Advice about size and type

[Andy]

Hi there.posting.php?f=59&mode=post&sid=eb583e10 ... 8e7e4736bd#
I bet this has been asked tons of times, but......

I am new to all this boat stuff, and have been beach fishing for ages, and now I need to get to the fish, rather than wait for them to come to me.
I want to fish say 1/2 mile from the beach, maybe a bit more on calm days, and I have no intention of fishing in a force 6, or powering my way to the Scilly Isles for the day !
I am not bothered about it fitting in the car, I can, and have towed just about everything, so I thought about a rib ?
I'll use it mostly by myself, but sometimes with 2 others on board.
Most of the info online suggests that I need a minimum 5.5m with at least 70hp, but I think for what I want, maybe this is a bit over the top ? I Dont know ?
Most of the time I am going to be anchored offshore so wonder what the effect of tides etc will have on a boat a metre or 2 larger ?

Basically I am after some advice from someone who has "been there" and what you use in similar circumstances, and I wonder if a smaller rib will suffice for what I want to do.

I will probably want to customise my own boat, but I have read some ribs have large tubes which limits space, its all a bit confusing.

Please help
Cheers in advance
Solar

[Andy]

It depends on your budget, but I would say a 5.5m rib with a 70 would be total overkill.
I use a 3.8m Honwave with a 9.9hp outboard and it is perfect for one or two people when fishing.
If your budget runs to it then an F-RIB, either a 360 or 430, with a 20hp engine would be pretty much perfect. Brand new, a 430 and engine would be around 5-6K. Much cheaper than a RIB

No doubt there will be lots more posts and opinions......

[warder54]

Totally agree with Chris, if budget allows, the F-Rib is the best of both worlds. Folds for transport if required and a nice easy launch if you decide to trailer. I have the 360, trailer to local venues and fold for long journeys. With my Tohatsu 20 efi fitted it goes very well (hang-on quick!) but is very happy when leisurely cruising along. I would be happy to take this out to the 12 mile insurance limit knowing that it will cope if the weather suddenly "cuts up rough" I've been out in some pretty rough stuff, in truth it can handle more than I can!

[chris moody]

It sounds like you are happy towing and have somewhere to store a small boat on a trailer. In view of that I would go with a hard hulled boat. If you want secondhand you could look at a Avon Searider SR4 Deluxe (the version with 4 bucket seats) or Avon Supersport 3.45m (bench seating for 4). A good condition SR4 Deluxe would cost around £3500 and a Supersport under £2000. Or you could look at a small cathedral hulled dory. If you want new and have a bigger budget then a Warrior boat would be ideal.

[Andy]

Welcome aboard Solar

I have one of the F-Ribs it’s a 3.75m with a 20hp efi Suzuki attached. It goes like the clappers, sits on a trailer in my garage and gets towed whenever I’m not caravanning. When the caravan comes out it gets folded up and shoved in the tub of my pick-up, for me it’s an impeccable set up that meets all of my requirements and more.

Would it suit you?
Probably not from what you’re asking.

I think a 4m + rib would suit you better, very easy to handle on a trailer, self launch should still be more than possible.
Perhaps an SR4 might do it for you, but I think even that may be a little overkill for what you’re wanting.
I personally, if in your situation would be looking at something more like the small ribs that Paul and SpareRib have.
They’re cracking lightweight ribs that handle the sea states easily for fishing but give you that little more stability and confidence than a Frib or sib.
The mercury ocean runners that the two boys have are superb little ribs, Paul’s being slightly larger than SpareRibs allows a little more manoeuvrability internally for fishing comfort and carrying those extra folk as and when required.
I’m sure the guys will be along shortly to offer a little more insight to their choice of craft.
With a rib such as those I’ve mentioned, you’d easily get away with a 30/40hp outboard - fuel economy is often a big factor these days and we’ll worth taking into account.
A 30-40hp will be super economical but large enough to give you the power you need as and when required.

This is just my opinion and I’m pretty sure someone will be along with a different view

Martin

[Shaun]

Welcome

Ok my 2 cents worth....

Being a FRIB430 owner i will say that its plenty for what you wanting. Mine is pushed along by a E-TEC30 and this does the job well. She is stable in the water and can handle a fair bit of chop without spray.

Shaun

[Andy]

Thanks for all your answers.
I can instantly see the benefits of an Frib, especially when its a 5 hour trip to South Scotland, without a trailer, from down here in Bedford, and a minimum 2 hours to almost any beach, again without a trailer. Adding a trailer will take even longer.
The only downside to all of this is that a 30-40hp OB is gunna be over 40kg, and difficult for one man. Obviously some how you guys get over this.

While there are plenty of slipways to launch from, the ability to shove it all down the beach on hard sand with wheels, seems a good idea, but how many times will I do this ?

I am not after bow waving everyone in the sea, and well prepared to trundle along at 5 knots if I have too, as long as I get to the right place where the little buggers hang out, waiting to be caught !

I do think however, that I am really buying all of this for MY use and having a mate on board will be nice, but I have no intention of ending up with a 50 foot bus, just to accommodate all my mates ! So size I think up to 5m should do, and I agree, I am new to all of this, and I would feel more confident on say a 4.5 than a 3.2

I am surprised how small some of you guys get away with, and I have no idea how the Kiyack guys and galls do it, thats just far too small for me lol, but obviously they must be safe of sorts !

So, I am still confused about a large Frib, or a small rib. Also I could probaly get a new frib for the cost of a cheap rib thats up to 10 years old, but i could have more expense kitting out the new frib, and seats do seem to be more comfortable in a rib. I can see the benefits and downside of both options, I think it's just a difficult question to answer really.

Cheers

[Alan]

Solarsurfer
I have a 20 HP Mercury 4 stroke on a f-rib 375 and it goes about 25 mile per hour with 3 men on the boat. That is fast on a boat so close to the water. This is all the motor I can lift at my age. I would recommend going to a marine store to see how they feel to lift and put one and off a stand alone. If you will always have 2 people neither is a problem.

Remember you also should consider the weight of the boat. A f-rib 375 was my limit and I still use a trolley to move it over a few few feet at 64 years old.

[sparerib]

Solarsurfer,

My (as mentioned by Martin) Mecury 340 with a Yamaha 30hp 4 stroke would be ideal for single or 2-3 up use. I have a centre console on which I prefer rather than sitting on the tubes and tiller steering, that is only personal choice. When I stripped the old console off over the winter I was amazed at how much deck space there was, easily take 3-4 fishing.

IMO a 5m would be too big for what you are after, with the added length/width, comes exponentially more issues, harder to launch/recover single handed, needs a bigger engine, more fuel etc etc bigger trailer, more storage space....yes you get more room but also more issues, not insurmountable ones but more issues!

I use mine for fishing, pottering around, and charging around like an idiot and it'll handle some pretty sh!t weather if it turns nasty.

Pauls 420 Mercury at only 80cm longer than mine is much bigger in comparison, the added beam makes a huge difference, and he'll correct me if I'm wrong still fits in a single garage.

Cheers

RB

[Andy]

Alan, I am only 4 years behind ya, hence the weight lifting problem at 40kg.

So, concensus of opinion is that my choice should be a Mercury Ocean Runner 340 rib with a 20 or 30HP OB, or a Frib of about the same length with a 20hp ? I take it the Mercury has to be trailered ?
I am amased that inflatables of this small size can actually do what you say they do, as my only exp of small inflatables is getting from sailing boat to land on a few occasions, and I really didnt look at them as being more than doing that ! I am also amased at what you can get for a sailing boat for the same money, only prob is, they aint portable !

Stupid question, but with such limited space, where do people sit while moving and fishing ? On the tubes ? On the cooler box ?

Solar