Definition
A RIB (rigid inflatable boat) is a craft built around a rigid GRP, aluminium, or composite hull with an inflatable collar around the gunwale, prized for stability, low weight, and ease of rescue work.
Background and use
The RIB design dates from the 1960s Atlantic College rescue boats, and the formula has barely changed: a deep-V hull for soft riding, hypalon or PU collar tubes that absorb impact and provide reserve buoyancy, and an outboard or two on the transom. On superyachts, RIBs sit at both ends of the fleet. At the small end, a 4 to 6 m crew RIB lives in a side garage as a workboat for fender deployment, lines runs, and beach drops. At the larger end, 9 to 13 m rescue and chase RIBs from yards such as Ribeye, Ribcraft, Goldfish, Hysucat, Cantieri Capelli, and Sacs Tecnorib act as SOLAS-compliant tenders or full chase boats.
RIBs also dominate the superyacht crew tender market because they are forgiving in a sea, stable enough to recover swimmers without rolling guests overboard, and cheap to insure relative to glamour limousines. The collar tubes are consumable; expect to replace or refurb every six to ten years depending on UV exposure and grounding history.
A 9 m hypalon-collared, twin-300 hp diesel-outboard RIB is the workhorse default for most charter programmes.
Related considerations
- Hypalon collars outlast PVC by 5 to 10 years; PVC is fine for daily-use crew boats.
- Foam-core collars (Sacs, Cantieri Mimi) eliminate puncture risk but cost more.
- Aluminium hulls beat composite for grounding tolerance on beach work.
- D-rings, lifting points, and tow eyes need annual load tests on commercial flag.
- Tube valves and seam adhesive deteriorate first; inspect before each season.