New and Used RIBs - Rigid Inflatable Boats for Sale

Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) are hugely versatile vessels, known for their strength, speed, and safety. They feature a solid V-shaped hull, usually constructed of fiberglass but sometimes aluminum, surrounded by large inflatable tubes. Search for new and used RIBs for sale of all sizes and styles, refining your search by geographical location and budget. 

Main Characteristics of Rigid Inflatable Boats

Rigid Inflatable Boats (better known as RIBs) have been used for years as workhorses, notably for the emergency services, as well as for leisure thanks to their lightweight properties, high performance, and safety characteristics. 

A RIB is characterized by its solid V-shaped hull which is surrounded by sturdy inflatable tubes. This unique design allows the vessel to handle very rough seas because of the shock-absorbing properties of the tubes. They are exceptionally fast (often able to reach 50 knots) and can be winched or trailered easily because of their comparatively low weight to size ratio. Safety-wise the inflated tubes provide lots of buoyancy, and if one section of a tube—made from either Hypalon or PVC—gets ruptured, the boat will be supported by the remaining tubes. 

RIBs are incredibly versatile boats, and most commonly used for tenders, commercial work, and for training. However, they also make good dive boats, leisure boats, and family boats, and there are today an unlimited number of designs, sizes, finishes, and styles of RIBs on the market. 

Types of Rigid Inflatable Boats

Open RIB

The most common type of RIB is the open model which, as the name suggests, has no roof or cabin and instead has an uncovered deck. Whether they’re being used for commercial or recreational purposes, open RIBs are stable and functional, easy to handle, and are popular training boats. The seating configuration in open RIBs varies, with some having their seats in a line—known as jockey seats—which makes the most of the internal deck space, while others have bench-type seating behind the helm. 

Cabin RIB

Cabin RIBs have a fully enclosed cabin over the bow or bow and helm. Larger fully enclosed models might have small galleys or heads to allow for overnight stays, making these efficient weekend cruisers. The cabin RIB comes at a considerably higher price point than the open RIB as they are larger and more luxurious options with lots more features and versatility. 

Inboard and Outboard RIBs

Traditionally RIBs had outboard engines to make them easier to maintain and service, and you’ll still see a majority of outboard engine RIBs on the water. However, these days inboard engines are gaining in popularity within the leisure market as they allow for swim platforms and watersports. More critically, having an inboard allows for either diesel power or jet drives, which may be the option of choice for RIBs used as tenders for yachts. These generally run on diesel power to allow for single-source fueling (rather than having to haul both diesel and gasoline in different tanks), and/or utilize jet drives to reduce the amount of space needed to store the tender aboard the mothership. 

Luxury RIBs

The development of luxury RIBs has taken the industry by storm, and today brands are designing ever larger and more luxurious models. Often referred to as MAXI RIBs they can be anything up to 65-feet in length, although most are smaller than that. These James Bond-style vessels are gleaming and high-polished, and filled with leather upholstery and the latest technology such as drop-down sides to create large teak sundecks, as well as solariums, dinettes, multiple cabins, fully-equipped galleys, and huge swim platforms.  

Best Rigid Inflatable Boats Brands

The name Zodiac is probably the first one to spring to mind when you think of a RIB, and they are stalwarts of the industry. Yet there are many excellent brands building a huge array of styles to suit all tastes and budgets.

Traditional-styled, simple RIB brands include Ribcraft, Zeppelin, AB Inflatables, Novurania, and Safeboats, all of which pride themselves on their tough and rugged vessels. Then there are the brands designing more luxury models aimed at those wanting to cruise in style. These include Brig, Osprey, Protector, Argos Nautic, Zar, Capelli, and Highfield. Some of the larger luxury models can offer cabins, small galleys, and plenty of innovation.

Maxi RIB brands offering the very highest in luxury include Magazzu, Avera, Technorib, Olympic RIBs, Sacs, Skipper, Pirelli, and Ribco. 

FAQs

Why Choose Rigid Inflatable Boats?

Rigid inflatable boats are popular the world over for their sturdiness, speed, and lightweight properties. They can be purchased fairly inexpensively but there are also very large and/or high-end models too. They are fun, versatile, easy to trailer, and able to safely withstand whatever the ocean throws at them.