Engine size

[bumblefish]

Hi I have sold my fast fisher and want the ability to have the occasional fishing trip in and around Portsmouth Hbr. I live local to the Camber slip so I am thinking an F-RIB 330/360 will meet my needs. I have a virtual new Yam 6HP and would like an opinion on which model for one-up fishing/pottering best suits this engine size? F-RIB price is not an issue so its just boat handling/performance/weight that is the differentiation.

[Martin]

Hii Bumblefish, Welcome to the forum.

There's little difference in weight between the frib 330 and the frib 360.. from the top of my head i think its about 5kg difference.
A 6hp, hmmm... I'm a big believer in having a few horses spare, although with the f-rib you'll find the super sleek hull is very efficient so a 6hp may be ok.
If you're only doing local fishing, one up and in calm seas i'm pretty sure the yam 6hp will be sufficient for either boat.
Others with a 6hp will hopefully chip in with their experiences.

[Phil]

Hi Bumblefish,

I tested out a 330 F-RIB with Alan at F-RIBS SE in Kent pushed by a 6hp 4-stroke and 15hp 2-stroke, solo, two-up and three-up. The test convinced me to buy a 360 F-RIB with a 15hp 2-stroke off Alan.

IMO, I thought the 330 with a 6hp would be good lightweight-ish package if you were mainly going out by yourself. I got a lot of advice from the very helpful guys like Douglas on this forum, who gets up on a plane with this combo and goes out in all sorts of weathers (although, unlike me, he evidently knows what he's doing out on the water!). I was told at the time that a 6hp would struggle to get the 360 up on a plane, unless you used a smaller prop.

I mainly use my F-Rib fishing two-up. The benefit for me of the 360 is that, for an extra 5kg weight, you get an additional foot of useable space which means I'm not banging in to my passenger all the time (I'm 6'3") + the 360 has a much higher load weight (something like 750kg). It's additional buoyancy makes it feel a lot more stable with 2 or more people on board. I think the 360 is a bit more sturdy too as all 3 of its folding sections are secured with 2 bolts and rubber washers vs 1 bolt/washer on the 330.

I initially bought the 15hp because it felt so much more fun to use than the 6hp. I've clocked my 360 at 22 knots two-up with a load of fishing gear. Having said that, things get very bumpy (especially at the front of the boat) at WOT if there's a bit of chop. For the comfort of my passenger, I don't usually go flat out unless the sea is pretty calm. I'm actually considering getting a 9.9hp Tohatsu 2-stroke at some point as I think it's power would match what you can comfortably push the F-RIB to in about 70% of our sea conditions and my back would appreciate lifting fewer kilos.

However, to Martin's point, where I have found the additional power has come in handy has been in rough weather. I've got caught out a few times in force 6/7 and, with my relative inexperience, the 15hp gives the 360 useful grunt to ride the back of waves in a following sea.

I hope that helps your decision process. Great boats, whichever one you go for. Happy boating!

Cheers,

Phil

[bumblefish]

TU Martin I'm in my late 70s so engine weight also comes into the equation. Might mange a 9.8 Tohatsu at 37 Kg; is this a better power options?

[bumblefish]

TU Phil; looks like a 9.8 might be a good compromise

[Martin]

TU Martin I'm in my late 70s so engine weight also comes into the equation. Might mange a 9.8 Tohatsu at 37 Kg; is this a better power options?

I would say that'll be ideal, I have a 9HP 2stroke suzuki and it pushes my frib 375 along just great.
We can all debate about the 6hp capabilities, but as said many times.. would you rather have a twin cylinder 8hp+ and a little power to spare to carry a bit more gear/person or would you rather be on the limit of a 6hp... I think i'm right in sying the 6hp are single cylider and the 8hp is a twin cylinder. Do make sure you're getting the correct weights between the 2 stroke and the 4 stroke outboards though.
You'll notice also, the tohatsu 9.8 and 9.9 are significantly different motors in regard to cc (cubic capacity) which will make a difference.
It all comes down to your personal choice, lifting capability etc.
If you're looking at an f-rib in the 40kg range, i'm guessing you'll be fine handling the upto 40kg outboard?

If it's of any use to you, there is a used F-rib 330 package for sale at the moment, have a look here... http://f-ribsandsibs.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2445

If you decide a new outboard and frib is a worthy package to purchase, Please consider Alan at f-rib south east.. He'll do his best to sort you a package deal !!
https://www.frib-se.co.uk/
Alan is known as F-Rib South East on the forum

[Phil]

TU Phil; looks like a 9.8 might be a good compromise

Sorry, I actually meant the Tohatsu 9.8hp 2-stroke - the one that's only 26kg. My 15hp is only about 10kg heavier, but very good at aggravating an old rugby back injury when lifting. This bag makes things a lot easier:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ducksback-wate ... B00D44VOV8

+1 recommendation for Alan at F-RIBs SE. The demo he gave me included handling the packed-up 330 and 360 F-RIBs. Both boats are really two-man jobs to carry when packed-up, unless just sliding in and out of a hatch on a truck or van.

[bumblefish]

TU both Martin & Phil for the sage advice; bigger is better!

[Paul]

Hi there Bumblefish and to the forum

On the FRIB 275 your 6hp Yam is proven to perform well however I'd agree to the comments given above regarding the heavier 330/360 models.
I've launched from Camber slip a few times and as you know in the warmer months the harbour entrance gets very busy ..... tie that in with a tide in full flow then I'd not want to be helming a 330/360 with a 6hp TBH .... yes it'll do it but I'd want a bit of 'grunt' to keep out of harms way
Just my 2p
Enjoy your FRIB ownership as I have, I'm sure you'll love it

[bumblefish]

TU Paul. I have kept a number of fast fishers at the Camber Dry Stack over the past few years and one of them had a 100hp on the back and even with that power the harbour entrance can be a scary place. I am probably going to limit my trips to mostly in the harbour now, including Langston and Chichester and so a 6hp should cope. Putting my 6hp on the back of a 360 with Steve Bruce on Wednesday and hopefully this will force a decision but if anyone can solve the problem of getting a 37Kg Tohatsu 9.8hp safely from the car onto the back of a 360 alone without damage to either myself or the engine, then problem solved. One way or another I am getting a 360, its just a question whats on the back. Watch this space.