International RIB cruise to St. Kilda and the Western Isles

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by willk

I'm guessing the pitch bit is clear? The latest 28" pitch Mercruiser Bravo IIIs are a four and three blade set. Looks odd on the ground but not so obvious on the boat. Causes some amusement on the slip occasionally.


Dave & Jeff - thanks for the leads on the nets - I was looking for one to create a "chart table" so might go a couple extra - they would have been useful on the trip. That said, if you're dressed for a day cruising you probably have enough pockets but it's nice to be able to have something to hand

just out of interest willk does the 4/3 blade set up work a bit like a jet engine in so much as the 3 blade compresses the water from the 4 blade or vise versa might be a stupid question as i no nothing of inboard set ups.

cheers

[Brian]

Aha, thanks for that willk.
I thought I was going even more daft than normal.
I was SURE Bravo 3s were 3 and 3.

[willk]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

just out of interest willk does the 4/3 blade set up work a bit like a jet engine in so much as the 3 blade compresses the water from the 4 blade or vise versa might be a stupid question as i no nothing of inboard set ups.

I know almost nothing about props but no, that's not what they are doing (even if you substitute "directs" for "compresses"). The pair counter rotate and one is somewhat smaller than the other. This stops the boat heeling/tilting when underway and reduces propwalk at close quarters. The front four blader is the bigger and I suspect that it does the heavy lifting.

She came with a 24" Pitch 6 blade pair, based on her size. They were hopelessly under pitched and she came out of the hole like a rabbit but redlined at 37-38kts. We fitted 26" (as they had a pair) and those were similar but redlined at 39-40kts. We ordered the current set and she now has a very acceptable hole shot and can just about tip the redline when fully fuelled with a few PAX onboard. "Lightship" she still has to be watched at WOT as she'll stray into the red very easily at around 42kts.

[paulbrown22]

Interesting - I run a 24" 6 blade set on my Bravo III (with a Yanmar 315), and was thinking a while back that could probably go up one pitch size at least - from memory it was redlining a bit early, and topped out at 38kn.


Will have to re-test once I finish putting in all back together!

[beamishken]

I guess it's the zt drive not the bravo? I thought the lower unit & transom shield of the zt looked very similar to the bravo units. Are they the same units (bought from mercruiser or licenced from them) or just very close copies? A sensible move using the merc prop splines which makes propping easier
And you must have been happy that the boat performed better than initially expected 4 -5 knots over target gotta be happy with that

[rocknrolla]

Originally Posted by willk

Glad you enjoyed! The good photos were taken by donegaldan with his special box of tricks

That lis a bng tidy bit of kit there son,u am a dark pony willk do u like song birds

[willk]

Originally Posted by beamishken

I guess it's the zt drive not the bravo?

Yes. There appear to be many similarities, no idea of the provenance but the Yanmar has it's own internal water cooling system.

[Crapgame]

Epic voyage, Willkie! Amazing people lived for so long in such desolate islands.

Do you have any pics inside your bridge/boathouse and berthing?

[Chris]

At last ! I was beginning to wonder if she really existed.

Looks like a very special and impressive RIB

[Ribochet]

I heard of yet another leisure Redbay RIB, based in Norn Iron, visited the "Enchanted Isle" last week - "when you to have to go to sea"

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by willk

I managed to take a little footage with my phone - the dolphins certainly were keen to party!

You musta taken that dolphin video on porpoise!

[willk]

Originally Posted by Ribochet

I heard of yet another leisure Redbay RIB, based in Norn Iron, visited the "Enchanted Isle" last week - "when you to have to go to sea"

Word is that Gary finally shook a leg?

[willk]

Originally Posted by jwalker

You musta taken that dolphin video on porpoise!

That's a whaley dreadful pun!

[Ribochet]

Originally Posted by willk

Word is that Gary finally shook a leg?

Given how many were on board the membership of the "K" club is rising exponentially

[mick]

Originally Posted by Ribochet

Given how many were on board the membership of the "K" club is rising exponentially

Guna have to venture further afield now 😁

[jambo]

Iceland??!


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[Poly]

Originally Posted by jambo

Iceland??!


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Faroes?

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Poly

Faroes?

Thought after St Kilda they would be to easy!!


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[willk]

I believe that "Round Somewhere" is the normal progression for the afflicted. I'm not entirely immune to that bug but I strongly suspect that I'll revisit smaller sections of the Isles and spend a bit more time there. I took a lot of notes and photos of facilities and interesting places - Missus willk doesn't slum it like me

There's a trip down the west coast of Ireland in my future too - it's much less "doable" than the Western Isles - no meaningful shelter from the prevailing winds and very few decent all weather/tide refuges.
In it's favour the fuel is cheaper and the Guinness is waaaay better!

[Pikey Dave]

The outer Hebrides & the Sound of Harris definitely deserve a closer inspection. We were on N/S Uist & Benbecula 24 years ago & the place is magical.


Sh1t happens