Small Rib

[ontheplane]

We have come to the conclusion that we're never going to get the big boat up on the plane and tow skiiers etc.

Currently we use a 2.8m airdeck with an 8HP to get out to the mooring etc, we load the dinghy onto the roof, engine in boot etc.

Then we either tow it or if doing a longer trip we'll take the o/b off and put the dinghy on the bow.

If we want to waterski etc, we therefore have 2 options:-

1) Upgrade to a 15HP on the dinghy - that is 50% more than it's rated to, and about the limit to lift on and off - but I am concerned that whilst the dinghy will fly along, it still may not have the oomph to pull anything more than perhaps a ringo (and even then it won't pull that well)
2) Get a SMALL rib (3m - maybe 3.5m) and fit it with around 30hp. This will go even better and might pull a skiier. However we won't then be able to put the rib on the bow and tie it down, nor take off the engine.

Of course if neither will pull a skiier then there is no point in doing either -

Thoughts anyone??

 

[chanelyacht]

I definately wouldn't want to go for option 1, if it goes tits up with that excessive engine you're looking at manslaughter. Sorry to sound harsh, but its happened.

Option 2 may well not meet your skier towing criteria - for two reasons. Firstly I'm not sure the power / skier weight & drag ratio would be sufficient, and secondly I'd not like to try the shock loading on that size rib.

Go up to 4.5m and things might be different.

 

[jfm]

Hmm. I had an Avon 340 rover rib with yam 15 on the last but one boat. no way would it ski, and towing a donut was a bit tame, red knuckle ride

A 3-3.5m rib will fly. I now have a 360 Walker bay, 100kg for the basic boat, with Yam40, same set up as Hurricane. At a bit less than full throttle it's developing 30hp and still screams along. Will waterski for sure, though a v good slalom skier can tug the back of it, and it wont pull a big bloke on a deep water monoski start, but it'll do everyhting else. This is a v nice boat but key advantage is its light weight. If you got the honda 30 you could have the whole boat, incl battery and full fuel tank, at about 230kg, which is easily the lightest in its class. With the yam 40efi it's another 10kg. These outboards all have power trim and stuff, so good kit

Channelyacht mentions shockloading on the rib. From waterskiing? There is no loading. you should attach the ski rope to the engine mount bolts. Then the load on the RIB is actually reduced by the waterskier. I just wouldn't worry about this aspect.

 

[gjgm]

I like the way the whole Fairline is tilting to starboard just with the weight of that Yammie /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[ontheplane]

Interesting - never thought about attaching the ski rope to the outboard mounts - good idea.

So I need a 3-3.5m rib with about 40hp - so that means that the 3-3.2m ones I'm seeing on eBay with 25's on need to be ignored or re-powered then /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Thanks for the input guys - useful

 

[gjgm]

with the WBay, the transom folds flat, so you could put it on the bow, and have a damn good pump..?
Funny you ask this, as I m pondering the same issues.. rib or airdeck. Of course, pretty quickly the o/board gets impossibly heavy to move about.
Was a guy off IOW at w/e with a 3m+ mini rib and a 20/25hp, and some quite nifty adult wakeboarding off the back. Actually, worked very well, I thought. I d go as far as to say, impressive.
I m a bit unsure about the effectiveness of the airdeck vs a rib hull in anything but pancake sea.. how have you found the 280 airdeck? Is it ok, or hopeless? My general preference would be the airdeck on weight and storage, but does it actually work?

 

[ontheplane]

Also is what channelyacht says true - if there was an accident with an engine over the reccommended max would I be liable for manslaughter?

 

[ontheplane]

Also have to say that a 4m Rib might just be too big in many ways

 

[chanelyacht]

There have been at least two convictions in France in the last 20 months relating to this - and crucially for UK law, an incident at Stourport where a motor cruiser overturned due to the number of people on board. OK, not directly the same, but the judge's key finding was that the owner had ignored the manufacturer's recommendations in regard to Recreational Craft Directive compliance, and that led to him being held responsible for the death that followed the accident.
RCD limits and manufacturer's recommendations are there for a reason.

 

[jfm]

[ QUOTE ]
I like the way the whole Fairline is tilting to starboard just with the weight of that Yammie /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Tee hee. Actually the RIB/yammie combo is perfectly balanced, being offset to port, which leaves the swim platform free on the stbd side. It must be balanced cos it dangles from the crane.

No, all Sq58 have a small list to stbd. Look next time you see one in a marina. I've never seen one that doesn't. Actually it's only a slight intrinsic list but most owners (me incl) have the balance pipes twixt stbd and port fuel + water tanks open, for convenience, so the fluid runs across and exaggerates the list. I have engine room space far port side for something big and I think I'll fit a couple of extra house batteries which i reckon will fix it. Have been looking for a battery box for 50cm long battery but can't find one...

 

[petem]

And I thought you'd left your wallet on the dashboard!

 

[Rum_Pirate]

[ QUOTE ]
I like the way the whole Fairline is tilting to starboard just with the weight of that Yammie /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ] OK now??

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[landlockedpirate]

I think a combination of all the above should do the trick. Get a Walker Bay 310 or 340 Rib, dont bother with the console or seat bases. These ribs can be deflated, transoms folded and stored in a bag and they are light enough to be carried on the roof.

Try and find a decent 2 stroke engine, 25hp should do the trick. Although it will be heavy you should just be able to manage it. You should be able to ski behind it on a pair, but not mono.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Make sure that you have adequate skiing etc insurance! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[MapisM]

There's a third option you might wish to consider.
Keep your current airdeck with the small o/b and learn to start from the swimming platform, with the rib already launched. It takes a bit of practice and good co-ordination between the skier and the driver, but is indeed feasible.
Not with a monoski, though - with 8hp you'll never reach the min speed required.

 

[gjgm]

just to add, after mono ski comments, does it need to be skiing? Just thinking of this guy with the (mini?) wakeboard.. he wasnt using it as a wakeboard per se, more as a slalom mono ski... guess you d need alot less power for that?

 

[ontheplane]

I have seen this:- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200348684919&_trksid=p2761.l1259 - by my reckoning that's a 10 footer

Problem is that I'm not sure 25hp is going to do the job - AND I face the problem of the boat is only rated for a 20 (Looks like everyone's at it) it's a bit small for a full RIB but a bit big for a deflate and throw it up top - is it the answer to my prayers or actually the worst of all worlds?

 

[chanelyacht]

As you're at Bristol, it's worth popping up the A38 and having a chat with Martin Sams at Samspeed Marine, Falfield (just off J14 M5). He's a main Valiant dealer, but also knows more about boats than most people knew existed, so he should be able to give an opinion on whether what you're looking for is feasable. Nice chap too.

 

[gjgm]

well, who are you going to be towing/skiing, re impending manslaughter charge ! I wouldnt worry at all about that, but maybe thats just me...
I m not clear how you are going to be using this.. if its always off a trailer, weight is less of an issue, but if not, I think keeping the weight down is priority 1.
Not easy to get weights for older 2 strokes, but as far as I can see, its was only the baby ones that were so light... 20+ seem surprisingly heavy compared to a modern 4 st.

 

[Wiggo]

Our kids ski and SWMBO wakeboards off a 3m Brig 300 Sport RIB with a Johnson 2 stroke 15 hp motor. The RIB is very light (sub 100kg even with the console). It's never going to be competition skiing stuff, but it suffices. We also tow a chariot, but the kids really want more speed with that now they're older, although we can tow it to it's recommended maximum speed, raising the earlier issue of ignoring manufacturers' advice...