The semi-rigid boat belongs to the category of motorboats and is recognisable by its rigid hull and its floats. This type of boat is known for its stability, buoyancy and safety. Moreover, it has a load capacity in weight and passengers superior to that of a rigid boat, for the same dimensions. The first semi-rigid boats appeared in France in the 1940s. Nowadays, semi-rigid boats are often mistakenly referred to as "Zodiacs", named after one of the first major semi-rigid boat production brands.
Renting a semi-rigid boat is ideal for accessing small coves, inlets or bays, inaccessible with a sailing boat or catamaran. Its speed and comfort will seduce you. Thanks to its lightness, its fuel consumption will be reduced. So, on-board your semi-rigid boat, the sensations of sailing will therefore await you, for your greatest pleasure!
Cove accessible with a semi-rigid boat
The advantages of renting a semi-rigid boat
Stability, buoyancy, performance and safety are the keywords. In fact, semi-rigid boats are extremely stable boats thanks to the floats. Contrarily to what one might think at first glance, a semi-rigid boat is very safe because of its height on the water. Don't worry if you have children on-board!
You can drive most models without a boating licence. This way you can go to sea in complete freedom! Ideal if you plan to visit archipelagos, these models are very practical to navigate from island to island without hindrance.
Afternoon with friends
A wide choice of destinations
For a few years now, semi-rigid boats have been a real success and their rental is very popular in the coastal cities of France and abroad. Indeed, you will be able to take advantage of it in the French Mediterranean to discover the rocky inlets of Marseilles, Hyères and La Ciotat. You will find the semi-rigid boat adapted to your needs thanks to the rental with Filovent, to go to for Corsica between Porto-Vecchio and Ajaccio, or abroad, to Croatia or Italy…
The different elements of a semi-rigid boat
Although there are different types of semi-rigid boats, the majority of semi-rigid boats are comprised of the same elements, only the materials vary depending on the uses and on the manufacturers.
HULL
The hull is one of the principal characteristics of a semi-rigid boat. Whether it is made of steel, wood, or aluminum, it has a reinforced structure, which is then polished to give it the desired shape. There are in fact several types of hull, the most common are those in a “V” shape, which enables to cut through the waves.
Sea trip on-board a Zodiac
TUBES
The tubes, also called rings or even floats, are another feature of a semi-rigid boat. They make up the air belt, which allows for better buoyancy. For practical purposes, they are usually separated into several compartments and each one has an inflation valve. It is imperative to re-inflate the rings after the summer because intensive sun exposure often causes a slight deflation. The rings are less durable than the hard shell, so they must be replaced at some point, this is called "rewinding". Replacement of the floats can be done by an individual, but in some cases, this requires the intervention of a professional.
CABINS
For the biggest models, from nine metres, you can sleep on-board thanks to the presence of a cabin. It can be located at the front or at the back, but in both cases, this requires a particular layout, with a greater hull depth than the conventional models.
MOTORISATION
On semi-rigid boats, there are two types of propulsion: outboard or inboard motorisation. The outboard motorisation is generally comprised of two engines, visible and adjustable. Inboard motorisation does not enable to see the engine, which makes the boat more aesthetic. Indeed, the engine, often larger, is located inside the hold and is accessible through a hatch.
Beach accessible with a semi-rigid boat
FAQ: Filovent answers you!
WHICH SEMI-RIGID BOAT TO RENT?
Several criteria come into play when choosing your semi-rigid boat rental. To do this, Filovent takes into account each of your criteria: number of people on-board, number of days, date of stay, port of departure… In addition, the type of activity you want to do is also important. So, whether you are looking for a boat to go fishing for the day, a weekend diving or just a trip to the sea to enjoy water activities (water skiing, towed buoy…), your expectations will not be the same. We propose boats which suit you. All you have to do is request a quote, 100% personalised, from our specialised consultants.
WHICH MANUFACTURERS ARE LEADERS IN THE MARKET OF SEMI-RIGID BOATS?
The market leaders in semi-rigid boats are Highfield Boat and Zodiac Nautic. Highfield Boat is the world leader in the sector of semi-rigid boats and a global player in the 5-metre and above sector. The brand has capitalised on two key elements: their advanced technology hulls and their reputation for durability. Zodiac Nautic, inventor of the inflatable boat, offers semi-rigid boats adapted to all sailing desires. Thanks to its exceptional materials and know-how, Zodiac Nautic has become one of the best known brands in the semi-rigid boat sector.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO RENT A SEMI-RIGID BOAT BY THE DAY?
You can rent a semi-rigid boat for just one day. Simply go to the special "day trip" section, and you can take advantage of our many motorboats to go sailing for a day with Filovent!
The semi-rigid is the boat of choice for day trips, at sea or on a lake, because of its affordable price and its ease of docking in protected waters. Powerful, reliable and versatile, it's easy to see why semi-rigid hull rentals are usually popular with scuba divers, fishermen and fast cruisers. En plus d’être remarquablement efficace par petit temps, son excellente maniabilité favorise cette sensation de liberté que les marins recherchent.
Good to know
| Number of available boats | 2,717 |
|---|---|
| Services types | Skipper, Hostess, Chef, Sailor, Engineer, Mechanic, Masseuse |
| Average price per week | £11,546 |
| Minimum price per week | £417 |
| Maximum price per week | £745,325 |