More than just hot air

A new breed of boat is making its presence felt in the collective consciousness of Australian boaters. Its hybrid construction may have been somewhat revolutionary 15 years ago, but the rigid inflatable boat (RIB) is now a common choice for larger-boat owners looking for a more stable tender; former big-boat owners looking for a reliable runabout; and no-nonsense fishos after a lighter boat that is still very seaworthy.

Local buyers are discovering the advantages of RIBs, says Scott Wilson, manager of Swift Marine, a Gold Coast-based Australian RIB manufacturer: "People are starting to realise that it's not a boat with a cheap plastic bag around it."

WHAT IS IT?
A rigid inflatable boat is a combination of either a conventional planing aluminium or fibreglass hull, with single or multi-compartment inflatable buoyancy tubes that run around the sides. The tubes act as a buoyancy and stability device, and are also quite handy as inbuilt "fenders".

RIBs are incredibly popular with military, police and rescue-services groups both here and overseas because of their handling, seaworthiness and safety. They are usually light enough to launch without a ramp, making them an attractive option for emergency services.

The style of craft is an evolution from standard inflatable craft still manufactured in smaller sizes as tenders for large vessels, Wilson says. They utilise the existing advantages of flotation, but enhance stability and driveability with the combination of either fibreglass or alloy construction.

Most RIBs feature a centre-console driving position, and are powered by an outboard engine. However, inboard engines now are becoming popular for RIBs over the 9m mark. Seating for passengers varies across different brands, but there is usually a spot next to the driver and up front either on moulded seating in larger craft, or on the tubes themselves for smaller models.

POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS
According to Wilson, there are several stereotypes about RIB boats in the marketplace. One is that the boats may "pop" or explode. This is not true, he claims.

"The attitudes are slowly shifting from the idea that they are another cheap rubber dinghy that would blister in the sun," he says.

While RIBs do need to be washed down to prevent salt and pollution build-up, and should ideally be protected with a UV-resistant cover when not in use, the boats will not suddenly blow up on your local waterway.

RIBs are also perceived to be weaker than fibreglass or alloy boats, but Jill Ferguson from Australian Rigid Inflatable Boats disputes this. She says many of her customers consider the RIBs a safer style of boat.

"This is because they are virtually unsinkable," she says.

The Boat Depot's director Paul Cope, who imports several brands including Novouronia, AB and Southern Pacific, agrees. He says RIBs don't tip or capsize easily, and it's for this reason that they are very popular with female buyers, who specify safety as one of their top priorities.

TECHNOLOGY PLUS
Construction of RIBs involves a wide variety of expertise, including the know-how to construct an alloy or fibreglass boat properly, as well as manufacture hardy inflatable tubes.

The focus for a new RIB buyer should be the tubes themselves, as most savvy boat owners will be able to distinguish a well-made aluminium or 'glass boat from another.

Tubes can either be single or double skinned. Single-skinned models are less expensive, but once punctured they will deflate. Double-skinned models have an inner tube that holds the majority of air and is harder to damage.

Also, most models construct their tubes so they are divided into several compartments. For the South African Mako brand, 5.0-8.0m RIBs have an average of five air compartments, while the 3.0-4.5m models have three to four compartments. If one compartment punctures, the remaining ones can be relied upon.

The material used to construct the tubes is a major selling - and debating - point for manufacturers and retailers. There's a choice of two common types on the market: polymer (also known as PVC or polyvinyl chloride) and Hypalon.

Polymer has been the mainstay for the market for several years and is very common in tender construction. It is usually welded to the boat and is considered the cheaper option for RIBs.

Hypalon material must be hand glued, is heavier and therefore costs more. The material is known to be UV resistant, fuel resistant and more durable.

Peter Halloran, managing director of Waves Overseas - one of Australia's largest RIB retailers - says Hypalon is of "army or navy quality", which is why it can cost 30-50 per cent more than polymer.

However, there is much debate in the market about tube materials and it is important to note that there is a major difference between the kind of polymer used for children's swimming toys and that utilised for RIBs, says Michelle Evans, national sales manager (marine division) of Zodiac Group Australia. There are also varying types of Hypalon.

When purchasing an RIB, do your homework on what type of material you are buying, including thickness and the warranty offered. This will go some way towards measuring a craft's expected longevity, and you can then compare brands and prices accordingly.

Perhaps the best way to choose an RIB is by recommendation - contact your local repairer and ask what brands they recommend. Try asking current RIB owners as well.

TIN OR 'GLASS-
The choice for a buyer is not only between the different types of material used for the tubes, but also for the base of the boat. This comes down to personal choice.

If you've only owned tinnies in your life prior to being a big-boat owner, then 'glass bottoms may not be for you. The opposite applies if you're a fibreglass fan.

There are many pros and cons for both types. The best idea is to take a couple of different models for a spin. A fibreglass enthusiast may find themselves impressed with the handling of an alloy-based boat, and vice versa for the tinnie specialist.

Custom-made boats such as those produced by Australian Rigid Inflatables and Swift Marine predominantly use aluminium, so manufacturers can tailor the hull's shape and deadrise to suit.

"Aluminium is better for us because it is lighter, yet has the same strength as a fibreglass boat," Ferguson says. "It's easier to repair and it won't chip or crack."

POWERING UP
The maximum horsepower for RIBs is determined by the length of the craft and, more importantly, by its weight. As RIBs are lighter than fully-constructed alloy or 'glass boats, horsepower tends to be lower - which can save you in fuel and engine costs.

The table below shows recommended horsepower for Mako's range of RIBs:

PROS AND CONS
The advantages of buying an RIB are many: they are stable, easy to handle and won't cause thousands of dollars worth of damage if you happen to bump up against another boat or a jetty.

"You won't scratch the paint off your superyacht if you've had too much champagne at the restaurant," says Cope.

Cope adds that people choose RIB's because of the huge difference in payload to conventional 'glass or alloy boats. He says you can often carry double the number of passengers in an RIB, which is a huge bonus for "social" boaters.

The tubes also reportedly absorb a lot of the shock when bouncing around in rough conditions, delivering a dryer ride for the RIB's occupants.

Disadvantages are that RIBs are not overnight cruising vessels. While they may be comfortable dayboats, they lack the superstructure needed to accommodate sleeping passengers.

There are models that have such accommodation, but the costs stretch far beyond a comparative half-cabin runabout. Storage is another issue, with a general lack of built-in compartments compared to conventional alloy or 'glass boats.

Cost is also a concern. Comparative pricing against a tinny or half cabin of the same length may prove the RIB to be more expensive, although the lower horsepower needed because of the RIB's weight may offset the price hike.

INFLATABLE FUTURE
What's next for RIBs- The commercial side of the market has embraced the RIB idea with passion, and demand is set to continue. Manufacturers are getting calls for larger craft up to the task of confronting punishing seas and weather conditions, and they are responding.

Mako has just unleashed its new 9.5m model, which it says has been in demand for the past two years. Engine sizes are also likely to change, and inboards will be introduced for larger models.

Options for RIBs are also escalating, and they include everything from bimini covers or weather-protection covers to sit-down forward-steer configurations. Foam-filled tubes may be introduced in place of air, and larger RIBs with overnighting compartments will also increase in production.

The following is a glimpse at some of the major brands currently on the Australian market. If you're on the lookout for a new craft, you may find an ideal model over the next few pages. 

COMPANY INFO
Swift Marine An Australian manufacturer, Swift Marine produces custom-made RIBs - mostly with an alloy base, but sometimes fibreglass.

Based on the Gold Coast, Swift Marine has 45 models in its RIB range, and a further 13 all-inflatable models, ranging from 2.4m to 13m.

The company's biggest client is the state government, which uses the craft for sea-rescue and patrol purposes - but the general consumer market is also starting to lift, according to manager Scott Wilson.

Swift Marine's larger performance vessels - 7.5m and above - are 40 per cent deeper in hull design than a comparable 'glass craft, and include features such as an anchor well, integrated rear seat and centre console.

Swift uses Hypalon fabrics on all its craft, which have a minimum of three buoyancy chambers (five for boats over 4.5m) and install baffles, which equalise air pressure throughout the boat.

For more information, contact Swift Marine, tel (07) 5594 6266, email swiftmarine@bigpond.com or visit www.swift-marine.com.au.

Australian Rigid Inflatables
This Queensland-based manufacturer produces custom models from 3.85m tender sizes to large models up to 8.5m. All of the Australian Rigid Inflatable Boat (ARIB) models are built with aluminium hulls, and director Jill Ferguson says her company was the first in the South Pacific region to do so.

Tubes in the ARIB craft are mechanically attached to the base of the boat, allowing the tubes to slide off. The advantage of this, says Ferguson, is that the boats do not rely on glues, which may suffer in Australia's tropical conditions.

The tubes are also constructed with an inner bladder, making them more difficult to puncture. The high aluminium sides on each ARIB craft mean that the boat will float even without the inflatable tubes.

Ferguson says the use of alloy in the hulls has several advantages, including strength, ease of repair and a 10 per cent weight advantage over comparable fibreglass RIBs.

To find out more, tel (07) 3893 1445.

Mako Inflatables
Designed from their proven racing machines, Mako Inflatables' RIBs are constructed with conventional fibreglass planing hulls with an inflatable collar/tube for increased buoyancy and stability.

The collar (or tube) acts like a shock absorber. Mako claims its RIBs use approximately 30 per cent less power to get the boat on the plane, as the fully-inflatable craft are typically bogged down with their flexible floor.

Mako's RIB boats range from 3.0-9.5m and include tenders, sportsboats and commercial craft. Mako has just announced the release of its Interceptor series 8.0m and 9.5m monohulls - an announcement that's created much interest in the commercial market.

These two products utilise Mako's Ballistic scalloped hull for increased handling performance, and they can also be customised.

For more information, contact Mako Inflatables, tel (02) 49721 394, email info@makoinflatables.com.au or visit www.makoinflatables.com.

Oceanforce Marine
This Sydney-based outfit is the distributor for Nautica from Fort Lauderdale, as well as the newly-imported Italian brand Lomac.

Nautica RIBs range from 3.0-12.5m and are built to exceed American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards. They are virtually hand made to order for a customer's choice of colours, layout and options, and they are constructed from multiple layers of biaxial woven fibreglass. Fuel tanks are built using 3/16in aluminium, bolted and ‘foamed' in place.

The tubes are made from Hypalon fabric permanently joined to the underlying heavy polyester cloth by ‘calendaring' and special chemical bonding agents. The underside of the fabric is calendared with neoprene.

In the Lomac range, current production includes 53 models grouped into 10 series. The company has been building inflatable craft since the early 1960s, and Lomac also makes and markets original accessories to suit each model.

In a break from tradition, Lomac has just released the new Flying Rigid Hull Inflatable in co-operation with Polaris of Gubbio (PG). It is an ultra-light composed of three sections: an inflatable boat (Open series model 350), a motor structure and a wing structure, which can be assembled in about 15 minutes.

When the wing section is removed, it becomes an airboat for four people even in very shallow waters; when wheels are mounted on just the motor section, it becomes a land vehicle.

To find out more, contact Oceanforce Marine, tel (02) 49762700 or email ribs@oceanforcemarine.com.

Waves Overseas
One of Australia's largest sellers of inflatable craft, Sydney-based Waves Overseas has a range of models available including Gladiator, Force 4, Quicksilver and Euro.

The company has over 200 models in stock, along with a host of other inflatable products from Gumotex, Metzeler and Sevylor. Managing director Peter Halloran has been in business since 1962 and knows his inflatables inside and out.

The Gladiator range is from the 2.8m RIB tender to the 5.5m Fishersport, and is imported from Africa. The Fishersport weighs only 270kg dry, can hold seven people safely and is rated for a maximum 115hp engine.

The Force 4 RIB range begins with the 2.4m F2400RIB up to the sporty 5.75m F5750RIB. The high end of the Force Four sportsboat range features a central windscreened console, transom boarding steps, multi-layered UV-resistant fabric and heat-welded seams, self-draining cockpit and a minimum of four air compartments for safety.

The company's Euro models include three sportsboats/tenders ranging from 2.5-3.5m. All are constructed from fully-welded marine-grade alloy, incorporate non-slip alloy floors, and feature hand-made Hypalon tubes.

For more information, contact Waves Overseas, tel (02) 9716 8555 or visit www.waves.com.au.

Zodiac Inflatables / Avon
Two of the more well-known brands in the market, Zodiac and Avon have a wide range and a continued large-market presence. Zodiac recently celebrated 20 years in Australia and sells 50 inflatable models ranging from 2.0-7.3m in both aluminium and heavy-duty fibreglass RIB configurations.

The Zodiac Yachtline 2 Deluxe - available in 3.4m, 3.8m, 4.2m and 4.8m sizes - can be used as a luxury tender and also a primary boat.

The Projet is another popular Zodiac model (3.5m and 4.2m) and is equipped with an 83hp Yamaha jet engine. If you are looking for an open boat that has optional console seating, the Pro range may be for you (4.2m, 4.7m and 6.0m models).

Alternatively, if you are after something a little more deluxe, consider the Pro Open. Available in 5.5m and 6.5m configurations, this is a fully-optioned deluxe centre-console craft.

In the Avon line, consider the Seasport Deluxe luxury tender and primary boat (3.2m, 3.6m, 4.0m or 4.9m) or the Seasport Jet (3.2m and 4.0m) - a jetboat designed as a tender or primary boat.

For more information, contact Zodiac, tel 1800 688 552, email zodiacmarine@zodiac.com.au or visit www.zodiac.marine.com.au.

Southern Pacific and AB
Imported from New Zealand by Paul Cope at The Boat Depot, Southern Pacific is the company's biggest seller. The Puffin RIB and Sheerwater ranges are most popular.

All four Sheerwater models (from 2.6-3.4m RIBs) are designed for a larger payload, and incorporate larger-volume tubes. The boats are light and portable enough to deck stow, yet are built extra tough for the roughest weather conditions.

Six pressed hull strakes add to the strength as well as deflecting the wake for a drier ride. The three larger models all feature fuel-tank storage and triple air chambers with centre-transom support, keel capping, deck grip and davit-lifting points standard on all four models.

Three lines of the imported AB range are stocked by The Boat Depot: the Nautilus luxury tenders (3.25-5.28m), the Oceanus console tenders (3.2-7.4m) and the Ventus lightweight tenders.

The Oceanus range is designed for professionals and cruisers who demand both performance and comfort, with a high ratio of length to interior space to tube diameter. The extra- deep vee hull and non-submerged tubes prevent unwanted friction and spray for a smooth and dry ride. Oceanus craft feature upholstered seating and abundant storage lockers to keep gear dry and safe.

For more information, contact The Boat Depot, tel (02) 9905 5800, email sales@boatdepot.com.au or visit www.boatdepot.com.au.

Novurania
This range, also imported by The Boat Depot, has a reputation for attracting celebrity clients. Nicole Kidman just bought one, and there are a host of others following in her footsteps.

Director Paul Cope calls this range the "top end" of the RIB market - with prices to match. The Equator series has several base models, but all are custom built to suit each client - many of whom wait several months before the craft is finished and shipped to Australia from the US.

The Deluxe range features seven models from 3.35-6m and is targeted at more affluent boat owners with larger craft looking for a sturdy tender.

As with all Novurania models, each DL features a deep-vee hull design, built-in fuel tanks, moulded helm consoles, storage lockers and seating. There is also a Tender and Sports Tender fibreglass-bottom series available.

The Boat Depot is a Honda dealer, thus only Honda four-strokes will be installed on the back of a Novurania.

For more information contact The Boat Depot, tel (02) 9905 5800, email sales@boatdepot.com.au or visit www.boatdepot.com.au.

,B>Quicksilver Amanzi
Quicksilver, Mercury Marine's brand of inflatable craft, has long been a well-known brand for small inflatable tenders.

The company's new Amanzi RIBs come in two sizes, 3.2m and 3.8m, and are a starboard-steering-console configuration with storage both forward and aft of the helm position. Marketed as runabouts or tenders for larger vessels, the 320 and 380 Amanzi RIBs are constructed with a Hypalon inflatable cell, which comes with a five-year warranty. Other features include a heavy-duty rub strake for protection against spray, rear planing pad for quicker planning time, rear step pads for water entry when skiing or wakeboarding, and a Quicklift end cone to prevent backwash when coming off the plane.

The 320 and 380 Amanzi craft can carry 30hp/40hp and four/five passengers. For more information, contact your local Quicksilver dealer, tel (03) 9791 5822 or visit www.mercurymarine.com.au.

Aquapro and RFD
At the smaller end of the scale, Aquapro's range features the Sportsmaster tender with an alloy hull. Standard features include a removable seat (incorporating storage), auto-bailing transom drain(s), rubbing strakes on the outside and bottom of the pontoons and three-point towing.

The six models in Aquapro's lightweight Euro Deluxe range (3.48-5.4m) feature fully-fitted seating and upholstery, a large interior volume and storage.

RFD's Raider series (also marketed under the Aquapro brand) is available in the 4.27m Jet Raider side console, the Raider RIB Console with six models ranging from 6.05-14m, and the Raider RIB cabin in four sizes from 7.9-14m.

The Jet Raider is designed as a high-performance yacht tender or family fun boat. Its 4mm marine-grade aluminium hull has a raw exterior finish to allow for shallow-water high-speed action. D-shaped Hypalon tubes provide large interior space and comfortable seating for five adults, and it features a white high-gloss polyurethane finish and flexi-teak deck.

Standard inclusions are a Mercury 175hp engine and jet pump unit, full electrics including battery, switch panel, navigation lights, engineroom blower, instrumentation, davit lifting points, transom boarding platform, 100lt fuel tank with filter and sender unit, and flexi-teak deck and full upholstery package.

For more information, contact RFD Australia, tel 1800 646 086, email rfd@rfd.com.au, or visit www.rfd.com.au or www.aquapro.co.nz.

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