Difference 7.5 vs 8.5 meter

[Unknownam]

Looking for advice. We currently own a brig 570. Excellent boat, great value for money. We only boat in the med. French coast around nice. However this length leads to lot of “slamming”, so now we now want to upgrade in size. We are considering between 7.5 and 8.5 meter, zodiac Medline. I realise this is a luxury choice… we can pull 7.5 with our car, 8.5 becomes more complicated (leave boat in France). Some experts tell me that 8.5 is a “world of difference” compared to 7.5. Testing riding is not easy to arrange. So my question is, does anybody have experience with a comparison?

Thanks for any thoughts.

[gtflash]

I’ve gone from 6.2 to 7.5 and that was a world of difference. Then 7.5 to 8.1m. In reality the ride is better but I now also go faster in same conditions.

The biggest difference in my opinion is handling and trailering. I find the 8.1 quite awkward with a single engine and mildly challenging to trailer where as the 7.5m was a lovely size for mooring and trailering. Over 8m is a big boat and I sometimes find myself longing for a smaller boat. Reality is I wouldn’t go back to 7.5 but it is a perfect compromise.

[Unknownam]

Thanks for the quick reaction, this is very helpful.

[Voodoo]

We have a 7.4 Ribtec and its perfect for what we do...Not sure I would want anything bigger but would depend on area of use..

[Sutty]

I have just gone from a 7.7 mt cobra to an 8.7 mt cobra and the difference is amazing

[Unknownam]

Also thx for the reply. I think I need to try to arrange a test drive in both sizes.

[Iankristy]

I went from 7.8 to 8.5. Night and day. 7.8 was much easier towed. Launching pretty much the same tbf. I actually preferred the 7.8 for sea handling. Tighter turns in stiff swells, that said it was a better boat and hull. If you don’t need the extra length though just sub 8mtrs I thought was a sweet spot.

[Unknownam]

Decision made; we bought an 8.5 meter zodiac. Thanks again for your replies.