Project "Blue Venom" (aka "Solent Viper")

Hightower · 19 May 2007, 12:06

In the time old tradition of posting project builds, I'd like to share my experiences with everyone of my project build Nicknamed "Blue Venom".

A few basic details.

Osprey Vipermax 6.2m with 200 litre underfloor tank.

Delphe Blue tubes with large Artic Grey wear patches. (see photo)

Under rubbing strake safety lines.

Console made by Winsor Marine (Ocean RIBs)

Seats made and supplied by Osprey to a custom size and fitted in a U configuration.

A few Photos to wet the appetite

The Jackeens · 19 May 2007, 12:13

Looks like an excellent prospect Andy!

Timescale?

(Like the shot of you behind the console already! Were you saying 'vroooooom'?

)

K & P

Hightower · 20 May 2007, 10:34

Timescale??? Who knows!

I'm the next in line for a Hull so I guess it's about 6 weeks from the start of that. Then I get her home, that's where my work begins. Hope she's in the water by summer end.

As for Outboards? Who knows!

I'm going to have at least a 150hp unit and would like a 175hp sat on the back.

My favorite at the moment is the Optimax as this seems very good value for the money, however I am looking at Etec, Yamaha F power and the ever popular Suzuki. Trade members please come forward and do battle

This is where you guys can help! 25" or 20" transom? My gut feeling is to go for the Xtra long shaft, what are your opinions?

osprey__viper · 20 May 2007, 11:00

My opinion is that you must remember to put a toob, on the other side of the hull. And not as your drawing currently suggests

Good look to ya Andy. If ya need a hand over a weekend, then I can be tempted by copiuous quantities of falling down water and fried pig between two slices of bread

Hightower · 20 May 2007, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by osprey__viper

My opinion is that you must remember to put a toob, on the other side of the hull. And not as your drawing currently suggests

Good look to ya Andy. If ya need a hand over a weekend, then I can be tempted by copiuous quantities of falling down water and fried pig between two slices of bread

You think so Martin? I wanted a RIB that looked like no other

. A RIB that Seafarers would look on in amazment and their jaws would drop at the sight.

As for the pig and bread. Down South we don't have bread BIG enough for a whole pig. But I'm sure we can "rustle" up something....Like Sheep! Codprawns more than welcome too!

Downhilldai · 20 May 2007, 23:21

I like your colour scheme

Mollers · 21 May 2007, 07:00

6.2m?

Has someone lopped 300mm off it?

Downhilldai · 21 May 2007, 11:45

Rather than a cut & shut 6.5, the 6.2 is a 'stretched' 5.8.

There's two Vipermax moulds, the smaller mould used for the 5.5 - 6.2 range and the large mould for 6.5+.

The smaller mould is a narrower beam and has less freeboard, so you can't put big 'ViperMax' logos on the chine beneath the tube flange

Hightower · 21 May 2007, 12:37

And having a narrower beam will mean it'll go faster than the 6.5 for a given engine size

bedajim · 21 May 2007, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

And having a narrower beam will mean it'll go faster than the 6.5 for a given engine size

So how big an egg whisk have you gone for

Downhilldai · 21 May 2007, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

(Like the shot of you behind the console already! Were you saying 'vroooooom'?

)

K & P

No - he was saying
" Bet you've never seen a console fitted with a Widescreen TV before"

Hightower · 21 May 2007, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

No - he was saying
" Bet you've never seen a console fitted with a Widescreen TV before"

Bloody cheeky git!

Just because you haven't got one! Its even got PS3, broadband connection and all of this sitting on the built in Loo

The Jackeens · 21 May 2007, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

No - he was saying
" Bet you've never seen a console fitted with a Widescreen TV before"

(

Either that or he was preaching to the great unwashed of Fareham about the benefits of RIBS.)

Looking forward to the updates Andy.

K & P

Ian M · 23 May 2007, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

Looks like an excellent prospect Andy!

Timescale?

Race yer! You'll probably win though

AndrewH · 23 May 2007, 11:45

Look Cool Andy

Can't wait to see more piccies as the build proceeds. Are Osprey allowing you to go into the factory to see Work in Progress ?

Andrew

Hightower · 23 May 2007, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian M

Race yer! You'll probably win though

I doubt it! Can't afford an engine at the moment

Hightower · 23 May 2007, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewH

Look Cool Andy

Can't wait to see more piccies as the build proceeds. Are Osprey allowing you to go into the factory to see Work in Progress ?

Andrew

I'll do my best Andrew, I will be traveling to where the build is taking place because I'll have to deliver the console for correct positioning of the fuel tank and final positioning of the console and seating arrangment. This will be done with the deck off, so I'll get a good Idea what's underneath. That's a few weeks away, they haven't started building it yet!

Hightower · 29 May 2007, 17:32

Just had the news that Osprey have only today started work on the Layup of the hull this ties in nicely with the fact I've just bought an ex demo Evinrude 150DI which is an XL shaft, and 30hrs on the clock and 18 months warrenty left. This'll be fitted to the Vipermax a week or so after I've taken delivery. This gives me time to do a part fitout of the engine components, leaving the dealers to concentrate on fitting things at the engine end to include fitting and bleeding the steering.

I'm very relived at getting the outboard sorted as I can now specify an XL transom on the RIB.

Hightower · 07 June 2007, 19:58

Starting some work on the console before it goes up to Osprey next week. Fitted the front Hatch and trying to figure out where all those gauges and instruments should go.

The steering is going on the Right and have a glovebox fitted to the left with the Control in between (I wasn't successful in obtaining a Throttle lever with a trim/tilt on the right of the handle)

The first two photo's are two layouts I was considering I think I prefer the one with the first photo with two larger instrument clusters in the middle.

I would like your opinions though if you think I can improve upon this.

jwalker · 07 June 2007, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

The steering is going on the Right and have a glovebox fitted to the left with the Control in between (I wasn't successful in obtaining a Throttle lever with a trim/tilt on the right of the handle)

Andy, do you have unusual hands? Why can't you press the trim switch with your thumb?

I bet you rarely look at the engine instruments when you're bouncing over the waves. I'd keep the nav stuff in good view in preference to the engine stuff.

I certainly agree with a glove box.

Make it as big as you can manage. And a hand hold as big as you can manage too.