Warpa
Well-Known Member
How is it that a 4m rib can do this day in day out, but a 5m bowrider cant? Just did a little reading and it seems a rib of 4m with 50hp outboard wil cross the channel with easze. So why cant a 21' bowrider?
4m RIB across the Channel
- Thread starter Warpa
- Start date
Beamishken
Well-Known Member
Because a 4m rib can take a swamping & carry on your average bow rider will probably sink!
Guess it's the same reason the rnli use ribs too
Guess it's the same reason the rnli use ribs too
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
It can't. Small boats used to cross the channel more often when people were used to smaller starting boats, and had different expectations, but no 4m rib can cross day in day out, even on the narrowest crossing point. It's all about timing, and doing it when conditions suit.
Let's start from a different point, what have you heard that says this is happening? Even 40 years ago, multiple cross channel crossers in small powerboats, would not attempt it day in day out, they'd pick a weather window, and even with good weather window, sea conditions would not be ideal. It's a waiting game most of the time. Even i a 21' cuddy, I'd take different decisions to a 21' bowrider.
Mr Googler
Well-Known Member
The general rule with ribs when comparing to hard boats in terms of seaworthiness is a 1.5 ratio. I.e a 5m rib is as seaworthy as a 7.5m hard boat. If anything I think it's more than that having done many miles in ribs from 5.5m up to 10m. It's also a case of confidence. Ribs have separate buoyancy chambers and pair that with twin outboards and you have.....a lifeboat 
As with hard boats, there are variations in rib design. For example, delta ribs have a large flared up nose and can take loads of weather. Scanner ribs say, are lower (popular super-yacht tenders) and can't take as much.
Bow riders struggle even more as front buoyancy is compromised for the sake of seating and of course can take on water in heavy seas. It's just not what they are designed for.
One thing I would say is rib channel crossings can be an outdoor pursuit. Buoyancy suit, heated socks and gloves, ski mask......couldn't wait to see land again It was a February delivery though.
As with hard boats, there are variations in rib design. For example, delta ribs have a large flared up nose and can take loads of weather. Scanner ribs say, are lower (popular super-yacht tenders) and can't take as much.Bow riders struggle even more as front buoyancy is compromised for the sake of seating and of course can take on water in heavy seas. It's just not what they are designed for.
One thing I would say is rib channel crossings can be an outdoor pursuit. Buoyancy suit, heated socks and gloves, ski mask......couldn't wait to see land again
It was a February delivery though.Warpa
Well-Known Member
Just curious as im due a change to my boating. I wad going to sell my bowrider and go back to my old school SIB times, I have a Honwave 3.8 airdeck with 5hp engine, this would be changed to a 20hp next spring, then the more I thought about it I saw myself ending up with a 4m RIB, more seaworthy than my 5.2m bowrider, can be tailored easily so no dry stack costs, and will sip fuel compared to 3.0L inboard.
This is where my reading came from;
The 4m Avon was originally conceived with a 50hp, two-stroke Mercury as its power plant. In modern times two-stroke has given way to four-stroke motors, which are heavier and do not pick up so fast. Together with the weight shift aft of the seating, the new Avon handles differently to the lively and sporty Avon of yester year. Don’t get me wrong, it is still an incredible little boat and one I would happily cross the Channel in, or go to Ireland or undertake any other open water passage within its fuel range, it is just that the original side by side seating and covered foredeck spread the weight more evenly and with two people she seems to ride better. The modern layout does have a different balance but can still be driven spiritedly in rough waters.
This is where my reading came from;
The 4m Avon was originally conceived with a 50hp, two-stroke Mercury as its power plant. In modern times two-stroke has given way to four-stroke motors, which are heavier and do not pick up so fast. Together with the weight shift aft of the seating, the new Avon handles differently to the lively and sporty Avon of yester year. Don’t get me wrong, it is still an incredible little boat and one I would happily cross the Channel in, or go to Ireland or undertake any other open water passage within its fuel range, it is just that the original side by side seating and covered foredeck spread the weight more evenly and with two people she seems to ride better. The modern layout does have a different balance but can still be driven spiritedly in rough waters.
Nick_H
Well-Known Member
OK, i'll race you point to point in a moderate sea, you in a 5m RIB, and me in a 7.5m Boston Whaler. A suitable wager would obviously need to be agreed
Mr Googler
Well-Known Member
OK, i'll race you point to point in a moderate sea, you in a 5m RIB, and me in a 7.5m Boston Whaler. A suitable wager would obviously need to be agreed
Ha, you got me there. Tell you what, let me up to 6.4m and I'll take the wager, in an Atlantic 21 (I've had 2
)Bostons are fabulous aren't they with a great hull shape and all that unsinkable buoyancy. Hold their money too!!
Steve C Cronin
N/A
See my winning article MB & Y "Cruising Competition" February 1976.
Channel Isles in a Marina 16GT with a 50hp outboard.
We did that crossing 27 times in "Wild Rover" before moving to a 23ft sailboat "Wild Venture" which did it a dozen times including a trip to the Morbihan via the canals then a 30ft Hunter "Wild Horizon" which again did nine. We now have a 44footer sailer in Greece where our favourite cruising grounds are the gulfs of Corinth and Patras plus the Argolic and Saronic. That boat has never seen the UK as it was bought new out here.
Modern softies!
Channel Isles in a Marina 16GT with a 50hp outboard.
We did that crossing 27 times in "Wild Rover" before moving to a 23ft sailboat "Wild Venture" which did it a dozen times including a trip to the Morbihan via the canals then a 30ft Hunter "Wild Horizon" which again did nine. We now have a 44footer sailer in Greece where our favourite cruising grounds are the gulfs of Corinth and Patras plus the Argolic and Saronic. That boat has never seen the UK as it was bought new out here.
Modern softies!
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