Inflatable RIB Aluminium or GRP

[rigpigpaul]

Hi All, I want to buy a second hand 3.5m RIB. What are the Pros/Cons with aluminiun compared to grp as a floor. The adverts say aluminium is lighter and does not scuff like grp.
Any advice appreciated. RPP

 

[noelex]

Aluminium is the best option its lighter and survives the stones on the beach much better. Fiberglass is still a good option. I think PVC is the worst option, but probably the most common for new RIBs

 

[Fire99]

I think PVC is the worst option, but probably the most common for new RIBs

Would that be Polyethylene as used with Pioner boats? I thought they were meant to be tougher than a tough thing.

 

[PCUK]

I had an aluminium Aqua-pro 3.5m. It weighed about 60Kg and could easily be lifted by one person. Sadly its handling was totally useless and very wet. Very fast in a straight line with 25hp but cornering at speed was a bit hit and miss!

 

[oldsaltoz]

Only ever had one alloy rubber duck and got shot of it because it had to lifted out overnight due to the noise it made all night long in anything but a millpond.

Fibreglass may a little heavier but only makes it more stable and fibreglass is east and cheaper to repair, also no electrolysis problems.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[rotrax]

Hi All, I want to buy a second hand 3.5m RIB. What are the Pros/Cons with aluminiun compared to grp as a floor. The adverts say aluminium is lighter and does not scuff like grp.
Any advice appreciated. RPP

Hi, PM sent.

 

[noelex]

Would that be Polyethylene as used with Pioner boats? I thought they were meant to be tougher than a tough thing.

The solid plastic boats are reasonably puncture resistant ( better than fiberglass, but not as good as aluminium), but it can never be repaired (At least I have never met anyone who has managed a successful repair).
Some RIBs are now using a composite structure with thin skins which are less puncture resistant.
For my money I would prefer fiberglass over plastic so it can be easily repaired, particularly if the repair does not have to be cosmetically perfect.
The thin aluminium used on RIB bottoms is also not easy to repair, but no one ever seems to puncture them.

 

[KellysEye]

We bought an AB 9AL aluminium floored dinghy for weight reasons. It's significantly lighter than the GRP equivalent and thus will plane with a smaller outboard.

By the way, if you can get an AB it's now viewed as the best quality dinghy by many liveaboards. The previous favourite was Caribe but the quality went down when they moved their factory.