Why go RIB?

[kmarx12]

Hi All! I am new here- college student from the US. I am trying to do some comparison shopping for parents.

I am just generally wondering your takes on why RIBs are so popular in Europe. I am looking into a tender/sport boat. Dealerships here in the states have steered me away from ribs and more towards comparably-sized fiberglass boats (I am looking at around 4 meters). I am getting grim reports of the durability, longevity, and resale value of ribs as compared to an entirely fiberglass counterparts. Coming from salespeople, of course I am skeptical.

From reading the threads it sounds like most people here use RIBs as their primary boat. I'm just sort of wondering how that caught on, and what the appeal is. The US market caries far less brands than are available in Europe. (Mercury, Avon, Zodiac, and Caribe seem to make up nearly the whole of the market) and also the size of the RIBs here don't seem to any where close to those in Europe. I have been on a Zodiac and I'd like to make a case for my family to get one (we live on a great lake in michigan over the summer) but I guess I'd like thoughts on why they seem to be so unpopular or at least new here in the States. Anyone?

[pettal]

They are the greatest invention since sliced bread! Not that I'm biased of course!!

They will last just as long as a hard boat, they are just as durable as a hard boat (although your toobs will need replacing once every 10-15years if you look after them....but not a great expense in the long run), they can't sink like a hard boat does, they make better and more stable platforms at rest and can handle some of the roughest conditions you can throw at it, and they are more fun.

They are generally quicker than most hard boats, have good all round visabilty, they are easier to sail and they come with a large built in fender!

The only thing they don't offer without great expense is somewhere to sit out of the rain and wind!

As for holding their value? Over here they tend to hold their value quite well but then there is a relatively big market for second hand RIBs and it may well be different over there.

Personally, I will become a hard boat owner eventually but hopefully a big enough hard boat for a RIB tender!!

[Phil Davies]

Originally Posted by kmarx12

I am just generally wondering your takes on why RIBs are so popular in Europe..........but I guess I'd like thoughts on why they seem to be so unpopular or at least new here in the States. Anyone?

Hi, may I call you Karl?

In response to the first part of your question relating to RIBs' popularity in Europe, I guess some of the main reasons are superior seakeeping capability than equivalent sized 'hard' boats due to inherently massive bouyancy; capability of utilising large outboards/inboards; speed and handling; and, just as importantly to lots of people, high level of 'coolness' and fashionability. The fact that RIBs are used extensively by the Armed Forces and rescue organisations further strengthens their image amongst boating folk.

Regarding your point about RIBs' relative lack of acceptance in the States, I would put that partly down to 'cultural' differences. After all, you guys find NASCAR and baseball interesting, don't play soccer, cricket or rugby, and think Cadillacs and Chevvie pick-ups are cool

[Chopppywaters]

lol im from the U.S. (Mass.) And im getting a RIB. Main reason is no one in my harbor has one so it would be unique and they will be amazed on those days that the 6 ft whitecaps are coming in that im still going out to have fun Also-easier to tow, smaller engines=more fuel efficent, if your an expierenced driver you can go out in the most inhospitible seas, and everyone will think your the COast Guard if you get an orange one heh

[roycruse]

1. They are lighter meaning they need less horsepower for same performance and are more easilly trailered and put in and out of the water.

2. They are more seaworthy than an equivalent sized all fibre glass boat mainly due to the tubes acting as big shock absorbers.

3. Practically unsinkable (unless you manage to pop all the chambres simultaneously).

[roycruse]

Originally Posted by kmarx12

The US market caries far less brands than are available in Europe.

Dont forget Ribcraft http://www.ribcraftusa.com/

[Andre]

I guess you know the meaning of the saying
"To seperate the men from the boys"

well the men are say the ribs and the boys well you can guess the answer to that

[Hightower]

Depends where you live in the States. If you use inland lakes and waterways then a Hardboat will be the way to go (you will find it hard to sell a RIB inland). If the sea's your playground then yes, a RIB is the first choice I would go for (unless you want a Gin palace). You might find it hard to get some intrest in selling your RIB the short term but take em on a sea trial and they'll be throwing cash at you, but if you're thinking of using your RIB on a longer term RIBbing will only get more popular Stateside.

It's quite common to get RIBs that are 15 years and older with their original tubes providing you buy from a reputable dealer.

Andy

[hard1]

Why are RIBs so popular here in the UK? Have you ever seen the "RIB park" on Town Quay behind Red Funnel Ferry during Cowes Week? Guess not, but you'd be hard put to get 1/2 the number of hardboats in there and a lot of those would get damaged. In a word, apart from all the superior sea-keeping qualitites etc: Space! (Like we don't have much!)

[Jonny Fuller]

Originally Posted by Chopppywaters

and everyone will think your the COast Guard if you get an orange one heh

That's all you really needed to write!

You lot make me cry! ( with laughter)

[codprawn]

RIBs were developed for rough conditions and for rough use - a bit like Land Rover's and Hummers - i think they appeal to the same sort of people and i think RIBs will eventually be seen in the same light as a SUV in the USA.

http://www.zodiaccz7.com/

Have a look at this - the video in the gallery is awesome.

Having said that the CZ7 is way overpriced and there are much better RIBs out there.

One of the earliest pioneers were Avon and they developed the RIB along with the RNLI for rescue work.

If you want to drool look at some of these

http://www.scorpionribs.com/

http://www.boomeranger.fi/images/ind...conditions.mpg

http://www.pascoeinternational.com/page/range2a

[Rogue Wave]

I dunno! I think you will get more speed out of a proper Hardboat then the equivalent RIB. Any one know what you get from a Phantom 21 with an XR2, its quite a lot I think there is no drag from the tubes plus , dont forget, hard boats are so much easier to polish!
You will also for the length get more room in your hardbaot! Thiss could be a point for your folks.

Re the dealers if they do not sell RIBS then they are not going to grant them any creedence. A salesman aint gonna turn you away from his shop and recomend you go somwhere else is he!

I have a couple of Ribs and I love driving them and being on the water and I think that is the difference. Ribs are for people who love being on the water and hard boats are for people who love boats!

you need to further analyse why you want a craft!

hope you get on the water soon!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I dunno! I think you will get more speed out of a proper Hardboat then the equivalent RIB. Any one know what you get from a Phantom 21 with an XR2, its quite a lot I think there is no drag from the tubes plus , dont forget, hard boats are so much easier to polish!


hope you get on the water soon!

Hard boats are much faster - we used to have a Fletcher 199 Bravo with a 200hp - did about 70mph without too much effort - having said that though once there was a big chop running you had to slow right down - a RIB would have just kept going!!!

[tinker]

Here's some of my thoughts
1.Stability at rest makes them ideal for rescue, diving. The tubes mean you could all be on one side of the rib with no real issue( in most small hard boats they would be rolling over)
2.If you have ever stuffed a hard boat and its filled with water its almost an unrecoverable position to be in e.g engine partially submerged contents of boat floating about at the will of the sea...In a rib even when its full of water you still have a fair amount of buoyancy in her which makes the situation recoverable (in most ribs, with decent size tubes) just bail out and start again.
3. Built in fenders
4. Chicks dig them (apart from my missus, who seems to hate them? )

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by codprawn

RIBs were developed for rough conditions and for rough use -

Originally Posted by codprawn

big chop running you had to slow right down - a RIB would have just kept going!!!

Your dreaming, no wonder this cracks Jonny Fuller up. The explosion in the Rib market started in the late 80s and early 90s from a demand from the UK diving franternity. Prior to this sales in ribs was tiny and a very limited market and little innotive development from the previous year.

During the 80/90s grants became available from the likes of the sports council for clubs to buy boats that previously were unavailable to most clubs due to the high cost matched with individuals willing to put the money up to have there own rib. At the same time divers realised that a rib could take them further afield tackling more remote wrecks. Also dive computers for the first time became reliable and affordable enabling ordinary divers to push previous boundaries. The ability to carry large amounts of kit in a relatively small boat safely with damaging kit or boat and easy entry / exit of the boat made a rib and ideal tool for divers. Protection from the elements wasn't high on the list of priorities because drysuit technology finally started producing something that nearly met our needs.

The demand for ribs was met by companies like Avon, Delta, Chinook, Humber, Raider/BWM and Osprey. In the early days you didn't need MMSI numbers, we knew each other. Sadly this has meant that the UK speedboat manufacturers have had a lean time of it during the past decade.

Depending on what the boat is to be used for a hardboat could make a much better choice and a lot faster. As RW says a lot more space, dry storage, decent seats and a cabin even on small boats.

Pete

[Jonny Fuller]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Your dreaming, no wonder this cracks Jonny Fuller up. The explosion in the Rib market started in the late 80s and early 90s from a demand from the UK diving franternity. Prior to this sales in ribs was tiny and a very limited market and little innotive development from the previous year.

During the 80/90s grants became available from the likes of the sports council for clubs to buy boats that previously were unavailable to most clubs due to the high cost matched with individuals willing to put the money up to have there own rib. At the same time divers realised that a rib could take them further afield tackling more remote wrecks. Also dive computers for the first time became reliable and affordable enabling ordinary divers to push previous boundaries. The ability to carry large amounts of kit in a relatively small boat safely with damaging kit or boat and easy entry / exit of the boat made a rib and ideal tool for divers. Protection from the elements wasn't high on the list of priorities because drysuit technology finally started producing something that nearly met our needs.

The demand for ribs was met by companies like Avon, Delta, Chinook, Humber, Raider/BWM and Osprey. In the early days you didn't need MMSI numbers, we knew each other. Sadly this has meant that the UK speedboat manufacturers have had a lean time of it during the past decade.

Depending on what the boat is to be used for a hardboat could make a much better choice and a lot faster. As RW says a lot more space, dry storage, decent seats and a cabin even on small boats.

Pete

BLOODY HELL!!!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Your dreaming, no wonder this cracks Jonny Fuller up. The explosion in the Rib market started in the late 80s and early 90s from a demand from the UK diving franternity. Prior to this sales in ribs was tiny and a very limited market and little innotive development from the previous year.

Depending on what the boat is to be used for a hardboat could make a much better choice and a lot faster. As RW says a lot more space, dry storage, decent seats and a cabin even on small boats.

Pete

So WHY exactly do RIBs do so well in races when the water gets rough???

I think you may be on the wrong forum.............

[Jonny Fuller]

Originally Posted by codprawn

So WHY exactly do RIBs do so well in races when the water gets rough???

I wasn't aware they did.

This seems to be a web site of many 'urban myths'.

Go to a race codders, and compare the performance between ribs and hard boats of similar size, engine power and hull design, then see if you still think they're different.

Most pleasure ribs are set up with quite different weight distribution to sports boats, and as such, will lolop through a lumpy sea with better pitch stability than a boat set up with 'speed' in mind, but this doesn't mean anything other than that! 'set up' different.

[Jonny Fuller]

Originally Posted by codprawn

I think you may be on the wrong forum.............

Someones gotta keep you dreamers in order.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Jonny Fuller

I wasn't aware they did.


Go to a race codders, and compare the performance between ribs and hard boats of similar size, engine power and hull design, then see if you still think they're different.

Have done - many times - I still think that a RIB will be better off in really rough conditions than a similar hard boat - or am I the ONLY person here going to stick up for RIBs????