island hopping in ocean on an 8ft rib.. time to upgrade.

[Lund_bC]

I have been crossing about 4-7 kms between islands up near desolation sound in BC, on the east side of vancouver island, it's kind of semi protected area where kayakers are constantly going, In this 8ft rib inflatable with a 8hp i have felt pretty save except for the odd time the wind picks up or a big wake comes up, overall i figure i must be safer out there than kayakers, at any rate as i go out so often i feel my chances of getting stuck in some bad enough waves is growing and I am not looking forward to that day, i do carry a little radio and other saftey gear, nice thing is if motor died on a nice day it's no problem to row this boat.. but at any rate i am a few kms from shore when crossing over.. I think i need a bigger boat, but just barely bigger, i like not paying much at the dock for monthly in the dinghy section and also fuel consumption and being able to pull up on the beach and move the boat pretty much where ever.. so i am looking for the best possible boat for my useage as small as possible but safe enough that i won't feel crazy sometimes being on a 8ft raft when some chop blows up.. what would be a good size rib that you might think of as ocean worth (ocean as far as semi-protected, someone that constantly checks weather and most times has a survivor suit on) thanks

 

[ronaldj]

If you are trying to use your current motor then go for one of the ultralight 10 foot ribs You could actually carry these without a trail or AB makes one, Zodiac makes one, West Marine has one. They have foldable transoms. If you go up in engine size an have a place to dock it or a trailor then get a 12 or 14 ft rib with or without a console. Zodiac, AB, Walker Bay and Achillies come to mind

 

[Lund_bC]

thanks ronaldj.. what do you think about a 10 ft rib out on the ocean though, it's kind of a dinghy still.. I feel safe but people think i am crazy in my 8ft then again i check the weather and am pretty cautious

 

[Guest]

Honestly i don't know if i would feel safe in anything under 21ft and has to be a big boat with either a cuddy or cabin

 

[Lund_bC]

Honestly i don't know if i would feel safe in anything under 21ft and has to be a big boat with either a cuddy or cabin

I guess. except when you consider the hundreds of sea kayakers around any given week, desolation sounds is full of kayakers in the summer in large groups, I am on their route most times and they never had a problem around here, i figure an 8ft rib with motor is safer all around as it's harder to flip over, not to mention I can get to shore quicker than they can and have all my safety gear.

 

[Guest]

If all those kayakers jumped off a bridge, would you? Dont get me wrong i think a rib is safer then a sib. I own a 11ft sib and plan on going couple miles out on open water so we are in a similar situation. I would say its fine ad long as wind/gusts speed are low.

 

[Lund_bC]

cool ! ya, i am just sayiing there is little old ladies with their small lap dogs on kayaks that kind of don't look so crazy.. lol.. I always cross about 4 - 7 kms in my rib (each waY) check a crab or prawn trap and race back, sometimes i throw in my lady friend and a large dog, tent the works as long as the weather is looking good all around, I am always watching the weather on my phone and i carry lots of safety stuff.. the best thing is i can easy row 7 kms or so without much sweating !

I really do love the feeling of a being in a small boat out on the water, a little rubber duck with a 8hp, it's a special feeling that overall I don't think is risky if you are completely aware of the wind and carry a radio and for the water i am i do wear a mustang survival suit.

 

[ronaldj]

So 4-7 Kim's is = to 3 to 5 miles I think is probally everybody's limit in the open ocean. Now protected water is another story Anything past that and you need a boat with a trail or so you can have enough motor to get through the rougher water

 

[ssobol]

While your boat might be fine in nice weather with the motor. If the motor fails and you have to row it into the wind, 5-7Kms is going to be a looooong way. A kayak will be able to travel a lot better in those conditions due to its shape.

 

[ronaldj]

When you go off shore you should always have to power sources It is insane to only have one motor. We have discussed this part before. I can't speak for other parts of the ocean , but those of us who frequent the Atlantic carry our regular motor and a smaller backup motor. Everybody can't rely on Weimed to come to the rescue

 

[Sea Rider]

If light weight, portability easy to assemble, disassemble is a must go for at least for air deck 320 / 10'5 Ft. If not that light weight nor portability with more work to assemble, disassemble go for same 320 with wooden or alum floor. You can go sibbing for longer distances with small and medium size sibs with small portables. But when sea cond dramatically changes is other story.

Having more than one portable engine onboard or not, doing risky sea outings or not will depend entirely on you. Knowing well your boating location before venturing out is a must know. A very light HP say 5 HP down to 3.5 min is excellent as a back up engine under normal water conditions, but will enevitably will be neutralized under strong currents and wind, so counting with one is relative.

Happy Boating

 

[ronaldj]

Sea Rider the OP was talking about getting a 10 foot Rib. They now actually make ultralight Ribs They are collapsible and have folding Transoms They come 8ft 10 Ft and 12 ft That is about 2.8m, 3.1m and 3.9m. They actually weigh about the same as an air floor Sib They have aluminum hulls They fold up to about 7 ft long and 3 feet wide You transport they like you would a surf board or kayak The only problem you have with one is the 9.9hp 4 stroke motor limit. Anything larger and the motor will weigh more than the boat. It also defeats the OP's lightweight use requirement Had I known about these when I brought my sib, I would have brought an aluminum floor ultralite Rib the same size

 

[Sea Rider]

Ronaldj,

Woops one letter makes the whole boating difference. Are all 3 limited to max 9,9 or just the smaller ones ? This kind of ribs needs to be top inflated to max working pressure or collapsible transom will rock along when giving throttle. You could sell in near future your 325 and go for a nice 10-12 footer.

Happy Boating

 

[ronaldj]

Ronaldj, Woops one letter makes the whole boating difference. Are all 3 limited to max 9,9 or just the smaller ones ? This kind of ribs needs to be top inflated to max working pressure or collapsible transom will rock along when giving throttle. You could sell in near future your 325 and go for a nice 10-12 footer. Happy Boating

The issue is that the Ultralite Ribs weigh under 100 pounds The folding/ collapse able transoms are rated for approx 90 pound 4 strokes. A 90 pound 4 stroke is 9.9hp. Now if you are lucky enough to live in 2 stroke country you could probally go 25 hp easy. What we really need are lighter 4 strokes