About RIBsONLY.com
Hi, I’m Karel Overlaet. If you’re fascinated by Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs and RHIBs, what’s the difference), you’ve landed in the right place.
My journey on the water didn’t start with a marketing strategy, but with a notepad and a camera.
As a maritime reporter, I spent years at the helm of motorboats, exploring the boating industry, interviewing naval architects, and sharing stories of coastal adventures. Writing for several Nautical magazines.
In 2003, I founded my publishing house “Medianaut” to combine my love for media and the sea.
But everything shifted when I bought my first RIB (read my complete guide on what it exactly is).
That single purchase changed how I experienced the seas. The agility, safety, and sheer thrill of navigating challenging sea conditions in a RIB immediately hooked me.
I realized these boats were far more than just utility craft or yacht tenders; they offered the ultimate way to explore open water safely.
Driven by that realization, I launched RIBsONLY.com back in 2008.
At the time, finding independent, hands-on information about RIBs was surprisingly tough. I wanted to build a dedicated platform where technical depth meets genuine passion.
Hands-On Testing, Not Desk Research
Whenever I can, every review, guide, and sea trial on this site comes from real-world experience. I get out on the water.
Over the years, I’ve put dozens of hulls, engines, and setups through their paces.
That means taking a 10-meter offshore RIB out into 4-foot swells in the Sardinia to feel how the deep-V hull handles heavy chop.
It also means testing throttle response on twin 600-hp outboards and analyzing transom designs during tight high-speed turns in a Technohull.
One of my favorite holiday grounds is the Gulf of Morbihan in Brittany, France.
Navigating its fierce tides, strong currents, and island-dotted bays provides the perfect real-world laboratory to evaluate how a boat handles unpredictable waters.
The Community Behind the Code
Building RIBsONLY.com was just the first step.
To bring RIB enthusiasts together, I created our main Facebook community, followed by a separate marketplace page, the most thrustworthy RIBs ONLY marketplace.
I keep the Facebook group focused purely on authentic discussions, sea stories, technical tips, and genuine advice without commercial clutter other groups endure.
From News Site to Knowledge Platform
Today, RIBsONLY.com is the go-to resource for owners, prospective buyers, and professional operators worldwide.
Whether you’re exploring the knowledge shared in over 2,700 articles on RIBsONLY.com, finding answers quickly with the RIBs ONLY Brand Finder app, or buying your very first boat, you’re in good company.
Welcome aboard, dive into the articles, and feel free to reach out.
Fair winds,
Karel Overlaet
Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Medianaut & RIBsONLY.com
Watch the video below for a glimpse into why Morbihan holds a special place in our hearts. Depending on the tide, it holds between 30 to 60 islands.