RIBs in the Pacific Ocean

[PacificNWrib]

Question for all those RIB owners. What is the minimum size RIB be for going out in the Pacific Ocean? I am thinking about 10-15 miles offshore during the summer months.

[Biggles]

Whats wrong with the one you have. 4 Meter would be good for just about anything on a nice sunny day.

Take a radio and another boat and you should be okay for doing what you intend.

Bigger just makes it easier. 4 Meter on your own is plenty enough as long as it doesn't get too rough.

[Divingthedream]

Down here in Southern California, I find my 6.6m boat to be more than adequate for all of the conditions I have encountered so far. I have seen many smaller RIBs (4-5m) out at our local islands (10-20 miles offshore) on calm days, but the idea of being caught out in one of these makes that extra size somewhat reassuring.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Biggles

Whats wrong with the one you have. 4 Meter would be good for just about anything on a nice sunny day.

Take a radio and another boat and you should be okay for doing what you intend.

Bigger just makes it easier. 4 Meter on your own is plenty enough as long as it doesn't get too rough.

The slightest build in the sea and you're gonna find it very hardwork. I wouldn't go 15m offshore in a 4m rib unless the conditions were perfect. 5.5-6m would be hugely more able.

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Mollers

The slightest build in the sea and you're gonna find it very hardwork. I wouldn't go 15m offshore in a 4m rib unless the conditions were perfect. 5.5-6m would be hugely more able.

I think he's talking about perfect conditions though.

Bigger is always better in the RIB world but what he's got should be adequate if he's careful. A 6 meter boat can also struggle when the sea picks up.

If he wanted to be really safe he could get a 9 Meter boat.

[enwulff]

Anything less than 22' and you will be hating life in large swell. Even small chop is a pain with less than a 22'.

[jyasaki]

Interesting outlook. Why is 22' the magic number?

I've done pretty long runs in my 18'-ish RIB in less than ideal weather (read: scared the crap out of myself a couple of times.) It was a bit of work, yes, but it was still better than sitting on the sofa channel surfing.

jky

[Biggles]

I'm with jky on this one. No reason why a little RIB can't have some fun. Just takes a little longer to get anywhere. And of course your sea skills will be honed quicker.
Obviously no boat can go out in everything, but by my reckoning if a 6 meter boat can do it a 4 meter one should be able to make a good account of its self.

[Downhilldai]

Silly answers to a silly question.

How long was that piece of string?

Bigger is obviously better, but to get back to the original point, there probably is no 'minimum size', as it would always depend on the conditions. Try it in the 4m and see how you get on. If it's too small, turn back and buy a bigger one

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Biggles

I
If he wanted to be really safe he could get a 9 Meter boat.

So, is he happy to be a little unsafe in a 4m boat?