat Weight | 65 lbs |
| Shipping Size | 39x20x13" |
| Shipping Weight | 74 lbs |
| Floor | 80mm air deck |
| Material | 1100 Denier Reinforced PVC |
| Seams | Quadruple Overlap |
| Air Valves | Recessed One-Way |
| Color | Light Gray |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can the CB290 carry?
It is rated for 2 adults plus 1 child, with a maximum load of 600 lbs. Stay under both numbers — capacity and total weight — for the safest, driest ride.
What size outboard can I put on the CB290?
The transom is rated for up to 8 HP (15" shaft / 100 lbs). Stay at or under that rating — overpowering a small inflatable is dangerous and can void any warranty.
How much does the CB290 weigh?
The boat itself weighs 65 lbs; the shipping weight with packaging is 74 lbs.
How small does it pack down?
The packed size is 39x20x13" at 74 lbs. That fits in most car trunks or SUV cargo areas.
What kind of floor does it have?
It has a 80mm air deck.
Where to Buy
The 9.6' Inflatable Budget Boats CB290 is listed at $499 on BoatsToGo‘s website. If it sounds like your kind of boat:
Pricing and availability change, so confirm the current price on the product page before ordering.
Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this article, at no additional cost to the reader. Product availability, pricing, and promo codes can change; verify them before purchasing.
