A family sat onboard a Grand D600 rigid inflatable boat

The Best Family Boat? Why RIBs are the best boats for families.

We’re sharing the factors to consider when choosing a family boat and the reasons why rigid inflatable boats are considered the best family boat.

There’s nothing quite like getting the family out on a boat and creating shared memories on the water. For many Australian families, boating is a way of life and so crucially embedded into holiday traditions and even day-to-day routines we share as a family. From taking kids out on the water and letting them steer the wheel, to catching that early morning fish before work/school, and spending time relaxing in the sun having an onboard picnic – there’s something extra special about those family moments onboard a boat. 

To make boating really enjoyable for every family member, making sure you have the right boat is crucial – and this can come down to a number of factors such as the type of boating you want to do together, to the amount of people you’ll have on board.

Whether you’re new to boating or looking to upgrade your boat, we’re breaking down some things to consider when choosing a boat that is best for your family.

Grand G750 RIB boat beached on the sand with two passengers sat on the seating

What makes a good family boat?

While the qualities that make a good boat for family will ultimately come down to your individual family and how you use the boat, there are a number of factors that are often universally considered and sought after by families. A good family boat will be reliable, practical, safe for kids, comfortable for everyone on board and offer versatility. These are all areas that rigid inflatable boats truly excel in… 

Why are RIBs the best boats for families?

1. RIBs are versatile

Rigid inflatable boats offer a truly diverse range of uses. From being a great, stable and spacious platform to fish from, to offering a high-performance ride that empowers wakeboarding and towable fun, and providing luxury comforts that mean all passengers can sit back, relax and unwind with a meal or drink. 

2. RIBs are safe boats

A key consideration for family boating, especially if you’ve got kids onboard is the safety of your vessel. Rigid inflatable boats are in many ways far safer than traditional hard boats and this is due to a number of reasons. With tubes that act as shock absorbers, passengers enjoy a much smoother ride – even when travelling through choppier conditions – and are much less likely to be thrown overboard when travelling at high speeds.

Here at Grand, deep-set moulded seating means that passengers sit comfortably within the boat rather than on top of the boat. The rubber Hypalon tubes also give the boat less pitch, meaning that when you’re turning a corner the boat doesn’t lean too far over to one side.

3. RIBs are stable boats

Rigid inflatable boats provide great stability on the water, with their fiberglass deep-v hulls and tubes that absorb the shock or impact of waves and chop. These are boats that eat up swell, meaning that passengers onboard don’t bump around onboard when travelling over wake or through swell. This stability also makes RIBs a great boat choice for fishing.

4. RIBs are comfortable

As mentioned already, when underway RIBs offer a truly smooth and stable ride for passengers. But even when anchored or moored, these boats are a comfortable platform for passengers of all ages to enjoy. Here at Grand, all our boats above 5 metres have a centre console layout meaning that passengers can move easily and comfortably around the vessel at all times. Other features onboard include bow and stern step plates for easy access from pontoon or beaches, non-slip SeaDek foam flooring, removable tables, fridge-freezers, sink tap & showers and on-board toilets.

5. RIBs are practical

Rigid inflatable boats offer great practicality and functionality – elements that are especially important when you’re out on the boat with kids and family. While the functionality of a boat comes down to an individual design level, here at Grand Boats practicality is at the heart of all our boating designs. Storage space is maximised in every single boat to ensure you’ve got more than enough room to pack away all the toys, equipment and bags you may have with you on a family day. Tube-mounted handrails, swimming platforms, bow step plates, retracted cleats and other functional features also enhance the practical design – meaning there’s less for you to think or worry about when you’re out on the water.

Rigid inflatable boats with black tubes and a family on the boat, the best family boat option

What boat is best for my family?

So, what is the best RIB boat for your family? This will largely come down to how you plan to use your boat and the number of people you’d like to have onboard. 

Best Family Fishing Boat 

The Grand D600 is a boat that offers true versatility. Incredibly spacious and open in its layout, packed with deep storage lockers, offering numerous places to rack away fishing rods, and a deep-v hull that makes offshore adventuring a comfortable breeze. And yet at the same time, this boat provides incredible comfort with deep cushioned seating throughout, sun bed up at the bow, the option to add a table and shower, and more. It’s comfortable for the kids, leisurable for all passengers, and practical and functional for the keen fishers. 

For those after something a bit smaller, the Grand S470 offers a small but spacious offering. While the G680and G750 are great options for those after something a bit bigger. For more insight, take a look over our guide on RIBs for fishing

Best Family Boat for Lakes

For families who enjoy riding around the lake, the Grand G580 offers a great choice. With tubes that sit lower, this boat will cruise incredibly comfortably and move smoothy through any kind of chop or wake, absorbing any bumps underway. This boat comes with a table, extendible sunbed area for relaxing, a bimini cover for shade, and a wakeboard tower for towing inflatables or waterskiing & wakeboarding.

If you’re after something a bit larger, the Grand G680 offers even more comforts on the lake, including a fridge-freezer, sink tap & shower and large sun bed area.

Best Family Wakeboarding Boat

For those who love wakeboarding fun, the Grand D600 again takes top spot thanks to its high-performance design and the endless practicalities onboard. Rack your wakeboards away onto the t-top, pack your ropes and equipment away in the vast lockers, attach your board while standing on the large swimming platforms at the stern of the boat, and get back on board easily with the telescopic boarding ladder.

Read More: Best Boats for Wakeboarding

Best Cruising Leisure Boat for Family

For families that love nothing more than spending a day on the water, cruising around bays, anchoring up at lunchtime for a picnic and swim – look no further than the Grand G750 and Grand G850.

Both of these large leisure boats include features such as large extendible sunbeds, centre console helm stations, on-board electric toilets, fridge-freezer, sink tap & shower, large u-shaped seating at the stern and a removeable table for dining. These boats also come fitted with an electric windlass, swimming platforms and telescopic boarding ladder – meaning those moments at anchor are even more comfortable.

View more of the cruising boats in our range.

Best Small Family Boat

If you’re after a boat that is 5 metres or under, our Grand G420 or Grand G500 boats offer a great option. With numerous seating throughout the boat, ample storage lockers for storing bags and items out of the way, extendible sunbed areas and more, these boats are great little runabout boat options for a family. Both boats include a ski arch or ski pole, meaning you can enjoy wakeboarding or waterskiing fun on the water. 

Take a look at our range of small RIB boats to view more small family boats.

A family of four onboard a Grand S420, travelling on the water

What is the best size boat for a family?

The best size boat for your family will come down to the number of passengers you plan to have onboard as well as the activities you wish to use your boat for. Our boats start at 3 metres and have the capacity to hold at least four passengers, so would work well for a family of four. However, depending on the experience you’d like to have on board, you may wish to consider a boat with a larger capacity with more storage space that allows you to more comfortably do activities you seek.

If you’re not sure what boat is best for the amount of passengers on board, get in touch with our team who will more than happy to discuss your options.

Conclusion: The best family boats in Australia?

With their incredible stability, comfort, and versatility, RIBs truly bring a new level to family boating. With RIBs becoming extensively available here in Australia and with Grand Boats now in stock here in Australia, take a look at our range of family boats for sale and find your family’s new ideal vessel. 

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