I like the RIBS for full time cruising because:
1. You have stability when loading/unloading people and stuff
2. They can take a beating from rock and coral
3. You can put a good sized motor on them, get on a plane and go long distances quickly.
I find these 3 attributes critical in a full time cruising
dinghy for the East Coast and Caribe. On the downside
1. They tend to be heavy to bring aboard...needing 2 people and a
winch. They don't fit on some boats.
2. They ROW OK, but not like a hard dink.
3. Sooner or later the hypalon will wear out unlike a hard dink.
4. You can't put a sailing
rig on one (yeah, I know they sell such
rigs but they suck!)
Hope I've been fair in my assessment...the first 3 are most important to me. Other needs for other locations may differ.