My Passion for the Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB)
I’ve always been fascinated by the Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB). Their form, style, lay-out, toughness, seaworthiness, safety and sportive way of navigating are the unquestionable advantages you’ll rarely find combined in any other type of boat.
Table of Contents
What is a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB)
This boat variant boasts a sturdy V-hull, inflatable tubes configured in a U-form, and a rear-mounted engine.
Essentially, this encapsulates its fundamental design, with all other elements serving as mere variations.
And that’s what it makes them so interesting.
They come in widths and colours. Some have engines with only a few horsepower, others have multiple engines and much, much horsepower. Inboards or outboards.
And that’s what makes them so intriguing. They come in a diverse range of sizes, widths, and colours.
Some are equipped with engines sporting only a few horsepower, while others boast multiple engines with substantial horsepower.
They are crafted for a myriad of purposes.
What is the Purpose of Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs)
This type of boat is often referred to as the 4×4 of the sea. Rescue services, military, police, and port staff frequently utilise RIBs due to their outstanding behaviour, stability, seaworthiness, and solidity.
Meanwhile, others are customised for leisure, fishing, and racing purposes.
Indeed, a RIB stands out as a very distinctive type of motorboat.
- Family outings
- Speed
- Ultimate luxury
- Weekenders and such
- Racing
- Work beast
- Rescue (SAR)
- Professional, military – tactical – police
- Expeditions
- …
Purchasing a RIB is a significant decision that warrants careful consideration.
It’s crucial to understand what factors to prioritise in order to acquire the best boat that aligns with your specific requirements and needs.
Familiarise yourself with the key aspects to look for when buying a RIB.
Know what to look for when buying a RIB.
RIBs ONLY on Social media
RIBs ONLY has a Facebook group. Become a member of this great RIB community: it’s free and you get to meet great RIB passionates! And if you’re looking to buy or sell one, check out my RIBs ONLY Sales Facebook group.
RIBs ONLY is also present on Instagram and Pinterest.
Empowering yourself with some research is a wise step, and that’s where RIBs ONLY comes into play.
A wealth of knowledge resides here and in my Facebook group.
Feel free to pose your questions, and we’ll be delighted to assist you.
RIBs are not just a subject for us; they’re my passion.
The history of RIBsONLY.com
Below, you’ll find the short history of RIBs ONLY, the compelling reasons to believe in my mission, and the evolutionary journey it has undertaken.
From Forum to Blog
In 2008, RIBsOnly.com originated as a conventional Flemish forum.
Faced with numerous inquiries, I envisioned creating a comprehensive database to share valuable information such as dealer websites, various types, brands, and videos.
In these days (2004), Facebook wasn’t all that popular yet and I doubted the relevance of a Facebook group at that time. It was said that TheFacebook was for the adolescents. It was launched on the 4th of February 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg.
Managing my forum alongside my daytime job and other websites proved to be an overwhelming task. Videos went offline, boat brands ceased their production, new models were introduced, and others were discontinued.
It was nothing short of a true nightmare.
Nevertheless, I managed to keep it running until the last day of April 2017.
I acknowledge that in the final years, I lacked the time to keep it up to date.
Members were signing off, and it became imperative to take action.
The question loomed: Should I bring an end to RIBsONLY.com, or should I chart a new course?
The Blog
I resolved to press on, firmly believing that with a different approach, I could still make it work.
Conducting research on blog software, I eventually stumbled upon WordPress, which turned out to be precisely what I needed.
This discovery provided the impetus, and the new blog became a reality.
Media are key here
My aim is to promote RIBbing and disseminate information to a wide audience.
While I acknowledge the appeal of owner groups centered around specific brands, I feel they tend to remain within a smaller circle.
This blog revolves around the passion for RIBs and everything associated with them.
I firmly believe that videos are an effective means to achieve this objective.
For individuals in the market to purchase a RIB, I aspire for RIBs ONLY to be their primary source of comprehensive information.
The Power of Visuals
According to Matthew Dunn the human brain can process images 6 to 600 times faster than words (source).
The essence lies in the fact that a picture can communicate far more information than words alone. In reality, it might require a thousand words just to articulate what a single picture encapsulates.
Moreover, pictures possess the ability to convey abstract and intricate concepts, including facial expressions.
As is frequently observed, videos have the capacity to convey much more than mere text. Therefore, RIB videos play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive insights.
Challenge: Selecting the Best Videos
The digital landscape is flooded with literally millions of RIB videos, ranging from highly professional productions to Uncle Buck’s 15-second vertical clips captured with an outdated smartphone, featuring shaky and erratic footage.
Unfortunately, a substantial number of these videos are of low quality and lack informative content I’m looking for.
Consequently, I had to devise a system to sift through and select high-quality videos.
Scope
My objective is to provide an extensive repository of information about RIBs.
If you believe there are only a handful of brands, think again. I’ve already compiled a list of 260+ brands here on RIBsONLY.com.
Occasionally, debates arise regarding whether a particular model qualifies as a Rigid Inflatable Boat.
Some manufacturers offer inflatable tubes or foam-filled tubes, and there are even catamaran-like designs.
The deeper I delved into this realm, the more captivated I became. It intensified my passion with every discovery.
And yes, I own a RIB.
So, with that in mind, welcome to the Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat—RIBs ONLY!