What is difference between a RIB and a Honda Inflatable?

Hello...



I am at the early stages of learning about different types of water craft suitable for crossing a 2 mile stretch of water at all times of the year and in all weather conditions (River Clyde, on West Coast of Scotland)... It is my understanding that RIB's are suitable for such a purpose however they seem expensive. Accordingly I have Identified that a possible alternative is an inflatable boat (is this the same as a RIB?).



The question is.... what is the difference between a RIB and an Inflatable Boat?



I am looking at the following (Model: T25-AE1) Honda Aluminium Decked Inflatable (details of which can be found on page 3 of the following pdf file found at the Honda website...



http://www.honda.co.uk/brochure/download/marineInflatables.pdf



Any advice/comments would be very welcome.



Thanks

JamieWhat is difference between a RIB and a Honda Inflatable?Well the difference between a RIB %26amp; an inflateable is only the hull structure, The RIB stands for RIGID INFLATEABLE BOAT, which means it has a one piece hull (bottom) %26amp; inflateable tubes either side of it, whereas an inlateable craft can be deflated %26amp; packed away into the boot of your car, with the floorboards in either many sections (aluminium) or wooden (marine ply) in usualy 3 or 4 sections depending on the size of your craft, any inflateable (of reasonable size) would be capable of crossing the 2 mile stretch of water you mention, providing you have a decent outboard %26amp; always carry a spare, %26amp; plenty of fuel, as well as life jacket %26amp; flares, %26amp; not to forget your phone either, but always remember weather conditions can change at a moments notice %26amp; without warning, so sailor beware !!! proceed with caution %26amp; lastly always check the weather forecast before you embark on your journey !!!!What is difference between a RIB and a Honda Inflatable?
A RIB is a ridged inflatable boat, in the case of a RIB the boat has the hull made of either glass reinforced plastic or aluminium with an inflated sponson round it. The Honda looks to be an inflatable which means that the whole boat is made of the same material and needs to be inflated, this includes the bottom into which usually metal or wooden boards are placed to stiffen it and for the crew to sit on.What is difference between a RIB and a Honda Inflatable?the main difference between a rib and an inflatable boat is that ribs have solid hulls usually made of fibreglass and that inflatables don't, although some can be bought with aluminium slats. what else you have to take in to account is what will you be using it for eg. if you just want a small run around i would consider upgrading to the t35 because once you get some people in the maximum 6hp engine that can be put on the t25 is not going to take you up to a very high speed. how ever you have 2 miles of water to play with and which ever way you put it thats pretty big. in may i just bought a 5 meter humber assault rib with a 60hp fuel injected engine which i reckon does about 50mph with 4 people on it. i bought this second hand with only 47 hrs on the engine only 9 months old for 拢7,650 ,brand new it would of been 拢15,000, the person who i bought it from didn't know a thing about boats it was her son's and he was about to go to university. but any way in your situation i would go for the rib, if you go to www.boatshop24.co.uk you could pick up a 4-5 year old rib for about 拢3000 with an engine and trailer .and considering that the t25 is 拢750 with the 6hp engine costing 拢1,150, and the t35 costing 拢840 with the 20hp engine costing 拢2,220, the rib is only that much more expensive. any questions feel free to e-mail me
Right its simple a RIB = Rigid Inflatable Boat they dont always have steering consoles but the hull of the boat is made from GRP (glass reinforced plastic) the aluminium hulled inflatable is obviously made from aluminium and not GRP



the RIBS tend to not flex as much as the are solid but you will need a trailor as they dont fold up like the ally bottomed dingy your talking about.



Inflatables are expensive and once you get over a certain size they will all be rigid bottomed.

you could buy a smaller inflatable with a outboard but no console for about 拢2000 for a second hand but good condition one. (about 4meters and about 10/15 hp)

or cheaper but less powerfull and older.



if you buy an outboard always try for Yamaha as they are far superior to all the other makes I have 3 yams and they just run and run brilliant engines also Avon dingies are very good qaulity be aware of cheap foreign plastic death trapsWhat is difference between a RIB and a Honda Inflatable?RIB ( rigid inflatable boat), a rib has a hard hull usually fiberglass and orange in colour with a rubber inflated top on it your Honda looks like an totally inflatable boat, the Rib is better because of the keel on the Rib is Superior than the Gemini typeWhat is difference between a RIB and a Honda Inflatable?
What Ho, fellow boatie.

If can go for a RIB then that is the best bet.

Inflatables are ok, but the more solid the hull the better by a long chalk.

I operatate a 10/6/4mm steel thing, weighing in at about 15 tonne displacement, so no worries, but I started off with a flimsy GRP thing which caught a big puncture on a small lump of coral.

Horses for courses.

Go for the sturdiest thing that you can afford.And a big engine. I mean big !



All the best of boating,

Bob the Boat
i would actually say that an inflatable boat is lesssturdy than a rib



this would be because RIB stands for Rigid Infatable Boat



these are often used as inshore lifeboats and by th fire service as rescue boats during flods for example. they use them because they have a reinforced aluminium structure which makes it ridid



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your answer



...

a RIB would be the better optionWhat is difference between a RIB and a Honda Inflatable?
Having sailed the Clyde in various craft (including very small dingies) at various times of year I would be bit nervous about open water crossing in an inflatable in anything other than good weather as they tend to be be small and very flexible so waves and wind would be a real tester.



A large RIB (a solid and rigid hull with extra buoyancy added around the edge.)is built to withstand all kinds of weather as they are used by the Armed Forces and by the RNLI although I have to say that you will be badly buffeted and get very wet in even moderate seas. The Clyde estuary is not a benign inland river and not only acts as a seaway but has very large craft navigating it both on and under the water.
inflatables are flat bottomed and light. in choppy water if you head into wind the bows lift and they can flip over. RIB's have a hull shape that allows them to cut through the waves. The RN uses both boats but the RIB is used as a sea boat and the inflatable is used in calm water most of the time.
they may be the same because the RIB(i know it as RHIB, which the Navy uses) stands for Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat.