Narrower RIBs?

[DDW]

I've been looking for a narrow beamed rib with an aluminum hull, around 9.5 - 10.5'. One thing I've noticed is that in a certain range of sizes, rib manufacturers keep the beam the same, so from 8' to 12' for example, same 5.5' beam, just longer. I want one 5' or less, narrowest I've found so far is 5' 2". Some of the non-ribby rib type dinghies are a bit narrower, it seems like the footwell wants to be a certain width and being able to make the tanks some section other than round allows the needed foot space without the excess beam. Does anyone know of a brand that is narrower?

Would be happy with a non-rib rib, like the Bullfrog, or OC, or UP, but the latter two are too fragile and the former is too beamy. Aluminum hull required for beaching in the rocks.

 

[ssobol]

The issue with RIBs is that to keep a usable interior width they need to have a reasonable beam. Even then, the interior width of a RIB is much less than a comparably sized hard boat. It is the trade off for using inflatable tubes as the hull sides. If you take the tubes of a RIB hull, you will see how small it actually is.

 

[DDW]

Yes, one reason the UP and OC dinghies seem to have more room with less beam. The problem is if you blow up a flexible tube it ends up round. Now thinking I am going to have to build my own. Hull can be similar to a generic rib, tanks would be narrowed for beam. Can be flat sided inboard (like the Bullfrog, which gives it more foot room). Tanks could be composite or aluminum.

 

[luna]

I have no first hand knowledge with use of their product but Stryker Inflatable Boats out of Aldergrove B C offers the alum. hull, 8’-9” x 4’-7” Model 270 RIB as one of their many models.

Perhaps this would fit your needs.

No idea as to why the boat is ineligible for shipping.

 

[Mako]

OP, concur with above comments especially regarding interior width.

I empathize with the rocks-issue as the PNW has rocky beaches as well. I went with a large 15' x 6.5' soft bottom inflatable and just live with the risk of bottom damage, but purposely went without the center console in order to maximize room inside. But I bought a "good"-quality but affordable boat that doesn't hurt the wallet if needing replacement.

Going any narrower on a small RIB, even with 16" or 18" tubes, really reduces its usefulness.

Can you just go with an aluminum boat (Jon boat, row boat, etc.)?

 

[DDW]

Most rigid dinghies are not stable enough for my wife's liking. The catamarans might be, but won't fit on the deck. I'm thinking a concept like the GoDu would work for us, but there is no reason (once you leave inflatable tubes behind) for the tanks to be cylindrical. They can be taller and narrower, waterline beam and stability will be the same, interior space better, and be more or less indestructible. The GoDu has 5' beam, even with approximately cylindrical tanks. 10.5' though, not 10' and expensive by the time it gets to the west coast.

 

[Mako]

I have to admit those GoDu's are very nice. Cost however...

Have you checked the Chinese suppliers on Made-in-China or Alibaba? A direct order with consolidated shipping (and even paying tariff) might still be more affordable.

Edit: I still think you may consider an affordable soft bottom inflatable, but consider the boat disposable (because of bottom damage). Buy it for 1/10th the cost of that beauty above, and buy a new one every 2 years.

 

[DDW]

But there is the inconvenience of having your dinghy sink underneath you very other year.

Have you seen a Chinese supplier of a non-rib rib? The GoDu is welded in Quebec and finished in Florida. Being aluminum I'd expect the price to go up. But I haven't seen anything like it elsewhere.

I've got a line of buying an aluminum hull (for a rib), to which I could add my own welded tanks. The costs would probably be <$3000, which of course some labor. The tanks should be relatively easy to fold and weld, the hull on the other hand requires some forms and jigging.

 

[Shrew]

I've been looking for a narrow beamed rib with an aluminum hull, around 9.5 - 10.5'. ....... I want one 5' or less

Most rigid dinghies are not stable enough for my wife's liking.

Ribs are inherently stable. However, your goals contradict each other. If your spouse finds them unstable, a narrower boat will be worse. Unfortunately, you will have a difficult time convincing someone of the perception of stability. She will likely feel uneasy in ANY small vessel regardless of how stable it actually is.

 

[DDW]

Not really. Waterline beam is what makes stability, a round tube sticking out well above the waterline does nothing until immersed. The waterline beam will actually be wider than a typical rib. If you look at the shapes of the OC or UP or Aspen you can see how they addressed this issue. Quite different than a traditional rigid dinghy. You just have to make sure that buoyancy shifts outboard rapidly with any heel.

 

[ssobol]

" a round tube sticking out well above the waterline does nothing until immersed. "

Yeah, but try immersing a RIB tube.

 

[DDW]

This is simple hydrostatics. It is well understood and can be accurately calculated. A RIB tube is neither more or less easy to immerse than the same volume in any shape. A RIB will roll over long before the tube becomes immersed.