I wanted a better way to enjoy the water...
So I built PudBoat
Hi, I'm Matt.
PudBoat began because I wanted an inflatable boat that felt like a proper boat — not something unstable, uncomfortable or difficult to set up.
Most importantly, I wanted a boat that families and friends could genuinely enjoy spending time out on the water together in.
What started as countless designs on my kitchen table eventually became prototypes that I tested on rivers, lakes and the sea.
And from that journey, the PudBoat Sailfish was born.
My mission is simple: to make owning a boat as easy and as fun as it should be so you can enjoy great adventures out on the water
The origin story — It started on the River Thames
Growing up, I loved any opportunity to get out on the water. But it wasn't until I was older that I started thinking about what it would actually be like to own a boat.
One bright summer's day, I was standing on the banks of the River Thames near Reading watching boats go by and seeing people out having fun. I remember thinking how great it would be to have a boat of my own.
As I didn't live next to a river, then came the obvious question:
How could I own a boat without the hassle, but still have something my friends and family would love spending time in?
For many people, owning a boat means a trailer, a mooring, storage and significant ongoing costs. I started looking at inflatable boats as an alternative, but I couldn't find one that was comfortable and spacious enough for what I wanted.
So I decided to build it...
The development - From an idea to reality
I wasn't aiming to build the cheapest and most basic inflatable boat. I was endeavouring to build the boat I genuinely wanted to own. What followed was a long process of designing, testing and refining. The designs eventually became prototypes that were taken on rivers, lakes and the sea.
Every test taught me what worked, what didn't and what could be improved until I had the boat I set out to make:
It needed to be easy to transport and store.
It needed to be quick and simple to set up.
It needed to feel stable and comfortable on the water.
And above all, it needed to be a boat that people would genuinely want to spend time in.
Eventually, the first PudBoat — the Sailfish — was born.
It's the result of everything I set out to achieve after first having that idea on the banks of the Thames.
Some of those first sketches I made on my kitchen table which would eventually become the Sailfish
From pencil drawings to the first prototype delivered at my door
Unpacking the first Sailfish after all the testing and developing
We want you to love your PudBoat
Buying a boat is a big decision, and we understand that. For many of you, the PudBoat may also be the first boat you've ever owned. So we want that experience to be as easy and enjoyable as possible.
That's why your PudBoat comes with free UK delivery, a 5-year warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
And we're here to help whenever you need us.
Think of us as your support crew on shore — from getting your PudBoat set up to helping you get the most from your time on the water.
Because our job doesn't end when your PudBoat arrives.