Hello

[Flobelle]

Hello, have been reading the threads and none quite answer the info I need. Hope someone will be able to offer advice.
We are new to ribs and having done the PB2 thought it time to ponder a first purchase.
Basic info:
Two adults two teens and one small dog.
Area, Plymouth to Falmouth beach hopping or the Solent Southampton to cowes.
I have been looking at 4.5m ribs with 40hp engines.
What do you all think - too big too small over or under powered?
Thanks in advance a advice v v appreciated

[beerbelly]

id go bigger rib and outboard 4.5 may be a little crowded with 4 and a dog aboard and with 40hp underpowered id say a 5.5 metre with a 100 hp would be more comfortable

[Simonh66]

What Beerbelly said. 4.5m from Southampton to Cowes loaded like that would be uncomfortable

[Pikey Dave]

^^^^^^^^
What they said, a 4.5m/40hp combo would be cosy with 2pax. Dogs take up a disproportionate amount of space in relation to their size, chuck a couple of teenagers in + all the kit you need for a day out & you’ll struggle.
Don’t forget if you’re operating in the Solent, you’ll need the special adaptations to cope with the notorious “Solent Chop” [emoji57]

[boristhebold]

5.5m with 100hp would be better considering the conditions that frequently occur.

[Ferryman]

I think I'll recommend Solent Chops for some menus in Cowes.
We went from a 4m Avon Searider with a 50hp engine to a 5m with a 70hp when I was a kid and the difference was immense - mainly in the same cruising areas as you are planning.

[Fender]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Don’t forget if you’re operating in the Solent, you’ll need the special adaptations to cope with the notorious “Solent Chop” [emoji57]

Wind-over-tide can get very lumpy at Hurst, Cowes is extremely busy for commercial and pleasure traffic and you get confused seas, Bembridge Ledge, Ryde sands, the shingles bank west wight - only a few of the characteristics of the Solent, any can catch the un-wary out and all have over the years.

A extract from the below link,

'If anyone can find details, a yacht foundered in Needles Channel in 1997, when crew "high on testosterone" (coroners remarks), decided to sail their charter yacht from Poole back to Hamble. A mayday was heard about 16.00hrs, searches were made but nothing found. At 23.00hrs people coming out of a pub near Gurnard, saw a boat on the beach, which upon investigation was found to have a body attached. The other 3 crew, were not found. OK the wind was forecast F11, but a sobering thought if anyone thinks a 'strong crew' can beat the seas near the Bridge. It was during the inquest, that the Yarmouth Lifeboat Cox stated that even they would not enter that area in F6+ even on flood'

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?486769-Needles-Overly-Cautious&highlight=needles

Interesting the Yarmouth lifeboat cox said a F6 would be best avoided at the bridge ( Needles area ), that pesky Solent chop Mr Dave

I'm not saying the Solent is more or less dangerous than anywhere else on the UK coastline, but with the wrong boat in the wrong hands there are areas that'll potentially spoil your day

[Pikey Dave]

“Better drown than duffers, if not duffers, won’t drown”
This lot didn’t even get out of the harbour
https://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/news...rama-1-1875590
But we don’t keep banging on about it.
Is the Solent actually classed as “The Sea”? I thought it was an estuary system. Like the Humber/Thames/Clyde/Orwell/Fal etc.

[Fender]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

“Better drown than duffers, if not duffers, won’t drown”
This lot didn’t even get out of the harbour
https://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/news...rama-1-1875590
But we don’t keep banging on about it.
Is the Solent actually classed as “The Sea”? I thought it was an estuary system. Like the Humber/Thames/Clyde/Orwell/Fal etc.

But you do sarcastically 'bang on' about the 'Solent chop' at every opportunity - IMHO of course...........

Think the Solent is technically a strait??

[Ferryman]

I just checked - it’s an estuarine system and a strait so you’re both right. That’s if you take it back to when the English Channel was dry land.
Since we started our move to the iow, I’m obsessed I think. Still bloody choppy sometimes though!