Minimum size for happy seakeeping?

[Chiara’s slave]

You’ve hit the poor RIB in it’s soft underbelly there. The tubes take up most if the boat. The space for humans is restricted. On the plus side, the boat is basically a giant fender, useful for the less confident helmsman when approaching millions of quids worth of other peoples property.

 

[Sianna]

One more vote for a Leader 805, although in the current climate you may have to shift your budget, that said there was one for sale on the Isle of Wight recently for £34K?

We bought ours nearly 3 years ago, we are based on the solent and she handles most of the weather we have seen, economical enough to be used frequently, 2 cabins, heads and galley, cheap to service and can still top 30knots, it's just the mooring costs, if you want to walk aboard, that gets expensive.

If you fancy having a clamber over one and a chat, give me a shout as I'm based down at Bucklers Hard.

 

[fushion julz]

I have a Fairey Huntress 23.... I'd say it's a pretty good sea-keeping boat in a Solent chop...bigger waves can be a bit crashy, but it never feels unsafe

 

[R400]

We’ve got a Formula 252 Sunsport here in Anglesey, ergo lots of chop. always dry and comfortable. Ours was re powered with a 300 Seacore so would be more economical than the 7.4. We get about 2 litres a mile at 25 mph. Love it for long days out, little stove and a loo. I’d love to stay over but memsahib found the MF 805 only just acceptable so the conditions would have to be exceptional to achieve that one.

 

[QBhoy]

We’ve got a Formula 252 Sunsport here in Anglesey, ergo lots of chop. always dry and comfortable. Ours was re powered with a 300 Seacore so would be more economical than the 7.4. We get about 2 litres a mile at 25 mph. Love it for long days out, little stove and a loo. I’d love to stay over but memsahib found the MF 805 only just acceptable so the conditions would have to be exceptional to achieve that one.

Curious around the difference you have found between the old 7.4 and the mpi 350 (presuming it’s the mpi if it’s 300hp). Often wondered if the 350 mpi might just perform better than the 7.4, given the very similar hp and the significant weight difference. Wonder if the extra rpms available from the mpi might turn a good prop allowing more hull lift from the water too.

 

[R400]

We didn’t have the boat with the original engine so can’t say. You’re right with regard to the weight penalty for just an extra 30 brake. Also ours is the Bravo 3. Tops out at circa 45 mph but we do carry quite a bit of gear Plus the old antifoull has so many layers plus bare bits it about as slippy as bastard file. The previous owner was a keen skier and I’m happy enough to leave it propped as is, holeshots pretty good.
will definitely have a polished hull for next season , if anyone has any ideas on efficient removal pleased to hear about them, the last time I ended up looking like a Smurf.

 

[DrSpock]

Find a yard that blasts - removing old antifoul is just a nasty job.