New XS-600 / Merc Opti 150

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Manos

Great boat. Congrats swginn.
I also like the Silver Merc what number plate is that??

Always happy to help!

SWGINN
Member


Country: Ireland
Town: Carrigaline/ Baltimore, Cork
Interests: cruisin, messin about & goin flat out!!
Boat name: XS-600
Make: XS-Ribs
Length: 6m
Engine: Merc 150 Optimax Saltwater

[Manos]

Cheers Cookee

[swginn]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Looks great, i'll be interested to hear what top speed you get... what prop are you running, 19" or 21" i assume?

I'm getting 46knts @5200rpm with a 21", but i suspect my osprey is a slightly deeper V than yours...hope you make the magic 50!

Great engine, 110hrs now and... still think it was the best choice.

Thanks Daniel,

I'm running a 21" Laser 2 just like yourself. My hull is a variable deep V which flattens slightly at the stern for a bit more top end, Deadrise is 23 degrees right at the transom.

I've just finished putting on my 3rd coat of Safe Boat Skin wax, which should give me an extra 1-2 kts. So yes I am hoping for the magic 50!! Boat can't go into the water until 8hrs after the last coat is applied. I'll be applying it this evening, so launch is looking like Wednesday evening. Will let you know how I get on.

Oh and after hearing her and just seeing the big V6 block on the transom I know she was the best choice!!

[Daniel]

My hull is the complete opposite - antifouled, do you really think it makes 1 or 2 knts difference?

[swginn]

Well, I really won't be able to tell as I've got the wax on now and haven't had her in the water yet. I've heard some great reports about it in Cork and they were from people who's opinions I value, and with no connection to any marine trade. They all gained one or two kts. I'll see how I go with this anyway. I'm not really putting it on for speed, just to keep all that crap off my lovely new hull!!

I got 4 coats on from only half a bottle so that works out at €40 (£26 stg). I thought I'd need 2 bottles but thh stuff just seems to last forever.

Safe Speed Skin claims performance gains of 6-8% but with no "antifouling" properties. Might get my buddy to buy some of that and swap him my half bottle for half of his!!

Oh there's a money back guarantee as well, so I've got nothing to lose.

[Rogue Wave]

Wow nice boat...I am sure Daniel and I will soom be welcoming you to the my Opti Flikked me out of the boat club.

[limeydal]

Swginn,
hope this weekend you get to see how she handles.
I have read some articles on setting up the engine on ribs off centre 4cm or so to counteract torque to make the handling better.
Is this the case on yours or do you think centering it is best?
I am putting my own new Suzuki on my XS 5.5 and am interested to see if other members think it actually makes a big difference,
cheers Dal

[swginn]

Ok, just a quick few words as I'm going out on her at 1130. Had her out last night. She is very well balanced, sure-footed and gives a lovely dry ride. The wettest I got all nite was when launching her as the slip gradient was quite shallow. I couldn't really test the performance of her that much as I had my mother on board for her maiden voyage, but even she was happy with the boat as the deep V coped very well with the chop.

I did get the chance for a quick blast though and Rogue, I can see what you mean about off-boat excursions!!!! Acceleration is phenomenal, engine note is sweet. I'm very pleased with the hull also, it grips the water very well in tight turns with no sign of stepping out.

Will try to get some real testing done today, but I fear I will be swamped by family again. Will scare them a bit anyway.

[swginn]

She floats!!

Some pics of her in the water. Unfortunately I've no exciting ones yet, have been concentrating on driving her first. As soon as I get some exciting ones I will post them. Bought a new 5hp 2str auxillary and 2.3m tender also off the guys at Marine Motors Cork. Great lads, thanks particularly to Dave Venner. Some of ye may have seen their training boat at RIBEX, a black/navy cabin Redbay Stormforce.

1) at the marina at Crosshaven Boat Yard

2) same from behind

3) At Clippers pub marina in Cobh

4) Haulbowline Naval Base Cork

[swginn]

Hit 43 knots (50mph) today with a full tank and 6 on board!! This was at 4800rpm with the throttle lever not at full throttle (it was at about 4/5 throttle) She should rev to about 5750 so the magic 50 should be well within reach with a light boat!!

It was a bit choppy so I didn't want to go any faster with 6 on board plus the Optimax gauges had a bit of an influence too. Was doing as little as .7nmiles per litre at one stage!!

[Daniel]

Pleased to hear it, great looking boat.

Don't count your eggs just yet though, i attain similar REV's and speed (5200 = 46knts) but can't pull top REV's with a 21".

[Pete7]

You will be wanting the nice shinney stainless steel 19" lazer 2 prop thats sat in my kitchen at the moment then

Pete

[swginn]

Goin out tomorrow with a light boat and safety harnesses to check top speed. Will have 3 on board but with a full tank although I'm sure we won't have any trouble emptying that above 5000 revs!!

All I'll say is what an engine!! I'm sure you'll understand, Daniel!!

[swginn]

Ok here we go:

Hit 46kts at 5200rpm today, 3 on board with a full tank, engine trimmed fully down.

The figures are an average of 2 runs in opposite directions and indicated by GPS and smartcraft pitot sensor. The smartcraft gave 46kts both times, which I would expect as it was our actual speed through the water. The GPS gave 47.5kts in one direction and 45kts in the other direction.

The reason I had the engine trimmed fully in was that we had a force 7 blowing here today and although I did find a calm area to check speed it was very windy and still a bit choppy so I decided to play it safe.

Daniel, these figures are very similar to Top Banana's, I think. Can i expect to gain a few knots trimming up with flat water or am I being too optimistic? also will losing 2 bodies have any effect?

What was more important however was how the boat handled today though. It was the first real test. It cut through the rough, was very comfortable, and jumps and lands well!! I know this sounds unbelievable, but I didn't get one bit wet all day (except for rowing in from the mooring, exhausting to say the least, against wind and current!)

Obviously I ain't got any pics, I left the camera at home after I heard the small craft warning, and possible gale warning.

Averaged 1.3nm/litre today with plenty of high speed runs. Running a light boat made a huge difference compared to yesterday!!

[roohairy]

I can just see that silly mad grin on your face from here! Sounds like the optimax really is as good as it sounds. I guess you wouldn't have any trouble advising me to put one on an Ocean 5.9?
On a sensible note, what are the differences in the saltwater optimax, didn't realise mercury were building different models. Or is it mainly a marketing ploy?
Like the boat!

[swginn]

Thanks Roo,

Yep, I'd have no problems advising it to you. I'm now sure it was the right choice for me.

SALTWATER OUTBOARDS

Every Mercury® SaltWater Outboard is engineered, built and tested specifically for the harsh demands of big water. Where reliability is what matters most . . . and where salt and sun join forces to wreak havoc on engines and equipment. Our Outboards are built stronger, then tested harder, than any other products on the water. And all to be sure that your time on the water is everything you want and need it to be. (from www.mercurymarine.com)

So basically the Saltwater is a stronger, more corrosion resistant version of the standard version.

Also the Saltwater Optimax has a 25" shaft whereas the normal Opti has a 20" shaft. I noticed yesterday that the longer shaft made a big difference, keeping the prop in the water during jumps where the shorter shaft engine would probably have come out of the water. Also helps with cavitation during turns. Oh and did I mention the blue cowling matches my tubes!!

Anyway theres only £50 in the difference (RRP) so I can't really see it as a marketing ploy.

[Rogue Wave]

Ive recently put a saltwater opti 150 on my scorpion 6.5 instead of the normal Optimax and it has ruined both the handling and the performance of the boat.

i was really disapointe as I thought the longer shaft would make the performance much tighter but it has done the opposite.

[swginn]

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

i was really disapointe as I thought the longer shaft would make the performance much tighter but it has done the opposite.

Can you elaborate please Rogue? I'm very interested, PM me if you want?

[swginn]

Managed to get some pics takin of the boat tonight. It was very dark and so had to use a long shutter speed to get the light, so most photos are blurry!! Sorry, i didn't take the photos!!

1) Friend's Lencraft 6.5 Intruder

2) En route to Cobh

3) Just pottering along outside East Ferry

4) Outside Cobh



I know the pics are poor, will try and get some good ones during the day with the brother at the helm, maybe next week during Cork Week 2004.

[Rob Whitham]

Hi
The XS 6m in blue looks really very good. I understand that its a great value package, one of the mags tried a 7m recently and said some of the hardware wasn't "top end" stuff. Your boat looks very well finished and I wondered how things have worn and how her condition has held up. All this 50 knot stuff takes its toll. Also when I first saw the pics , I wondered how the seat padding would fare after a seasons use - hopefully well.
Whats your long term economy from the boat?
Very interested because this is on my shortlist for next year.

Also - is your mother in law still a fan?
Reards Rob