CHANGED THE


RIBS THAT


WORLD


From simple beginnings to lifesaving technological advances, the humble RIB has come a long way


since its invention 50 years ago Text: Dag Pike


T


his summer marks 50 years since the RIB made its fi rst appearance on the world stage. These fast, lightweight boats are now one of the most popular,


robust and exciting vessels on the water. However, it took almost two decades before the RIB became an accepted part of the recreational boating scene. Today the RIB industry is one of the


fastest growing sectors of the leisure boat market, with around 100,000 added to the fl eet every year. It is also the boat of


choice for almost every harbour pilot, inshore rescue team, police and military force on the planet. In the leisure sector RIBs have


developed from cheap, simple sportsboats into seriously stylish craft that come with a dizzying array of seat, tube and engine options. They’ve also entered the superyacht sphere, where a bespoke RIB tender is all but obligatory. You can even buy amphibious RIBs that drive up the beach or take to the air on wings. Who knows where it will end for this versatile craft. Here we present the key milestones in RIB development.


THE FIRST RIB


Fifty years ago, the RNLI had a fl eet of over 100 infl atable rescue boats but there was a


problem – the boats suffered bad wear and tear on the hull fabric


when they were dragged up beaches. The RNLI turned to


Atlantic College in South Wales for a solution. The research team put plywood on the bottom of a boat


and it planed like a dream – until it hit waves and rapidly broke up. Tests continued but the


concept had been born and I even got to take the helm.


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