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Tag: small boat electronics UK

  • RIB vs Inflatable Boat: Which Should You Buy?

    RIB vs Inflatable Boat: Which Should You Buy?

    RIB vs inflatable boat which should you buy

    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.

  • Best Marine GPS for Small Boats & Dinghies

    Best Marine GPS for Small Boats & Dinghies

    best marine GPS for small boats and dinghies

    A small boat or dinghy doesn’t need — or often have room for — a full-size flagship chartplotter. Here’s what actually fits and works well on smaller craft.

    Compact fixed-mount units

    A 5-7 inch chartplotter is plenty for most dinghies and small RIBs, giving you charts and basic sonar without eating console space or budget. Pair it with a simple transom-mount transducer and you’ve covered the essentials.

    Handheld units — the flexible option

    The Garmin GPSMAP 86sc is a genuinely clever option for small boats — no permanent installation needed, fully waterproof and floating, and it moves with you if you switch boats or want it as a backup on a bigger vessel too.

    Our recommendation

    If your dinghy is a tender or occasional-use boat, go handheld — it’s flexible and needs no wiring. If it’s your primary small boat and you want a permanent, always-ready display, a compact fixed-mount unit is the better long-term choice. See our Best Marine GPS Under £500 guide for specific picks, or ask us what fits your boat.