Exploring the Best Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) for Your Nautical Adventures
Whether you’re seeking leisurely cruises, exploring hidden coves, or thrilling water sports, a reliable and comfortable rigid inflatable boat (RIB) is essential for coastal navigation. This guide highlights top RIB models across various categories, offering insights into their features and suitability for different activities.
Leisure and Cruising: Top RIB Choices
For those prioritizing comfort and versatility for family outings and coastal exploration, these RIBs stand out:
- Brig Eagle 6.7: This compact and stylish model boasts impeccable handling, easy maneuverability, and ample power. Features include a sun deck at the bow and a comfortable rear bench. The ergonomic cockpit, complete with individual 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 RIB features a deep-V hull for a smooth and secure ride, even in choppy waters. Two large sunbeds, a convivial rear living space, and swim platforms enhance relaxation and water activities. Optional amenities like 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 love the sunbeds. It’s the ideal boat for successful family days,” says Sophie, a user in the Gulf of Morbihan.
- Zodiac Medline 7.5: Designed for extended days at sea, this RIB offers a spacious living area, generous sunbeds, and a welcoming rear seating arrangement. It maintains balance even when fully loaded.
“It’s a small, accessible yacht,” summarizes Antoine, who rents it every summer in Corsica.
- Capelli Tempest 1000 WA: Over 10 meters in length, this RIB is tailored for grand sea escapades and extended family weekends. Its spacious cockpit is modular, the immense front sun deck invites relaxation, and the double cabin with a kitchenette, toilet, and sleeping area transforms trips into true 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 powerful twin engines, refined finish, and deck layout designed for both relaxation and speed, it targets a discerning clientele. On board, comfort is paramount, featuring a spacious cabin with a double berth, a bathroom with a toilet, and a kitchenette.
“It’s a real 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.
Fishing Enthusiasts: Efficiency and Stability
For sea fishing, RIBs must be stable, functional, and offer ample space to move around. These two models stand out:
- Zodiac Pro 7: Highly adaptable, this model appeals to both fishermen and divers. It excels in rough seas, offers customization options (console, jockey seats, platforms), and is built to last. Perfect for challenging conditions.
“In rough seas, its handling remains impressive. I 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 anglers, this seven-meter RIB features an open layout, clever storage solutions, integrated rod holders, and an engine suitable for trolling or quick approaches. The equipment is comprehensive without being excessive, and each boat can be customized (float color, hull color, 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.
Diving: Easy and Safe Access to the Seabed
For diving, the priorities are space, ease of boarding, and seaworthiness. These two RIBs have become staples in professional settings and diving clubs:
- Highfield Patrol 760: Designed for professionals, this model features a reinforced hull, excellent handling, and an uncluttered deck. The equipment is designed for safety and ergonomics: grab rails, a sturdy diving ladder, and waterproof storage.
“It’s easy to get on and off, even with all the equipment on your back,” confirms Maëlle, an instructor in Brittany.
- Zodiac Pro 850: A classic in its category, the Pro 850 emphasizes 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 offers numerous options to adapt to specific needs.
“We can take up to eight divers with all the gear, and it remains very stable even when loaded,” says Claire, an instructor in Hyères.
Beyond the Basics
RIBs also play a significant role in regatta support, nautical competition safety, and passenger transport to islands or remote locations. The key to choosing the right RIB lies in matching the navigation plans, desired equipment level, and budget. Each use case has an ideal model, provided priorities are well-defined.
Detailed Specifications and Estimated Prices
Below are the detailed technical specifications and estimated price ranges for the RIB models mentioned in this article. This information will help you refine your choice based on your specific needs.
Leisure and Cruising
- 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 including VAT for the Eagle 6.7 PVC
- From €59,000 including VAT for the Eagle 6.7 Hypalon
- €59,000 including VAT and €65,000 including 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 including 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 including VAT.
- Capelli Tempest 1000 WA
- Length: 10.64 m
- Width: 3.28 m
- Weight without engine: approximately 3,000 kg
- Maximum power: 700 hp
- Fuel capacity: 550 l
- Passenger capacity: 18 people
- Price of the model presented: €264,450 including 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 including VAT.
Fishing
- Evok 23 Fishing
- Length: 6.65 m
- Width: 2.69 m
- Weight without engine: approximately 1,200 kg
- Maximum power: 250 hp
- Fuel capacity: 200 l
- Passenger capacity: 16 people
- Estimated price: From €62,000 including 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 including VAT.
Diving
- 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 including 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 including VAT.
Enjoyed this post by Thibault Helle? Subscribe for more insights and updates straight from the source.
