Boating in Australia is more than a pastime; it’s a thriving way of life, bringing together families and friends across a number of on-water activities and adventures. You only have to visit one of our waterways over a weekend to see the diversity of water crafts and vessels on the water and the range of water sports underway.
The exponential growth of jet skis in the past five years and the ongoing growth of boat license registrations in the country (1 in 10 Aussies have a boat licence1) reflect the value that Aussies place on having a watercraft vessel as a platform for joy and freedom, offering a revitalizing way to experience the great Australian outdoors.
Whether its coastlines adventures, river cruises or lake days, Australians want watercraft that offer them reliability, versatility and fun on the water. And that is where the rigid inflatable boat (RIB) comes in.
Already the top choice in professional and rescue applications, RIBs have since evolved over the years to offer everyday boaters and water sports enthusiasts a more comfortable, exciting, recreational experience on the water – often with an added touch of accessible, premium luxury.
With more and more RIBs seen across waterways in Australia – whether that be lakes, canals, offshore – these vessels are quickly gaining popularity, offering everything from impressive performance, to exceptional stability, and great levels of safety.
Whether for family outings, water sports, fishing or leisurely cruises, rigid inflatable boats are redefining what it means to enjoy the water, making these boats a real contender in the Australian boating industry.
Five Reasons Why RIBs are the Future of Boating in Australia
Let’s dive into what makes RIBs a standout choice for both recreational users and season marine enthusiasts like.
1 – RIBs offer incredible versatility
What makes RIBs stand apart from many other vessels is the innate versatility that they offer, making them a natural choice for Australians and their families who embrace a diverse range of boating activities. In the latest industry data from BIA, boating emerged as the top recreational water activity for 32% of boaters, with fishing (29%), cruising (11%), and water sports (10%) close behind1.
RIBs not only comfortably cater to each of these interests (and beyond!) with ease, but also bring unmatched stability and safety to boating, making them ideal for all types of boaters. These boats offer an open floor plan and stable platform well-suited for those early morning offshore fishing trips, while also offering incredible comfort (with features such as fridges, sinks, showers & toilets) that make cruising up the coast line with family more comfortable than ever. Designed to be family-friendly, with their deep-v hulls, lightweight designs and high power options, RIBs are also great vessels for wakeboarding / towable sports fun, as well as high-performance boating too.
Whatever forms your adventures take, RIBs empower you to do it all in comfort – without having to sacrifice on features or practicality.
2 – RIBs are a great choice for first-time boaters
The number of people with boat licences continues to grow year on year in Australia. In fact, registered licenses are up +29% in 2024 when compared with 2019 numbers1. This growing number of new boaters and subsequent first-time boat buyers will – and ought to – look at rigid inflatable boats as their first boat choice. In fact, RIBs are often the vessel of choice for many boat licence centres (because of their excellent handling, safety & stability) – and as such give newbie boaters great exposure to the great offering that RIBs provide as a boat.
For first-time boaters, RIBs offer incredible stability on the water – whether in motion or at rest. Their lightweight design also means they drive, handle and manoeuvre easily – moving around tight spaces is easier with a rigid inflatable boat as they are so responsive. The inflatable tubes (which are incredibly tough and durable) act as shock absorbers, which not only make for a much more comfortable ride over choppy or high swell conditions, but also mean that pulling up to a dock or another vessel is much easier and comfortable for learning beginners. With these durable tubes in place, you don’t have to worry about any potential damage like you would with a traditional hard boat.
In Scandinavia, smaller RIB boats are often purchased by families for kids to safely learn boating on.
3 – RIBs are a great choice for families
With so many boating enthusiasts taking their families and kids out on the water, feeling assured that the boat you’re out in is not only reliable but practical and safe is vitally important.
RIBs offer a great boat choice for families, providing incredible stability and comfort on the water that parents can count on, especially with young kids on board. With deep-v hulls and inflatable tubes that absorb the impact of chop and swell, RIBs provide excellent stability and a truly smooth ride that makes everyone feel secure and comfortable even in those choppier conditions that can sometimes pick up out of nowhere. RIBs with a centre console layout also make maneuverability in and around the boat much easier and comfortable.
While the design of RIBs vary by brand and model, many offer plenty of room and storage lockers that mean families can store away bags and gear. Larger models – including those we do here at Grand – also offer amenities such as fridges, toilets, sink tap & showers, all of which make boating that little bit easier when you’ve got kids and family on board.
4 – RIBs offer a great alternative to jet skis
While jet skis continue to be extraordinarily popular here in Australia, many look to smaller RIB boat models as an alternative to jet skis, or as a step up when they’re ready to trade in their ski for something more versatile but just as fun.
Small RIBs (ranging from 3 – 5 metres) are lightweight in their design, convenient and easy to trailer, and often rated with high power options that mean these small inflatables with v-shaped hulls are fast, easily manoeuvrable and provide lots of high-paced fun. These small boats are great for cruising quickly, fishing as well as doing water sports and tow sports.
While boats are typically pricier than jet skis, small RIB boats in particular are often not too dissimilar in cost from a jet ski and in turn offer ‘more bang for your buck’ with more space, technology and functionality. You can often fit 2 – 4+ people (& the dog!) on board these small RIBs and still travel comfortably at speed.
While jet skis will undoubtedly continue to be a huge part of Australian boating culture, RIBs are a great vessel to look to next when enthusiasts are looking to venture further for longer, bring more people along with them, and enjoy the comfort that a RIB platform offers.
5 – RIBs are the safest boats
There’s a reason that professional and marine rescue organisations use RIBs as their vessel of choice. Safer than traditional hard boats, the inflatable tubes on a RIB increase the safety of the vessel in all sorts of conditions.
These inflatable tubes – most often made of a material called Hypalon – act as shock absorbers as you’re travelling through waves and choppy conditions, meaning that those onboard don’t feel the impact of bumpy conditions and are less likely to be thrown overboard. These tubes also give the boat more stability and less pitch, and so when you’re turning corners the boat doesn’t lean too far over to one side.
While those unfamiliar with RIBs may be concerned by tube deflation, it is in fact a manufacture requirement that RIBs float even with no tubes on at all. And so, in the rare instance that tubes do deflate, the boat remains a safe and floating craft.
With Aussies consistently urged to put safety first when boating out at sea or on the lake or river, a great place to start is with the very vessel they choose to go out on in the first place.
Conclusion: The future of boating in Australia?
While the boating industry continues to diversify with new brands entering the market and a growing number of registered license holders throughout Australia, rigid inflatable boats stand out and have the potential to lead the way in Australian boating, offering incredible versatility and stability, while seamlessly blending performance and family-friendly design. From fishing enthusiasts, to watersports lovers and families looking for a spacious, stable vessel, these are boats that appeal to a wide range of Australian boaters of all levels and ages.
RIBs offer a perfect balance of adventure and peace of mind for enthusiasts across the country, and as such are vessels that are sure to become a hallmark of boating culture in Australia in years to come.
References
1 Boating Industry Australia, 2024 State of Industry Data Survey, https://bia.org.au/library/industry-data/
Words by Carly Jennings
