Is 3.3m big enough for 2 adults and 3 children??

[AndyShall]

Hi I have recently bought a 3.3m sib and 9.8 tohatsu 4 stroke. Would this be suitable for 2 adults and 3 children.

Plan on going coastal waters beach hopping around Anglesey in good weather during summer.

Children are 2 (nearly 3) 5 and 9.

Or would I be better with something bigger???

[Steve509926]

Hi Andy and welcome.
3.3 mtr is really tight, especially if you are considering taking all the usual kid stuff with you as well as the kit you definitely need to take.
Where are you thinking of going? Benlech, Red Wharf Bay, Moelfre? Big tides and sometimes unpredictable seas and wind north of the island.
I've got to ask - what experience do you have? I know I would struggle with three kids on my sib irrespective of the size, I have a 3.65mtr sib.
I often go out with 2 adults, 1 teenager and a dog. Controlling (wrong phrase, but you know what I mean) the teenager and keeping them happy and controlling the dog and keeping my other half happy can make for a very stressful day.
If I may, I'd suggest staying on one beach and boating from and returning to that beach until you get the feeling, confidence and experience of having 3 kids on board. I'd also suggest a few trips out of Borth Wen (Rhoscolyn) very sheltered.

[Max...]

Have to agree - I would be very wary of kids that young in a small SIB unless you are river pootling or at displacement speeds very close to the coast in fine weather and very flat seas.

[smallribber]

Not big enough I am afraid to do much more than just poodle about in flat calm conditions

[AndyShall]

Yeah was thinking of going Benllech, molfre, red wharf.
I have PB2 and VHF licence.
Will be carrying anchor, oars and VHF radio.
Borth wen is a good shout, maybe I will go there for the day and just do small trips in and out till I get the confidence.
To be fair the Mrs will probably get fed up and so will 2 yo daughter.

Don’t really want a sib any bigger as the idea is to keep as a tender for our 25ft speedboat.

[Chris Caton]

the coast around the Benllech side of the Island can be a bit exposed and not many places to seek shelter, maybe try Malltraeth Estuary to start with, you can launch a sib by the bridge in the village which would give you access to the full length of the estuary, theres a really nice beach on the right just as the estuary ends on a really calm day you could maybe get across to Llanddwyn Island from there theres plenty to explore around the inland sea by Four Mile Bridge or the Trearddur Bay area, Porth Diana & Porth Dafarch both have plenty of sheltered bays to explore

[Steve509926]

Thanks Chris, lots of places for me to visit in a couple of months

Good luck Andi, sounds like you've got it covered.

[AndyShall]

I am using windy app and savvy navvy app. Constantly watching weather and tides.

I wont be gong anywhere unless conditions are perfect. I understand I wont be setting speed records.

I think it will be just small trips to and from beaches.

Thanks for all the help.

[Max...]

They will love it - time flies so quickly, this is about 15 and then 10 years ago and my son has just finished Uni and is off to Croatia to drive boats for the summer!

[Chris Caton]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Thanks Chris, lots of places for me to visit in a couple of months

you should know by now not to trust anything I say Steve

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

you should know by now not to trust anything I say Steve

I know that definitely isn't true

[Chris Caton]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

I know that definitely isn't true

[Chris Caton]

on a good day you should be able to get round to the sea arches from Porth Diana, well worth a visit, the kids will love it

https://youtu.be/qwfzoezZ4oQ?si=Aya_kEg719Cgg54I

[Fenlander]

Welcome to the forum Andy.

I feel in the way of many of us you are asking for a foot in two boats with your situation.

Most folks who want to anchor up a 25ft hard hull (or RIB) a short distance out and get to the beach will have a super light 2.7m SIB and paddles or at most a light 2.5hp outboard.... or an inflatable canoe/paddle board.

Conversely if taking the family any distance was the priority even with small kids a 3.6/3.8 with 15hp min would be far better.

A difficult balance if I've understood your needs correctly.

[User name]

3.3 is definitely going to be tight but given their young age, it would probably be doable. I feel like 4.5 is what you'd ideally want, but the downside of that is a very heavy and less manoeuvrable boat.

[Steve509926]

(Mod Edit)
Hopefully I'll be over in Trearddur next month, might bump (metaphorical) into you.

[Pikey Dave]

Duplicate post

[AndyShall]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

(Mod Edit)
Hopefully I'll be over in Trearddur next month, might bump (metaphorical) into you.

Yeah hopefully I will be floating around somewhere, weather and sea state permitting.

[Croolis]

I go in my 3.2m air deck with a 9.9hp with my 12 year old and feel we could accommodate one of his mates as well, though I've never done it, and even that would be a bit of a squeeze.

I'm not highly experienced on the sea at all, but I feel planing there requires hanging on tight, bouncy bouncy, and I would not have them sat on the tubes or higher up, I'd have them sat on the floor for fear of them being bounced out. TBH I personally wouldn't take a 5 year old on the sea in my sized boat. As said, I'd stick to the river. But that's just me.

[Mikefule]

Just been on Coniston Water today, me, 2 other adults, 1 toddler. 3.4m Zodiac felt very crowded. We were only pootling about at displacement speeds with no kit in the boat except the anchor and rode.