The Rigid-hulled inflatable boat reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Rigid-hulled inflatable boat

A rigid-hulled inflatable boat or RIB is a light-weight but high performance and high capacity boat constructed with a solid, shaped hull and flexible tubes at the gunwhale.

The hull is made of steel, wood, aluminium or more commonly, glass fiber composite. The hull of a RIB is shaped to increase the performance of the boat in the water allowing hydroplaning. The tubes are made of rubberised, synthetic sheet and provide a large amount of light-weight and secure buoyancy. The tubes are often constructed in separate sections, each with a valve to add or remove air, to reduce the effect of a puncture.

RIBs are often between 3 and 9 metres/10 to 30 feet long and are propelled by outboard motors or inboard motors in the range of 5 to 500 horse power. They are commonly used as rescue craft, dive boats or tenders for larger boats and ships. RIBs up to 6 metres in length can easily be towed on trailers on the road.

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