The best rigid inflatable boats for family water sports in Australia are the Grand G580, Grand D600 and Grand G680. Each one is fantastic for tow sports, whether that be water skiing, wakeboarding or tubing, but suits a different family setup, budget and style of boating.
The G580 is our pick for young families on sheltered waterways. The D600 is the performance-first choice for serious tow sports. The G680 is the best all-rounder for families who want water sports capability alongside a premium leisure and entertaining experience.
The best RIB for your water sports adventures will ultimately come down to how much time you’ll spend doing water sports, and what other activities you’re likely to do on the water with a boat. Getting that balance right is what this guide is about, and we’ve pulled together an overview of the Grand models we most often recommend to families who are serious about water skiing, wakeboarding and tubing.
TL;DR
- The best rigid inflatable boats for water sports will be 5.5 metres and above, have a deep V hull with a sharp deadrise, a walk-around deck with a centrally-appointed hull, plenty of storage and a high tow point
- The Grand D600 is our top recommendation for performance-first buyers and those who prioritise water sports above all else
- The Grand G580 is the best choice for young families on sheltered waterways who want a versatile, easy-to-own first boat that is great for relaxed family days
- The Grand G680 is the right choice for larger families who want serious water sports capability alongside a premium leisure and entertaining experience
- Always take a sea trial in real conditions before buying
What makes a good RIB For Water Sports?
Before getting into specific models, it is worth understanding what separates a great water sports RIB from one that is simply capable. There are a handful of things that matter most:
Size & Power
For families who enjoy water sports, we generally recommend RIBs at a minimum size of 5.5 metres. At 5.5 metres and above, you not only have a boat with great acceleration and wake size, but also have the deck space to comfortably carry your family alongside the person in the water, with room for gear, wet suits and all the equipment that comes with a day of tow sports.
Hull Design & Performance
The hull is a crucial factor in how a water sports RIB performs. A deep-V hull with sharp deadrise angles cuts cleanly through chop and swell, planes quickly and rides high on the water rather than ploughing through it. This matters for water sports because consistent speed and a smooth, predictable ride directly affects the quality of the experience for the person being towed.
A hull that sits high on the plane also generates a cleaner, more consistent wake for water skiing in particular.
Tow Points & Ski Arch
Every boat in our recommended list is fitted with a ski arch; an arch mounted at the transom that provides a high tow point for water skiing and wakeboarding. A high tow point pulls the rope upward rather than flat, which makes a meaningful difference to the experience for the skier or wakeboarder. Transom D-rings are also included for tube towing, which requires a different attachment point and is suited to tubes rated for passengers over 120kg.
Deck Layout & Onboard Movement
A centrally-positioned helm with a walkaround deck is well suited for water sports, particularly when compared to an off-centred helm. The walkaround layout with clear walkways on both sides of the helm means passengers can move freely, and when you’re gearing up for some sports activities on the water, the more space you have the easier it is to get ready for the water.
Rear swim platforms, a telescopic boarding ladder and seating with good sightlines to the water are also features worth prioritising. When someone is being towed, the rest of the boat needs to be comfortable and safe for the passengers watching on.
Storage For Gear
Tow sports come with a significant amount of equipment that all need somewhere to live. Deep storage lockers that make the most of the hull space matter more on a water sports RIB.
Creature Comforts For The Family
A day of water sports is also a day on the water, and most families want more from their boat than just the tow sports themselves. A shower to wash off saltwater when coming out of the water, shade cover for the hours in between runs, comfortable seating for those watching from the boat, and storage for food and drinks are all features worth considering, particularly if you have young children or older family members onboard who may not be in the water themselves.
Our Recommended Rigid Inflatable Boats For Family Water Sports
GRAND G580
Size: 5.8 metres | Engine: 130HP (recommended) up to 150HP | Passengers: Rated for 11, comfortable for 8 all day | Price:$89,900 sail-away
The Grand G580 is our most popular recommendation for young families who are getting into tow sports for the first time, or who are primarily using their boat on sheltered, inland waterways such as lakes, rivers, and protected bays like the Gold Coast Broadwater.
At 5.8 metres with up to 150HP on the transom, it has the power and hull to plane easily and generate the speed and wake needed for water skiing, wakeboarding and tubing. It is also very easy to tow on the road and store at home on the trailer. The hull is a deep-V design that handles chop well and provides comfort for passengers when moving through wake from other boats, though if you are planning to take the boat offshore regularly, there are stronger options in this list.
For tow sports specifically, the G580 comes fitted with a ski arch for a high tow point and transom D-rings for tube towing. The centrally-positioned helm and walk around deck make it easy to move around the boat when you are getting kitted up or pulling someone out of the water. There is good storage onboard across multiple lockers, and a shower on the transom so you can wash off when you come in from the water.
Where the G580 really works for families is in how it balances water sports capability with everyday leisure. It has a removable table and large sun beds, as well as a bimini sun shade, making it an equally capable family leisure boat for the days when you are not towing anyone. It is not a single-purpose water sports machine, but a versatile family boat that does water sports very well.
Best for: Young families and those new to tow sports, sheltered waterway and inland lake use, buyers who want a boat that is great for water sports but also doubles as a comfortable family leisure boat.
Not For: If you are looking for a boat that goes offshore regularly, carries a bigger group, or that you want to take into more exposed conditions, consider the D600 or G680 instead. But as a first family boat for sheltered water sports and relaxed family days, the G580 is an excellent starting point.
GRAND D600
Size: 6.1 metres | Engine: 150HP (recommended) | Passengers: Rated for 12, comfortable for 10 all day | Price: $112,000 sail-away
The Grand D600 is Grand’s dedicated sports performance boat, and if water sports are your primary reason for buying a RIB, this is the one to look at.
The hull was designed in partnership with Swedish race boat designers Mannerfelt Design Team. The result is one of the most performance-oriented hulls available in a recreational RIB at this size. A 22-degree deadrise constant deep-V from midsection to aft gives the D600 a sharp, consistent hull entry that slices cleanly through chop and waves. At speed, it is an efficient, dry and remarkably smooth ride, the kind that makes you notice how much other boats in this size bracket are working by comparison. With 150HP on the transom, it accelerates with real authority and generates a clean, substantial wake: exactly what you want for wakeboarding and water skiing.
Boat Sales Australia’s Grand D600 Review in December 2024, describing it as an “immaculately finished sports RIB.” Their reviewer noted it was “wharf-like stable” and “markedly better/drier than some rival RIB brands I have tested,” concluding that “the Grand D600 is a high-quality sports RIB and an excellent boat for all-rounder duties: day cruising, diving, mixed tow sports.”
The design of the D600’s deck layout is purposefully built around water sports. The stern area is notably generous, providing a dedicated space for passengers to kit up and get ready before entering the water; wet suits, life jackets and boards can all be laid out on the large rear platforms without taking over the main cockpit. The large rear platforms have deep integrated storage bins underneath, ideal for stowing tow ropes, tubes, jackets and equipment. A telescopic boarding ladder and transom shower make re-entry and wash-off straightforward.
Internally, the D600 is designed with deck space as the priority. The centrally-positioned helm and full walk around layout leaves the maximum amount of open deck, and the helm offers a choice between jockey seats (excellent for offshore runs through chop) and a bench seat that flips backwards to create a rear-facing seat for watching tow sports from the boat. Up at the bow, a large under-deck locker is deep enough to store a wakeboard under the floor.
The D600 has eight deep storage lockers across the boat, plus a T-top over the helm and a stern sun shade extension for shade on longer days. It is fitted with a ski arch and transom D-rings as standard.
Where the D600 differs from the G680 and G580 is in its design focus. It is a performance and adventure-oriented boat first, which means it does not carry the same leisure amenities (for instance, there is no bar fridge, sink or electric windlass anchor). If those features matter to you for the days when you are not doing water sports, the G680 is worth considering instead. But if water sports and performance are the primary brief, and you want a boat that handles those superbly while still being an excellent all-rounder for coastal cruising and diving, the D600 is our standout recommendation.
Best for: Performance-oriented buyers and adventure enthusiasts for whom water sports is the primary use case; families who want the best possible hull performance in a 6-metre RIB; those who will also use the boat for offshore fishing and coastal cruising.
GRAND G680
Size: 6.8 metres | Engine: 200HP (recommended) | Passengers: Rated for 12, comfortable for 12 all day | Price: $155,500 sail-away
The Grand G680 is our recommendation for families who want a boat that is exceptional for tow sports, but who are equally serious about everything else they do on the water; entertaining, offshore cruising, fishing, and long days anchored off with friends and family.
At 6.8 metres with 200HP, the G680 has the power and size to deliver a serious water sports experience. The hull runs an even deeper V than the D600, with a 24-degree midsection and 21-degree aft deadrise; a true deep-V design built for high-speed offshore performance. It handles chop and swell with composure, stays dry at speed, and accelerates with the kind of authority that makes tow sports genuinely exciting. Many of our Sydney customers use the G680 specifically for wakeboarding and water skiing, often in harbour and coastal conditions that demand a hull with confidence-inspiring offshore credentials.
Powerboat Magazine reviewed the G680 and noted: “For a retail price tag of just south of $150,000, this is a value for money unit. There is not a lot to add in terms of add-on extras, and my feeling is that there is not much this boat couldn’t tow with the 200-hp engine configuration.”
The G680’s deck layout follows the same centrally-positioned helm and walk around design as the rest of the range. You have generous seating throughout, giving passengers plenty of places to sit and watch tow sports from the boat. The rear locker is deep and wide enough to store adult wakeboards and skis comfortably. A telescopic boarding ladder, transom shower and SeaDek around the full transom area give you a non-slip, grippy surface as you move back into the boat from the water.
Where the G680 really sets itself apart from the D600 and G580 is in its on-water lifestyle capability. A full-size bar fridge, sink, tap and table at the rear mean you can serve a proper meal from the boat. The U-shaped rear lounge comfortably seats six people for dining. At the bow, the sun bed extends with an infill cushion to create a full bow sun lounge large enough for the whole family to stretch out on. A fibreglass hard top covers the helm, with bow and stern sun shade canvases extending from it to shade the entire boat. It is the only boat in this list with an electric windlass anchor, making it perfect for dropping anchor in a bay and spending a few hours relaxing between tow sports sessions.
The G680 is the right choice when water sports is one of several important uses for the boat rather than the primary focus. If you are looking for something that handles a wakeboarder superbly at 9am and serves lunch to twelve people in a bay at 1pm, the G680 does both without compromise.
Best for: Larger families and those entertaining friends onboard; buyers who want a high-performing water sports boat that is equally capable as a leisure, offshore and entertaining platform; those who want the most versatile boat in this size range.
Other RIBs For Water Sports
Best Inflatable Tender For Water Sports
If you are looking for a compact tender that is also capable for tow sports, the Grand G340 and Grand G380 are worth considering. Both have under-deck fuel tanks positioned toward the bow for balanced planing, ski poles for a high tow point, and hulls that accelerate quickly and handle well at speed. Boat Sales Australia reviewed the G340 and highlighted how “this tender-sized model doubles as a mini sports boat in its own right” – which is high praise for a boat at this size.
Large Rigid Inflatable Boats For Water Sports
For buyers looking at larger rigid inflatable boats for water sports, the G750, G850 and G980 can all be used for tow sports and share the same leisure-oriented design philosophy as the G680. If you are considering those models primarily for water sports, however, the D600 and G680 offer better performance-to-comfort ratios at a considerably lower price point.
How To Choose The Right Water Sports RIB For Your Family
The right boat for tow sports comes down to three questions: where you boat, who comes with you, and what else you use the boat for.
If you primarily boat on sheltered waterways and lakes, and you have younger children or are newer to boating, the G580 offers the best balance of water sports capability, ease of use and family comfort at an accessible price. It is also the easiest of the three to tow behind a car and store at home.
If water sports is your primary reason for buying and performance matters most, the D600 is our top pick. It is the most purpose-built water sports hull in the Grand range, and the Mannerfelt-designed constant deep-V gives it a performance edge that you notice immediately on the water.
If you want a boat that delivers seriously on tow sports but is equally capable as a day-long leisure and entertaining platform for a larger group (with the fridge, the sun beds, the anchor system and the onboard comforts that make a full day out genuinely enjoyable) the G680 is the right choice.
As with any significant purchase, we always recommend a sea trial before committing. Getting on the water in the conditions you will actually be boating in, with the people you will actually be boating with, tells you more than any specification sheet can.
Model Comparison Table
| Model | Size | Best For | Passengers | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand G580 | 5.8 m | Young families, sheltered waterways, versatile leisure and tow sports | Rated For 11 | $89,900 |
| Grand D600 | 6.1 m | Performance-first buyers, water sports specialists, offshore and coastal use | Rated For 12 | $110,000 |
| Grand G680 | 6.8 m | Larger families, premium leisure and entertaining, serious tow sports offshore | Rated For 12 | $150,000 |