Small RIB vs larger non-RIB

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Bash

Back to the original question: although I far prefer RIBs over SIBs, it would be more important to me to get a properly sized dink, especially for cruising. But if I had to choose between a new SIB and a used RIB, both in the proper size, I'd go with the latter choice.

Right size absolutely critical, but what is the most critical factor to determine right size? To me, within reason, with dinks larger is better so it comes down to the largest I can handle.

So what is the limiting factor in what size dinghy one can handle? To me, assuming the lengths are within a foot or so the limiting factor will be weight you can handle.

Is that your experience or do you use other criteria for determing the right size?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

The point is, it will likely not. Unless you want to compare apples with oranges.

b.

Well I guess that's what I'm trying to do, compare a 9' apple with an 11" orange or in this case, a 9' RIB with an 11' soft dinghy.

[samson]

Originally Posted by psneeld

I'm not sure about the BW's...here's from Wiki-

The Coast Guard planned to reduce the inventory of Boston Whalers because of the lack of interoperable spare parts. On Friday, July 13th, the General Services Administration approved the transfer of 10 Coast Guard boats to the Army in Iraq. The boats, 24' and 27' Boston Whalers with trailers, had an original acquisition cost of more than $800,000. The Army is looking for approximately 55 Riverine or Patrol style boats to conduct water interdiction, river denial and island clearance missions, troop transport and insertion on a regular basis; the Coast Guard is providing the Army with the Boston Whalers and one Ambar boat, a patrol type vessel. [12]

The last time the USCG bought BW's...they were sorry then too....

The trend is for the foam hulls versus inflatable...

hmmm i was told that they were replacing there ribs with hard BW and that was just a few weeks ago.

not sure ill talk to my buddies about it.

John

[skipmac]

Some good information and the aluminum RIB sounds interesting and will research the options there. But, back to the original question.

I agree completely, totally, 100%. RIBs are better IF you compare a RIB to the same size soft dinghy. BUT RIBs generally seem to weigh more (will check the Al version to compare).

I am limited by the capacity of my davits to a maximum weight of about 200 lbs. To stay within that weight budget I have looked at 5-6 different brands and it seems like I have 2 options.

1. 9' RIB that will carry 4 people

2. 11' soft dinghy that will carry 5-6 people.

Option 2 would be a hard floor, high pressure inflatable keel design that might handle similarly to a RIB and that is my question.

OK, again I know and agree that for the same size a RIB is better. But what about two dinks of the same weight, which is better? I do not believe that RIBs are always better. After a certain point is just isn't so. I would take on any RIB up to at least 12' maybe 14' with the 17' aluminum floor Zodiac and carry bigger load, go faster and ride drier than the RIB. So what about a 9' RIB vs the 11' hard floor non-RIB?

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by cfarrar

I think you mean the opposite... All else being equal, the RIB has a deep bilge, whereas the airfloor has, well, a shallow, flat floor!

I do not mean the opposite. I'm talking about usable interior space and a RIB has less of it.

BTW- when I talk about a non-RIB inflatable boat, I mean one with a wooden floor and inflatable keel. I doubt that the OP would consider an "airfloor" boat if a RIB was something he was also looking at.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

BTW- when I talk about a non-RIB inflatable boat, I mean one with a wooden floor and inflatable keel. I doubt that the OP would consider an "airfloor" boat if a RIB was something he was also looking at.

Correct. Though I did mention air floor it was intended only as an example. The options for me would be a RIB or some variety of inflatable, high pressure keel with a hard floor, wood or aluminum.

[Kashmir cat]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

Have you considered the aluminum hull RIBs?

AB inflatables - Models The 10 footer is just 117 lbs.

There's an Australian maker, too, I believe.

I agree. The AB aluminum has many advantages over the two Avon models mentioned:
1. 3" More interior beam than both Avons.
2. 20 hp horsepower rating.
3. 1518 max weight capacity.
All this in a lightweight HARD bottom boat that is REALLY well built and rides well too. I have the 11.5 footer with a 25 hp 2 stroke. It will run 4 "American sized" adults and 3 whippets at over 20 knots easy. Also, you don't want to "baby" a soft bottom boat around. If you go aground half as much as I have in a dinghy, you want something that won't break.

[perchance]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

If you plan on landing on anything but a sandy beach then always the Rib is the thing to take, budget allowing.

A soft bottom dinghy and two jars of two-component dinghy glue are second best.

b.

Right on. You will scrub the bottom out of a soft dinghy in time no matter how careful you try to be when beaching.

[cfarrar]

I'm talking about usable interior space and a RIB has less of it.

I've owned a RIB, airfloor, and rollup of the same size. The RIB had the most useful space on account of the deeper bilge. It probably depends on the model/brand.

I hear you, skipmac. Weight is a big consideration for me - the davits, my sailboat's performance, and the ability to carry my dink up the beach. Sometimes the granite is too unforgiving - even for a RIB - so if you can't lift the dink over the rocks you need to anchor it away from them, which is a hassle.

[goboatingnow]

I had a great 3.2 metre RIB some years ago, made of ABS, virtually indestructable, very light ( lift it by myself) and flew with a 9HP johnson. ( and rocked along with a 15 yam). It was made by Selva. ( and was Hypalon). Anyone know of any ABS moulded RIBS now.

Dave