"The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green."Thomas Carlyle
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Fantastic Cruise Deals Abound at the Last Minute
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Namibia - A Bountiful Harvest Awaits the Adventure Traveler
Namibia is a largely arid country of stark rough-hewn beauty. The most vivid images are those of a haunting technicolor landscape of swirling orange dunes, shimmering mirages and treacherous dust devils. The apparent desolation is deceptive and plant and ...
The Railroad, A Book, And A Dam
A hundred years ago Branson, Missouri was just a patch of wilderness in the quilt of the Ozarks. Then along came the railroad, a book and a dam and now Branson is known as "Little Las Vegas." 1903 brought the railroad to Branson. This allowed easy access ...
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A rigid inflatable boat is defined as a hard-hulled boat with air inflatable collars. RIB hulls are made of fiberglass, aluminum or composite materials. The soft bumpers or fenders, called "sponsons," can be air tubes, or all foam systems. These boats are powered by a variety of motors and usually come from the manufacturer as a package - boat with tube, motor and trailer.
Rigid inflatable boats are more like traditional boats, with hulls supported by a rigid material. The main benefits of these boats are superior performance and easy assembly. To assemble, one simply has to inflate the tubes. However, storage can be a problem because they can't be made smaller than the rigid portion of the boat. Since an RIB is heavier, a davit system (crane like device) is usually required to bring it back onto the boat.
Rigid inflatable boats can accommodate larger outboard motors than other boats of comparable size, and perform almost as well as rigid boats, especially in tight turns, but without the bulk and weight. A one-piece hull and deck provides comfortable, non-skid footing and a stable platform for skiing, diving or fishing. Although the tubes deflate for storage, RIB's are not compact, and hence, many boaters keep them on trailers, on deck, on their swim step, or on davits.
Rigid
inflatable boats are the best performers, and hence, the most expensive. Their rigid fiberglass hulls attached to inflated tubes combine the lightweight stability and buoyancy of inflatable boats with the speed, maneuverability, directional stability, and fuel efficiency of rigid boats.
The beauty of these hard bottom hulled and collared boats is that the tube/collar has flotation, adds stability, and self fendering - meaning that the RIB won't scratch other hulls. These features of the sponson provide enhanced sea keeping ability, better absorption of shock from waves on impact, easier boarding of other vessels, high visibility, increased swamp buoyancy, and increased stability while stationary and under way.
Rigid inflatable boats have evolved from an all-inflatable dinghy to a deep V hard-hulled boat. RIBs are ideal for use in rescue operations, boarding operations, tenders for ships and yachts, and shuttle vehicles for tourist industries.
About the Author
Inflatable Boats Info provides detailed information on pontoon, rigid and fishing inflatable boats, as well as trailers, repairs, used inflatable boats and manufacturers. Inflatable Boats Info is the sister site of River Rafting Web.
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