Isles of Scilly: what should I do re RIB?

[longjohnsilver]

Setting off to Scilly this w/e from Exmouth, about 150 miles. Now the quandry I have is what to take as a tender. We have a 4.8 meter RIB which would be really useful to get around in once there, leave Blue Fisher on the mooring so no difficulties when returning at any time with all moorings taken, plus fun to use and much faster than BF. Downside is towing it down there and what to do with it when we anchor or moor elsewhere, plus lost speed and extra fuel consumption.

Or do we take the smaller 3.1 RIB which I often tow behind, easy to do. Downside is that it is a wet boat in any conditions other than flat calm but very good as a general tender.

Or do I forget both of those and use the 2.8 Zodiac with an inflatable floor? Great little boat and much drier than the Avon but also much smaller, which could be a problem with us and 2 dogs!

Would love to take the larger RIB, heart says go for it, potentially lots of fun, but head says what about the mooring problems (we don't intend to use marinas) and what if it gets rough at sea.

My partner Debs wants to know what I intend to do, problem is I really can't make my mind up!! Help!

 

[DAKA]

Inflatable Zodiac would get my vote so I can cruise at 25knts with no worries about loosing it off the davits/tow when you find a swell.

If you only intend to cruise at 10 knots anyway then I may consider the big RIB especially if you only have one engine in BF.


Even 10 knts will exceed the hull speed, have you tried to tow far and is it expendable ?

 

[ChrisE]

I'm a raggie but would suggest that the Zodiac is the best bet. The seas between Lands End and IoS get fairly choppy and the thought of having to keep an eye a 16' RIB dangling off the back whilst navigating around there doesn't seem sensible to me. Looking at the met for the w/e it looks like it might get bit blowy from the N so as you left the LE you might have a bit of handful.

FWIW we take our 3.4 Zodiac as a tender to the IoS and, given the generally sheltered nature of the waters have found this OK.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Yes should have said that we cruise at anything between 6 and 15 kts. Have towed the 4.8 to Dartmouth, no real issues then, but still quite a big lump. Both 4.8 and 3.1 are too big for my davits, so towing is only option.

Should also have said that we are likely to spend time in falmouth especially if weather turns, so again RIB there would be v useful.

 

[hlb]

We managed perfectly ok, with the little dinghy and 4hp. Even though we did get lost going to Tresco and finished up on St Martins. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

As folk have said, you dont want things able to go wrong off Lands End.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Obviously you know your RIBS better than I do but how do they behave when being towed in really rough conditions? Surely there's an awful lot of snatching and what about in a big following sea if you want to keep your speed up to avoid broaching?
Personally, I would'nt want the burden of towing a tender behind my boat. What about somebody else running the big RIB out to the Scillies for you. I'm sure you'll find some idiot/kind soul to do it for you

 

[longjohnsilver]

Thanks for offering Mike, are you available next week? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Hurricane]

I can only add that we went to the Scilles last year and left the boat in St Marys whilst using the tender for getting around.
Remember the tidal range - I wasnt confident to go to the other anchoriges so we used the tender all the time.
If you CAN manage to take the larger RIB I'm sure you'd find it useful when you get there.

Have fun though.
Remember to get the Fish and Chips from the New Inn on Tresco - best I've ever had.
Also a good restaurant in St Marys - sorry cant remember the name but the one below ground (first left and then on the right as you come off the quay).

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Sorry, I'm off on my boat but I'm sure GC1 is available and cheap