An increasingly popular vessel of choice, Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) have changed the way people approach and think about boating. Combining the stability and durability of a rigid hull with the buoyancy and shock absorption of inflatable tubes, RIBs offer unmatched versatility for both casual boaters, enthusiasts and marine professionals.
What is the point of a rigid inflatable boat?
A question that we often receive from people unfamiliar with RIBs, and the answer lies in their unique design combination, which makes them well-suited to just about any activity. The ‘point’ of a RIB very much rests on their fundamental versatility.
RIBs offer a smoother ride and exceptional stability due to their wide beam and inflatable collar, outstanding performance thanks to their deep-v hulls, and unmatched safety features. Combined, these qualities make RIBs perfect for all sorts of boating activities, from fishing, water sports, diving, family boating,
So, what kind of activities are rigid inflatable boats used for?
1. Family Boating
RIBs make excellent family boats, offering a safe and comfortable platform for day trips and coastal exploration. The stable design makes for much more comfortable riding and easier movement around the boat, especially when travelling with children. The soft sides of the inflatable tubes are also safer and less likely to cause damage in the off chance that a child falls over while onboard. At Grand, we incorporate our unique tube-mounted bow rails for further safety while onboard.
When you’re cruising, your family will also enjoy how smoothly the boat moves through chop and swell – a much more comfortable ride for all your passengers.
Whether you’re heading to a secluded beach or enjoying a day on the water, a RIB provides the perfect blend of safety and enjoyment for the whole family, and with spacious deck layouts, provides a great platform to unwind for a picnic.
Our top choice for family boating? The Grand G680
Read More: Why RIBs are the best family boats
2. Fishing
Keen anglers appreciate RIBs for their stability, maneuverability, and practical layout. The flat, open deck space is ideal for casting or reeling in catches, and with innate stability, a RIB is a great platform to fish from while offshore.
At Grand, we enhance the design of our boats with rod holders and deep storage lockers, offering room to store fishing gear, bait boxes, cool bags and more. Our RIBs can also be customised with rocket holders for storing fishing rods up on the t-top, as well as custom bait boards and other essential boating accessories.
Our top choice for rigid inflatable fishing boat? The Grand D600
Read More: Why RIBs are the best boats for fishing
3. Snorkelling & Diving
RIBs have long been a favourite amongst diving and snorkelling enthusiasts. Their exceptional seakeeping, handling and speed makes them a truly comfortable platform for going offshore and quickly cruising to dive sites. With a lower freeboard and soft inflatable tubes, RIBs provide comfort while gearing up and getting into the water.
Durable and spacious, RIBs can also handle storing heavy dive or snorkelling bear. Here at Grand, we incorporate deep storage lockers that offer ample space for storing away equipment and gear.
When getting out of the water, large swim/dive platforms and sturdy boarding ladders mean easy access back onto the boat as well.
Our top choice for a rigid inflatable diving boat? The Grand D600 or Grand D950.
View our snorkelling & diving boats range.
4. Wakeboarding and Waterskiing
Thanks to their powerful engines and excellent handling characteristics, RIBs are fantastic for towing water sports enthusiasts. Whether you’re wakeboarding, water skiing, or pulling tubes, a RIB’s responsive handling and stable platform make it an ideal tow boat. Their deep V hulls and high power engine options empower rigid inflatable boats to create large, consistent wakes optimal for tow sports. They are often fitted with ski poles or ski towers, and with ample storage lockers or racks, boards and equipment can easily be stored out of the way.
Our top choices for wakeboarding? The Grand D600 or Grand G750
Read more: Can you wakeboard from a rigid inflatable boat?
5. Cruising & Island Hopping
RIBs are exceptional vessels for coastal cruising and island hopping adventures. Their impressive fuel efficiency and substantial range make them perfect for longer journeys, while their shallow draft allows easy access to secluded coves and beaches that larger vessels can’t reach.
The stable platform makes for comfortable extended trips, and many modern RIBs feature enough storage space for multiple days’ worth of provisions. Their excellent seakeeping abilities ensure a comfortable ride even in choppy coastal waters, while their speed allows you to cover significant distances efficiently, all while providing the perfect balance of comfort, reliability and adventure.
The ability to easily beach the boat means you can stop for impromptu exploration of isolated shores, while the generous deck space accommodates all the gear needed for extended coastal cruising.
Our top choice for cruising? The Grand G750 or Grand G850.
6. Sports Boating
For those seeking a fun, zippy, thrilling ride, RIBs are a great alternative to jet skis for sport boating, offering an exciting and versatile option. They provide the thrill of high-speed performance with greater stability and passenger capacity. Modern RIBs can reach impressive speeds while maintaining excellent handling and turning characteristics, making them perfect for adventurous boaters who want more comfort and versatility than a personal watercraft can offer.
In a recent review of the Grand G340, our 3.4 metre RIB was recognised as being a “mini sports boat in its own right”, thanks to it being “agile, responsive and fun to drive”. You can read more about the handling of this little sports boat in the Grand G340 Boat Review.
Our top choices for jet ski alternatives? The Grand G340 or Grand G380
Read more: Jet Ski vs RIB Boat Comparison Guide
7. Picnics and Entertaining
RIBs excel as social platforms, perfect for on-the-water picnics and entertaining friends. Their spacious decks can accommodate comfortable seating arrangements, and many models feature built-in coolers or space for portable refrigeration. The stable platform makes it easy to serve food and drinks, while the ability to beach the boat opens up countless possibilities for waterside entertainment.
Here at Grand, we maximise the social functionality of our rigid inflatable boats with u-shaped rear seating and extendible sun beds which ensures there is always more than enough room for friends and family to relax and unwind together.
Our best RIBs for picnics and entertaining? The Grand G750 or Grand G850
8. Camping
For adventurous souls, RIBs open up exciting possibilities for waterside camping. Their ability to carry substantial loads means you can transport camping gear to remote locations, while their shallow draft allows access to secluded beaches and coves. Many RIBs can be equipped with canopies or tent structures, providing shelter options for overnight stays on board or facilitating beach camping expeditions.
9. Yacht Tender
RIBs have long served as reliable yacht tenders, being unmatched in their utility, reliability and comfort. Whether serving sailing boats, motor yachts or superyachts, their compact but robust construction and excellent seaworthiness make them perfect for ferrying passengers and supplies between the mothership and shore. The inflatable collar provides natural fendering when coming alongside other vessels, and their impressive load-carrying capacity makes provisioning trips efficient and practical.
Our top tender choice? The Grand G380
Read more: A Guide to the Best Boat Tenders
10. Commercial Applications
You will have no doubt seen rigid inflatable boats used across numerous commercial applications, from rescue services to harbor patrol, powerboat training to dive centres and marine surveying.
Their durability, reliability, safety and excellent seakeeping abilities make them ideal for professional use. Commercial RIBs can be customized with specialized equipment such as dive platforms, survey equipment, or rescue gear, making them valuable assets for marine-based businesses and services.
Whether you’re a recreational boater, professional mariner, or somewhere in between, we hope we’ve helped to make it clear just how versatile, reliable and functional rigid inflatable boats are, and the vast range of activities they can empower you to do. Their unique design combines performance, safety, and practicality in a way that few other vessel types can match, making them an excellent choice for a wide range of marine activities.
If you’d like to learn more about how a RIB might best suit your lifestyle or to trial one for yourself, get in touch with our team today.
