Buyer's Guide to Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boats

Rigid-hull inflatable boats are popular, durable watercraft for recreational and professional needs. An RHIB could be your perfect choice if you're looking for a high-performance, versatile craft. With so many models and technical details, knowing which vessel is the best rigid-hull inflatable boat for you can be challenging. If you're shopping for rigid-hull inflatable boats, our guide covers all the basics you need to know to make the right choice. 

What Is an RHIB?

Rigid-hull inflatable boats or rigid inflatable boats are high-performance, lightweight vessels. Rigid-hull boats feature solid hulls with inflatable tubes, allowing them to cut smoothly through the water and withstand rough conditions. The hulls are a durable composite material, letting the craft easily slice through waves and wind. The tubes offer puncture resistance, enhanced buoyancy and weight adjustability. 

Their sturdy construction and versatile design make RHIBs popular for professional diving, rescue and military uses. Recent technological advancements have allowed them to become more affordable, spawning models designed for recreational uses and offering a more luxurious water experience. Whether you're relaxing, fishing, engaging in watersports or looking to use them professionally, these vessels make for a stable, reliable craft. 

How Do RHIBs Perform?

Composite materials, sleek construction and versatile design make these boats excellent for recreational and professional uses. They're fast, highly maneuverable, durable and lightweight — you can easily travel along the water at high speeds without fear. With excellent buoyancy, puncture-resistant materials and partitioned tube chambers, these boats will resist impact damage and maintain flotation even with smaller sections compromised. Their outstanding performance capabilities and extensive size and use options have made RHIBs an increasingly popular boat choice for many enthusiasts.

How Do I Choose an Inflatable Boat?

Choosing the right RHIB requires careful consideration — boats are a significant investment, especially if you want to have fun and stay safe on the water. Do your research to ensure you get a boat that fits all your needs and allows you to enjoy the water. Here are some crucial considerations when looking for the best RHIB. 

Size

Size is one of the first factors you should consider. Getting a size that accommodates all your passenger, storage spaces and transportation requirements will maximize your time on the water. Smaller inflatable boats are easier to store and transport but hold fewer passengers and lack storage accommodations. Larger boats provide more stability, space and storage but are often more expensive and difficult to transport. If you plan to take many family and friends trips or need to carry additional gear, a larger boat is probably your best option. 

Capacity 

A boat's capacity is the maximum weight it can safely carry. Calculate the rough weight of the passengers, supplies and equipment you intend to take on your boat. Ensure the boat's capacity can accommodate everything without exceeding its limits. You must prioritize safety and select a capacity that exceeds the maximum weight you expect to take on every trip. 

Speed 

You should also think about your desired speed and boat performance. Some RHIBs are ideal for calm, relaxed cruising, while others are for nimble maneuverability and higher speeds. If you intend to use your vessel for recreational purposes, you'll probably want a boat with moderate speed capabilities. Anyone interested in an RHIB for fishing and watersports should look for models with enhanced performance features and speed. Intense water activities demand more sophisticated watercraft. 

Intended Use

Identify the craft's primary purpose and check to ensure it aligns with your usage needs. Various RHIBs have unique features to help them excel. Watersports, tendering, fishing and leisurely outings all have different demands. You might want to look for a larger or smaller boat or specialized features, accessories and stability. Additional power and storage are essential for some tasks, while other choices work best when you pack lightly. 

RHIB Construction 

RHIBs offer high-performance capabilities, superior stability and robust construction. These versatile watercraft are excellent for many uses, including diving and patrol roles. RHIBs feature rigid hulls combined with inflatable tubes, making them durable and efficient. Understanding an RHIB's components can help you select the best model for the job. 

Hull

RHIB hulls are usually steel, wood, aluminum or glass-reinforced plastic composite. Enhanced-performance models may have Kevlar woven into the composite to further increase the vessel's strength. 

V-shaped RHIB hulls have optimal hydroplaning ability, allowing them to cut through the water faster and more smoothly than other craft. Shallow-V hulls require less power than deep-Vs and plane more easily, but they offer a more uncomfortable ride. Deep-V hulls are better at cutting through waves and provide extra comfort, though they require much more powerful engines. All-around crafts combine a deep-V at the bow and a flattened rear for the best of both worlds. 

Tubes

The craft's inflatable tubes provide dependability, stability and buoyancy. Partitioning the tubes reduces the chances of punctures affecting the entire vessel. Each partition has a separate inflation valve, letting the boat remain buoyant even with one of the chambers punctured. 

Tubes consist of highly durable materials like Hypalon, polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane. Polyurethane is less popular since it's challenging to manufacture, but it can be bulletproof or knife-proof. Hypalon and PVC each have benefits — PVC is cheap to produce, while Hypalon is exceptionally robust. 

RHIB tubes provide the craft with superior buoyancy and impact protection. Additionally, you can adjust tube inflation to accommodate different water conditions and weight distributions. These tubes make RHIBs versatile, impact-resistant and safe. 

Wheelhouses/Cabins

While not all RHIBs have wheelhouses or cabins, larger or specialized models often have these features to provide extra enclosed space on the vessel. Wheelhouses and cabins provide:

• Immediate shelter
• Protection from the elements
• Additional storage and added covered seating space

If you're interested in a craft with a wheelhouse or cabin, you'll need to select an RHIB with space to accommodate the additional feature. 

RHIB hardtops and wheelhouses are typically glass-reinforced plastic or aluminum. While these features were initially only for RHIBs used for commercial or professional purposes like rescue operations, patrol vessels and dive boats, some recreational craft now come with small cabins for two and even removal canopies for added environmental protection. Optimal wheelhouse or cabin design accounts for elevated ergonomics, visibility and comfort, ensuring crew and passengers can operate on the boat as effectively as possible. 

Tips for Choosing the Right RHIB

While figuring out which rigid-hull inflatable boat you should buy can seem overwhelming, breaking it into smaller parts can make it much more manageable. Memorizing all the performance, safety and functional considerations might prove challenging, but if you can remember these tips while browsing, you'll have a much easier time narrowing down your options.

• Size and capacity: Determine the combined weight of all the people and equipment you'll have in your boat. Try to estimate everything on the heavier side to be safe. Once you have your rough figures, add them up to get your estimated maximum boat load. Then, you can begin exploring boat sizes. Always select a model with a larger capacity than your highest estimated load. You'll get some wiggle room and ensure you never approach your vessel's weight limit. 
• Water type: How rough are the wave, wind and environmental conditions in the area where you'll be using your boat? Narrower boats handle head seas better than wider boats, but wider boats offer more craft space. Narrow tubes provide more efficient water travel, but can't support as much weight. The rougher the water conditions and the more intense your boat usage, the more specialized your craft needs to be.
• Safety features: Safety is critical for any boat. Puncture resistance, safety valves, multiple chambers and perimeter lines are some RHIB features you can look into for improved safety. Whether you're using your boat for professional or recreational reasons, you must look for vessels with enough safety features to protect you while on the water. 
• Intended use: Recreational RHIB use requires less durability and speed. Your intended boat usage will affect the features and model you select. You can save money and buy a more affordable option if you aren't using it for professional purposes. The more intense your boat usage, the more durable and advanced it should be. 

Research Models

Diving into boat brands and models will help you get the full scope of RHIB offerings. Your brand choice will affect the boat's pricing, use and model. Whatever your RHIB needs, seek quality brands with excellent reputations to ensure you get a lasting craft. 

• Leisure RHIB users might enjoy the quality, pricing and comfort of AB Inflatables for their next craft. With sport, luxury and lightweight models, you can enjoy a relaxing ride every time. 
• If you're looking for higher-end durability and versatility, Achilles RHIBs make for reliable, elevated boat options. 

Maintaining Your RHIB

Once you've selected and purchased your RHIB, it's critical to maintain it. Without proper maintenance, you'll have to spend more on repairs, and your boat's life span will be shorter. If you want your vessel to stay safe and work well for a long time, here are some essential maintenance tasks you need to perform on your RHIB.

• Clean the vessel: Rinse your boat with fresh water after every use. You need to remove accumulated sand, salt and debris so they don't cause premature wear and damage to your craft. After rinsing, use a mild soap or specialized boat cleaner to remove any leftover stains or dirt from the boat. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive materials — these can damage your boat's surfaces. Frequent cleaning will help prevent buildup and corrosion for a better-functioning RHIB. 
• Check tubes: Regularly inspect your boat tubes for leaks, damage or pressure loss. Pay close attention to the valves, surface and seams for punctures or wear — if left unchecked, they can compromise safety. After inspection, inflate your tubes to the manufacturer-recommended pressure with the proper gauge and pump. Finally, ensure the valves seal tightly, with no leaks. Maintaining tube pressure and integrity ensures optimal buoyancy and performance on the water. 
• Inspect the hull: Look for cracks, scratches, holes and damage and patch up minor damage to prevent future hull issues. If your RHIB is frequently in the water, cleaning the hull off is essential to prevent marine growth. Additionally, apply a protective wax or coating to enhance durability and UV resistance. 
• Lubricate parts: Regularly inspect and lubricate all moving parts while performing maintenance. Lubricate any latches, hinges, throttle controls and steering mechanisms. Always use a marine-grade lubricant to reduce friction and ensure operation remains smooth. 
• Review electrical: Check all electrical systems — batteries, wiring and lights — to ensure proper function. Look closely for corroded terminals, loose connections or damaged wires and correct any issues you find. You should keep the battery charged and store it in a well-ventilated, dry area when you aren't using it. You need to protect electrical components from water damage to reduce expenses and breakdowns. 
• Properly store it: Keep your craft in a well-ventilated, clean, dry space when not in use. If you store your boat outdoors, use a tarp or boat cover to protect it from the elements. You can also use trailers or boat racks to keep your RHIB off the ground. If you deflate your tubes, always follow manufacturer guidelines for the correct deflation and folding methods. 
• Regular service: Scheduling periodic professional maintenance can help keep your RHIB in top condition. Skilled technicians can evaluate your craft and systems, performing tune-ups and evaluations that help you protect your vessel from long-term damage. 

Find RHIBs and RHIB Accessories at Fawcett Boat Supplies

Whether you need an inflatable watercraft or additional cleaning supplies and boating accessories, Fawcett Boat Supplies has everything you're looking for. Our extensive collection of boat supplies provides you with unmatched quality and customization, ensuring an ideal boating experience. Additionally, we offer expert inflatable boat repair services for RHIB owners who need quality boat maintenance. 

With decades of experience and extensive resources, Fawcett has been an industry leader in boat supplies for years. If you're searching for boating products and services, contact us online today!