A couple of years ago, we ran a feature on 5.5 RIBs, one of the most popular sizes on the market. However, over the years, the market has changed a lot, and while many of those brands are still around, some have gone, and some are new to the RIB market. One of the most noticeable deletions is Brig which produced more than 2500 boats annually. But production has been stopped since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine began. The factory is based in Kharkiv, a city largely affected by the war. Lancer, one of New Zealand’s first-ever RIB builders, was sold a few years ago, and while some of the business was retained, the boat division was discontinued.
A new entrant for 2023 is the South African built, Stingray. A company that offers a range of models for both recreational and commercial users. Almost every brand available in New Zealand provides a RIB of around 5.5m. Some are a little under, some a little over 5.5m, but they all come with a centre console layout, alloy or grp hull and are all outboard powered apart from one, Williams Jet. While generally, they are all constructed using a Hypalon-based material on the tubes, some are PVC and one brand, Tino, is solid foam buoyancy. The smallest model we have included in our selection is the King Watercraft K5000 at 5.20m, and the biggest is the 5.71m Williams Sport Jet 435. But what’s 51cm between friends?Â
There is no substitute for space, and when it comes to centre consoles, it’s also about usability and easy access to all areas of the boat. The foot space between the console and the tubes is often very narrow, and in some cases walking on the tubes is the only way forward. The console needs to be of a reasonable size to be able to mount an MFD or simple fishfinder, instruments, switches and, of course, the steering wheel.
Most utilise the console for dry storage and something to fit the stainless steel tubed bimini tower. Some use the space for an extra fuel tank or battery stowage. If the screen is high enough, you also get some weather protection, but generally, centre console boats leave you open to the weather.
It’s just something you must accept in this style of boat, no matter the size. Seating options are vast, from no seats to swivelling buckets sets, bin seats and rear bench seats. Extra storage areas are usually restricted to beneath the floor in bin lockers or under a forward seat. Most 5.5m RIBs provide seating for 4-5, plus there are always the tubes to take the overflow of bodies. 5.5 RIBs are light enough, so they don’t need a lot of horsepower to make them perform well, and a single 90-115hp outboard is enough.Â
EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE 5.5(ISH) RIBS AVAILABLE TODAY.
AB 18 ALX
AB Inflatables is a respected rigid inflatable boat manufacturer with fibreglass or aluminium hull boats, tenders and dinghies worldwide. The 18 ALX is one of nine models in the AB Alumina range and features an aluminium hull with a fibreglass centre console. The boat features a 120-litre inbuilt fuel tank plus seating for four. Power is from 90-115hp.
AB Inflatables is a respected rigid inflatable boat manufacturer with fibreglass or aluminium hull boats, tenders and dinghies worldwide. The 18 ALX is one of nine models in the AB Alumina range and features an aluminium hull with a fibreglass centre console. The boat features a 120-litre inbuilt fuel tank plus seating for four. Power is from 90-115hp.
EXPLORER GULF CRUISER 500
The Explorer 500 is part of the Gulf Cruiser 500 series with models from 5.1 – 5.8m. Right down to the sizeable onboard storage for all your diving and fishing gear, there’s a place for everything and everyone on the Gulf Cruiser 500 series. Made in New Zealand, the Gulf Cruiser 500 has seating for 4-5 and a surprising amount of practical storage.
The 20 deg grp composite hull is surrounded by five chamber Hypalon Orca pontoons, and the boat comes standard with a 75-litre underfloor fuel tank. The hull is rated at 90hp. Access is wide around the centre console, which includes plenty of dry storage. There’s a separate seat forward and a large anchor locker.
BUCCANEER 550 ENFORCER
A relatively new player in the RIB market, Buccaneer offers two models, with the 550 Enforcer being the smaller. The tubes are supplied and fitted by Southern Pacific, and you can choose Hypalon or PVC. The PVC is all welded, and the only glue is where it joins the 75mm hull flange. Two-thirds of the tube is outside the chine, giving you the maximum internal and external beam advantage.
While the console is similar to the larger 640 Enforcer, it is narrower but still has space for two people to sit behind a solid Perspex screen. The twin seats are mounted on a moulded storage box with a large rear hatch — a great spot for fenders and your fishing tackle. The Buccaneer 550 Enforcer is a pure Kiwi RIB, designed to be as versatile as possible so that it doesn’t matter if you are fishing, diving, wakeboarding or using it as a tender, the boat is ideally suited to any task.
FI GLASS INVINCIBLE 5.6
Another fibreglass trailer boat manufacturer to enter the RIB market, Christchurch-based Fi Glass Boats, has utilised the famous Fi-Glass Dominator hull as the basis of the Invincible 5.6. With over 3000 Dominators built, the hull has a proven track record. The layout is reasonably traditional, with a large centre console and various seating options. A solid stainless frame supports the bimini and doubles as a rigid handhold. There is ample storage throughout, and the Invincible 5.6 is optioned with outboards from 90hp-150hp. The first boat was built in 2018 for the new Lyttelton Marina as a service and support boat, with a more ‘leisure’ based version released at the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show.
GEMINI WAVERIDER 550
The WR550 is one of 10 models in the Waverider lineup. It is an ideal sports RIB or a tender to a larger yacht. The WR550 offers a variety of seating and console options, such as a lean bar and a rear seat with armrests and polished stainless steel A-frame. Orca Impression fabric makes a stylish boat with a sporty appearance. The rugged Waverider 550 was designed to withstand the harshest of weather conditions. These mid-sized models in the Gemini range of RIBS are used commercially and for rescue & military operations internationally. The Legendary WR 550 is the most in-use Rescue RIB along the African coast. The majority of the National Sea Rescue Institute’s fleet is made up of WR 550s.
HIGHFIELD SPORT 560
The Highfield Sport line offers 17 RIB models from 3m to 9m, redefining the perfect RIB. High-end luxury features combined with a durable, high- performance aluminium hull give you the best of both worlds. The Sport 560 is an ideal boat for day use or to explore your next adventure. The heavy-duty 24 deg deadrise hull, with a 115hp rating and built-in deck 28-gallon fuel tank, provides a smooth ride. The upright console with a tall tinted windscreen and grab rail accommodates a 9″ chart plotter for navigation.
There is a wide bow boarding step with roller and cleat for easy anchoring, and while at anchor, there is lots of room to hang out in the wide comfortable bow seating area. The bow area can be converted easily to a lounging sun deck, and in the stern, there is another seating area with a folding table and cup holders for lunch. There is an optional removable ski pole or towing arch for watersports and a huge, flat rear transom area with a telescopic boarding ladder. All surfaces have comfortable teak pattern EVA, so soft on the feet and won’t get hot. There are four dry storage compartments, including an extra deep rear seat area and hydraulic pistons to hold up lids for easy stowing.Â
KING WATERCRAFT K5000
Over a year in the making and designed alongside a Naval Architect, The K5000 is classy and sophisticated. Every inch of this boat has been carefully considered with customers’ desires (and requests) in mind. Highly specified with all the latest features and technology, its proven performance offers smooth riding, stable cornering and quick acceleration with a top speed of 43kts and 160Nm of cruising range. The K5000 features an electric folding T-Top, folding fairlead with drum winch, surround sound, 12″ dash display and seating for eight. Features also include some design elements and styling that you would typically see in larger Ribs, such as the pull out rubbish bin, day bed and storage locker, a purpose built recess for your Yeti cooler and optional drinks table and removable bait board .
Being a side console layout, access forward to extra seating is made easy. Suitable for 90-115hp outboards, the K5000 is 5.4m when you count the length of the PVC Hypalon five-chamber pontoons. The hull is fully powder- coated aluminium with U-Dek flooring throughout for protection and comfort under foot. This unique console RIB can be fitted out and customised to suit your adventure desires, with limitless possibilities. Bespoke fit-outs, from simply practical, to personalised luxury. Â
NAIAD 5.5 SPORTLINE
The 5.5 Sportline is one of three models in the Sportline range, including a 5.3m and a 5.8m version. All are 2.3m external beam with an internal beam of 1.4m and use a twin pontoon system of butyl rubber inners covered by extra heavy-duty PU/PVC outers. With Naiad’s large diameter pontoons providing extra seating, the non-marking rub strip means that coming alongside white boats is problem-free. Naiad’s use an alloy hull for low maintenance, durability and robustness. A carefully designed stepped chine in the hull keeps the buoyant tubes off the beach when pulled clear of the tide and provides its best high- speed planing when lightly loaded. The Sportline is available in an open or centre console with custom layouts. Power is anything from 40-150hp.Â
SEAFARER SF 550R
Seafarers are 100% Kiwi-made inflatables by the experienced Neil Curtling, who has over 35 years of experience in Inflatable boat manufacture and design. The boats are built using German Valmax PVC & TPU fabrics, which are welded with Seafarer’s unique dual lap seam welding system. A Thermo bond welding machine has been customised to suit their manufacturing systems to enable the most reliable high-quality welds and allow 100% Thermo bond welded tubes. The SF550R is based on an aluminium hull with all the fastening holes pre-drilled before powder coating to eliminate corrosion. The layout can be fully customised with option seating and console arrangements.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC CORMORANT 550
Southern Pacific presents the latest all-around RIB combining a rugged new RIB with a lightweight aluminium hull, optimised for Australasian waters. The design by Dibley Marine group follows a brief from Kiwi Yachting for durability, weight reduction, and a dry and stable ride with stability at rest. A New Zealand-designed and built craft, it is perfect for fishing, diving, waterskiing, or as a yacht tender. The 5-chamber tubes can be fabricated in either PVC, TPU or Hypalon fabrics, which feature a durable, textured exterior protecting areas of potential abrasion, with the added benefit of non-slip. The aluminium hull is Kiwi built, solid, light, and easily trailered on a single-axle trailer.
SMUGGLER STRATA 550
The Smuggler Strata 550 is a classy RIB designed for comfort and style. Its 23-degree deep vee hull makes the ride comfortable and safe in all conditions. There is a range of consoles, seating and other options to customise your boat to suit your needs. Whether you are into diving, fishing, towing the kids or chasing them out sailing, the Strata 550 is more than up to the task. Standard features include a five-year hull warranty, a PVC or Hypalon tube option and a built-in 100-litre fuel tank. The Strata 550 can handle outboards from 80-115hp and provides ample seating options for 4-6 people.Â
TAKACAT PREDATOR T540P
The Takacat PredatorT540P is a patented stepped-tunnel design catamaran based on symmetrical bows mated to an asymmetrical tunnel. The tunnel creates an air-cushion effect at low speeds, enabling the craft to rise quickly out of the water and easily plane. The twin hull construction increases stability and creates a more comfortable ride in choppy conditions. The Predator Hull Design is unique in that the RIB banks and drives like a mono-hull RIB but gives the width and stability of a catamaran. The tunnel is notched just behind the bow to create a small partial pressure reduction in the bow area and this aids in preventing spitting water out of the tunnel when punching waves. The sharp edges on the step edges lead to the production of aerated water on the vertical running surfaces thereby reducing friction loads. The flat vertical surfaces give a strength advantage over curved tunnels as they aid in longitudinal stiffness.
The horizontal surfaces give additional vertical lift to the vessel allowing the vessel to become fully on the plane as opposed to mono-hulls and round tunnel catamarans that run in the sea as opposed to on the sea. The Predator hull design planes faster with lower hp. The 540 is available in a choice of two materials, either Panatex or Hypalon, wrapped around a grp hand-laid hull and decks. The 5.1m, 5.4m, and 6.3m have six air compartments, two bow, two ports and two starboard compartments. The layout is a typical centre console with seating forward and a bench helm seat with a folding backrest.
TINO 550YC
The Tino 550YC takes the concept of the Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) to the next level with solid core buoyancy (SBM) tubes on an alloy hull that, while giving the impression of a standard RIB, is a whole lot more. SBM is an un-puncturable, impact-absorbing alternative to traditional RIB pneumatic tubes. It has the benefit of increased stability and minimal maintenance requirements. The Tino YC series boats are designed to be a true sporting cross-over boat with the ultimate durable package wrapped up in a luxury form. The hardtop is not only stylish, but it’s also very light, thanks to exotic construction. A tall safety glass screen provides excellent protection behind the console. A centre console enables access to all areas of the boat, ensuring every space is optimised. With unrivalled quality, the Tino 550YC is a watercraft different from any other RIB.
TIGER PROLINE 550
The Tiger Marine ProLine 550 powerboat has been produced by Tiger Marine since 2018. The Tiger Marine ProLine 550 is a 5.65m centre console boat with accommodation for ten people and a beam of 2.65m. The boat has a fibreglass hull with a CE certification class (C). The wide spaces on the deck allow for great ease in the passage around the boat. Standard features in the Proline 550 include a centre console with a foldable aft table, double driving seat, fibreglass bow step, 75 L built-in fuel tank, a removable sundeck, large rear seats and swim platforms. You can also add many options, such as a freshwater shower, bow table, sound system, faux teak flooring and foldable alloy rollbar with a bimini top. Maximum recommended horsepower is between 90-115hp.Â
WILLIAMS SPORTJET 460
In a new move for the performance RIB maker Williams Performance Tenders, the Sportjet range features BRP’s Rotax 4-TEC 150 jet propulsion system, promising speeds of over 40kts. The Brit builder said the Rotax motor is one of the cleanest and quietest engines in the industry, “providing high-performance, superior handling and low-maintenance, as well as meeting stringent ultra-low-emission standards”. With jet tenders, Williams’ prime product, the Sportjets are targeting the waterski and wakeboarding set and providing another tender option for both standalone boaters and yacht owners to consider.
Water jet propulsion has no exposed propeller, a safety consideration factor the company promotes, particularly for operations around swimmers or waterskiers. The Sportjet 460 has a dry weight of around 550kg. Some of the Sportjet features include a large sports platform area, rear-facing lounge seats, reversible backrest for sunbathing, folding helm with windshield, Sea Dek footwell and platform, a large storage locker forward and an additional storage locker in the helm. A windscreen, ski pole, navigation lights and swim ladder are fitted as standard. Optional extras include LED lights, bimini, dodger, Garmin chartplotter and a Fusion music system.
ZODIAC PRO /OPEN 5.5
The Zodiac Pro and Open 5.5 are multi-purpose boats that allow you to customise their deck layout with seats or consoles according to your requirements. The Pro Open has a stylish look and great features, including a self-bailing deck, a large- diameter removable tube, a choice of fabric and colours, and an under-deck storage capacity. Its deep-V hull enables it to easily cut smoothly into waves, giving the boat optimum performance. The dimensions and the weight of each Pro 5.5 and Open 5.5 model have been specifically optimised to give an excellent weight-to-power ratio, going for moderate engine power while simplifying launching and retrieving manoeuvres. The Open 5.5 is an adventurer style with sleek lines, a perfectly ergonomic cockpit, and an exceptional reinforced deep-V hull, offering control and stability through hazardous and rough seas. The compartments on the deck will welcome the gear for all your water-based hobbies and can be converted into comfortable seats for a family day out or a space for fishing trips with friends.
NORTHSTAR AXIS 5.3
The Northstar Axis 5.3 is a high-spec performance RIB, perfect as a luxurious yacht tender or simply for those wanting to ride in comfort and style. The Northstar Axis RIB’s have been developed to answer all the critical needs for a functional, ergonomic and performing day boat or yacht tender. They feature the delta-lift hull shape with integrated delta tabs aft. There is comfortable seating for nine passengers and large lockers under each seat provide ample storage. A reinforced deep ‘V’ hull, along with extended waterline length, extra-wide tubes and a square bow, ensure a stable and dry ride even in heavy seas. The Northstar Axis is soft riding, self draining and super safe in rough water and delivers a high level of safety and finish. Â
BUYERS GUIDE TO RIBS 5.5M (ISH)
- AB – Alumina 18 ALX – 5.49m – 2.40m – Alloy
- Buccaneer – Enforcer 550 – 5.50m – 2.50m – GRP
- Explorer – GulfCruiser 550 – 5.50m – 2.45m – GRP
- Fi Glass. – Invincible 550 – 5.60m – 2.30m – GRP
- Gemini. – Waverider 550 – 5.50m – 2.30m – GRP
- Highfield. – Sport 560 – 5.66m – 2.50m – Alloy
- King Watercraft – K5000 – 5.20m – 2.20m – GRP
- Northstar. – Axis 5.3 – 5.50m – 2.40m – GRP
- Southern Pacific – Cormorant 550 – 5.50m – 2.30m – Alloy
- Smuggler – Strata 550 – 5.50m – 2.40m – GRP
- Seafarer – SF500R – 5.50m – 2.44m – Alloy
- Takacat – 5.4 Predator – 5.40m – 2.36m – GRP
- Tiger – Proline 550 – 5.65m – 2.30m – GRP
- Tino – 550YC – 5.50m – 2.34m – GRP
- Williams – Sport Jet 435 – 5.71m – 2.41m – GRP
- Zodiac – Sport 560 – 5.66m – 2.50m – Alloy
