Re: SIB vs. RIB vs. Traditional Boats
I have no driveway and live in a city, so I run SIBs under 14'. I am also limited to engines I can carry, so no more than a 20hp 4-stroke. My current SIB is a 11' Zodiac, it seats 4 adults, we use it more for exploration versus day-cruising. I can car top the inflated boat by myself [and I'm only 5'7"]. I have all of my regulation gear and tools in one duffle bag, which is always in my car [a Subaru Outback wagon] along with my life vests.
Often I leave the motor in the car too [presently an 8hp 4stroke honda, ~80lbs and top speed of ~18mph w/just me, 11-15 w/2 people, 8mph with 3], so all I need to do to go boating is throw the boat on the car, strap it on, grab some drinking water, a marine radio off of the charger, file a "float plan" with a friend/fiancee, and my fuel tank, and go.
Load in takes less than 15 minutes, unloading the boat from the car under 10. I back up to the ramp [Long Island Sound/New Haven Harbor], set brake, chock wheels, release the straps, drop the boat in, secure a line from the bow to shore/dock/anchor, place motor on transom, place fuel+duffle bag in bow, pull chocks, park car, while walking put vest on, hop in boat, connect fuel, start engine, check for tell-tale, pull bow line....and I'm off.
Because of my speed and light load, I can also launch in areas accesable only by canoe/kayak [no, I don't launch in areas where my boat is not permitted]. I can carry every thing over rocky shores. For longer trips I deflate the boat and store in car, then I can "safely" drive 75+ on the highway to my destination. We've also put this boat/motor in a Toyota Corrolla [use an air mattress inflator to get tubes up, then finish with double-action hand pump].
Would I like a 14'+ RIB and 40hp? Hard to say.
We definitely want a 21'-27' sailboat for weekends or longer, and we definitely want to keep 2-4 man "explorer" boat. So likely we'll keep the SIBs and use as a tender for future sailboats and solo/pair exploration. I expect ~20mph+ w/2 people with a 4 stroke 15hp [~120lbs]
Some advantages of a RIB: Better chop handling. SIBS can be..uncomfortable on rough water. Also, RIBs can run larger engines.
Some disadvantages of a RIB: Weight, higher cost, transportation [trailer only], storage.