Shall I get a small RIB?

bestman · 29 July 2012, 19:24

I currently have a Aerotec 380 with a 15hp 2 stroke on the back. The boat has been enormous fun. The family (wife, 3 & 5 year old daughters and dog) have explored the upper reaches of the Thames, Isle of Syke and the Exe.

On our last few days out we have had an additional passenger (The mother in law) and were struggling to get on to the plane......

This got me thinking about getting a bigger engine but the general consensus seems to be that only a 2 stroke twenty five would make much difference and these are a) heavy and b) difficult to get hold of.

I have an outbuilding that could accommodate a 4850mm trailer. I've noticed the SR4 seems to be popular on here and that would fit.

Now obviously it a completely different animal to the Bombard but would it be a definite improvement?

Is a trip from Topsham to Dartmouth realistic with our passenger load? Obviously I wouldn't plan to do it iffy weather but a sea breeze can always occur unexpectedly.

Would a 2 stroke 50ph be happy at walking speed on the Thames?

How many can you comfortably get in a SR4 in flatish condition?

Anything else to consider - I don't have the funds or the space for two boats or a bigger RIB unfortunately.

Any help much appreciated.

vjmehra · 29 July 2012, 21:10

Not sure if this helps or not, but we have a 5.5m Humber Assult with a 60hp 2 stroke and to say it hates pottering along at 8km p/h on the non-tidal thames would be an understatemen, it would much rather be operating at higher revs.

willk · 29 July 2012, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestman

On our last few days out we have had an additional passenger (The mother in law) and were struggling to get on to the plane......

....Any help much appreciated.

I think I can see a way to solve more than one of your problems

wiLlfish · 29 July 2012, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I think I can see a way to solve more than one of your problems

Yus

Gett a divorse

Dat wud gett ridd ov too passinjers an thenn noe problum playnin

Nick Hearne · 30 July 2012, 09:45

Hi we are a family of 5 + dog & have a bombard with a 15hp 2st & have had a lot of fun on it & also have a SR4 with a 50hp 2st on her & the SR wil be up to the job no problem

Last year all 5 of us had a great weekend in her launching from Hamble over to Osbourne bay for some water skiing stayed in Cowes, next day down to Bembridge for the beach ane waterskiing day then back to Hamble, all this 5 up + all the kit & toys needed for a weekend away!
We have also taken her on the Thames from Cockham to Marlow with no problems to & we had my Mum & dog on too!
Great little boats

bestman · 30 July 2012, 09:56

Cheers Nick,

Sounds ideal.

Why do you keep the 380?

Nick Hearne · 30 July 2012, 22:06

I use it as my tender and for taking the dog for a walk + my eldest daughter nicks the SR4 telling me it is hers!
I do nick it off her now and again as it is sutch fun & I miss the growle of the 2st over my 4st!

akirk · 01 August 2012, 22:33

Another supporter... my SR4 has played on the Thames (very top end - Lechlade area) and will be ont here again in a couple of weeks - we launch it from a field - dropping down a 3-4 foot bank

- had lots of bods (adults and children) in it has a 40hp on it and seems happy pootling along...

Alasdair

Chris · 02 August 2012, 06:31

If you are planning on lots of low speed trolling then I would be looking to fit a light weight four stroke or modern 50 two stroke like an e-tec.

Max... · 02 August 2012, 07:54

I've often considered a SR4 as the big disadvantage of a SIB of course is the performance in any sort of chop (or even ripple!) due to the flattish bottom and miss the SR4.7 I briefly owned.

What sort of performance do you guys get with a 40 or 50 2 stroke with say 2 adults or more and how is it with pulling a mono skiier or adult skiiers in general?

Nick Hearne · 02 August 2012, 08:29

Mine with 50hp 2st will do 30kt with 2up and will pull me, it help to have some weight up front and I'm over 16st!

Max... · 02 August 2012, 09:52

Pull you on a mono Nick? Will it let you do a deep water start on one?

Nick Hearne · 02 August 2012, 14:37

I think I'm past deep water starts on mono!
In fack I never got the hange of it I would ether drop a ski or do a pontoon start!

Max... · 02 August 2012, 15:39

Ahh, been a few years since I did them too but that was behind the old man's 150 Mercruiser in a SeaRay...

badbaws · 02 August 2012, 17:12

I have had 3 searider 4m.. They are brilliant boots. The earlier ones were rated for 4 people, later ones for 6 people. It is possible (just) to have a small 3.3hp Auxiliary for pottering on the Thames
If you got an open 4m Searider with a tiller steered 40hp then could also buy a smaller engine for the thames and just switch it over.
Tiller control leaves much more room in the boat on a 4m.

bestman · 03 August 2012, 12:12

Good idea Badbaws I had never considered tiller steering - what you say makes sense.

I appreciate a centre console might be more comfortable for the helmsman but in reality if it wasn't OK for passengers sitting on the tubes I probably wouldn't be out anyway.

Max... · 03 August 2012, 13:03

I would be a little wary of a tiller steered 30 + kts 4m SR with people on the tubes...no console and they have nothing much else to hold onto, alright for pootling of course but at speed the quick direction changes a tiller allows needs care.

SR4's are cosy I guess!: