RIB Boats for Sale: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide
Which type of new RIB is right for you? Start with the job the boat must do. Family and day-boating buyers normally prioritise secure seating, easy boarding and usable storage; watersports buyers need an appropriate engine package, clear deck space and suitable tow arrangements; coastal-cruising buyers should focus on hull behaviour, range, weather protection, navigation equipment and passenger comfort. Then match size, layout and engine to the manufacturer’s load, power and transom limits.
Buying guidance and model examples updated on 14 October 2026.
This guide focuses on choosing a new RIB by use case and complete package. First-time buyer? Follow the inspection, paperwork and ownership checklist. Comparing new and used listings? Read the new versus used RIB buying guide.
Browse Storm RIB boats for sale in the UK, configure a new Storm RIB, or view the manually updated physical-stock page.
Choose the job before the model
A new RIB is a rigid-hull boat with inflatable tubes, but boats described as RIBs can have very different deck layouts, carrying limits and ownership requirements. Start with your usual day afloat: who comes aboard, what they carry, where you launch and how far you travel. A model name, maximum horsepower or attractive photograph is not enough to judge whether a boat fits that brief.
| Your main use | Priorities to compare | Storm starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Yacht tender | Overall dimensions, lifting weight, boarding and storage fit | Cloud GRP tenders; Chaser aluminium alternatives |
| Family and day boating | Secure seating, clear walkways, boarding, storage and shelter | Chaser or Charge, depending on size and layout |
| Coastal expedition use | Jockey seating, crew support, equipment storage and fuel planning | Strike GRP expedition RIBs |
| Longer days and larger decks | Loaded handling, seating options, systems and Targa shelter | Charge sports-utility and Targa models |
These are shortlisting suggestions, not seaworthiness guarantees. Suitability depends on the exact specification, loading, weather, route and crew experience. For fishing or diving, confirm usable deck space and secure equipment storage rather than assuming that a range name makes the layout suitable.
Compare actual dimensions, not model numbers
Storm Cloud 5 is 3.6m overall, Chaser 5 is 4.6m and Strike 5 is 4.8m. Their names do not mean each boat is five metres long. Beam, console position and seating also affect usable space. Check the verified model comparison and UK RIB size guide before committing to storage or berthing.
What does a new RIB price include?
Always ask whether the advertised price is boat-only or a complete package. Storm’s model collection displays boat-only starting prices including 20% UK VAT. Engines and trailers are quoted separately, and optional equipment changes the total. Current examples are Cloud 3 from £4,000, Chaser 5 from £15,000 and Strike 5 from £20,000, checked on 14 October 2026.
Request an itemised specification covering the hull and tubes, console and seating, engine, controls, steering, propeller, fuel system, electronics, trailer and commissioning. Confirm what is standard and what is optional. Storm’s UK mainland delivery is free of charge; ask for delivery arrangements and costs outside the mainland. Use the ownership-cost guide to budget beyond the purchase price.
Hull, tubes and layout: compare the whole boat
Cloud and Strike model pages specify GRP hulls; Chaser specifies aluminium; Charge 10 lists GRP or aluminium options. All 14 current Storm RIB model pages specify CSM (Hypalon) tubes. Neither hull material alone nor tube material proves how a complete boat will ride or what it will weigh. Read the GRP versus aluminium guide and compare the exact model and loaded package.
For family use, prioritise supported seating, boarding and circulation. For fishing and diving, inspect working space once equipment and passengers are aboard. A Targa top provides overhead shelter but is not an enclosed cabin. The layout guide explains these trade-offs in more depth.
Choose the engine for your normal load
Recommended and maximum horsepower are different figures. Strike 5, for example, specifies 60hp recommended power and 80hp maximum; Chaser 5 specifies 40hp recommended and 60hp maximum. Engine mass, propeller choice and passengers affect the complete package. Ask Storm to confirm compatibility rather than choosing the largest engine on the specification sheet.
Do not assume a larger or lighter RIB will automatically use less fuel. Use measured consumption at a realistic load and cruising speed to plan range. Our engine-size and fuel-consumption guide explains what to record during a sea trial; we do not publish unverified model-specific fuel figures.
Made to order versus physically in stock
Storm’s configurable catalogue is not a list of completed boats at the marina. The current made-to-order RIB lead time is 10 weeks, with the final schedule confirmed before ordering. We keep one demo boat—not one of every model. Arrange a viewing or demonstration in Chichester and confirm which boat is available. The physical-stock page lists boats available for sale; contact us to confirm current status.
Your next step
Shortlist two or three models against your actual crew, use, storage and budget. Browse RIB boats for sale and buying FAQs, compare the models, then build your RIB for supported models. Your submitted configuration is checked for technical compatibility and a confirmed quotation before you order.
