Shall I get a small RIB?

[bestman]

I currently have a Aerotec 380 with a 15hp 2 stroke on the back. The boat has been enormous fun. The family (wife, 3 & 5 year old daughters and dog) have explored the upper reaches of the Thames, Isle of Syke and the Exe.

On our last few days out we have had an additional passenger (The mother in law) and were struggling to get on to the plane......

This got me thinking about getting a bigger engine but the general consensus seems to be that only a 2 stroke twenty five would make much difference and these are a) heavy and b) difficult to get hold of.

I have an outbuilding that could accommodate a 4850mm trailer. I've noticed the SR4 seems to be popular on here and that would fit.

Now obviously it a completely different animal to the Bombard but would it be a definite improvement?

Is a trip from Topsham to Dartmouth realistic with our passenger load? Obviously I wouldn't plan to do it iffy weather but a sea breeze can always occur unexpectedly.

Would a 2 stroke 50ph be happy at walking speed on the Thames?

How many can you comfortably get in a SR4 in flatish condition?

Anything else to consider - I don't have the funds or the space for two boats or a bigger RIB unfortunately.

Any help much appreciated.

[vjmehra]

Not sure if this helps or not, but we have a 5.5m Humber Assult with a 60hp 2 stroke and to say it hates pottering along at 8km p/h on the non-tidal thames would be an understatemen, it would much rather be operating at higher revs.

[willk]

Originally Posted by bestman

On our last few days out we have had an additional passenger (The mother in law) and were struggling to get on to the plane......

....Any help much appreciated.

I think I can see a way to solve more than one of your problems

[wiLlfish]

Originally Posted by willk

I think I can see a way to solve more than one of your problems

Yus

Gett a divorse

Dat wud gett ridd ov too passinjers an thenn noe problum playnin

[Nick Hearne]

Hi we are a family of 5 + dog & have a bombard with a 15hp 2st & have had a lot of fun on it & also have a SR4 with a 50hp 2st on her & the SR wil be up to the job no problem
Last year all 5 of us had a great weekend in her launching from Hamble over to Osbourne bay for some water skiing stayed in Cowes, next day down to Bembridge for the beach ane waterskiing day then back to Hamble, all this 5 up + all the kit & toys needed for a weekend away!
We have also taken her on the Thames from Cockham to Marlow with no problems to & we had my Mum & dog on too!
Great little boats

[bestman]

Cheers Nick,

Sounds ideal.

Why do you keep the 380?

[Nick Hearne]

I use it as my tender and for taking the dog for a walk + my eldest daughter nicks the SR4 telling me it is hers!
I do nick it off her now and again as it is sutch fun & I miss the growle of the 2st over my 4st!

[akirk]

Another supporter... my SR4 has played on the Thames (very top end - Lechlade area) and will be ont here again in a couple of weeks - we launch it from a field - dropping down a 3-4 foot bank - had lots of bods (adults and children) in it has a 40hp on it and seems happy pootling along...

Alasdair

[Chris]

If you are planning on lots of low speed trolling then I would be looking to fit a light weight four stroke or modern 50 two stroke like an e-tec.

[Max...]

I've often considered a SR4 as the big disadvantage of a SIB of course is the performance in any sort of chop (or even ripple!) due to the flattish bottom and miss the SR4.7 I briefly owned.

What sort of performance do you guys get with a 40 or 50 2 stroke with say 2 adults or more and how is it with pulling a mono skiier or adult skiiers in general?