looking for a 4m rib

[Rick Fisher]

Hello

I'm located on Vancouver Island and live on the beach. The beach has fist size rocks and smaller, some sand, and I've been launching a 330 size soft bottom Inflatable boat with a 15hp Yamaha for about a year.

Mostly I tour around, do a bit of fishing..

I've decided that I want to get a nicer boat, I have a 4x4 ATV that I use and can use to pull this boat.. it can handle 1500 lbs or about 675KG

My biggest requirements are that it's not over 6'6 wide or 2m and can be launched on a beach.

My questions are,

I've been looking at an Aluminum hulled Rib from Highfield. Are they okay ? Is aluminum better than fiberglass for beaches ? Zodiac has a PVC hulled Rib .. What do you suggest ?

I want a center console and a bench seat, can I install those myself ?

I've been looking at Evenrude Etec .. 40hp or 50hp .. are they reliable ? How do they compare to Yamaha or Merc ?

I also looked at the AB Aluminum line .. 6'7 wide in the 4.0 m ..

And finally .. with 375 lbs in the boat, how fast would a 4m center console rib with a 40 or 50hp outboard go ? How fast would it cruise ?


Thanks for reading..

Rick