I have just recently seen this SIB and thought i have to have it. I know people put 40hp on it, but i would really like to throw on a 55hp Mercury.. which is only bout 23kg heavier tha the 40.
Has anyone done it or knows of one? Hows the performance?
How fast does it go with the 40hp on it? Can te SIB handle it?
I dont want to race or anything like that but i just like to get to my spots real fast
All input is greatly appreciated.... Thanx in advance!
Hahaha.. u think so??
U know ur a speed junky when...
Anyways these things used to be rated for 40hp then they changed it down to 30hp prolly for liability issues.
so if it still said 40 then u still have that safety margin 10hp extra.
I dunno...nevr owned a SIB or a boat that small for that matter, so just awaiting some input from the SIB pros.
I believe the 4.3 HD XS is currently rated for a 30 hp maximum. If I recall, they were at one point rated for a maximum of 40 hp back in the day when everybody did the right thing and used carb'd 2 strokes with them. The reduction to a 30 hp rating is no doubt in response to the heavy 4 strokes that are now on the market. While I don't have any personal experience with this particular boat. It do have experience with a 4.2 m Zodiac with an inflatable V keel (also rated for a max of 40 hp 2 stroke). Their capabilities should be quite similar to each other, so my advice will be based on that experience.
Firstly, an extra 23kg is alot of extra weight to stick on the transom of a boat this size. For a 4.3m SIB with an inflatable V keel (which is not at all like a tunnel hull such as a zapcat/thundercat), a 40 2 stoke will provide all the speed that this hull size & design can safely handle under ideal conditions. In other words, in calm flat water, you'd have decent control of the boat with a 40 hp at WOT, in any kind of chop, you'll need to reduce the throttle to maintain control of a 4.3 m SIB with an inflatable V keel. A 55 would be a complete mismatch for a boat such as this.
I agree with Prairie tuber and jyaski on this one.
The 4.3m Quicksilver (with the aluminium floor) is similar to the 4.2m MkII Futura, but without the oversized sponsons or speed tubes, two key features that give the Zodiac more stability.
Adding an old Mercury or Yamaha 55hp is ill-advised. Apart from the transom being rated for a lower hp engine, you need to see the bigger picture. That extra weight probably doesn't seem excessive on a flat-calm stretch. God - I wish I had more hp for days like that!
However if you hit a wave at the wrong angle with a 55hp at WOT - then you'll know about it.
Sure it'll get you to your spots faster, but better to get there in one-piece is my advice. Your insurance (if you plan to have boat insurance) will walk away from this in the event of an accident, which will be more than can be said for you.
Sula
White Noise
