GL: Walker Bay RIB

[bob Austin]

I have not used this specific boat--but I have owned several RIB's this size
and weight.  They are fairly heavy.  Consider that the boat itself will be
from 175 to 250 lbs, then add on a motor.  We used a minimum of 15 hp in this
size boat--and have used 25 hp.  The engine adds another 100 to 140 lbs of
weight, add in 6 gallons of fuel; another 40 lbs and battery of at least 40
more lbs--you can have a total weight package of from 355 to 470 lbs.  If you
have a boat with a good sized crane davit and the weight will not affect the
stability of the large boat--and the structure is built to support that
weight, it will work.  There are some boats which have "garages" which will
accomidate this size boat--or a transom lift.  Davits are possiable, but at
this weight require more engineering that the off the shelf units.   Also
consider if there will be any performance penality for this amount of weight
on the transom.

As to motor size: we found that 15 hp was fine for two of us and two 70 lb
labs.  If there were 4 adults and diving gear you would be much happier with
the 25 hp engine. All of the modern engines are good.  I currently own Merc,
Hondas, Suzuki, Merc and Yahama 4 stroke engines and they all work extremely
well.    However, with more weight on the transom of the RIB, there are some
further trade offs--such as potential swamping when beaching in a situation
where there are waves.  Also consider how the boat will be taken up on the
beach (balloon fold down wheels) or anchored out (a techinique I have
described in the past).

There are a large number of advantages of these larger and heavier boats.
However Ken Williams wrote only yesterday in his Blog about one of the large
Nordhavn's which traded in their larger RIB for a small unit which could be
carried up the beach, when cruising the West Coast.

This boat has a lot going for it.  The plastic hull has some plusses and
minuses, but all in all, it is a good compromise.  I would fashion locks for
the storage compartments, and made a few modifications--but would hot hesitate
to buy one, if I had the size of boat to handle it.

A word about towing.  I have towed "dinghies" up to 22 feet, but I prefer not
to.  I have a friend who tows a 25 footer to Belize or the Bahamas every year.
He keeps a strobe light on it at night, and another bright light which comes
on, plus a horn which sounds when the bilge water level rises or the pump
turns on.

There are always risks of towing any boat--and the 3.10 to 3.60 meter RIB's
are not immune to flipping, swamping, parting painters, ramming the boat, and
winding the tow line in a prop.

Bob Austin