What about a Rigid Inflatable?

[andymach23]

I've noticed that no one posting on iboats has a R.I.B aka Rigid Inflatable. These are selling by the truck load in the UK. Every season there are more and more of them in my marina.<br /><br />They are touted as being unbelievably versatile, excellent sea boats, great at carrying loads, etc etc. <br /><br />I'm suprised that there are never any posts about em. <br /><br />What's the deal? Are they not popular in the US, Australia etc?

 

[boatster]

Re: What about a Rigid Inflatable?

Check my posts about my Avon Searider. I'm probably one of the few vocal RIBsters around here.

 

[Terry H]

Re: What about a Rigid Inflatable?

We don't see them around here, tho I would be very interested in checking one out. There was, at out local boat show, some on display, but they were so well hidden you would have though they didn't want to talk to anybody. I had a tough time getting their attention, only to find out that they didn't speak english. For me, cruising up whitewater rivers, I would think one of them RIB's would be just the ticket. Chief

 

[KCook]

Re: What about a Rigid Inflatable?

A little too expensive for a lot of the US market.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[andymach23]

Re: What about a Rigid Inflatable?

Really, I wold have thought that Zodiac and Quicksilver would be cheap in the US as they are built there, I think.<br /><br />All in all the boats themselves are very cost effective. Humber is one of the most popular makes in the UK and do a 5.5 meter for about $8k minus the engine.<br /><br />RIBS are also good value 2nd hand.<br /><br />There is an event I have heard of here which is a round Britian rally for 4 meter ribs. That is an awesome achievement and testament to the RIB's ability in the open sea.

 

[boatster]

Re: What about a Rigid Inflatable?

Andy,<br /><br />Do you post on rib.net? I'm there also with the same handle. I have an Avon 4 meter searider rib.<br />I constantly go offshore here in the states with my rib. Everyone trips out and thinks I'm crazy when they see me out at the islands. Little do they know the ability of this boat. <br /><br />Boatster

 

[jsfinn]

Re: What about a Rigid Inflatable?

I don't see many around here but the local fire departments use them on the river.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: What about a Rigid Inflatable?

i have a 12'9" avon rib , but its missing the wooden fllor inserts, so its kinda like a big raft

 

[boatster]

Re: What about a Rigid Inflatable?

Originally posted by myoutboards:<br /> i have a 12'9" avon rib , but its missing the wooden fllor inserts, so its kinda like a big raft

Thats not a rib. I rib is a rigid hull inflatable. Rigid hull meaning something like a GRP or aluminum or some sort of hard hull with tubes attached. Your avon with wooden floor inserts is a sib (soft inflatable boat).

 

[Terry H]

Re: What about a Rigid Inflatable?

In the mid '70's I took a 14' Zodiac loaded with a 55 gallon drum of gasoline 200 miles south, down the Gulf of California. I think we had a 25hp engine, don't remember, but what I do remember is that that craft could go anywhere, but there ain't a rougher ride around. The seas were anywhere from 1-4', anything over about 2' and we went ashore and camped out till things settled down. Chief

 

[stevens]

Re: What about a Rigid Inflatable?

There are some amazing RIBs made here in Scandinavia as well. A few examples:<br /> <br /> http://www.hydrolift.com/boats/boats_s24rib_gallery.asp <br /><br /> http://www.stormway.no/index.html <br /><br /> http://www.grandrib.se/ <br /><br /> http://www.tornado-boats.no/adventures/galleri.aspx?gallery=1297&mid=99 <br /><br />And, as a curiosity, here's a RIB that really does fly:<br /><br /> http://www.polarismotor.it/ <br /><br />Anyway, RIBs offer an amazing ability to handle the rough seas, and on the really windy days, almost the only boats we see going out here would be RIBs.<br /><br />I've only ever been in one once, and it scared me ****less when we were skimming well above the surface at about 70 knots. The skipper was calm about it, though, and apparently used to much worse.