Panga RIB hybrid boat pros and cons

[Boxboy]

I am an avid inflatable RIB user. I love them for there stability, rough water handling and lesuire lifestyle on the water.
I dislike them for very low freeboard and feel of being to close to the ocean.

Pangas seem like a workhorse very fuel efficient and multipurpose hull. But from what I see they can be a wet and unstable ride.

What about a hybrid with inflatable collars around a panga hull. With the back portion of the tubes down at water level to really increase stability, and then having the tubes follow the boat lines to have them high above water line from mid ship to bow, this would really improve the splash control.

I have a 32ft ACB rib boat (photo attached) , it is essentially a 29ft hull 7ft beam deep vee hull welded aluminium with welded in air chambers and the tubes on the outside that do exactly as above. Problem with it is 8000lbs and built like a tank, fuel hog. It is overkill for my needs. It was originally built for the military. But it is an awesome boat so great for the adventure/recreational fishing type boater. Dive door on the back that levels to the tubes so easy in and out. Walk around the tubes when at idle or dock. Sun tan on the tubes, swim in and out etc. Big pillow in the marina.

I see the panga as a great boat with a few downsides. Tubes might really help the stability without adding weight. Yes tube are expensive but most are not into boating to save $.

If you look most RIB mfgs are coming out with hybrid boats ( zodiac, Highfield has come out with the adv7 etc)

Anyone with panga experience care to way in on what they think tubes would do to the design?

Just considering options for my next boat design.

 

[BlueBell]

Anyone with panga experience

I have panga experience. ( Nothing wrong with the stability. They're a bit tender is all. )
And RIB experience up to an 810, ( but my favourite is the Mark 5 with twin 90's ).

care to way in on what they think tubes would do to the design?

Spoil it.
Both designs have their attributes.
But combine the two?
I just don't see the point.

What year is your ACB ( Aluminum Chambered Boat )?
I take it that's a single o/b on the back?
8000 pounds isn't bad, fueled.
The 810 I drove was 8000 pounds fueled.

 

[bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum Boxboy.

+1 re Bluebell's comments above re pangas - I have been fishing on a 27' GRP panga here, and the stability was fine.

Re your 32' ACB - that is one serious machine for sure. Looks very solid and strong, and stable, and with good weather protection (I love the forward raked windows) from green water and the sun (altho' protection from the sun is perhaps not too much of an issue in the PNW?).

How many hours do you put on your boat typically in a year?
Your boat might be relatively thirsty compared to a less heavy duty RHIB, but the cost savings in fuel over a year are going to be insignificant when compared to the extra money you would have to spend on a 'new' boat.
Might be best to stay with the devil that you know, rather than venturing into new territory for possible gains in fuel consumption / efficiency?

 

[Boxboy]

I have panga experience. ( Nothing wrong with the stability. They're a bit tender is all. )
And RIB experience up to an 810, ( but my favourite is the Mark 5 with twin 90's ).

Spoil it.
Both designs have their attributes.
But combine the two?
I just don't see the point.

What year is your ACB ( Aluminum Chambered Boat )?
I take it that's a single o/b on the back?
8000 pounds isn't bad, fueled.
The 810 I drove was 8000 pounds fueled.

The ACB is a 2006 hull but full renovation in 2020. It has two 200hp on the back. Fuel and gear it is 9000lbs or so. It is just too big for my use now, and I have sold it. I spent this summer using a 19ft rib, and it basically met my needs so I plan to move to a 23ft rib. But I look at pangas with all that useable deck space and higher gunnels than a rib.
That is what I love about the ACB you had proper 30" gunnels and decent freeboard, so you felt super safe, it was a beast in rough weather. But y needs have changed as I look to retire and I want a light weight 24ft boat I can solo launch and operate. That is safe and all round useful boat inshore and offshore ( not to far, and on good days only). Most of my boating will be in protected waterways with some open water crossing that are under 10miles.

As for the comment of not seeing the point of mixing installing tubes on a panga hull, it just seems like a good combo to me. I get the versatility of the panga with the extra security of the inflatable collars.

I see some previous posts of guys looking to increase beam of pangas to increase stability and capacity. This is just another way of increasing beam.

Is the 810 a ribcraft?

What else could you do to increase a panga sea capability. I really need to just go and find a panga here and drive it around, problem is they don't exist up here in the PNW really only a few of them around.

Thank you for you ideas and help.

 

[BlueBell]

Interesting, thanks for your response.

Yes, the 810 was a RHIB as I said in my previous post.
Made by Hurricane in Delta BC Canada ~25 years ago.

My suggestion would be get a panga, drive it for a while
and add sponsons if you find it necessary.
I'll be surprised if you end up adding them.

I can't help but wonder if you're confusing "tender"
with seaworthiness.

Have you the opportunity to test drive a Zodiac Mark 5?
Likely too small for your needs... but fun!