Zodiac 733 /Willard 730 sea force/ design limits

[sea]

I was just wondering what the design testing limitations were of the sea going rhibs. I know more than anyone should ever be out but I am really interested in what sea states/ head wind and speed limitations of these fine rhibs.
thanks

[Bigtalljv]

This ought to be fun. I think in general the response you are going to get is that the crew is the weak link. People can't stand as big a beating as the boats can take. At least I hope so, I just spent two year fixing one up but haven't run it yet.

One of the southern cal military RIB guys says the Willard's start get fun at a small craft advisory.

Jason

[atypicalguy]

Originally Posted by Bigtalljv

One of the southern cal military RIB guys says the Willard's start get fun at a small craft advisory.

Jason

Of course he sells them also.

I ran into the new boat tester for Willard at the boat ramp. She says she has never cancelled a test due to weather, and she has been doing it year round for over ten years I think (can't remember; probably far longer).

Those tests include a bunch of stuff including running wide open etc. They will even give you the check out sheet for your boat if you own a Willard and write to them.

Anyway I think that's a pretty good indication of their sea handling abilities. I'm sure there is some wicked water somewhere that could flip one but having 1300 lb of motor plus transmission roughly amidships in the bilge seems to work very well in terms of stability for this hull shape. Also smooths out the ride through chop.

FWIW,
Karl

[Stoo]

They have yet to invent an unflippable boat... RHIB or otherwise.

I have a Hurricane 590... built like the proverbial brick outhouse. I was out two weekends in Georgian Bay/Lake Huron during a full gale. I was taking it easy, just putzing around, but whenever I get feeling cocky, I remember that I own my boat because the previous owner, a regional police marine unit... flipped it end over end in Lake Ontario... and abandoned it. To my never-ending benefit...

[jyasaki]

Stoo!

Where have you been? Lost in the Canadian wilderness somewhere?

jky