The world of rigid inflatable boats is an exciting one. The industry is marked with innovation and advancements all in the name of having a better and safer adventure onboard. Buyers who are thinking about entering this market may have some questions about owning a rigid inflatable boat and are just starting their RIB journey. BRIG Rigid Intelligent Boats knows how overwhelming all the information online can be, so we thought we would try to break this down into some basic points. Here are the top things a buyer needs to know or ask themselves before buying a RIB.
What is Your Ideal Boating Lifestyle?
RIB vessels come in all kinds of sizes, materials, and features, so knowing what you plan to do in a RIB will be an essential question to answer. Some RIB owners need a family friendly vessel that works with small children, while others are looking for a boat they can maximize their water sports activities in. Also, consider the location of the watercraft and what the conditions tend to be like. Be realistic. Blowing a budget on a vessel that is capable of towing a small yacht might sound really impressive, but under more examination, might be overkill for what is actually needed. This purchase is one that an owner should be happy with for years to come, so consider how that vessel will be used today and maybe five or eight years from now.
What is the Mobility Factor Involved?
A boat that stays at a marina is a far cry from the one that will be launched every time it’s going to be used. This is a crucial factor. Boats require some work and care, so if has to be launched, that should be factored into the overall decision. A smaller model is going to be easier to haul to destinations and will be easier to store as well. Vessels that are staying at the marina will have the advantage of not having to factor in those kinds of logistics.
Where Will People Sit, Lounge and Play
A buyer knows their “crew” better than anyone, so give some thought to how friends and family will occupy the vessel. Do they sit and relax over a cocktail? Are they busybodies and need to be able to move about? Will they lay out in the sun all day? The answer to these questions gives a buyer a better idea of what kind of layout a RIB should have to accommodate their crew. This will also assist in knowing what size watercraft to go with.
Bare Bones or Loaded With Luxury
The best part of going with a bare bones style of vessel is that the boat can be specifically what is demanded of it. For example, if the vessel will be used for diving mostly, the boat should be simplistic, so people don’t caught up on boat elements with their gear. On the flip side of that, if the vessel needs to be able to function both as a leisure and professional asset; a boat loaded with extras is likely a better call. For instance, if this vessel purchase will be used to entertain clients for a few hours at a time, comforts like seating and fold up tables might be the appropriate option.
Maintenance and Mechanicals
Every boat needs a certain amount of care and support, some more than others. How much time and effort is available to take care of the watercraft? A boat with more features might mean more maintenance, whereas a minimalistic model is more of a start and go option. Also, what kind of performance is needed from the boat? A buyer should consider how much they know about the general mechanics of a watercraft and engine. How much are they willing to pay someone to maintain it or how much time will they spend learning, doing the fixes or maintenance on their own.
Ready to break into the world of rigid inflatable boats? The team at BRIG would love to help you do this. Stop by a retailer today and start learning about the BRIG brand and all the ways we can serve your on-water experience.
