Why RIBs?

[LeBeauMEL]

Hi everyone,

I grew up boating on the great lakes as a kid (sail, power, runabouts) and I've finally pulled enough cash together to take the plunge and buy a boat of my own.

I've really been impressed with the advancements in RIBs over the last couple of years, but I'm having a hard time rationalizing why I want to go with a RIB as opposed to the fiberglass cruisng/skiing/fishing boats that I grew up on.

Ideally, I'm looking for something in the 25-30 ft. range that could be used as an all purpose boat.

I've been searching the Internet, but could really use some better direction as to the specific advantages of RIBs over the traditional fiberglass hulls. Any websites or personal stories are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[codprawn]

Ribs seem to be popular in places with rough seas and big tides. They will handle rougher conditions than most normal boats. Having said that they are also pretty popular in the Med these days!!!

Many people call a RIB the 4x4 of the sea - it's a bit like people who buy SUVs even when they don't need them!!!

[JIY]

Hi Mel,

If you do a search through this Forum you will find loads on the advantages of RIBs over conventional sports boats, but to summarise:

1. RIBS generally have deep V hulls, which cut through the waves and thus give much better rough water handling and a more comfortable ride than a sportsboat. RIBs can tolerate the reduced lateral stability of a deep V hull, because they have "roll dampening" and additional bouyancy from the inflatable tubes.

2. The inflatable tubes also act as a "shock-absorber" in rough seas, giving a more comfortable ride and also provide all-round protection for the boat, so no fear of scraping GRP coming alongside piers, other boats, etc.

3. With a well founded RIB you can fill the boat with water and it will not sink. Good scuppers mean that shipped water is quickly drained, so you can venture out in rougher seas without fear of swamping.

4. The best reason of all - they are the coolest looking boats on the water!

Hope this is of some use,

Jim

[roycruse]

my reasons for choosing a rib were

1. lighter in weight than equivalent sized hard boat so easier to trailer with a standard car.

2. unsinkable so you can stuff it into a wave, swamping the boat and still cary on, meaning I can go out in rougher conditions.



Its funny as I here the question why buy a RIB quite often. but when I bought my boat I was thr other way round and was strugling to find reasons to buy a hard boat.

what ever yo choose one thing is for certain - you will have a great time and want a bigger one in three months time

[Bootneck]

Hi

Don't forget ribs are really suitable for dive boats, even the smaller ones.
They are also good for water ski.

Plus when you hit things they bounce !

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Many people call a RIB the 4x4 of the sea - it's a bit like people who buy SUVs even when they don't need them!!!

Yep...

Can I draw a comparison here about people who don't know how to use their 4x4's when they need to?

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by JIY

Hi Mel,

If you do a search through this Forum you will find loads on the advantages of RIBs over conventional sports boats, but to summarise:

1. RIBS generally have deep V hulls, which cut through the waves and thus give much better rough water handling and a more comfortable ride than a sportsboat. RIBs can tolerate the reduced lateral stability of a deep V hull, because they have "roll dampening" and additional bouyancy from the inflatable tubes.

2. The inflatable tubes also act as a "shock-absorber" in rough seas, giving a more comfortable ride and also provide all-round protection for the boat, so no fear of scraping GRP coming alongside piers, other boats, etc.

3. With a well founded RIB you can fill the boat with water and it will not sink. Good scuppers mean that shipped water is quickly drained, so you can venture out in rougher seas without fear of swamping.

4. The best reason of all - they are the coolest looking boats on the water!

Hope this is of some use,

Jim

Now that is the sort of concise and relevant advice that makes forums like this such useful places for people like me that don't know much about the subject but want to get started

[Mark Halliday]

One other thing is the increased deck area compared to an equivilent sized hard boat, much more space for seating, access to the bow, beer, kids, dogs, beer, dinghys, canoes, beer, fuel tanks, BBQs, spare engines, beer and erm... beer. There is no space wased on un-useable bunks, impractical galleys and inaccessable heads.
Still not sure, try going for a walk on a ski boat.

[roycruse]

This is not a characteristic of a RIB though. Its a characteristic of an "Open Boat" - An "Open" RIB actually has less deck space than the equivalent sized "Open" Hard Boat because you loose at least 0.5m all the way round to the tubes.

Originally Posted by Mark Halliday

One other thing is the increased deck area compared to an equivilent sized hard boat, much more space for seating, access to the bow, beer, kids, dogs, beer, dinghys, canoes, beer, fuel tanks, BBQs, spare engines, beer and erm... beer. There is no space wased on un-useable bunks, impractical galleys and inaccessable heads.
Still not sure, try going for a walk on a ski boat.

[Hugh Jardon]

allso depends on the config of the boat and seating arrangements and size of console, my boat is snug i would say, codders boat is huge in comparison with loads of room to walk around and have a party