What is the point of the tubes?

[GeorgeR]

When RIBS first came out, the boats sat in the water floating using the tubes. On modern RIBs the tubes hardly touch the water, and in some cases don't at all, so what are they there for? I don't mean to be controversial, I just am interested to know. Are they lighter than all-rigid boats?

[GJ0KYZ]

They add to the buoyancy and stability of the boat, useful in these sort of conditions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJZdd--OGaA]

[Bigmuz7]

Good Vid .. was waiting to see the end of that but it cut off

[GeorgeR]

That is a great clip. And I suppose if the Navy use them, they must be better than all-rigid hulls.

I would be interested to hear if you or others have used performance boats of each type (rib vs all-rigid) in lumpy conditions at speed, and have first hand experience of the comparison. I have a rib now, but am thinking of moving to something with sides instead of tubes. Sacrilege, persuade me out of it!

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by GeorgeR

When RIBS first came out, the boats sat in the water floating using the tubes. On modern RIBs the tubes hardly touch the water, and in some cases don't at all, so what are they there for? I don't mean to be controversial, I just am interested to know. Are they lighter than all-rigid boats?

the topic has been discussed many times before. there are pro's and con's to both approaches...

[Courageous]

Not RIB related but equally impressive!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78qk2...yer_detailpage

[Ian Austin]

saves putting fenders out when towing yachts

[TomLinley]

You have to remember also that alot of the commerical boats with tubes that are very high are designed for heavy pay loads, once they are at there capacity they then sit in the water at a better level.

Most performance RIBs are just shy of the water as to not create drag once up and running, however this can make some craft unstable and rock from side to side at rest, I personally think it is perfect to have the aft section of the tubes either just above or just touching the water for stability at rest, then if you have a hull with good lift for the tubes to ride just above the water when planning.

However then you get into the situation where some dont like the tubes to touch, as they may keep the boat on a mooring and not want the tubes to get grubby etc so really it is down to your personal choice and what you prefer.

[Courageous]

The rear of my Valiant touch the water and I must admit the grime and growth on the mooring is a bit of a pain......

Is there a proprietary anti foul for ribs?

[Zodiac Spindrift]

The nice thing about the inflatable tubes is that they deform nicely absorbing the shock should you get things wrong, particularly at speed in a following sea.