Aluminium Rib - Your thoughts?

[Oldskool]

Well I wouldnt say they were inflatable however they are pontoon boats... so are somewhat relevant.

I wanted to get some feedback on a NZ produced Aluminium Cat. Initial thoughts - positives and negatives that stick out?

Just doing a little market research as I'd love to bring a container load up (and keep one ) after a great few days messing around with one when I was last down.

Cheers for the feedback.

Olds

[jyasaki]

There are a couple of manufacturers making similar boats: ACB (Aluminum Chambered Boats), and another New Zealand company (Stabi-craft? Something like that.)

A friend has one of the NZ boats; It is, as I recall, about 14 to 15 feet long, and powered by an outboard in the 60 hp range. Looks somewhat similar to your picture. He loves it.

Hmmm. A quick search shows that ACB has ceased production, and Stabicraft is building boats that look more like a standard hard boat (though I think they retain the airtight aluminum chambers.) I guess I'm not really adding much to the discussion...

jky

[Polwart]

I have a "rigid buoyant boat" albeit not made from ali.

The obvious advantage is the robustness of the tubes. There is another advantage on mine (which it looks like applies here too) - more internal space.

The potential disadvantages (a) its claimed that inflatable tubes act like a shock absorber in rough conditions (I'm not totally convinced it makes that much difference). (b) your rib friends (and spoilt teenagers who sail daddy's boat) will point and laugh.

[SPR]

Originally Posted by Polwart

I have a "rigid buoyant boat" albeit not made from ali.
your rib friends (and spoilt teenagers who sail daddy's boat) will point and laugh.

But are you sure it was the boat and NOT you?

S,

[Channel Ribs]

[willk]

phiiiist, ouch!

Someone touched a nerve there

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by willk

phiiiist

is that the sound your blow up boats make what you come alongside something sharp

[Cookee]

And they'll need CE marking ............

[Starovich]

cant quiet see where the "I" part is in rIb ?

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by Starovich

cant quiet see where the "I" part is in rIb ?

I think the OP is aware of that:

Originally Posted by oldskool

Well I wouldnt say they were inflatable however they are pontoon boats... so are somewhat relevant.

You'll find them referred to as Rigid Buoyant Boats (RBBs) in some places.

I got a warm welcome here (a bit to my surprise) when I bought an RBB and joined here. They have some advantages, they may have some disadvantages. Feel free to speculate on what they might be. But just like every boat it is a compromise at the end of the day.