Size matters

[montana]

        Can someone give me some advise I'm thinking of getting a frib I want to know what size 275 330 or 360 and what engine size will 10 hp be enough on the larger boat? 

[philpot]

Hi Montana

I have the 330 which for me was the best option. It fits in my car folded along with my engine and all my gear so that is the first point. Secondly you have to look at what you can comfortably lift and handle off the water, again the 330 was lighter than my previous SIBs. I can have 4 people on board for pleasure and 2 with room to spare for fishing.

The 275 is a nice little craft but too small for me. The 360 is both larger when folded and heavier than I wanted and after testing the 330 on my local lake last year, it was a no brainer.

The hull on these ribs are very efficient so the HP needed to get a SIB on the plane is less in a Frib. I have a couple of 15hp engines and a 2.5hp. The 15 will make this baby fly and I do mean fly. If I were to buy an engine from the start again, I would be happy with an 8hp but remember that a 10hp is normally made from the same block as a 15hp so the weight is the same and because of this, I have always opted for a 15hp. If you are planning a lot of fresh water fishing other than fast/strong flowing rivers, the 2.5hp can come into it's own. In fact it is well worth checking the weights of the different manufacturers as they do not always follow that they are all the same, they are not.

If it is of any use to you and the distance is not too far, you are welcome to come and have a run in my outfit.

Phil

[Tony]

Thanks for the reply Phil would the 8 hp be ok for the sea ? And also I have heard there has been some issues with the valves holding pressure? Have you had or heard of any?

[philpot]

Yes I know of this situation although I have not had any issues nor have other guys who own them to my knowledge. It was the overpressure valve that seemed to cause a problem as I recall but I think it was a one off fault.

To say the 8hp is okay for the sea is a dodgy answer because I would have no issues at all using an 8hp in the water I boat on however the Humber and my local rivers are not the same as other areas. A friend of mine uses a 6hp on salt water in North Wales again with no issues but who can say what conditions with stay like once out there. The 15hp I use is the maximum that my 330 will take and I would have no issues using it for salt water, as it has the power to take me some distance quickly and of course get me back quickly if needed.

As with all salt water fishing afloat, you will have to decide if conditions are suitable for going out but is an 8hp suited to sea fishing, yes providing you know what you are doing and know the area you are fishing or just sailing. An 8hp motor on the back of my 330 will if my memory serves me well produce about 20mph on flat water so you have to make that choice. I have always had the maximum for any given SIB or RIB that I have owned which has mean't that I can reach the maximum power when needed so in the case of the 330, if I were to use the Frib for much sea fishing, then yes my first choice would be the engine I have, a 15hp to cover all aspects of the boat's use. The other aspect to think about is how much of the boat's use will be taking out family and friends because again the 15hp will handle a full load of the boat with 4 people on board and get onto the plane with far greater ease than an 8hp so if this is to be part of your use for the Frib, then please consider that the bigger engine will cope with the situation far better.
To give you an idea of weights for a 15hp engine, a two stroke is approx 35-38kg and a four stroke is approx 53-55kgs so you can see why I buy two stroke engines as I am an aging ole tart.

Hope this helps.

Phil

[montana]

Thanks for the input I think it's time to get rid of the 4.7 ultra it's getting a bit much for a old boy like me looks like it's frib fishing from now on.