Trailer-less RIB for Waterskiing?

dnathan71 · 12 September 2014, 01:23

We plan to buy a toy hauler travel trailer and travel as a family of four (kids are 4 & 7). I could buy a Waverunner, but I hope to find a fold-up RIB that I could cart down to the water, inflate it, and hook on a 30HP engine for waterskiing. Are there RIBs large enough for this that don't require a trailer?

Thanks!

Chinchilla · 12 September 2014, 07:06

How do you plan on lifting a 30?

dnathan71 · 12 September 2014, 17:40

I'm guessing we could wheel it down to the water line. My wife is very strong, so I don't think the two of us would have a problem with it. But then again, this is only in theory. Thoughts?

Is there a boat out there that wouldn't require a trailer, yet be big/strong enough for wake boarding, tubing and even waterskiing with three of us in the boat?

Landlockedpirate · 12 September 2014, 18:07

Mine just about qualifies, but its a sib,not a rib.

Its a Zodiac Futura Mk3 FR, will pull a kneeboard, ringo or smaller skier/wakeboarder with the 25hp and pulls an adult skier with the 40hp on it. Myself and teenage son can handle it between 2 of us on transom wheels as long as the ground is good.

Great boat, tops out just over 35kts with 3 on board.

John Kennett · 12 September 2014, 18:18

Yes, but you use a trailer to transport it though don't you?

The OP is reckoning on something he can assemble on arrival.

Peter_C · 12 September 2014, 19:07

At 28 off I towed at 34 mph behind a comp boat. No small RIB is going to do that. Single ski speeds are not going to be attainable without a lot of HP. Now my 40hp has just enough power to pull a wakeboarder. Kneeboarding wouldn't be a problem I suppose. Using another boat wake I did land a roll behind a Boston Whaler with a 25hp motor, but it could barely get me up to speed, and changed directions with any hard cut. Point being, don't expect much from a little RIB.

If you have a Toy Hauler you can bring pretty much whatever you want. Just use transom wheels, and build a cradle to hold it while driving. RIB's don't roll up so there is no point in deflating it. Now if you meant SIB and plan to roll it that is another story. Most of the Toy Hauler's I have seen have hooks in the ceiling that you "might" be able to use to lift a motor. Gotta check with the manufacturer though. They typically have beds that attach to the ceiling, along with other items.

dnathan71 · 12 September 2014, 19:35

Yeah, I ski, but I think I would just wakeboard. My kids could wakeboard and tube.

To be honest, I hadn't even considered not deflating it, though I would have the room to do so. I'm guessing that wouldn't add much weight. (weight is a huge factor). Hmmm...

Landlockedpirate · 12 September 2014, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Yes, but you use a trailer to transport it though don't you?

The OP is reckoning on something he can assemble on arrival.

Yep, I trailer it. But its an airfloor, can assmble in 30 mins with the Bravo if I really really have to.

But as everyone knows, anything bigger than an Aerotec is a non starter without a trailer.

geir · 12 September 2014, 23:20

In the old days we used to waterski all year round behind my 12 ft SIB with a 30 hp Yamaha. Used to haul it around in the back of my Volvo estate, and launch it on a slipway, so I could handle the boat and engine by myself if needed. (Usually took less time alone

) Using a spare SCUBA tank, inflation was almost as quick as the economy.
Getting up on the skis took some skill and hand strength though, spent a fair stretch going through the water with the skis a yard below the surface

We even managed to do it with the 25 hp Evinrude that preceded the Yam. Skiing behind a SIB is great fun as you have almost as much control over the direction of the boat as the guy at the helm.

Geir

dnathan71 · 13 September 2014, 05:41

Did you use your scuba gear to breathe until you could stand? Lol. Growing up we had a pathetic engine and drug along forever. It built character I guess. Still well worth it for the fun we had. I appreciate your input.

cptsideways · 13 September 2014, 22:33

Used to waterski behind our 3.6m hardboat with a 25hp with ease, it had quite a spritely holeshot from memory

beamishken · 13 September 2014, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by cptsideways

Used to waterski behind our 3.6m hardboat with a 25hp with ease, it had quite a spritely holeshot from memory

Yep used to ski behind our 3.8m rib with 28 yam no problem get up on 2 skis then drop one 28 mph was about ideal for me

HDAV · 14 September 2014, 21:01

Sure i have seen skiers behind Zapcats, what car do you have?