Both RIBs and fully inflatable boats get lumped together, but they’re genuinely different products with different strengths. Here’s how to choose.
RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat)
A solid hull (usually fibreglass or aluminium) with inflatable tubes around the sides. The rigid hull gives better handling, higher achievable speeds, and a more “proper boat” feel — the Caribe C9 is a good example. RIBs cost more and are heavier to transport than a fully inflatable.
Fully inflatable boats
No rigid hull at all — the whole boat packs down small and is far easier to store and transport, even in a car boot for smaller models like the Intex Mariner 4. Handling and top speed are more limited, and they’re better suited to calm inshore water than a RIB.
Our recommendation
- Choose a RIB if: you want proper performance, will use it regularly, and have storage/towing capacity for it
- Choose fully inflatable if: storage space is tight, you need it to pack down for travel, or it’s an occasional-use tender
See our full inflatable boat buying guide, or get in touch with questions about a specific model.
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