New RIB for 320DA

[Miller Time]

We have a roll-up 8' inflatable w/2.5 Yamaha tied onto the extended swim platform of our 2004 320DA; it's been great but with adult sons and grandchildren getting into school-age we want something more useful: for some easy touring, tube- and maybe (kid) wakeboard-pulling.
We want to push the boundaries w/ a 10'10" RIB: alum. hypalon, euro-helm or console, bench seat and 25hp (Suzuki seems to be the only 25hp 15" shaft that gives auto set-up, elec. start, elec. tilt and elec. "true" trim; and 20hp doesn't seem to have the power we want; the RIB is rated for 25hp).
Weight would be 450#, and the Nautley HD+ roll-on, roll-off seems right to load it and keep it on the swim platform (Nautley is ok with the weight, and suggests port/stbd block/tackles to bring RIB w/25hp up onto swim platform).
The SeaRay has an 11'6" beam, so we are pushing the dinghy length; and the new stern weight will change how the SeaRay handles/performs. But, we don't go on long trips (most runs are 30-45 minutes) and are true fair weather types. If it gets rough the RIB would get towed via prepped bridle lines at both ends, plus 30' or so of towing line.
With the 66" beam of the RIB there will be about 30" of the RIB hanging out over the stern; that will have us adjust our SeaRay position in our slip: we dock stern-first, but a slide forward of 24"-36" in the slip should make all ok.
Knowing all the above, we'd appreciate any input on any of this...we'll put all this together sometime this winter and we'd appreciate anything you might add or question or suggest.
Thanks!

 

[techmitch]

Welcome aboard MT. Yea, that's a lot of dink for an 04 320. Not sure about your loading and slip arrangements but I would have to think you should need a bit more towing line than 30'.

 

[Miller Time]

Thx for replying. Yes, we have to test the right length of tow line.
Tim

 

[Golfman25]

I'd look at getting a slightly bigger center counsel for playing with the kids.

 

[Miller Time]

Thanks for the input. Do you mean, a longer RIB? We tested the 10’10” with me, wife and son, plus six year old, and felt ok for roaming/short tours.
Tim

 

[Golfman25]

Thanks for the input. Do you mean, a longer RIB? We tested the 10’10” with me, wife and son, plus six year old, and felt ok for roaming/short tours.
Tim

Could be a larger Rib with counsel. Or a 16-18 foot boston whaler type. You'd keep separate from the Sundancer (I think trying to put what your talking about on your swim platform will get old real quick). Something the son and kids can use for playing around on as they get older -- fishing, tubing, wake boarding, etc.

 

[Stee6043]

Since you dock stern-in do you also board your boat from the swim platform? You'd effectively eliminate that option with a dink this size (I think)?

 

[Miller Time]

Thanks for the thinking,
We’re expecting, hoping the RIB tube edge on the transom side will sit just at the 9” wide 9” high transom “step” on the 320da. That would let us step from the dock finger onto the stbd side, and get to the transom gate at the port side, and back. Yes, that eliminates the easier access from the dock onto the swim platform. For dock parties we’d have the RIB in the water!