The distance between the inner hulls is 11'6", you might be able to squeeze a 12ft in there but there would be plenty of bumping of
outboard against the inner
hull gel coat.
We have a Caribe C10X fibreglass RIB (made in Venezuela) with
Electric start/tilt 20 HP
4 stroke. The dinghy lifting points do not center the dinghy between the hulls, the bow is in line with the inner port
hull and there is a gap of about 18" from the stern at the inner starboard hull. So if you get a bigger dinghy make sure lifting points will allow fitment or else construct new lifting point arrangements.
Just measured the point between transoms under the longest part of the dinghy - 13 ft approx.
We had a 9 ft Highfield on our previous
boat, alloy bottom
2 stroke 10 HP
power,. It was a very good performer - so much better than the 3 short lived Zodiacs before it. It's
power to weight ratio was excellent.
The Caribe is a really solid
boat and requires all 20 HP to make it plane with 4 adults aboard, goes like a rocket with two aboard, with Sunbrellla covers it is lasting very well. It can be dragged up a beach clear of the
water by two people but is not much further. It has run aground on
coral and rocks, it has a scratched bottom (easily repaired). It also has a separate compartment for the
fuel tank, a spare 1 gallon gas can & two life jackets - all stowed nicely away. . The tiller steer
electric start/tilt is great for easy starting and coming into and exiting shallow shorelines. It will also pull start if required. Weight is the big penalty. We have an electric
winch on the
davits. And because it carries a
battery (more weight) it powers things like NAv Lights, Hookah
compressor etc.
In my view some of the rocks we have hit or rubbed up against could split alloy more readily and whilst repairable not that easy and would look messy unless welded properly, the alloy is pretty thin in places.
One further thought about alloy bottom RIBS
boats is the bow section and
anchor eye, sometimes the protrusion has the ability to chip the gel coat off the bottom step on a catamaran's transom.
I think when ever the Caribe dies (and that could be some time) we would like to replace with a 3.4 Highfield Alloy and keep the 20HP because power to weight would be very good., ( and be a little more careful around rocky shore lines.)