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Author Topic:   11-Footer: Handling Chop Better Than RIB

RichardJ posted 09-29-2014 02:15 PM ET (US)
We are contemplating buying a Whaler 11-footer with a Mercury 25-HP. Is a Whaler 11-footer a better alternative to a similar size RIB with a keel? It would serve as our dinghy, but we need to be able to do some exploring which would entail running several miles to and from. Is a 11-footer capable of handling a chop if we encounter those conditions? Is it okay to cross the bay? Thanks.
jimh posted 09-29-2014 02:37 PM ET (US)

quote:
...a 11' Whaler with a 25hp...
If you have a SPORT model with remote steering, the maximum power is 20-HP.
Jefecinco posted 09-29-2014 04:33 PM ET (US)
Of course it's capable. However, an inflatable RIB would probably be a better tender.
Butch
Dave Sutton posted 09-29-2014 06:07 PM ET (US)
Be helpful to know what it's proposed as a tender *for*, and the environment it will be used in.
Tender missions vary tremendously. That's speaking as someone who lives aboard a 42' Trawler half the year and uses its tender daily in that environment.

Dave
.
contender posted 09-29-2014 06:39 PM ET (US)
What Bay? It all depends on the weather. The rib would be lighter and can be deflated, But then the rubber on a rib does not last like the fiberglass on a whaler. I have an 1978 with a 25 Yamaha and its just fine, my son uses it around the waterways, canals in Ft Lauderdale and has even haul it down to the keys to use...Like I said depends on the weather...
jcdawg83 posted 09-30-2014 10:13 AM ET (US)
An 11' boat is very small to be on open water. I imagine the Whaler could handle the chop better than you could while in the Whaler in the chop.
boatdryver posted 09-30-2014 11:36 AM ET (US)
RichardJ, if your only question is about the ability of the 11 foot Whaler to "handle" chop you have a couple of opinions.
If you're debating whether a hard dinghy or RIB would work best for your application we need more information, such as: is the big boat power or sail, do you put people in and out of the dinghy from a transom platform near water level or from the deck of a sailboat significantly higher than the gunwhale of the dinghy, do you anchor in rolling or choppy water, do you expect to row the dinghy ever, etc.
JimL
The Revenge posted 10-01-2014 11:00 AM ET (US)
What bay?
Just take an emergency life raft along then your good.
tedious posted 10-01-2014 11:17 AM ET (US)
You didn't specify which bay, but if it's "several miles" of running to get where you are going, an 11 may feel pretty small in certain wind conditions. Several miles of fetch is enough to build up some decent waves.
Tim

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Author	Topic: 11-Footer: Handling Chop Better Than RIB
RichardJ	posted 09-29-2014 02:15 PM ET (US) We are contemplating buying a Whaler 11-footer with a Mercury 25-HP. Is a Whaler 11-footer a better alternative to a similar size RIB with a keel? It would serve as our dinghy, but we need to be able to do some exploring which would entail running several miles to and from. Is a 11-footer capable of handling a chop if we encounter those conditions? Is it okay to cross the bay? Thanks.
jimh	posted 09-29-2014 02:37 PM ET (US) quote: ...a 11' Whaler with a 25hp... If you have a SPORT model with remote steering, the maximum power is 20-HP.
Jefecinco	posted 09-29-2014 04:33 PM ET (US) Of course it's capable. However, an inflatable RIB would probably be a better tender. Butch
Dave Sutton	posted 09-29-2014 06:07 PM ET (US) Be helpful to know what it's proposed as a tender for, and the environment it will be used in. Tender missions vary tremendously. That's speaking as someone who lives aboard a 42' Trawler half the year and uses its tender daily in that environment. Dave .
contender	posted 09-29-2014 06:39 PM ET (US) What Bay? It all depends on the weather. The rib would be lighter and can be deflated, But then the rubber on a rib does not last like the fiberglass on a whaler. I have an 1978 with a 25 Yamaha and its just fine, my son uses it around the waterways, canals in Ft Lauderdale and has even haul it down to the keys to use...Like I said depends on the weather...
jcdawg83	posted 09-30-2014 10:13 AM ET (US) An 11' boat is very small to be on open water. I imagine the Whaler could handle the chop better than you could while in the Whaler in the chop.
boatdryver	posted 09-30-2014 11:36 AM ET (US) RichardJ, if your only question is about the ability of the 11 foot Whaler to "handle" chop you have a couple of opinions. If you're debating whether a hard dinghy or RIB would work best for your application we need more information, such as: is the big boat power or sail, do you put people in and out of the dinghy from a transom platform near water level or from the deck of a sailboat significantly higher than the gunwhale of the dinghy, do you anchor in rolling or choppy water, do you expect to row the dinghy ever, etc. JimL
The Revenge	posted 10-01-2014 11:00 AM ET (US) What bay? Just take an emergency life raft along then your good.
tedious	posted 10-01-2014 11:17 AM ET (US) You didn't specify which bay, but if it's "several miles" of running to get where you are going, an 11 may feel pretty small in certain wind conditions. Several miles of fetch is enough to build up some decent waves. Tim