Today, we will look at one of our more requested categories of boats, the 10-foot RIB or Rigid Inflatable Boat. Specifically, we will look at the latest Dual Layer offerings from the top boat builders Achilles, Highfield, AB, and Zodiac.

What is a Dual Layer boat? A dual-layer boat is a hard-bottom boat with a second layer of aluminum, essentially a floor that comes on top of the hull layer of the ship. The biggest benefit of a dual-layer floor is that it creates a sturdy foundation to stand on, making it easy and safer to move around. In most cases, the dual-layer adds a bow locker in the front of the boat. The addition of a bow locker is the ideal place to put your fuel tank and run the fuel lines under the deck, keeping them out of the primary user space. The bow locker also serves as a nice seat and step for boarding and anchoring.

After years of research and development, you will find that most of these boats share similar features like keel guards, tow points, davit lifting points, a row seat, and 17" tubes (except for the Zodiac, which is 16" inches). Other essential accessories, such as patch kits, pumps, and oars, are always included. All the boats that we will look at today have aluminum hulls. Select models are available with fiberglass hulls, but we will cover those in a future video.

Now, let's look at some specific boats that we like and point out some highlights of each one.

Achilles inflatable boats are a staple in the small RIB community. These are the dinghies you see every time you are out on the water. It's not uncommon for Achilles owners to keep their boats for up to 20 years. These are very reliable inflatable boats. One of our top sellers is the  Achilles HB-310-AX. It has a length of 10'2" with a beam of 5' 2" and weighs 147 pounds. It can comfortably handle four people and take up to a 20hp outboard motor. The HB-310-AX oar system is noticeably straightforward, smooth, and user-friendly. All Achilles boats have durable Hypalon tubes, and Achilles is well-known for standing behind their product as well as anyone. After over forty years in the inflatable boat business, we truly revere and recommend Achilles brand boats here at Boat Specialists.

Next up, we have the Classic 310 from Highfield inflatable boats. We recently started selling Highfield boats, and we are very impressed with the build quality and how well the boats are thought out. The  Highfield Classic CL-310 is also 10'2" but has a slightly wider beam than the HB-310-AX at 5'7". It weighs 137 pounds and can easily handle five persons with a 20hp outboard. The Highfield Classic series has a very nice EVA Foam Deck, under-seat storage bag, dry bag, and a 5-year warranty. Highfield also offers their boats in Hypalon or PVC, as well as 5 color options and comes with a fair price when compared to the competition.

Now we have a sharp-looking boat, the AB Inflatables Lammina 10-AL. At 10'6", it's the longest boat we will be reviewing and has a beam of 5'6". At only 128 pounds, this boat is very light but can still handle five persons with a 20hp motor. AB Boats are always Hypalon and offered in many color combos and options for the hull, including bare aluminum or powder-coated. In front, there is a padded seat, which the other boats don't have, and non-slip flooring. Lastly, a major benefit to buying an AB is their impressive 10-year warranty.

Finally, let's look at the boat everyone knows, the Zodiac Cadet RIB. Zodiac has been around the inflatable game longer than Jacque Cousteau himself, and the Cadet is a great option that won't break the bank. The Zodiac Cadet has PVC tubes compared to the others that offer Hypalon. PVC keeps the price down but is just as reliable on the water. The Zodiac Cadet 300 DL has a length of 9'11" with 16" tubes and is relatively light at just 128 pounds. The Cadet 300 DL can carry up to 5 persons with a 15hp motor capacity. With some mindful care for your boat, as well as keeping it covered when not in use, the Cadet 300 can last you a decade!

We hope this information was helpful in your quest for a ten-foot RIB. These are just some of our more popular RIBs in the ten-foot range, and you can find many others on our website or showroom floor. We here at Boat Specialists have been around since the 1970s and are the most knowledgeable in the Inflatable RIB game. Stop by our showrooms in Ventura or Richmond, California, or call one of our Specialists no matter where you are. We ship nationwide and offer the same level of service to all our customers, whether local or across the country.

Would you like to speak to our team? Please call 805-644-6290 for more information on any of our products or services.