Inflatable Boats & Semi-Rigid Vessels

RIBs and inflatable boats: the most versatile tender there is

A RIB (short for Rigid Inflatable Boat) combines a rigid GRP or aluminium hull with inflatable tubes around the perimeter. That marriage gives you the best of both worlds: the seakeeping and speed of a V hull with the stability, reserve buoyancy and protection of an inflatable.

At Repuestos Marinos we carry the Goldenship range of RIBs and inflatable boats, from 1.6 to 6.4 metres, with tubes in high-strength Mehler PVC or Hypalon depending on the model, CE approval and the full range of accessories and spares.

RIB, inflatable or rigid boat: which to choose

Folding inflatable (air floor or slatted floor). It comes apart and fits in a car boot or a locker. Ideal as the tender for a larger boat or for anyone without a berth or a trailer. In return, it handles rough water poorly and takes little power.

RIB with a GRP hull. It handles far better, takes more power and is more comfortable in a chop. It needs a berth, a trailer or davits. This is the option for regular use and for heading beyond the bay.

RIB with an aluminium hull. Lighter for the same size and very impact-resistant, widely used as a workboat and as a professional tender.

Length is what counts: below 3.5 m the boat is essentially a tender and a beach boat; between 3.5 and 5 m it will already take the family out for the day; from 5.5-6 m upwards you can cruise with a reasonable safety margin and fit a console, seats and a built-in tank.

PVC versus Hypalon: the tube material

PVC. Cheaper, lighter and easy to repair with patches and the right adhesive. It is the material used on most leisure inflatables and RIBs. Its weak point is prolonged exposure to sun and heat: over the years the heat-welded seams can open up if the boat lives in the sun without a cover.

Hypalon (CSM). Far more resistant to UV, to hydrocarbons and to high temperatures, with a clearly longer service life. It costs more and repairs call for two-part adhesives. It is the norm on professional boats and in countries with intense sunshine.

If your boat is going to spend the summer in the sun on a Mediterranean pontoon, Hypalon or, at the very least, a good protective cover for PVC, is the difference between five and fifteen years of service life.

Inflatable boat accessories and maintenance

• Air Pumps (17)
• Accesorios para Neumáticas (49)

Pressure. Always inflate to the pressure the manufacturer specifies, normally around 0.25 bar (3.6 psi). An under-inflated boat handles badly and punishes the seams. Bear in mind that air expands in the sun: if you inflate it fully on a cool morning, by the afternoon the pressure may be excessive. Bleed off a little if you leave it in the sun.

Cleaning. Fresh water and a mild soap. Avoid solvents and harsh cleaners, which dry out the material. Apply a dedicated UV protectant a couple of times a season.

Tube repairs. Small punctures are fixed with a patch and an adhesive matched to the material (PVC and Hypalon do not take the same one). Clean and degrease thoroughly, apply adhesive to both faces, let it flash off for the stated time and press down firmly. Large tears, or tears on a seam, are best taken to a specialist workshop.

Winter storage. Store the boat clean, dry and with some pressure in the tubes, never completely deflated and folded into hard creases. Keep it out of the sun and away from rodents.

CE approval, power rating and shipping

All our boats carry CE approval with their design category and builder's plate, which states the maximum permitted power and the maximum number of people. Do not exceed those figures: as well as being illegal, it compromises how the boat behaves and the validity of your insurance.

Shipping in 24-48 h to mainland Spain and the Balearics, 3-5 days to the Canary Islands and the rest of the EU. Orders placed before 14:00 leave the same day. Returns within 14 calendar days, plus technical support by phone and WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions about RIBs

What is the difference between an inflatable and a RIB?

An inflatable has an air floor or a removable slatted floor and can be folded away for storage; a RIB has a rigid GRP or aluminium hull with inflatable tubes around the perimeter. The RIB handles far better, takes more power and is more comfortable in a chop, but it needs a berth, a trailer or davits.

PVC or Hypalon: which is better?

Hypalon copes far better with UV, hydrocarbons and heat, and has a clearly longer service life, but it costs more and repairs call for two-part adhesives. PVC is cheaper, lighter and easier to repair, though it suffers with prolonged exposure to the sun. If the boat is going to spend the summer in the sun, Hypalon or a good cover makes all the difference.

What pressure should I inflate the tubes to?

To whatever the manufacturer specifies, normally around 0.25 bar (3.6 psi). An under-inflated boat handles badly and punishes the seams. Bear in mind that air expands in the sun: if you inflate it to the maximum on a cool morning, by the afternoon the pressure may be excessive, so bleed off a little if you leave it in the sun.

How do I repair a puncture in a tube?

With a patch and an adhesive matched to the material, which is not the same for PVC as for Hypalon. Clean and degrease the area thoroughly, apply adhesive to both faces, let it flash off for the time the manufacturer states and press down firmly. Large tears, or tears on a seam, are best taken to a specialist workshop.

How much engine power can I fit on my RIB?

Whatever the boat's builder plate states, which gives the maximum permitted power and the maximum number of people. Exceeding that figure is illegal, compromises how the boat behaves and may invalidate your insurance.

How do I store an inflatable over winter?

Clean, dry and with some pressure in the tubes, never completely deflated and folded into hard creases, because the material cracks along the folds. Protect it from the sun with a cover and store it somewhere rodents cannot get to.