A Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) is a lightweight but high-performance and high-capacity water vessel predominantly built with a flexible inflatable tube typically made of PVC or Hypalon, which serves as its sides and bow. This inflatable element is combined with a durable and rigid hull that is commonly constructed from materials like aluminium or fibreglass. The rigid bottom provides the boat with stability, durability, enhanced performance capabilities and the ability to handle more powerful engines. Owing to these attributes, RIBs are often employed as tenders for larger vessels, rescue crafts, patrol boats and also used for other marine activities like diving or recreational purposes. They offer an excellent balance of portability and robustness, enabling their use in a diversity of water conditions. The rigid hull also enables smoother steering and generally better control than their fully inflatable counterparts.

1. The Zodiac Bayrunner 500 is a good example of a RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, with a strong, sturdy bottom ensuring stability while supporting the inflatable tube body of the boat. It is commonly used as a dinghy to get from the shore to a larger boat. 2. The AB Inflatables Alumina 13 ALX is another quality RIB known for its lightweight aluminum hull that is both durable and rigid. Many sea explorers and yacht owners prefer this as a tender for its reliability and mobility. 3. The Highfield Classic 290 is an example of a RIB with sturdy aluminum bottom and inflatable ring-top. It's designed to stand up against harsh weather conditions, making it ideal to use as a lifeboat or tender. 4. The Zodiac Cadet DL Aluminum RIB 270 is designed with a compact aluminum hull, reliable buoyancy tubes, and an inflatable keel, making it a reliable tender or dinghy for larger vessels and watercraft. 5. GRAND Golden Line G420 is a luxurious RIB that features a fiberglass hull for more strength and a removable inflatable tube for easy storage and transportation. This boat is often used as a leisure boat or as a tender to larger yachts.

Fun Fact: A RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, though compact in design, is known for its incredible sturdiness and high performance on water. The secret to its robustness lies in its unique construction. While the inflatable side tubes are made from durable materials like PVC or Hypalon, the hard shell hull, originating from the traditional boat design, is typically made from fiberglass, aluminum, or even composite materials. This hybrid construction not only gives the RIB better buoyancy, making it almost unsinkable, but also the agility and responsiveness on water. Thus, the same boat can be utilized for a casual sail around a lake, rescuing stranded divers, or providing support in military operations. The exciting part is, though armed with such capabilities, a RIB can be deflated, packed into a convenient size and taken almost anywhere, making it a truly versatile vessel!