Category: press release

RIB Rental Feature for Europe

Specialist RIB platform helps boaters find rental opportunities across European destinations

BELGIUM, 20 September 2026 – RIBsONLY.com, the independent platform dedicated to Rigid Inflatable Boats since 2008, has launched a new RIB Rental section covering rental opportunities across Europe.

The new resource helps visitors find RIBs for hire without relying solely on general boat rental websites. It covers popular destinations across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and Scandinavia, as well as Poland and Turkey, with links to selected operators and established rental platforms.

Supporting guides also cover practical topics including licence requirements, bareboat versus skippered rental, and the differences between renting and owning a RIB.

“Renting allows people to experience different RIBs, explore new cruising areas and discover what type of RIB suits them best,” says Karel Overlaet, founder and editor-in-chief of RIBsONLY.com. 

Rental can also help prospective buyers gain practical experience with different sizes, layouts and configurations before purchasing.

The new feature extends RIBsONLY.com beyond news, boat tests, technical information and buying advice by helping visitors move from researching RIBs to experiencing them on the water.

Rental operators and companies active in the European RIB charter sector can contact RIBsONLY.com regarding inclusion.

About RIBsONLY.com

RIBsONLY.com – Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat was established in 2008 as an independent online publication dedicated exclusively to Rigid Inflatable Boats.

It is a knowledge platform that covers RIB news, boat tests, new models, technology, buying and ownership information, industry developments worldwide and many guides.

RIBsONLY.com is a realisation of Medianaut – Nautical News Media, established in 2003.

RIBs. Passion. Lifestyle.

Media Contact
Karel Overlaet
Founder & Editor-in-Chief RIBsONLY.com
press@ribsonly.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RIBsONLY.com Becomes a Complete RIB Knowledge Platform, Publishing 51 New Guides on Everything You Need to Know About RIBs

From choosing a first boat to understanding hull materials, licensing and safety, the platform’s evergreen library now covers the entire RIB journey

Antwerp, 20260824 – RIBsONLY.com, long known as a news source for the Rigid Inflatable Boat, has completed its transformation into a full knowledge platform.

Publishing 51 new in-depth guides covering seven areas: Learning, Buying, Owning, Using, Choosing, Safety, and the RIB Industry. The expansion coincides with a 149.1% increase in search visibility, from 262,654 impressions in 2025 to 654,208 at the time of this release, evidence that RIB owners and buyers are actively searching for exactly this kind of guidance.

Dedicated exclusively to RIBs since 2008, the site is published by Medianaut, Nautical News Media, founded in 2003 by Karel Overlaet, who remains Editor-in-Chief.

“A RIB isn’t a small motorboat with tubes bolted on. It handles differently, it’s built differently, and it’s bought for different reasons,” said Karel Overlaet, Editor-in-Chief, RIBsONLY.com. “For years we reported on this market as news. What owners actually needed was a place that explained it properly, start to finish. That’s what these 51 guides are.”

Everything You Need to Know About RIBs, in One Place

The new content is organised around the questions a reader actually has, at whatever stage they’re at:

• Learning — what a RIB is, how it differs from an inflatable boat or a RIB versus a rigid hull, and the terminology every new owner encounters
• Buying — inspection checklists for used RIBs, what a RIB should cost, and how to choose the right size
• Owning — insurance, winter storage, cleaning and tube protection
• Using — trailering, fuel consumption, and driving in rough water
• Choosing — comparing hull shapes, tube materials (PVC vs Hypalon/CSM), and construction (aluminium vs fibreglass)
• Safety — essential safety equipment and understanding sea conditions
• Industry — manufacturers, certifications, and how the RIB market actually works

The most recent addition extends this structure into a new area entirely: RIB Rentals Europe, a hub for anyone who wants to experience a RIB without owning one.

It covers where to rent across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Poland and Turkey, which countries require a boating licence, how bareboat compares to skippered rental, and the real cost difference between renting and buying.

Built for the Whole Journey, Not Just the News

Where the platform once reported on new models and industry developments as they happened, the 51-guide library is built to answer the questions that come before and after the headlines, the practical, ongoing decisions every RIB owner and buyer actually faces.

“Whether you’re choosing your first RIB, working out what tube material makes sense, or just trying to rent one for a weekend, it should all be answerable in one place,” said Overlaet. “That’s what we’ve built.”

Further guides and regional rental content are planned throughout 2026/2027.

About RIBsONLY.com

RIBsONLY.com is a knowledge platform dedicated entirely to the Rigid Inflatable Boat, covering everything you need to know about RIBs, from buying and ownership to safety, usage, and the industry behind the boats.

Founded in 2008 as a specialist news site, it has since grown into the most comprehensive independent RIB resource available, serving buyers, owners, and industry professionals across Europe.

RIBsONLY.com is published by Medianaut, Nautical News Media, founded in 2003 by Karel Overlaet, who continues as Editor-in-Chief.

Media Enquiries
Karel Overlaet, Founder and Owner
Medianaut, Nautical News Media
info@medianaut.be

Press release – for immediate publication

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Belgium – 20250220

Introducing the RIBs ONLY Insider: the Premier Newsletter for Rigid Inflatable Boat Enthusiasts

RIBsONLY.com, the definitive online resource for Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs), proudly introduces its latest initiative:

The RIBs ONLY Insider.

This exclusive weekly newsletter is entirely dedicated to RIBs. It delivers the latest news, trends and in-depth articles.

The content reaches a highly engaged audience of enthusiasts, owners, and buyers on a weekly basis.

“The idea stemmed from the realization that not every RIB enthusiast is active on social media,” explains Karel Overlaet, founder of RIBs ONLY and former Business Development Manager.

“Moreover, information on these platforms tends to be superficial, and locating specific content can be a real challenge. The infinite scroll doesn’t help.”

Since 2008, RIBsONLY.com has been a trusted resource, fostering a strong and informed community. Its goal is to promote watersports with the focus on RIBs.

The platform keeps enthusiasts up to date. It also serves as a valuable connection point for leading brands in the industry.

With the launch of The RIBs ONLY Insider, the blog strengthens its position also engaged by the RIBs ONLY 2.0 Facebook group.

It becomes the premier destination for RIB enthusiasts worldwide.

Subscribe to The RIBs ONLY Insider here.

For more information or to explore advertising opportunities, visit RIBsONLY.com or contact us here.

About RIBsONLY.com

Revamped in 2017, RIBsONLY.com is since 2008 dedicated exclusively to the world of Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs), proudly carrying the motto “Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat”.

RIBs ONLY is a brand of Medianaut, Nautical News Media, founded and owned by Karel Overlaet in 2003.