Our inflatable is a 9'10" Maxon CS-300 High Pressure Air Floor boat.
http://www.maxxon.us/boats/cs-series.php
http://www.ahoycaptain.com/shop/maxxoninflatables.html
It's a very nice boat marked with a 1200lb capacity plate and was only $999.00 when we bought it. It rides all the time right where you see it across the bow on the front windows. We don't care about the view out the windows, for years we have had curtains inside that we never open on the front windows.
It is secured on each side to the lifelines. On each of the side grab lines I placed a large SS snap hook. When the boat is rolled and on the bow these snap hooks simply clip to each lifeline. It is very secure there and in many years and miles of cruising in all kinds of conditions it has never gone anywhere. It stays there for trailering as well.
In this position it does not interfere with mast raising or lowering nor is it in the way while sailing. It is below the sail and the sheets have never hung up on it. Down on the first notch of the bow it is also completely out of the forward sight lines where it doesn't obstruct the view forward.
To inflate it I simply roll it out on the foredeck between the bow pulpit and the mast. Rolled out you can walk inside it easily due to the high pressure air floor. I inflate the three side chambers first with the normal pressure port on the foot pump, then I inflate the floor with the normal port followed by the high pressure port to get it nice and stiff, and lastly inflate the keel chamber. It's easy then to grab the painter and toss it over the side for use. It can be stored inflated on the bow, but this does block the view forward as will as obstruct the forward hatch and the anchor locker. Usually once it is inflated we tow it using a towing bridle. If we have a long way to go we will pull it, deflate it and roll it back up.
When in the rolled and stored position it also makes a nice bow seat when under way and actually adds to the security of the fore deck area..
Here is it on the bow with the sailing mast up
Less
and I, and our 3 son's.
