If you own a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) or you’re considering one, there’s one small but essential feature that deserves more attention: over pressure relief valves.
These small components play a major role in protecting your tubes and giving you peace of mind – particularly in warmer climates like Australia.
In this article, we break down what overpressure valves are, why they matter, and why every inflatable boat should have them, no matter its size, colour, or how often you hit the water.
What Are Overpressure Relief Valves?
Pressure relief valves can be fitted to the inflatable tubes on your RIB and are designed to release air automatically when internal pressure rises above the optimal amount.
They’re small, discreet, and usually look something like this (see image below), but their purpose is significant:
They prevent your tubes from becoming overinflated when the air inside warms up and expands.
Why Does Tube Pressure Increase?
As the day heats up, so does the air inside your tubes. This causes the internal pressure to rise – and in Australia, where temperatures can climb quickly, this is something RIB boat owners encounter time and time again.
There’s a common belief that only dark-coloured tubes need over pressure relief valves because darker materials absorb more heat. But the truth is:
In Australian conditions, it doesn’t matter whether you have dark tubes or light tubes – every RIB benefits from overpressure valves.
Heat is heat, and any tube can over expand when temperatures spike.
Why Overpressure Valves Are Essential
Overpressure valves provide several practical and long-term benefits for RIB owners:
1. Peace of Mind — No Overinflation Worries
Your boat regulates excess pressure automatically. There’s no risk of accidentally inflating your tubes beyond what they can safely handle.
2. No Manual Pressure Adjustments on Hot Days
Without valves, you’d need to release air manually as temperatures rise. With valves installed, that’s one less thing you need to think about.
3. Prolonged Tube Life
Overexpansion can strain the seams and materials, shortening the lifespan of your tubes.
Overpressure valves reduce this strain, helping protect your investment for years to come.
Read More: RIB Boat Maintenance
Do All RIBs Come With Overpressure Valves?
Not necessarily, it will come down to the RIB manufacturer and what is included in your build package.
At Grand Inflatable Boats, however, overpressure valves come standard across our entire range, from our 3-metre inflatable tenders right up to our large adventure RIB boats, regardless of whether they are dark-coloured or light-coloured in colour. They are fitted to our Orca Hypalon tubes at the factory; they cost next to nothing to incorporate into the build, but make a world of difference in the long-term ownership experience.
A Small Feature That Makes a Big Impact
If you’re boating in Australia with a rigid inflatable boat, over pressure relief valves aren’t just a nice-to-have – we really recommend them as an essential. They prevent unnecessary wear and tear, help your tubes last longer, and give you the confidence that your RIB can handle the heat.
And when a feature this important is included as standard, it’s one less decision for you to make – and one more reason to choose a RIB that’s been thoughtfully designed for real-world conditions.