Overpowering a small rib?

[Sharphooks]

Normally my approach to boating is you can never have too many ponies but at first blush based on the spex you provided, that seems to be too much Hp in too small a piece of real estate.

I think the recommendation to stick with a +/- 70 is a sound recommendation.

If you have $$$ to burn, that 75 Hp Suzuki comes in at 156 kg which is below the weight spec you mentioned….. I’m sure that combo would be a pocket rocket, but a reasonably SAFE pocket rocket.

BUt at that length of RIB, you could just as easily tack on a tiller controlled 50 Hp and have a good solid package, even with some extra weight in there

 

[uclueletcharters]

its not an inflatable - its a RIB. that basically an aluminum boat with side tubes.
SIBs have more drag and behave differently than RIBs.

The 12.5 footer was a RIB with a 40hp had a forward steering wheel. Wide open throttle even in a bit of a lump never felt unstable or over powered. a 12 or 14 foot tinny with a 40 would be squirrelly where as an inflatable was not squirrelly at all very stable you can stack the power on them at least that’s what I have found. It’s actually amazing how durable they are, I tie of to a rocky shore line the thing bounces of the rocks all day like a boat bumper lol and holds up. Only weak point is coming in on an oyster bed have had a couple leaks due to oysters but contact cement and a patch and your good as new. Had rain fill it up pretty good get it on a semi plane water dumps over the transom and pull plug for the rest to drain on plane. I’ve been very impressed with the inflatables I’ve had they have exceeded expectations as far as durability and stability. Exceeding the hp rating with in reason wouldn’t be a concern to me.

 

[dothedr3w]

I'm still very curious...what brand/model is it that you're considering? Also, what is your usage? Are you shuttling groups of people around a protected inlet? Are you trying to circumnavigate Vancouver Island with camping gear?


My family has a Novurania DL430 (14ft length, 6ft beam, dry weight listed at 880lbs, which should include the built-in fuel tank) We have a Yamaha F70 (max rated power is 70hp) and it is very fast. The boat has a sharp hull entry and it is VERY sensitive to fore-aft weight distribution and engine trim.

I'm still of the opinion that a 90hp would be the biggest engine I'd put on your mystery RHIB, but I suspect that Yamaha F70 or Suzuki DF60AV would be a better overall match

Haha I didn't mean for it to sound like a mystery thing. It's going to be a Chinese equivalent of a Highfield 460, but slightly longer at 480.

I'll use it for lakes/inshore, scooting/exploring around sunshine coast or east side of Van Isle. I imagine it'll be normal cruising with the family on board, then ride it like a rocket if it's just me or me and a buddy onboard.

I'll definitely dabble with watersports while on lakes, and any camping will likely just be me and a single buddy with our gear.

Based off the feedback here, I'm leaning towards a Suzuki DF75A, because it's the lightest, and there's an ECU flash option available to bring it up to 100hp should I ever feel the need.

 

[dothedr3w]

Haha I didn't mean for it to sound like a mystery thing. It's going to be a Chinese equivalent of a Highfield 460, but slightly longer at 480.

I'll use it for lakes/inshore, scooting/exploring around sunshine coast or east side of Van Isle. I imagine it'll be normal cruising with the family on board, then ride it like a rocket if it's just me or me and a buddy onboard.

I'll definitely dabble with watersports while on lakes, and any camping will likely just be me and a single buddy with our gear. I don't need a big boat, but I like the increase load, and safety factor a rhib provides.

Based off the feedback here, I'm leaning towards a Suzuki DF75A, because it's the lightest, and there's an ECU flash option available to bring it up to 100hp should I ever feel the need.

 

[kaelc]

What is the load capacity of the boat? I see the operator at 200lb is that the max person and cargo weight?

 

[dothedr3w]

Max load is 800kg/1763lbs.

 

[kaelc]

It doesn’t make sense to me. 8 passenger and no real load capacity. Between the power and load it sounds like a search and rescue operation waiting to happen. I’m all for importing boats from china but there is a reason to get a boat that has a transport Canada rating. This one recommends a 50hp. https://www.galaboats.com/gala-inflatable-boats-viking-v420/#specifications

 

[dothedr3w]

It doesn’t make sense to me. 8 passenger and no real load capacity. Between the power and load it sounds like a search and rescue operation waiting to happen. I’m all for importing boats from china but there is a reason to get a boat that has a transport Canada rating. This one recommends a 50hp. https://www.galaboats.com/gala-inflatable-boats-viking-v420/#specifications

Am I missing something here? I thought a 15' boat being able to haul 800kgs on top of its own weight was pretty good?

 

[kaelc]

Max load is 800kg/1763lbs.

Sorry I thought it meant 800kg total.

 

[InterMechanico]

It doesn’t make sense to me. 8 passenger and no real load capacity. Between the power and load it sounds like a search and rescue operation waiting to happen. I’m all for importing boats from china but there is a reason to get a boat that has a transport Canada rating. This one recommends a 50hp. https://www.galaboats.com/gala-inflatable-boats-viking-v420/#specifications

I recently looked into a used 5 meter Brig RIB that was originally equipped with a Yamaha 90hp, with max hull hp rated at 115hp.

The maximum horsepower has to do mainly with stability at speed. As described (anecdotally) by a prominent manufacturer as the highest horsepower a given boat can have, with relation to top speed, whereby the operator can perform a sharp turn at maximum speed without causing the hull to lose stability (capsize I guess)

Edit: AI Google says this which contradicts what I said above:

 

[Rain City]

I recently looked into a used 5 meter Brig RIB that was originally equipped with a Yamaha 90hp, with max hull hp rated at 115hp.

The maximum horsepower has to do mainly with stability at speed. As described (anecdotally) by a prominent manufacturer as the highest horsepower a given boat can have, with relation to top speed, whereby the operator can perform a sharp turn at maximum speed without causing the hull to lose stability (capsize I guess)

Edit: AI Google says this which contradicts what I said above:

View attachment 118733

"Small commercial", much different

 

[dothedr3w]

It doesn’t make sense to me. 8 passenger and no real load capacity. Between the power and load it sounds like a search and rescue operation waiting to happen. I’m all for importing boats from china but there is a reason to get a boat that has a transport Canada rating. This one recommends a 50hp. https://www.galaboats.com/gala-inflatable-boats-viking-v420/#specifications

What exactly is the transport Canada rating? Is it a nice-to-have, or a must-have to register?

 

[kaelc]

What exactly is the transport Canada rating? Is it a nice-to-have, or a must-have to register?

Nice to have I believe there is an exemption for small boats imported for self use