Fiberglass Hulls News

RIBCRAFT designs and builds safe, durable, performance oriented rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) that fulfill the most demanding military and professional applications. With over twenty-five years experience, RIBCRAFT provides high quality professional grade RIBs and inflatables for military agencies, law enforcement, safety professionals, tour operators, private industry, and other marine professionals. As an American owned RIB manufacturer, RIBCRAFT is committed to providing organizations with excellent service and extremely well constructed RIBs built to withstand hard…

At a trade event held in Baltimore, MD, Brunswick unveiled its most exciting hull to date. First on board to test drive the new vessel was Marine News Editor Joe Keefe. An exhilarating 35 minute cruise revealed all of the exciting features the new vessel had to offer – whether barreling ahead at 63 KT in open waters or smartly backing down at the berth with the help of Brunswick’s JPO joy stick controls. Taken from the new wide body 11 meter RHIB design, the boat has an all-new top skin with two options: the full tube IMPACT, and the D Collar style (as equipped at the show). Turning on a dime at more than 60 KT, the vessel represents a major breakthrough for municipal and military customers…

SeaRobotics has delivered the first HullBUG (Hull Bio-inspired Underwater Grooming) System to the Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. This will be tested and further developed at the newly commissioned Large Scale Seawater Facility , which is located at Port Canaveral and funded by the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research (ONR). The HullBUG system is an autonomous underwater vehicle designed to crawl on ship hulls or other underwater structures and "groom" their surface.

AB Inflatables' Profile line of aluminum hull RIBS are built of 3.28-mil aluminum, making them lighter than comparable fiberglass hulls and tough enough for lake, river and rocky coastline duty. The tubes surrounding and supporting the boat are made from 1670 decitex Hypalon/Neoprene fabric. The A12, A13, A14 and A15 Profile models are designed for professional applications, such as rescue, police, fire, coast guard and military operations. Workskiff Inc. recently received acceptance from the U.S. Navy for delivery of boats to be used in the homeland defense effort. Workskiff was awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of the Navy for nine harbor security boats, boats that will be used in support of harbor security forces at Navy facilities and adjacent waterways.

With the deepest V available, the Oceanus 8.50VST from AB Inflatables is a rugged craft providing a safe, comfortable ride for several hours.The extra-deep V hull and non-submerged tubes provide the boat with plenty of stability, while preventing unwanted friction and spray for smooth, dry operation in calm or choppy waters. The boat features upholstered seating, ample deck space to install ice coolers or additional seating, a smartly designed console with easy-to-reach controls and abundant storage lockers to keep fishing gear secure. In addition, the 8.50VST offers the flexibility to be customized to buyers' needs. Weighing 2,860 lbs., the Oceanus 8.50VST has an overall length of 28 ft. (8.5 m) and a 12-ft. (3.6 m) beam.

The Beckmann Boatshop, Ltd., has delivered the 25th of its popular Compromise 21, steam launches. The boat shop specializes in the reproduction of antique and classic launches and tugboats. Existing antique hulls are used for the production of the initial molds from which fiberglass hulls are made. By paying strict attention to the details of the original boats, most built around the turn of the century, the replicas constructed are almost exact duplicates of the originals. The Compromise 21 launches were originally built by the Truscott Boat Manufacturing Co., in St. Joseph's Mich.

The Beckmann Boatshop, Ltd., has delivered the 25th of its popular Compromise 21, steam launches. The boat shop specializes in the reproduction of antique and classic launches and tugboats. Existing antique hulls are used for the production of the initial molds from which fiberglass hulls are made. By paying strict attention to the details of the original boats, most built around the turn of the century, the replicas constructed are almost exact duplicates of the originals. The Compromise 21 launches were originally built by the Truscott Boat Manufacturing Co., in St. Joseph's Mich.

AB Inflatables offers its Profile line of aluminum hull RIBs. The rugged, 3.28-mil hulls are lighter than comparable fiberglass hulls and are perfectly suited for operating in lakes and rivers or along rocky coastlines. In these environments, the aluminum bottoms also help resist abrasions from coral and sandy beaches. An extra air chamber between the hull and the floor keeps the Profile models buoyant even when flooded. The large-diameter tubes of the boats are made from 1670 decitex Hypalon/Neoprene fabric. They include wear patches along the top and a heavy-duty rubrail. Decks are non-skid and sealed to the hull with epoxy. The A12…

The 10.5 ft. Oceanus 3.20VSC from AB Inflatables is a sporty RIB with a deep V hull construction large, 17-in.-diameter tubes, and a rounded, European-style console and seat. In fact, the company has redesigned each boat in the Oceanus line to be even more attractive and distinctive. The tubes are now a softer gray color and have a sportier, more recognizable stripe to help identify the brand. To add to the fresh new look, nylon lifelines have been replaced with long-lasting, dark Grey hypalon fabric handles, carefully placed for ease of grip and functionality. The boat has a 5.5 ft. overall beam and 7.5 ft. interior length. Suggested retail price of the Oceanus 3.20VSC is $5,995, without engine.