Exploring the Best Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) for Your Nautical Adventures
Whether you’re seeking leisurely cruises, thrilling explorations of hidden coves, or the excitement of towing water toys, selecting the right rigid inflatable boat (RIB) is crucial. A good leisure RIB should be safe, comfortable, and well-suited for coastal navigation. Here’s a closer look at some top contenders in the market.
RIBs for Leisure and Coastal Cruising
- Brig Eagle 6.7: This compact and stylish model, measuring 6.70 meters, impresses with its impeccable handling. Easy to maneuver and adequately powered, it features a sun deck at the front and a comfortable rear bench. The ergonomic cockpit, equipped with independent seats and a protective windshield, ensures a pleasant driving experience.
“Perfect for family outings with children,” notes Pierre, a boat owner in Saint-Raphaël.
- Highfield Adventure 7: This seven-meter model boasts a deep-V hull, ensuring comfortable and secure navigation, even in choppy waters. Its two large sun decks, a convivial rear living space, and swim platforms facilitate relaxation and water activities. Optional amenities such as a kitchenette, refrigerator, and marine toilet make longer excursions even more enjoyable.
“The Highfield Adventure 7.0 has transformed our sea trips. Its stability and comfort are impressive, and the children adore the sun decks. It’s the ideal boat for successful family days,” says Sophie, a user in the Gulf of Morbihan.
- Zodiac Medline 7.5: Designed for long days at sea, this RIB offers a vast living space, generous sun decks, and a convivial rear seating area. In terms of navigation, it remains balanced even when fully loaded.
“It’s a small, accessible yacht,” summarizes Antoine, who rents it every summer in Corsica.
- Capelli Tempest 1000 WA: Measuring over 10 meters, this boat is tailored for both grand sea escapades and extended family weekends. Its spacious cockpit is modular, its immense front sun deck invites relaxation, and its double cabin with a kitchenette, toilet, and sleeping area transforms trips into genuine coastal cruises.
“It’s our favorite. We were looking for a boat for long outings with the children, but also for spontaneous trips for two. The Tempest 1000 WA does it all without compromise. We feel safe,” testifies Lionel, from Porto-Vecchio in Corsica.
Lomac Granturismo 8.5: This high-end model combines luxury and performance. With its two powerful engines, meticulous finish, and deck layout designed for both relaxation and speed, it targets a discerning clientele. On board, comfort is paramount: a spacious cabin with a double berth, a bathroom equipped with a toilet, and a kitchenette. “It’s a true gem. Its stability and comfort are impressive, and it offers performance worthy of a racing boat. It’s the ideal companion for successful sea getaways,” explains Jérôme, a regular boater on the Ligurian coast.
RIBs for Fishing: Efficiency and Stability
Sea fishing demands RIBs that are stable, functional, and equipped with ample circulation space. Here are two models that stand out:
- Zodiac Pro 7: Highly modular, this model appeals to both fishermen and divers. It distinguishes itself through its excellent performance in rough seas, its customization options (console, jockey seats, platforms…), and its robustness. Perfect for challenging conditions.
“In rough seas, its handling remains impressive. I’ve configured it for coastal fishing, and nothing moves, even with two people on board,” says Guillaume from Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
Evok 23 Fishing: Developed specifically for fishermen, this seven-meter boat offers a very open configuration, clever storage, integrated rod holders, and a motorization adapted for trolling or quick approaches. The equipment is complete, without superfluous elements, and each boat is customizable (color of the floats, hull, and interior layout). “It’s a real fishing boat; you can tell it was designed by practitioners,” affirms Nicolas, a guide in the Landes region.
RIBs for Diving: Easy and Safe Access to the Seabed
For diving, the priority is space, ease of boarding, and performance at sea. Two RIBs have established themselves in the professional sector and in clubs:
- Highfield Patrol 760: This model, designed for professionals, features a reinforced hull, very good sea keeping, and a clear deck. The equipment is designed for safety and ergonomics: grab rails, a robust diving ladder, and waterproof storage.
“You can get on and off easily, even with all the equipment on your back,” confirms Maëlle, an instructor in Brittany.
Zodiac Pro 850: A classic of the genre, the Pro 850 focuses on versatility and efficiency. It can accommodate a large number of divers, and its handling remains stable even when loaded. Widely used in training centers, it benefits from numerous options to adapt to specific needs. “We embark up to eight divers with all the gear, and it remains super stable even loaded,” says Claire, an instructor in Hyères.
RIB Specifications and Estimated Prices
Leisure RIBs
- Brig Eagle 6.7
- Length: 6.70 m
- Width: 2.55 m
- Weight without engine: 810 kg
- Recommended power: 150 hp (max 225 hp)
- Fuel capacity: 191 l
- Passenger capacity: 7/11 people
- Estimated price:
- From €55,000 incl. VAT for the Eagle 6.7 PVC
- From €59,000 incl. VAT for the Eagle 6.7 Hypalon
- €59,000 incl. VAT and €65,000 incl. VAT respectively for a configured model.
- Highfield Adventure 7
- Length: 6.98 m
- Width: 2.68 m
- Weight without engine: 1,300 kg
- Maximum power: 250 hp
- Fuel capacity: 270 l
- Passenger capacity: 8 people
- Estimated price: From €67,000 incl. VAT.
- Zodiac Medline 7.5
- Length: 7.33 m
- Width: 2.90 m
- Weight without engine: 1,150 kg
- Maximum power: 300 hp
- Fuel capacity: 300 l
- Passenger capacity: 16 people
- Estimated price: From €57,748 incl. VAT.
- Capelli Tempest 1000 WA
- Length: 10.64 m
- Width: 3.28 m
- Weight without engine: approx. 3,000 kg
- Maximum power: 700 hp
- Fuel capacity: 550 l
- Passenger capacity: 18 people
- Price of the model presented: €264,450 incl. VAT
- Capelli Tempest 1000 WA + 2 Yamaha F300NSB outboard motors (instrumentation: Twin 6X9 + CL5 + EKS + electric steering + autopilot + Joystick HMEX).
- Lomac Granturismo 8.5
- Length: 7.97-8.45 m
- Width: 3.23 m
- Weight without engine: 1,950 kg
- Maximum power: 2 x 200 – 1 x 350 hp
- Fuel capacity: 410 l
- Passenger capacity: 12 people
- Estimated price: From €130,000 incl. VAT.
Fishing RIBs
- Evok 23 Fishing
- Length: 6.65 m
- Width: 2.69 m
- Weight without engine: approx. 1,200 kg
- Maximum power: 250 hp
- Fuel capacity: 200 l
- Passenger capacity: 16 people
- Estimated price: From €62,000 incl. VAT.
- Zodiac Pro 7
- Length: 6.90 m
- Width: 2.54 m
- Weight without engine: 790 kg
- Maximum power: 250 hp – 2 x 130 hp
- Fuel capacity: 200 l
- Passenger capacity: 16 people
- Estimated price: From €31,640 incl. VAT.
Diving RIBs
- Highfield Patrol 760
- Length: 7.64 m
- Width: 2.82 m
- Weight without engine: 1,020 kg
- Maximum power: 300 hp
- Fuel capacity: 285 l
- Passenger capacity: 16 people
- Estimated price: From €60,000 incl. VAT.
- Zodiac Pro 850
- Length: 8.50 m
- Width: 3.00 m
- Weight without engine: 1,450 kg
- Maximum power: 1 x 350 hp – 2 x 250 hp
- Fuel capacity: 400 l
- Passenger capacity: 25 people
- Estimated price: From €56,126 incl. VAT.
Beyond these three primary uses, RIBs are also prevalent in regatta support, nautical competition safety, and passenger transport to islands or isolated sites. In the world of RIBs, the key to a good choice remains the alignment between the navigation program, the desired level of equipment, and the budget. Each use has its ideal model, provided you clearly define your priorities.
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