Small RIB boat with HDPE hull

Hi.

I think whaly boats have hard plastic ribs, not inflatable, thanks.

 

Hi, Tideman boats are really nice.

They are 100% HDPE.

I am thinking of soft, air filled removeable ribs on a HDPE hull,

Thanks

 

About 20 years ago, we made such HDPE dinghy, 3,3 mt long when our workshop was not very busy. We used some leftover tubes (from memory 350 mm/ 14" in diameter), 8 mm bottom, and the stern for outboard 10 mm, and reinforced with alu square tube. It was very heavy, 2 people could not lift it, 4 of us just could, so i guess well over 150 kg, or 300 lbs, that was without an engine. We put a 15 Hp outboard on it, and with 2 up, could not get it on a plane. BUT...... it was very strong, and I would say indestructible. The dinghy floor and everything else was very slippery.
I would not repeat that exercise unless I wanted a low speed workhorse.

 

Hi Mac,

We're a HDPE builder from The Netherlands, have a look on www.blackworkboats.nl .
We've made several small boats in HDPE, and we also want to build a HDPE Rib in the future.

We're sure this could be a great combination, and also possible to keep it lightweight.

You can also contact us on info@blackworkboats.nl or call/ whatsapp us on: +31 85 06 006 89.

Looking forward to your response, and what you're exactly looking for.

Regards, Olivier from Black Workboats

 

I know it's an old thread but I have a PE RIB; a Walker Bay Genesis. It's not heavy nor particularly flexy, but it does have excellent abrasion resistance. Goes well with a Tohatsu 9.8 2 stroke. Sadly they seem to now only make bigger boats where GRP works well.

 

Hi Mac,
About a month or two ago, while talking to a friend, I learned that there were places in Turkey that produced HDPE boots. If you want to look, I leave the link below.

https://www.nektonbot.com/

HDPE Boats – Akuakre Aquaculture Equipment LTD. https://akuakare.com/en/hdpe-boats/

 

At present rib boat mainly produce in fiberglass hull or aluminum hull.
Because when boat run fast in the sea, fiberglass hull and aluminum hull rib boat the impact is much better than HDPE.
You can check some boat popular models below.
www.yoolwinmarine.com
RIB boat size from 10ft to 35ft

 

China market produce with HDPE boat. Used for different fields, normally for work boats/ patrol/ military and army boats.
Aluminum rib boat also be ideal choice for these usages.
www.yoolwinboat.com

 

Check out Bullfrog Boats, Anacortes.