Michael GREEN Mar 10, 2009:

Rigid or semi-rigid ? A boat's hull is rigid unless otherwise specified ... the introduction of inflatable boats with rigid hulls has led to two terms which IMHO are interchangable : "semi-rigid inflatable boat" and "rigid (hull) inflatable boat (RHIB or RIB)". They both apply to the same type of boat, since RIBs are necessarily semi-inflatable (ie semi-rigid).
A web search illustrates this perfectly well - whether you search for "rigid hull", "semi-rigid hull" or "RIB", the results always give links to inflatables with rigid hulls.
I use the term "RIB". Others may prefer "Rigid inflatables", but I suggest that both are correct.

Drmanu49 Mar 10, 2009:

I own a Zodiac markII semi rigid inflatable boat. In this cas it is the floor (aluminum or wood) which is rigid and all the rest in inflatable including the "keel" tube.

simona62 (asker) Mar 10, 2009:

in english will be perfect.. from the photos I've got, I'm not sure they are inflatable boats... and there are some with "coque rigide" and some other with "coque semi rigide"

Michael GREEN Mar 10, 2009:

Vous avez posé votre question en italien, Simona : cherchez-vous la traduction en anglais ou en italien ?