How rough can I go?

[Jklingel]

I am about to receive a Ribcraft 6.5m, aluminum hull. I am pretty experienced at running boats, but never a RHIB. In practical terms, how big of seas should I expect to be able to handle comfortably? Rollers don't count for stink; I mean white-caps and choppy. I've been in 5-6 footers, with wind and white caps, in my 16' Zod, but it produced a tad of pucker power. At the time, I pined for something a tad larger, better hull, etc. Thanks. j

[eupa]

depends on how big your balls are....
Seriousely
In my 29 footer I can go out easily in 4-6 ft. wave heights-force 4/6) but there is only realy one guide and that is YOUR EXPERIENCE. There are too many factors to take into account and a suitable one liner is not very helpful.

jonathan

[boatster]

"Bigger is better."

This coming from a guy in a 13' rib.


But seriously, I've gone up to 28 miles offshore in 2-4' wind chopish swell. Winds at most 15 knots. I know my boat can handle more but it does depend on the driver because even in these conditions I can see the possibilty for flipping if you do something wrong. Given that I'm pretty conservative in my speed I'm usually pretty safe. A bigger well balanced rib could probably cut through the waves easily. Even then anything is possible. I see it like this, the more capable your boat is, the more capability for something to happen. Kinda like SUV's, they're more versatile but people still flip em.

[Jimbob]

A few things that might help, however experience is key

1) Your boat will be designed for certain wave height

2) I have a 26ft boat and i go out in all conditions, but the thing that gets me in the end is being tossed around, after a while you need a rest

3) I used to have a little humber 17ft, with this i was a little more careful as the boat would get full of water

4) When we first started we when out in F2-F4 to get used to what happens and then built up our experience

[Rob Jones]

I have a 5.5m Tornado (14 years old)

I made a solo crossing of 35 miles in a force 6. I had 5m waves rolling under me for 4 hours. Once you get into the swing of it you will be fine. The waves are un avoidable and I found that they just come to you.

P.S - I bought the boat 5 months ago and had never been in a RIB prior to that.

[EdwardH]

Originally Posted by Rob Jones

I had 5m waves rolling under me for 4 hours.

ahem **cough*cough* 5metre?

excuse my secpticism - but really were they 5metre rollers or 5 foot rollers?

5 metres in a rib is a very big wave for anywhere outside of the pub...

[danny]

You mean like this ?

5 to 8 meter waves?

[gingercoastie]

Originally Posted by EdwardH

ahem **cough*cough* 5metre?

excuse my secpticism - but really were they 5metre rollers or 5 foot rollers?

5 metres in a rib is a very big wave for anywhere outside of the pub...

I will vouch for Robs 5m waves, as went down to Lands end to see them that day, and posponerd my trip for 2 days.

[eupa]

made a solo crossing of 35 miles in a force 6. I had 5m waves rolling under me for 4 hours


ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we are dealing with Batman !!!!!. rollers aint the same as
hitting a 5 meter wall of water head on.You should have tried jumping out ??
See if you had any balls ???

Jonathan

[boatster]

When talking about wave heights the period of the waves makes all the difference no? I guess force 6 winds means really choppy and mega white caps. I have a hard time with the wind swells 4-6 sec period, not ground swells 10-18 sec periods. Or rather I have a hard time when the winds are up. I would assume for me that'd be force 4?

Of course the windier it gets it just means the slower I have to go really. But anything below 15 mph isn't really worth it.