Considering Avon 3.4

[KrakenDoc]

Hello!
I am new to this forum and potentially to rib ownership, though I have been around boats for a while. If the forum would be willing to share its wisdom:
- on this sort of rib, would an 8hp be sufficient for use around the Maine USA island trail? Carrying light gear, one adult and two children. Skipper is wise enough to stay home when the weather is obviously threatening, but also knows the need to sometimes fight current or outrun sudden unexpected squalls.
I know the boy is rated to 25hp but other posters report speeds over 20knots which I do not need to enjoy myself. And there is a good 8hp used mercury available at a good price...
-is there any reason that ribs aren’t more popular in New England? I used them extensively in the Pacific Northwest on graduate school and they obviously have good popularity in the UK. Am I missing something?

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

[Nos4r2]

I'd go for a bit more than 8hp.

Poor quality, but here's a couple of bits of video of a West Marine 340 Hypalon (same boat IIRC) with a 15hp on and me, solo in it.

You don't need to use all the power, but the day you need it it'll be invaluable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFqPi2DKgBE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMVirz1eFj8

[KrakenDoc]

Very helpful. I will keep looking for a 15hp motor.