RIB Boats

RIB is short for rigid inflatable boats. The boats are also called RHIB's which stands for rigid-hulled inflatable boat. These water crafts are light weight and high performance boats. they have a high capacity with a solid shaped hull and flexible tubes used for the walls. Though small, the rigid inflatable boat is sea worthy. The collar of the craft is inflatable and lets the boat maintain buoyancy even when large amounts of water go into the boat under troubled sea conditions. The rigid inflatable boat is used for a work boat that shuttles goods between shore facilities and larger ships, military patrols and transport as well as lifeboats. The boats are also used as recreational vehicles for families. The rigid inflatable boat was first developed by Tony and Edward Lee-Elliot in 1967 but was perfected by a professor and his students in Wales a few years later. The first use of the rigid inflatable boat was as lifeboats. Used rigid inflatable boats can start at $2,700 for a 15 foot 2001 Falcon by Brig. New rigid inflatable boats can be purchased starting at $2,995 for a 10' 2009 330 RIB Falcon by Brig. Popular manufacturers of rigid inflatable boats (RIB) are Zodiac, Avon and Brig.