Best Inflatable Boats

Inflatable boats have been around for years and for good reason. First popularized by ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau more than 50 years ago, inflatables have proven themselves by operating in harsh conditions on open seas worldwide – to the point they’re now widely used by Navies and Coast Guards all around the globe.

Inflatables have come a long way since Cousteau’s day, with today’s boats sporting rigid bottom hulls (called RIBs) for far greater performance, including the ability to handle the biggest outboards made. Their contemporary, hybrid design makes them incredibly stable, easy to maneuver, fast, and amazingly fuel-efficient. They’re also easy to tow, easy to launch and easy to recover from lakes with poor launch ramps, or no launch ramps at all.

Though still much more popular in Europe than they are here in North America, RIBS have started making their mark here on the strength of their inspired designs and amazing capabilities. Here are our pics for the best inflatable boats on the market right now.

AB Nautilus 15 DLX

AB Nautilus 15 DLX

With advanced features including a hand-laid fiberglass hull with a diamond-plate non-skid interior, plush bow and stern seating, a fresh water system with a transom shower, hydraulic steering, a stainless steel steering wheel with hydraulic steering, three stainless drink holders, LED lighting and an impressive option list with goodies like a sunbed, a teak floor, a Bimini top and GPS navigation, AB’s Nautilus 15 surely ranks among the best-appointed RIBs on the market.

• Length: 15’
• Beam” 6’ 9”
• Fuel capacity: 27 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 75 hp

Brig Eagle 6

Brig Eagle 6

Brig describes the Eagle 6 as its “luxury performance sports RIB” and that’s a pretty fair description, given its comfortable amenities, snappy performance and stylish looks. Its center console layout includes plenty of comfortable seating, with two cockpit seat rows, a console face seat, and a bow sun pad. The self-bailing, deep-V hull provides incredible seakeeping, while a juicy option list includes all sorts of tasty upgrades.

• Length: 19’ 6”
• Beam: 7.8’
• Fuel capacity: 32 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 10
• Maximum power: 150 hp

Highfield Classic 460

Highfield Classic 460

Highfield has a long history of building high-end RIBs, and its Classic 460 remains among the most popular inflatable boats in its extensive lineup. Built for the open ocean with a 4mm marine-grade aluminum hull and heavy 1100 dtex tubes, the Classic 460 features a self-draining deck that lets any spray or rain simply run through a drain and back over the side. A huge bow locker accommodates loads of gear, while a wide range of options allow endless personalization.

• Length: 15’ 1”
• Beam: 6’ 11”
• Fuel capacity: 10.5 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 9
• Maximum power: 80 hp

Polaris Contender 186

Polaris Contender 186

Built in lengths of 17 feet 6 inches, 18 feet six inches and 19 feet six inches, Contender RIBS from Polaris are constructed to commercial standards while incorporating many of the most popular features from the company’s Spirit series of recreational dinghies. Built for high speed and easy handling in a wide range of water conditions, the mid-sized Contender 186 boasts incredible stability, a self-draining hull, plenty of secure storage space and even downrigger mounting brackets.

• Length: 18’ 6”
• Beam: 7’ 10”
• Fuel capacity: n/a
• Passenger capacity: 10
• Maximum power: 150 hp

Walker Bay Venture 16

Walker Bay Venture 16

With a full-width stern bench seat, a versatile mid-ships seat and a stern-facing lounge in the bow, Walker Bay’s new Venture 16 is a fast, comfortable and well-appointed RIB for fishing, diving, exploring and entertaining. The stern features a unique swim platform complete with a retractable boarding ladder, while the neatly designed side console allows driving from standing, leaning or seated positions. The dash offers plenty of room for electronics, and a stereo.

• Length: 16’
• Beam: 7’ 6”
• Fuel capacity: 28 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 10
• Maximum power: 100 hp

Zodiac Medline 7.5

Zodiac Medline 7.5

Easily the best-known brand of inflatable boats in the world, Zodiac has a history of innovation that goes back more than 125 years. That’s evident in the company’s Medline 7.5, which may just be the most luxurious RIB made today. There’s stern cockpit seating with a table, an overhead Bimini top and a fiberglass radar arch, a luxurious console, and extensive bow seating that forma an inviting sun pad. Able to handle outboards of up to 300 horsepower, the Medline carries up to 16 passengers and truly makes a statement wherever it goes.

• Length: 24’ 1”
• Beam: 9’ 6”
• Fuel capacity: 80 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 16
• Maximum power: 300 hp