Total newbie

L333BOA · 02 July 2020, 20:20

Hey all, new to the forum and new to the world of ribs n sibs so go easy on me. Been kayaking for the past few years but have decided to take the plunge and get myself a sib, just wanted something to take all 5 of us on our local lakes (Coniston and Windermere) opted for a 3.6m one from Rydal ribs as the the weight limit on it as a family we’re way under and most of the time it’ll just be me wifey and our 8 month old, joined to get some advice especially on what size outboard to get? Not looking to go mega speeds Just want to cruise about, supposed to be collecting our Sib on Saturday so want a motor as soon as possible so we can get out

Fenlander · 02 July 2020, 21:24

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I assume you have the alloy floor 3.6m?

The outboard size much depends on you choice of wanting to get on the plane or chug about at displacement speeds.

If wanting to plane when carrying more than a couple of folks then you'll need to aim for the maximum HP your SIB is rated for... 15hp. For displacement speeds a 4hp-6hp should suffice.

Are you thinking of a new 4-stroke outboard or an older possibly 2-stroke type?

Highland Haggis · 02 July 2020, 21:39

Hi and welcome to the mad hoose
6hp will get you on the plane with yourself but if wife & wee yin top end of displacement speed you could go for 9.9 or the 15 hp your boat is rated to but that all depends on what budget you have. Remember that is the start you need life jackets VHF radio if you can manage a cheap one will do to start with rope and small grapnel Anker just to be safe it's all a learning experience people on hear will guide you through roughly but time and experience will learn you a lot maybe look at a powerboat level II to get you started gazago flying Dutchman and Cumbria live in your neck of the woods they might be willing to come and show you the ropes all the best HH

L333BOA · 02 July 2020, 22:48

Hi yes it’s alloy floor, quite happy to chug about so might go for something around 6hp, we really enjoy kayaking but only have two sot kayaks so just want something a few of us can just sit in and potter about in

thanks

L333BOA · 02 July 2020, 22:52

Never even considered a radio so will look into this now, don’t worry about pfd we have plenty due to kayaking and paddle boarding we’re pretty safety conscious when we’re out on the water, really looking forward to getting set up and out on the water with our new craft, all advice will be much appreciated and taken onboard thanks

Fenlander · 03 July 2020, 09:15

For knocking about with the family on the lakes 6hp will be fine... assuming you are going new/newish 4-stroke usually the 6hp is a very manageable weight too compared with 8hp and upwards.

It should probably plane you one or one plus a lightweight, not too much kit and careful trimming..

Highland Haggis · 03 July 2020, 09:43

Hi not in favour of pfd compared to the life jacket it will always up Wright you if in the water so you have a fair chance if anything goes wrong that’s my opinion but something to think about if you are out alone or the wife has to look after the wee yin plus get you help if you fall in the water all the best HH