Engine tests (RIVAs ballistics)

[Jimbob]

Hi all

Was just reading a section in RIB international about the engine tests using RIVAs Ballistics. As the report states in its conclusion, the engine you choose will probably come down to Price +++ other factors.

******

However, I am not sure myself I would notice the difference to 30 knots looking at the figures, in-fact unless I was racing I’m not sure the few second extra by some of the engines would make much difference to most users

Price-wise the Suzuki looks the cheapest by 1300 quid. Servicing the ETEC seems the obvious best, however second place looks a little in-conclusive as I don’t know the cost of servicing.

Economy, looks like Susi is the best but gets closer as the revs drop <4000. The Verado that’s looks expensive to run if you do a lot of high revs.

When I first joined Ribnet, it seemed a lot of people would go for Mercury’s, now it seems much more equal, what do people think as this is an interesting subject as the cost a lot of money.

I suppose it could depend if you can get a "deal"

[Roy Smith]

What was the testers verdict as i found it open ended there was no
This is our choice good or bad.
I was impressed with the Suzuki

[Jimbob]

It seemed to me to be open, depending on certain factors e.g price


However the Suzuki was the one i would go for(if i was buying one), until i read the servicing then i was not so sure, i dont do 100hrs in a year so it looks like you have to service every 6 months.

[DM]

Originally Posted by Jimbob

Economy, looks like Susi is the best

Personally, I wouldn't place too much faith in the quoted figures because of the use of four different Floscan units instead of accurately measured fuel containers for each run.

Apart from the fact it states the rev range of the Suzuki is 5-8000 instead of 5-6000, the fuel burn at 5000rpm is said to be 21lph against 72lph for the verado.

The Suzuki 250 I've driven this summer uses more than double that amount at that rpm.

HMS really stuck his neck out in the latest issue. He says that the build of his Tornado, and Trident dry suits are crap.

DM

[simmons0]

Just been reading about the Tornado, its certainly an 'interesting' review.

[Ribshop]

We did use the same floscan unit on all four boats. The feed was taken from the same position in the fuel line on each boat so the figures are pretty fair.

[RIVA]

its a hard choice , the test was fair and exact to each engine . and it would be better if people did not think they knew there arse from there elbow . and asked first

just one point they all had 250lt on board

my personal choice for driverbilaty would be the verado .

for value for money the etc and suzuki

and for re sale the yam

and all stats were supplied by the manafacturer not a dealer

the prop trials showed a masive diffrance 8.5 knots more on the yam if you proped her for speed , but they were all put back to the prop the manafacturer would supply stock

[Shaggy]

It was a good article, with a 50 mile round trip to my local service centre the E-Tec looks like a good buy off set by servicing costs; however the Suzuki fuel consumption was very interesting if Petrol prices continues to climb.

Shaggy

[Roy Smith]

I have seen a spread sheet from Scorpion from when they do the sea trails on the new boats all the same lenghths
It showed that the Suzuki was the quickest by a fair margian
and that all the others Etecs Yamaha Mercury etc etc
where within 3/4 knts of each other. as for fuel figures
I had a Yamaha fuel flow meter fitted on a Yamaha 225 f/stroke and at 5000 rpm on a flat sea it would jump from 14 gals an hours to 16.
Why dont Rib Int do what Autocar do on there tests
and give there opionion what they would have there choice. its not always popular, or is there an old boys network , dont want to upset any body because they might need to loan a boat later in the year.

[Daniel]

RE: "Tornado One"

I was very supprised to read that. I've never read such a harsh review in RI, prehaps a sign of things to come...

[Jimbob]

Reading all this its seems open and hence the reason you need to look at your factors.

Riva interest about resale which i had not figured

Seems like there are 4 good engines and it will depend on what you use them for, e.g i dont do enought hrs to worry too much about fuel, which someone else might.

I think it was good because we had 4 engines, the same HP. Riva i dont suppose there is anyway of doing running reports on these boats, e.g after 6 month, 1 year .... to see what it has really cost

[RIVA]

as iam now one of the old boy network (didnt think i was that old but i must be wrong )

the yamaha boat is going to rib internatinol for 06
funny but i never thought my secondary modern tie would be of any value and open any doors

i will ask the new owners if they would like to report on them as time goes on

[DM]

Originally Posted by RIVA

and asked first

Having used the Suzuki commercially for the past two years I'd rather go by my own experience and that experience says that the quoted figure of 24lph @5000rpm for a 250hp is horseshit. I found it to be more like 60lph.

Originally Posted by RIVA

all stats were supplied by the manafacturer not a dealer

The Suzuki max rpm is 6100 not 8000+ as stated in the review. Somebody obviously doesn't know their arse from their elbow.

DM

[Jono]

Yup.... I'm with Mr Manning on this one...... My Suzuki 250 must be deffective as well as Ian's? Do ya reckon it's a warranty claim ? I'll just e-mail that nice Richard at Suzuki and tell him I'm using twice us much fuel as I should be.... and if he doesn't give me a new motor..I'll come round and give him a kick up the elbow......

[RIVA]

http://www.suzuki-marine.co.uk/motors/specs.php

i am not going to get into a he said she said but please look above.
its in print if its wrong you best tell them

so it looks like for two years you been missing 2000 revs best you let them know

[Jono]

...and no-one thought to question the miss-print?... 8..1...0....0....RPM .... Thar' she blows....... The Dilithium crystalls, Cap'n.... she'll no take any more......arse?....elbow?... Oh, my....!

[RIVA]

? is it a miss print , i aint the article writer .

by the way its a calibrated fuel scan , with test ticket ,
and used on all the boats so if its faulty they are all wrong ???

[Rene]

Just my simple observation. I have run the 250 Hp Suzuki for just about 2 years, and on my engine the rev limiter kicks in just around 6000 RPM. Must be a miss print

On my boat I use around 30 LPH at 4000 RPM and around 65 LPH at 6000 RPM, measured by floscan

Nothing scientific (maybe missspelled) (mayby misspelled too)

Rene

[Jono]

Originally Posted by RIVA

? is it a miss print , i aint the article writer .

by the way its a calibrated fuel scan , with test ticket ,
and used on all the boats so if its faulty they are all wrong ???

Maybe the "24" was a miss-print too, then?.....

[DM]

Originally Posted by RIVA

so if its faulty they are all wrong ???

A distinct possibility.

A distinct certainty with the Suzuki figure.

Never mind. It must have been a nice day out.

DM