AB Inflatables - Alumninum RIB - Anyone have any experience with them?

[ksgoldman]

I'm considering buying an AB Inflatable Aluminum RIB (most likely the Ultralight 10) to replace my Achilles LSI-96 Air Floor Inflatable. Although I really like my Achilles, I need something that tows better than the Air Floor and a traditional fiberglass RIB is too heavy for me (I have to roll it down a boat ramp on a Seitech dolly to get out to my mooring and then have to pull it back up the ramp by hand). The advantage of the AB Ultralight is that it only weighs 87 pounds.

I've heard mixed reviews of the AB Inflatables (some people really like them and some don't). My inflatables dealer sells both lines (and sold me my Achilles) and he says that both are in the same general category of quality.

I want a RIB to be able to tow (I don't have room on my boat to store a dinghy while under way) and I like the hard bottom because the beach that I pull up on is very, very rocky.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: AB Inflatables - Alumninum RIB - Anyone have any experience with them?

It's the new option to fiberglass hulls, holds better beach stress, abrassion and underneath punishment, including rocks, was about to import a 400 mt alum rib, but needed a long shaft motor, declined, all my motors are short shaft. A nice less weight alternative to traditional fiberglass ribs.

Happy Boating

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: AB Inflatables - Alumninum RIB - Anyone have any experience with them?

Noisy, hard to repair the hull....Otherwise a first class boat.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: AB Inflatables - Alumninum RIB - Anyone have any experience with them?

Noisy, hard to repair the hull....Otherwise a first class boat.

TG, what's noisy, agree on hard to repair the hull, you will need to crash against a big rock at plain speed to break or make a hole on that hull, seems thick and well built to support punishment. Imagine same situation with a fiberglass hull

ksgoldman, is that a Hypalon fabric sib ?

Happy Boating

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: AB Inflatables - Alumninum RIB - Anyone have any experience with them?

Aluminum is noisy compared to fiberglass in a boat hull. I don't dislike aluminum...But, like I said, it is much harder to repair than fiberglass and the hull slap is noticeably louder. It is lighter and can brush off some strikes that would scar up a fiberglass hull. However, there is a point where the aluminum hull will rip open like the can it is. Short of a welding machine you can't repair it. With fiberglass you can do a field repair as long as you have some resin and cloth.

 

[Chris in Indiana]

Re: AB Inflatables - Alumninum RIB - Anyone have any experience with them?

I like the idea of an aluminum hull, lightweight is what inflatables are all about after all. However besides the noise I would think the floor temperature could be an issue depending on where you are. Florida wouldn't be a problem but if you're in Michigan your feet may be cold all the time. Just a theory anyway.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: AB Inflatables - Alumninum RIB - Anyone have any experience with them?

Put your sneekers on.....

Happy Boating