max engine weight

[Paul F]

Anyone know what max engine weight i can put on our flatacraft force 5?
Have emailed their web site but no answer.
It did have a 60 2 stroke on it which is cannon fodder and am thinking of an opti 75/90
Paul

[Pete7]

Paul, the company was up for sale for years and I think the web address belonged to Nasher on here until recently. Since we are going back in time to the glorious days of the 2 stroke, the boat would have been classed by hp not weight. In there day Flatacraft were expensive and well put together, so 90 sounds good. The owner was Tony Lee-Elliot btw.

We cruised with one across the channel in 95 with 60 hp, little bit slow but made it okay. This looks a little OTT

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F110125

Mark Bleaker who now works in Ocean Quay Southampton (Suzuki Dealer) might be able to help. He knew Tony well and borrowed a Flatacraft 6 for Round Scotland in 92 called Miami Vice. This poor rib had been abused for years before he got her but she still carried on even having the gelcoat replaced. Wasn't helped by the engine a 260 hp V8 Yamaha petrol stern drive which gave 60 mph if you could keep it in the water.

Pete

[Nasher]

Paul/Pete

Everything Pete has mentioned is correct, and I'd agree with the 90HP reccomendation.
I may be able to find some old brochures I have at home to confirm.

Flatacraft has been purchased by a pair of guys that have relocated it to poole, and are starting up production of a new version of the Force 4 aimed at the tender market, and very posh it looks too.
The web addresses I transfered over to them about two years ago, but they would appear to be not keeping them up to date.

Nasher.

[Pete7]

Well look what just turned up looking for something else.

http://www.divernetxtra.com/boats/bspec496.htm

Scroll down a bit and the table gives lots of details for older ribs and dates from Apr 06.

Pete

[9D280]

I guess the Divemaster 7.32 either needs the transom heavily reinforced or they just quoted for the Aux!

I guess to give an approximation you could look up an engine bochure of the time to see how heavy the average X Hp 2- stroke was. That would get you to a sensible ballpark.

For what it;s worth OMC brochures from 1940 to 1979 (Mostly in Italian) can be found here: http://www.old-omc.de/index2.html

[Pete7]

Diver Magazine covered engines too:

http://www.divernetxtra.com/boats/espec596.htm

Pete

[ALANT]

Osprey Eagle 115hp our old dive club boat was rated to 150hp according to the plate? boat around late/early 80/90s

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Flatacraft has been purchased by a pair of guys that have relocated it to poole, and are starting up production of a new version of the Force 4 aimed at the tender market, and very posh it looks too.

They did register on here too but disappeared after 3 posts. There's some pics of the new Flatacraft on here if you search the username.

[Paul F]

Thanks alot for the help from all.
The one we have was converted to centre consul, built in tank and bow dodger removed. Will post picture if i can. I realise about the HP,but as a youth org(SCC) want to get a new lump if poss and will have to 4 stroke or opti. Can only go 75hp cos of regs as well. Hence concern of weight, however i seen on the net same type of boat with a 135 mariner 2 stroke on the back and this weighs slightly more than opti 75.
Paul

[Paul F]

post further up with dive details says 100hpmax. will have to see what they weigh in at, as mentioned. Problem of doing away with common 2 stroke engines(new)??
Thanks
Paul