[DIVERS] How small a RIB/SIB will work?

[bpevans]

For the divers on this board.

How small a RIB/SIB could I get away with for 3 divers (singles, recreational gear) and possiblily an occassional 4th passenger? We don't really plan to dive from the boat, mostly just transport us & gear around inshore shore dive sites. Biggest water would be a 1.5 mile sound crossing which locals do in jetski's and lake ski boats all the time.

Just thinking I might buy a small boat for now while building funds for a real RIB in the 5m-6m range.

thanks.

[tue]

Before I bought my 6.5m I was looking at a 4.3m Quicksilver HD. This would have given me loads of space for diving from with 4 of us on board. If you want to just transport gear and divers around you could probably get away with a 3.5-4m craft. I did dive from a 3.1 Zodiac but there were only 2 of us and it was very full with all the dive kit so couldn't have got 1 more on, and we had to throw the kit in the water and put it on there.

Look for something 3.5-4m that you can get a 15-20hp engine and you'll be sorted

[Manos]

BP with a 4 mtr SIB and a 35bhp outboard (or even 25) you'll be fine

[Powerboat]

Hi,

From experience as a diver and dive cox, The issues are:

Big enough to safely secure the heavy kit ( Bottles and weights) so that they don't adversely affect the trim or take out the crew while under way.

And also that you had enough power to ensure that you could get over the hump and onto the plane.

Safe enough (as you seem to be) for the water you are operating in.

Best wishes,

Stuart

[Andy]

I used to dive on this ... 4m with a 25hp.

[klt599]

I dive from a 3.8 m yahctline with another diver so i guess with 3 divers you would need atleast a 4.2m rib

[Syd]

Hiya
Our dive club was quite poor so only had a 4.3m rib with a 20 horse outboard. We could comfortably use it with four divers, It did'nt have a centre console which gave us loads of room.

Syd