June 5, 2023 Orca Blog

Semi-Rigid Boats: Latest Trends and Innovations

RIB boats are becoming increasingly popular with sailing enthusiasts and water sports fans. With their versatile design and remarkable performance, these boats have become the preferred choice for many activities at sea.

In this article, Orca Retail explores the latest trends and innovations in RIB boats. Performance, comfort, safety, discover what the future holds!

Building materials

One of the major trends in RIB boats is the use of innovative construction materials. Nowadays, more and more manufacturers are opting for advanced composite materials, such as:

Carbon fibre, made by weaving together very fine carbon threads and then impregnating them with resin. This material offers exceptional strength while being much lighter than traditional materials. Carbon fibre improves the structural strength of the hull, reducing weight and increasing speed and handling. What's more, it has excellent corrosion resistance and good thermal insulation, making it ideal for semi-rigid boats.

Kevlar, consisting of synthetic aramid fibres woven together to form a strong, lightweight structure. This material is renowned for its exceptional resistance to abrasion, impact and perforation. It is often used in combination with other materials, such as fibreglass or carbon fibre, to achieve an optimum balance between lightness, strength and durability.

Hypalon and reinforced PVC: Although mainly used for inflatable tubes in RIB boats, Hypalon and reinforced PVC are important materials in their construction. Hypalon is a synthetic rubber material that is resistant to weather, UV and chemicals. It offers excellent durability and abrasion resistance, making it a popular choice for inflatable tubes. Reinforced PVC is a material also used for inflatable tubes, offering high resistance to wear and damage.

Electric propulsion

With the emphasis on environmentally friendly technologies, electric propulsion is becoming an important trend in the RIB industry.

The electric motors offers quiet sailing, low energy consumption and reduced ecological footprint.

As electric motors produce no direct exhaust emissions, air quality is improved and noise pollution reduced. In this way, they are helping to preserve the marine ecosystem and promote more sustainable shipping.

The evolution of batteries also concerns semi-rigid boats. Advances in lithium-ion have greatly improved the performance of electric motors. The new batteries offer high energy density (they can store more energy in a smaller space), enabling them to cover longer distances without the need for frequent recharging.

Intelligent control systems

Modern RIB boats are increasingly equipped with intelligent control systems allowing centralised management and control of various boat functions. Thanks to a multifunction touchscreen, users can access different parameters and adjust them according to their preferences, or create personalised navigation profiles. This includes speed monitoring, fuel consumption management, GPS navigation, music playback and many more features.

On-board connectivity

wifi boat

With constant advances in connectivity, many RIB boats are now equipped with on-board connectivity features.

This can include Bluetooth connectivity for streaming music, integration with mobile apps for navigation, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity options.

This allows users to access online services, such as software updates, real-time weather information, updated navigation maps, etc. This ensures that the boat is constantly updated with the latest features and improvements.

For more on the subject, see our dedicated article"Connectivity at sea: 5G, Satellite, Starlink what to choose?"

Modular living spaces

An emerging trend in RIB boats is the design of modular living spaces. Manufacturers are seeking to maximise the use of available space by offering customisable configurations to meet the specific needs of users. Here are some examples:

Versatile seating: Adjustable and configurable to meet specific user needs. For example, some seats can be transformed into driver's seats, bench seats, sun loungers or even additional sleeping areas.

Extendable bathing platforms: Allowing you to enlarge the relaxation area at the stern of the boat, these platforms can be deployed when stationary, for relaxing, bathing or water sports.

Modular storage systems: Allowing storage options to be customised and tailored to individual needs, versatile storage compartments and modular fastening systems organise and secure equipment, nautical accessories and personal belongings on board.

Space conversion options: A dining space is transformed into a relaxation area, or a storage area into a compact kitchenette. This versatility maximises the use of space on board and allows it to be adapted to different usage scenarios.

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