Solid Tube RIB

[Fixer]

Does anybody manufacture a "solid tube" dinghy that looks like a RIB? I am envisioning a RIB style boat in the ten foot range with either foam filled tubes or solid plastic tubes instead of the traditional air filled chambers.

[stevensc]

check out this site Inflatable Boats Beware... Fiberglass Rigid Boats Dinghy I have no experience with them.
Steve

[Fixer]

Steven, Thank you. That is just what I was looking for, but about $1000 over what I wanted to pay. I also looked at the Bullfrog boats, but they were too heavy. I then found the Whaly 310, but it too was a little heavy and had no cleats or lifting eyes.

I looks like Tender 12 in the link you sent me will be the one.
Regards,
Erik

[Lancerbye]

I have seen solid RIB looking boats in British Columbia. They are made of aluminum. Not sure who manufactures them. I think they are being built somewhere on Vancouver Island.

[Steve_C]

Originally Posted by Fixer

I looks like Tender 12 in the link you sent me will be the one.
Regards,
Erik

Let us know how you like it. I really like the looks of them. I would be curious to hear from any others who might have experiance. What options are you looking at?

Best of Luck.

[Therapy]

$4500.00 for the 8.5

[beau]

I have one,
in Australia.
It is made of fiberglass.
I really like it and would not ever have an inflatable again.
It is fairly lightly constructed to keep the weight down but it is easily hauled up the beach by two people, easy to repair being of fiberglass.
Very stable and safe, love it.
Mine cost $1,000

[osirissail]

There is a totally plastic boat that resembles an inflatable made in Fort Myers, FL called a Jolly Boat. Unfortunately they do not have any listed website.
- - These type boats are very heavy compared to real inflatables or RIB's. Normally they would be too heavy for medium size sailing boats to hang from davits or to lift on board. That is why inflatables are the "thing" for cruising sail/power boats - Weight and the ability to "shrink" their size when stored aboard.
- - For "static" cruisers who never really go anywhere the conventional dinghy is more efficient and economical than an inflatable. A good compromise is the Walker Bay which can be outfitted with an inflatable tube around its gunnels and even can be fitted with a small dinghy sail to make a sailing dinghy. Also there is Port-a-boat, the collapable fold up dinghy which really small cruising sailboats use.

[Fixer]

Therapy-- that's the rub....the price is very high. But, in theory, this boat could last a lifetime.

I looked at the Walker Bay and liked them a lot, but I'm trying to stay away from anything that inflates (and therefore deflates).

[JayH]

Rigid Boats

Made in Florida. Possibly the same boats as the link above? I've looked at these boats at FL boat shows and seriously considered them, but cost for a new boat was high and I could not find used. Went with a RIB instead.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Fixer

... I looked at the Walker Bay and liked them a lot, but I'm trying to stay away from anything that inflates (and therefore deflates).

Walker Bay still makes their original injection molded Rigid Dinghy (8' & 10')

➥ Walker Bay Boats

[fishwife]

Take a look at Rigid's 5.1 cubic foot freezer as well. Pricey but suitable for out door installation. http://www.frigidrigid.com/solar/solar.htm

P.

[Fixer]

GordMay- Not really looking for a traditional rigid dinghy since they are too unstable and have less load carrying than a RIB. Looking for "non-inflatable RIB" as it were.

Yes, the Rigid Boat appears to be the same. $$$$

[Marinheiro]

There is also the Mac boat from NZ, injection moulded plastic
www.macboats.com

[Hollen]

Has anyone tried filling the tubes of a RIB with expandable foam? It would sure solve my constant leakage problem. I see the only problem being filling all the voids completely.