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Inflatable Boats
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Rigid Boats
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Coast Guard Approval
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None are Coast Guard certified. They are not required to be Coast Guard approved. Since there is no testing protocol, ratings advertised can be determined arbitrarily by each manufacturer. |
Coast guard certified and tested to the latest safety standards. Rigid Boats were subjected to weight capacity testing to 5 times the rated capacity, then swamped and tested for stability with weights on each side. The test allows a maximum list of 15 degrees to pass.
The Rigid Boat had a 2 degree list at maximum test weights. That means you are purchasing a safe reliable boat to transport your most valuable cargo, You and your family. |
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Weight
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Rib inflatable boats are heavy for their size. As an example a popular 11' 10" rib inflatable weighs in empty at over 450 lbs. Add a 30 hp motor a few options and you will approach 650 lbs. total weight.
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Weight is a designed in process with Rigid Boats to limit weight.
Our 12' Sport weighs in empty at a 335 lbs.
Add a 30 hp motor a few options and you will weigh in around 535 lbs. A 30 hp motor will drive the efficient Rigid Boat hull design.
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Features
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Rigid inflatable boats are deflatable for storage, except ribs. |
Rigid Boats utilize a total fiberglass construction process with NO wood. The Rigid Boat uses yacht quality hardware, shoe box hull to deck construction fastened with SS screws plus a high quality marine sealant to further insure a secure leak proof attachment. The new soft rub rail allows for a "soft touch" to the mother ship with no noise from contract due to wave action. |
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Stability
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Slippery when wet round inflatable tube. Walk- around tubes must be fully inflated for maximum safety |
Rigid, non-skid flat walk around. Safely stand on gunwale for secure ingress and egress |
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Flotation
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Most ribs have multiple air chambers; however, if one is punctured and deflates, it's unlikely the boat will get you home. |
Standard, closed-cell coast guard approved, upright foam, flotation allows motor operation even fully loaded and swamped |
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Ride
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Needs larger motor, tubes must be inflated properly for smooth ride and adequate tracking |
Easy to plane, smooth ride and tracks straight |
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Dry
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Being wet is part of the inflatable boat experience |
Dependably dry |
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Storage
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Basically none; some offer a bow locker |
Lots! Both tubes and a bow locker. Over 12 cubic feet in every Rigid Boat. |
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Maintenance
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Keep the pump handy and don't let the sun hit the tubes. Fix any leaks promptly, watch out for barnacles, ETC. |
A little wash and wax and you're done. |
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Performance
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Lumbers onto plane, jiggles at speed, somewhat predictable, bounces like a ball in bumpy water. |
Easily planes, nimble and predictable at speed, takes the bumps in stride |
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Safety
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Great until she springs a leak and one or more of the chambers deflates. You will have to wait there to be rescued. I hope the water is not cold! |
Coast Guard approved and tested. Even swamped and loaded to rated capacity you can start the motor and head for home. |
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Resale
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My experience has been... you are lucky to get 50% after 2 years when you sell your inflatable boat. |
We have sold used models for 90% of new cost after 2 years. |
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Comfort
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Seating is adequate, ergonomically adequate, ride is adequate but WET. |
Seating is comfortable, ergonomically well laid out, and ride is superb and dry |
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Quality
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Most inflatable boats are very good quality and construction. The problem is you have a flawed product to start. Life expectancy is usually about 10 years. |
Yacht-quality design and construction with no expense spared with a 40 year plus life expenctancy. |
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Custom Colors
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The majority of manufacturers offer one color. There are a couple that offer several optional colors. I don't believe any offer a custom color match. |
Any color you like! |
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Customizing
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Many do offer basic options such as cushions, lights and fuel tanks. The basic structure is somewhat limited to customize |
Rigid Boats has a history of working with clients to meet that special need plus a long list of special options. |
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Gel Coat
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Ribs use a gelcoat on the fiberglass portion of the rigid hull. |
We have a superior, long-lasting UV resistant fiberglass finish. |
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Warranty
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5 -10 years with lots of limitations |
5 no-hassle years |
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Manufacturing
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France, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Canada, US, etc. |
Made in the good ol' US of A |
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Hardware
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Specially designed, glued or laminated onto tubes. |
Yacht Quality 316 Stainless Steel all thru bolted with backing plates. |
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Interior Room
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Inflatable boats are narrow due to round shape of tubes intruding on interior width, floor space cluttered with necessary gear due to no storage. |
Maximized by flat vertical inside gunwales increasing interior width by 4 to 6 inches. |
