Realistic limits for an SR4

lizardland · 14 February 2011, 08:52

I bought my first RIB, an SR4, during the summer and spent the last 7 months or so doing what can be best described as pissing about in the Mersey & Liverpool Bay. Not very exciting but not having a huge amount of experience (and possibly the world's crappest PB2 course) I didn't think much else was sensible.

I'm starting to look at going further afield and just wondering what are realistic limits for a 4m boat, weather allowing? I'd been hoping to do some mooching round Scottish islands over the next few months but I don't want to get overambitious, I'm not daft enough to strike out for Uist but I wouldn't mind being able to go to some of the closer islands.

Boat takes about 50ish litres of fuel in two tanks, 40hp Merc with a 6hp Yam auxiliary, VHF, inshore flare pack. Will probably fit a set of nav lights in the next few months.

Cheers,

Stuart

Ally S · 14 February 2011, 09:15

Hi Stuart
There is some great exploring that can be had off the west coast of Scotland without having to travel too far, provided you are equipped properly. We've been using a 4m searider based in oban for over ten years and, as long as the weather is good to you, there are some cracking trips you can do - down to the slate isles, garvellachs, corryvreckan etc.

In terms of what you need i would say an aux is a definite plus, handheld vhf and gps, flares, decent anchor etc.

Feel free to get in touch if you are heading up and if i'm around i would happily show you where to go around oban

Cheers
Alasdair

9D280 · 14 February 2011, 09:27

If you are free that weekend, there's always the Easdale trip where you can try some longer distance in company.....

Sounds like you have pretty muich the dsame setup as my old SR4, except with more HP! It's possible to get two 30L tanks side by side between the transom braces, Presumably a 25L under your seat & another up at the bow. That should give you about 10 million miles range with that setup!

willk · 14 February 2011, 11:24

Your SR is fine, with enough fuel. If you're planning to "footer" about by yourself, I'd focus on the navigation bit. An SR4 (open ribs generally) isn't the place to do chartwork, so either a very good plan or a small plotting GPS (my pref., TBH). That might eliminate the need for a Sounder - you don't mention one.

lizardland · 14 February 2011, 12:32

Cheers for the replies. I haven't got a sounder but it's on my list of jobs.

I'm planning on going to the Easdale weekend, I just need to check the dates. I'm from Scotland originally and spent near enough every other weekend diving round the Garvellachs, Kerrera, etc., and since getting the RIB I've really fancied going back (not for diving, just footering about -- great word for describing it, I'll be using that a lot now!).

At the moment I haven't really done any trips that weren't within spitting distance of land, mainly because I wanted to stay within a paddleable distance (my first aux got nicked and I've only just replaced it). I really fancy venturing a bit further afield, I'm just curious if there's a "sensible" limit for an SR4 for how far offshore or from a safe haven you'd want to be if, say, it starts getting lumpier than you expected or whatever. I know it's subjective but equally I don't want to end up in a message titled "look at this tit"

I suppose it's a case of gradual progression, I'm aiming for a run up to the Clyde or Forth in a few weeks and start venturing out in north Wales as well. I guess it's just a case of working up and finding out what I'm comfortable in.

Cheers,

Stuart

9D280 · 14 February 2011, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Your SR is fine, with enough fuel. If you're planning to "footer" about by yourself, I'd focus on the navigation bit. An SR4 (open ribs generally) isn't the place to do chartwork, so either a very good plan or a small plotting GPS (my pref., TBH). That might eliminate the need for a Sounder - you don't mention one.

For what it's worth, I have been plotting a load of waypoints & routes from Memory map & my previous travels in order that I can use my trusty Garmin 12 (non plotting GPS) as a nav aid (or backup when I finally get round to buying a plotter). The high level idea is that I have a set of waypoints that in a worst case scenario I can "join the dots" & know where to find shelter/fuel and/or not hit anything land shaped if the visibility reduces suddenly & randomly.

Ally S · 14 February 2011, 15:31

I'll be on the easdale weekend - if its calm enough i'll be in a 4m searider with a 40hp honda and would be very happy to chum you out to colonsay. All depends on the weather i guess, but it might be a good starting point as there will be lots of boats around and a good bit of local knowledge

kev · 04 April 2011, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizardland

I bought my first RIB, an SR4, during the summer and spent the last 7 months or so doing what can be best described as pissing about in the Mersey & Liverpool Bay. Not very exciting but not having a huge amount of experience (and possibly the world's crappest PB2 course) I didn't think much else was sensible.

I'm starting to look at going further afield and just wondering what are realistic limits for a 4m boat, weather allowing? I'd been hoping to do some mooching round Scottish islands over the next few months but I don't want to get overambitious, I'm not daft enough to strike out for Uist but I wouldn't mind being able to go to some of the closer islands.

Boat takes about 50ish litres of fuel in two tanks, 40hp Merc with a 6hp Yam auxiliary, VHF, inshore flare pack. Will probably fit a set of nav lights in the next few months.

Cheers,

Stuart

I am going to the easdale weekend ,sounds like you have the same set up as me, I find the 40 hp is quite good on fuel and can cover a fair distance on two 25 ltr tanks, how did you manage to fit a 6hp aux on the back?
Kev.

lizardland · 04 April 2011, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by kev

how did you manage to fit a 6hp aux on the back?
Kev.

I took the a-frame off and there is just enough space to get it on. It's right on the edge of the transom, it loses a bit of steerage on turns to starboard as the tube gets in the way of the tiller but it's OK. The main engine is fine with the aux in the up position, I can still get full lock on in both directions without clattering the aux. The 40hp is a short shaft and the transom is notched to take it so the cowling is a bit lower which maybe helps.

wolfie · 05 April 2011, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizardland

I took the a-frame off and there is just enough space to get it on. It's right on the edge of the transom, it loses a bit of steerage on turns to starboard as the tube gets in the way of the tiller but it's OK. The main engine is fine with the aux in the up position, I can still get full lock on in both directions without clattering the aux. The 40hp is a short shaft and the transom is notched to take it so the cowling is a bit lower which maybe helps.

The Transom is notched down to a short shaft, yikes !!! , it scares me having so little above the water with the long shaft on, do you get much slop over the stern ?

lizardland · 05 April 2011, 12:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfie

The Transom is notched down to a short shaft, yikes !!! , it scares me having so little above the water with the long shaft on, do you get much slop over the stern ?

First off, it wasn't my work, it came that way. It's my first RIB so lesson learned, I don't think I'd do it again by choice. Actually it's not too bad, you need to be a bit careful when slowing/stopping but it hasn't been much of a problem so far. In saying that it hasn't been out in anything particularly challenging either. One thing I will say is that it does get a bit wet when recovering it back on to the trailer as it doesn't take much of a wave to spill over the transom. I've just closed off the hull (which wasn't the easiest job with the motor mount so low) so fitting a drain sock is my next job.

In saying that, I'm assuming it's a short shaft as it's not as long as a long shaft.

Nos4r2 · 05 April 2011, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizardland

First off, it wasn't my work, it came that way. It's my first RIB so lesson learned, I don't think I'd do it again by choice. Actually it's not too bad, you need to be a bit careful when slowing/stopping but it hasn't been much of a problem so far. In saying that it hasn't been out in anything particularly challenging either. One thing I will say is that it does get a bit wet when recovering it back on to the trailer as it doesn't take much of a wave to spill over the transom. I've just closed off the hull (which wasn't the easiest job with the motor mount so low) so fitting a drain sock is my next job.

In saying that, I'm assuming it's a short shaft as it's not as long as a long shaft.

Not an ex RNLI 40hp Mariner by any chance?

chewy · 05 April 2011, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Not an ex RNLI 40hp Mariner by any chance?

An inbetweeny shaft!

lizardland · 05 April 2011, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Not an ex RNLI 40hp Mariner by any chance?

Not sure, it might well have been. Is there any way to tell? Mods, serial number, etc?

chewy · 05 April 2011, 20:07

It'll have an extenstion plate fitted to the leg making it neither long or short shaft.
Prob have some red numbers painted on the leg too.