Rib or ARib? That is the question

[Bobc]

I'm planning on fitting davits and getting a RIB (something about 3.2m).

Just seen these ARIBs (Sunsport etc). What do people think of them? Anyone got one?

It strikes me that if they're ok, it's a lot lighter than a RIB for lifting, and I assume will need a smaller engine to get it going.

Just a bit worried that it might be carp, and after a year I might be wishing I'd got a GRP one.

 

[RichardS]

If you've got davits you might think about a lightweight aluminium hulled tender. Ours is an Highfield Ultralight Hypalon but there are other makes. So light that one person can carry it and very easy to pull up the davits even with the engine attached without any pulleys. I had a 2:1 at the outboard end with the old dinghy but I've removed the "gearing" since buying the Highfield.

Richard

 

[Bobc]

I get that, they look the business. Cost is a bit prohibitive for me though.

If you've got davits you might think about a lightweight aluminium hulled tender. Ours is an Highfield Ultralight Hypalon but there are other makes. So light that one person can carry it and very easy to pull up the davits even with the engine attached without any pulleys. I had a 2:1 at the outboard end with the old dinghy but I've removed the "gearing" since buying the Highfield.

Richard

 

[wazza]

We have a RID from Walker Bay, absolutely fantastic. So light yet robust..

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Any GRP hulled RIB will need very strong davits and very strong base plates on the hull. A soft hulled RIB is way lighter but the best solution is an aluminium hulled RIB - just verrrrrrrry expensive! Remember that much more than half of a RIB's weight is at the stern, about 75% in the case of our soft RIB, so make sure your davits are each rated for a lot more than half the weight of the RIB.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have a Sunsport ARIB 2.3 metres. Overall the concept seems to work OK although the hull chambers need reinflation frequently. I believe that reseating the valves may solve this but not tried it yet. There is a lot more legroom inside compared with an airdeck, which is why we bought it. In this size there is some initial instability that might not be there in bigger ones. I guess this might not be the case with a RIB. I suggest you try one on the water before deciding as our trial, on the floor at LIBS, didn't tell us all that we now know. It motors better than our previous airdeck model but rows less well, although perhaps not fair to compare with a 2.6.