Rigid Inflatable Boats Market Report 2026

The rigid inflatable boats market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.55 billion in 2025 to $1.66 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of coastal security operations, growth of maritime tourism activities, increasing demand for rapid-response rescue vessels, rising defense procurement of patrol boats, availability of advanced composite hull materials.

The rigid inflatable boats market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.26 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in naval modernization programs, rising adoption of electric and hybrid propulsion ribs, expansion of marine tourism infrastructure, growing focus on fuel-efficient vessels, increasing demand for multi-role marine platforms. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of high-speed ribs for defense and patrol, growing demand for amphibious ribs, increasing use in rescue and emergency operations, expansion of leisure and tourism applications, enhanced focus on lightweight hull materials.

The increase in leisure and recreational activities is expected to drive the growth of the rigid inflatable boat market in the coming years. Leisure activities refer to recreational pursuits undertaken for enjoyment, relaxation, personal fulfillment, and overall well-being. Recreational use of rigid inflatable boats provides opportunities for adventure, stress relief, physical activity, social interaction, exploration, and a close connection with marine environments. For example, in June 2024, according to the Outdoor Industry Association, a US-based non-profit trade association, the 2024 outdoor participation trends report indicated that outdoor recreation participation increased by 4.1% in 2023, reaching a record 175.8 million participants, representing 57.3% of the United States population. Therefore, the growing popularity of leisure activities is contributing to the expansion of the rigid inflatable boat market.

Major companies operating in the rigid inflatable boat market are concentrating on the development of innovative products, such as rigid-hull inflatable pilot boats, to address evolving customer and operational requirements. A rigid-hull inflatable pilot boat combines a solid hull structure with inflatable tubes, offering enhanced stability, durability, and performance. For instance, in November 2023, BRIX Marine, a US-based boat manufacturer, introduced the Aldebaran, an 11.3-meter rigid-hull inflatable pilot boat built for a client in Central America. The vessel is powered by twin 300-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines and features a Naiad hull with a 23-degree progressive deadrise, constructed using durable 5086 alloy aluminum. It accommodates four passengers and one crew member and is equipped with shock-mitigating seats, advanced navigation systems including a Garmin GPSMAP 8612xsv MFD/sonar, and an insulated, air-conditioned cabin for improved comfort and functionality.

In March 2025, Ribcraft Australia Pty Ltd, an Australia-based marine manufacturing company specializing in high-performance rigid-hull inflatable boats, entered into a partnership with Edencraft International Pty Ltd to establish local production of RHIBs in Geelong, Victoria. Through this collaboration, Ribcraft Australia aims to deliver Australian-made RHIBs for defense, security, rescue, and commercial applications by leveraging Edencraft’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, including five-axis automated machining and custom hull fabrication. This partnership supports the production of high-quality, locally manufactured vessels tailored to regional and operational requirements. Edencraft International Pty Ltd is an Australia-based boat builder specializing in offshore and high-performance marine vessels.

Major companies operating in the rigid inflatable boats market report include Mercury Marine, Damen Holding B.V., Damen Shipyards Group, Vector Ltd., ASIS Boats, Brig Boats, Zodiac Nautic, Highfield Boats, Falcon Inflatables, Williams Jet Tenders Limited., Sealegs International Limited., Walker Bay Boats Inc., AB Inflatables, Novurania of America Inc., Bombardier Recreational Products, Tornado Boats, Ribcraft USA LLC, Grabner GmbH, Quicksilver Boats, Achilles Inflatable Boats, Maxxon Inflatable Boats, Grand Marine International, Avon Marine, Woosung I.B. Co. Ltd., Honwave.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the rigid inflatable boat market in 2025, and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the rigid inflatable boats market report include Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the rigid inflatable boats market report include Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The rigid inflatable boats market includes consists of sales of sports rigid inflatable boats, inflatable rescue boats (IRBs), and recreational rigid inflatable boats. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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