Is this still considered an RIB?

another 'semi-RIB' with inflatable OR foam collar

http://espritnautics.com/?gclid=CNC-mO7Xjo8CFSISQQodxyvtGg

hit 'product brochure' for all their models

They seem to be aiming for the super-lux yacht-tender market.

I've wondered about a retro-fit inflatable collar that could be attached to just about any existing craft, from 10' aluminum fishing boats to ballasted keel boats.

Aside from adding a big dose of seaworthiness to your existing setup for certain conditions(for small craft) one application for an emergency inflatable collar around a keel boat might be that it would make more sense to 'stay with the boat' if you could keep it from sinking.

 

Why aren't all boats "unsinkable"?

Would be easy to do, right?

Cost?

 

Hi guy's new here, just an old dive instructor, came across a bombard or zodiac 15 footer in the Grand Camores as a dive boat nothing un-toward here but they had glassed the whole thing, IE all the tubes when asked why, they said that with such major temp changes during the day that the tubes kept leaking with the air expansion, more likely they could not get puncher kits out there anyway I dived off of it a few times worked a charm, though a bit ugly to get back into.

 

Do you know of anyone who has filled the tubes with foam like some people have done with pontoon boat sponsons?

Is there a "soft" or "spongy" foam you could do this with?

 

Its not a RIB, its IRB (inflatable, rubbing strake, boat)!

 

kach22i here's one of many that offer foam-e's!!!!!!!

http://www.wing.com In most situations straight air fill is better.

 

I know of this company because of the Polyurethane they use is very similar to what commercial hovercraft use for their skirts. Looks like they have some new products such as the Cargo Cat.

I think the wing inflatables are filled with air not foam, but this one picture really confuses me because I see lots of strange little foam pieces.

http://www.wing.com/construction.htm

Omeron, that term is new to me. However one company with a patent uses a sponge rubber foam filled collar that has an inner air bladder for a RIB-like rubbing strake. I think it's intended for Tub Boats and rescue craft which come along side other and often larger craft.

 

wing does the foam inner air bladder too!
http://www.wing.com/product_pages/seaark.htm

An all air system running a pressure sensitive blower would be more cost effective and make for a far cleaner set-up. just my opinion. When these foam filled systems get old they are tough to repair and can't be deflated like a regular tube can.