AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 boat specs
AB Inflatables
AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009
2009
View full specs →
VS
AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 boat specs
AB Inflatables
AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019
2019
View full specs →

AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 vs AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 vs AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 at 8,5 ft versus AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 at 10,6 ft. At 95 lbs and 169 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 8 hp for the AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 and 15 hp for the AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 is rated for 4 passengers, while the AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 caps at 3. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 comes in at 11 lbs per hp versus 12 lbs per hp for the AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.

The AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 is trailerable — a genuine lifestyle advantage at this size. The AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 isn't listed as trailerable, which may mean a permanent berth or mooring is required.

Bottom line: Choose the AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 4 passengers and at 8,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 3 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeAB Inflatables
Makenot available
Model8 VL
Modelnot available
Model Year2009
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam5 ft. 4 in. (1.63 m) Inside: 2 ft. 6 in. (0.76 m)
Beam2.80 ft
Beam - Meters1.63
Beam - Meters0.85
Beam - Inches64
Beam - Inches34
Weight - Detail95 lbs. (43 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg43.09
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.95
Weight - lbs.not available
Length [deck]5 ft. 8 in. (1.73 m)
Length [deck]not available
Length - Meters2.6
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet8.5
Length - Feet10.6
Length overall - Detail8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)
Length overall - Detail10.60 ft
Length overall - Meters2.59
Length overall - Meters3.23
Length overall - Inches102
Length overall - Inches127
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail1.40 ft
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches17
Displacementnot available
Displacement169.00 lbs
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeInflatable Rigid
Hull typenot available
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter16 in. (0.40 m)
Tube diameternot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeoutboard
Engine max8 - 10 hp (6 - 7.5 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower15 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,115 lbs. (506 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people4
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailerablenot available
TrailerableYes
Boat typenot available
Boat typeUnpowered

AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 vs AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 or the AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019?
The AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 is the longer of the two at 10,6 feet overall. The AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 comes in at 8,5 feet, making it roughly 2,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 or the AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019?
For trailering, the AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 has the edge at 95 lbs dry weight versus 169 lbs for the AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 is rated to a maximum of 15 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 tops out at 8 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 4 passengers, while the AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 is certified for 3. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the better power-to-weight ratio?
The AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 has a better power-to-weight ratio at 11 lbs per hp compared to 12 lbs per hp for the AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009. A lower number means quicker acceleration and faster time to plane — the number that actually matters most on short, sporty boats like these.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 measures 64" wide, compared to 34" for the AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Are the AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 and AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the AB Inflatables 8 VL 2009 and the AB-Inflatables Navigo 10 VS 2019 are built by AB Inflatables. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.