Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

[SnappingTurtle]

My mother and step father are looking for a new "Rigid Hull" inflatable.

It should have a good resale value, high quality & a good name.

Maximum 6 passengers, but mostly used by two.

50% fishing, 50% cruising/exploring (or both at the same time).

Usage would be probably 45% large rivers, 40% large lakes, 15% Offshore/Gulf (it should be happy in rough weather).

A motor on the larger end of the scale would be wasted with them. I am sure they would prefer a nice compromise between performance, reliability, and gas consumption. With the emphasis on reliability and gas consumption.

Towing vehicle – Ford F450 Super Duty

Any suggestions pro or con, for particular makes and models would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Well, if it is in the budget, the greatest boat I have ever been on was a 21' Zodiac Rigid Hull Inflatable with twin 70 hp outboards. It is what we used at one of my stations in the Coast Guard. This boat could handle ANYTHING we dished out to it. In Morro Bay, we would take it out to "play" in 14' seas, and I'd swear that I have more air time in that boat than sea time. We'd launch off of one swell, fly over the trough and land on the back side of the next. Even when we missed, it hurt like hell, but the boat could handle it. You can find videos of them on the internet launching the thing by "pros in a controlled environment" (as an advertisement), but they aren't doing 1/10 of what we put it through.
If I had the money, I'd get rid of my Sea Ray today and get one.
Erik
'99 Sea Ray 190 BR

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Zodiac has a fastastic reputation. also Avion.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Yes, Zodiac and Avon are the gold standard for RHI's. I have never driven an Achilles, although I wouldn't hesitate to purchase one. The 21' ilmostro describes is a dream boat. I've driven that same boat at Coast Guard Sta. Jones Beach. We also had a 17' Avon with a 70hp and it could handle anything as well. In experienced hands, there is practically no sea condition they can't handle, short of a hurricane. Although I did take the 17' out in a hurricane once. It was the "No Name Storm" that hit the South shore of long island in '91. The boat handled the sea fine, but there was so much debris in the water, you couldn't keep it on plane. Anyway, another story.

I'm a big RHI fan.

Here's the 17' in Jones Inlet. I'm driving. My buddy took the photo from a 44'MLB also in the inlet. Sea conditions are 12' breaking surf.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

Thanks guys!!!

I have been dreaming of one of these for over 35 years (or longer).

I got a surprise phone call yesterday from my mom asking what I thought about them getting a new boat and what would I buy if I was them. They weren't sure.

They have a old friend that runs white water boat tours on the Colorado river. They talked to him about a boat new boat and he said RHI, then called and asked my brother and he said RHI, then called me and I said RHI.

None of us knew that the others had been asked, or what suggestions were made.

We all agreed. RHI.

I said I would ask the experts at iboats and see what you all thought, and you all are coming in with the answers I hoped you would.

I have said it before, and I will say it again.

iboats is the forum, the others have to judge themselves against.

Cheers and happy boating,
Turtle

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Drowned Rat, GREAT PHOTOS! You really brought back some memories. I wish I had some of me, but we never thought of taking a camera out there. I envy you for being able to preserve those memories. Maybe I'll just photoshop my face in place of yours
Erik

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

On the great lakes the group I dive with uses an Avon Sea Rider 17 footer like in the pics, and a 20 foot Bombard with PVC tubes.

The ideal construction is hypalon tubes, but the PVC has held up very well. Zodiac, Avon, or Bombard are good brands... Bombard and Zodiac are basically the same now.

If you're looking for long term durability and unsinkability, you might want to consider instead an aluminum chamber boat or a SAFE boat, which are similar in a lot of ways to RIBs but don't require so much chamber maintenance, and can't deflate.

Erik

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

I meant to ask about Bombard, but forgot. Thanks for bringing them up.

What about Novurania. I have seen a lot of these for sale at greatly reduced prices the last couple of days. Most have jets (that I have seen advertised) though, and I think they would prefer a outboard.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

outboard is more efficient. gas wise.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

> outboard is more efficient. gas wise.

Yea, I was thinking of that also, which is maybe why they have reduced the prices so extreme.

A lot of them also seem to be single day registered boats. Used on paper, but still in new condition. Most having less than 8 hours. A good way to sell under the MSRP, without loosing your regional dealership rights.

It also seems the company tends to cater to the Yacht Tender market. Not having a yacht big enough for a Tender, I have never heard of them.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

Could we move this to the new "Inflatables and RIBs" section?

Thank you!

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

90 hp yamaha on a 5,1 meter semi rigid ..... I recommend a gemini inflatable, hypalon ....

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

Thanks deejaycee,

they are looking at Zodiac and Avon this week.

I'll add the Gemini to the list of recommendations.

I think they might have been a little surprised with the prices though, although they were warned by me in advance. They have two small boats that they use for fishing, but they have had these for years. It has been many years since they last bought a boat and things have change, read, gone up.

Their “fifth wheel” exploded & burned to the ground last year in a freak highway incident (manufacturing failure on the rear axle) , and they would rather do their traveling on the water now.

They are still dead set in their wish for a RIB. So they are window shopping to decide just what type of RIB would suit their needs and wants.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Zodiac is considered a piece of crap by most standards as it is a PVC boat....Unless you get a Hurricane model which is Hypalon and I doubt you want to spend that much money. Avon used to be considered one of the top two, however, since it was purchased by Zodiac it immediately dropped in reliability and joined the ranks of merely mortal inflatables. Presently A.B. Caribe, Avon and Apex(distant 4th) are the best bang for the buck in a 13' to 17".

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

Zodiac is considered a piece of crap by most standards as it is a PVC boat....Unless you get a Hurricane model which is Hypalon and I doubt you want to spend that much money. Avon used to be considered one of the top two, however, since it was purchased by Zodiac it immediately dropped in reliability and joined the ranks of merely mortal inflatables. Presently A.B. Caribe, Avon and Apex(distant 4th) are the best bang for the buck in a 13' to 17".

Thanks TG!

I sent them out with one word to remember. Hypalon!

They are looking in the 17ft plus range.

They will be doing a lot of long term camping & exploring. Not to be confused with trailer parking.

Anything under that and the are just not interested, no room for gear.

I've never heard of A.B. Caribe or Apex, where are they made?

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

90 hp yamaha on a 5,1 meter semi rigid ..... I recommend a gemini inflatable, hypalon ....

Are you sure they are still OK?

I read some pretty scary stuff about them today.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

What kind of life expectancy can you realistically expect from a RIB/RHI that is well maintained, and stored inside and dry.

The larger ones are really expensive, and to spend that kind of money only to find out later that it is self destructing in the garage would be rather disappointing.

Is there a “Rule of Thumb” for life span?

There are also many new, never used RIB's to be found now on the market that have been setting "unsold" at dealers for several years, how much depreciation should be calculated into the price being offered for older new models?

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Hypalon will last anywhere from 15 to 30 years. PVC anywhere from 2 to 10 years depending on the level of UV exposure.

New boats in inventory do not depreciate in value at all unless they are displayed in the elements. If the boat is weathered you can can get a left over at true dealer cost or below.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats – Recommendations Please

Once again, thanks TG!

 

[AGENT 37]

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Re: Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats ? Recommendations Please

Some good old Coast Guard and other military boats can be found on government liquidation auctions. Most would probably need to be re powered but I personally think that those older boats are far superior to some of the newer ones and they can be bought cheap.