Looking for a toy....

alt · 16 February 2008, 00:47

OK so I had a plan last winter to sell the sports cruiser and go hardcore RIB (7m+ with a diesel inboard)

Well i've decided against that, going to keep the sports cruiser and the 2.8m inflatable tender for pottering about... and buy myself a ltitle toy

I want to buy a pretty hardcore SIB in the region of about 4m. The reason for a SIB as opposed to RIB is because i'd like to be able to beach without thinking to myself "Am I going to scratch gelcoat etc. etc.". Ideally i'd love something like those RNLI inflatables - they look damn cool and solid, but something like a Zodiac inflatable would be nice

I was looking at those Yam 380's etc with a 25HP engine but they're a little too 'tender' for what I want to be able to do. What I want is speed, but also be able to have a bit or river/lake messing about in windy weather

The only thing I can come up with in this instance is a Zapcat or the likes... those things are rockets and can take the weather.

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22972 ... This bad boy really makes me wet! (ooh er!) but I can't decide if I want the convenience of having a nice seat, or would I prefer the aggression of a tiller control

Any ideas/suggestions etc. welcomed. I want something for the upcoming season, and would ideally want to travel over to the UK to buy either the 3rd-4th week in March (It's the only free time i'd have to take 1/2 days off to travel)

Brainstorm people!

ian parkes · 16 February 2008, 01:19

I still fancy a ceasar surfcat to play with , nearly a zapcat but with more practicality .
problem now is finding the right motor

prairie tuber · 16 February 2008, 01:43

How about a 4.7 m SIB (with Orca 866 hypalon) like this? This one is rated for up to 80hp. It's also available in 5.3m & 4.2m versions.

codprawn · 16 February 2008, 02:41

Nice boats but it has to be a zapcat!!!

SeaSkills · 16 February 2008, 05:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by alt

Ideally i'd love something like those RNLI inflatables - they look damn cool and solid, but something like a Zodiac inflatable would be nice

Have you checked with the RNLI? They regularly sell off old stock - lifeboat people get first chance, but if no-one internal wants to buy there can be ex inshore lifeboats for sale

chris123 · 16 February 2008, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

Have you checked with the RNLI? They regularly sell off old stock - lifeboat people get first chance, but if no-one internal wants to buy there can be ex inshore lifeboats for sale

There don't seem to be that many available these days - I think D class usually get sold to other rescue organisations, with only the occasional Y boat or SIB boarding boat for sale to lifeboat people.

Cheers

Chris

alt · 16 February 2008, 11:23

Thinking about it yesterday, I reckon it's gotta either be:

Thundercat
Zapcat
Or if possible, inshore RNLI lifeboat SIB

3 sort of different boats, really.

I love the bucket seats in the Thundercat, meaning and I can have a 'comfortable' drive and still have plenty of messing about

The zapcat is pure hardcore. However I know there's going to be times when I just want to go for a rip up the river by myself after work etc... are these too light at the bow with only one person? (I Youtubed videos and they seem to be OK when going straight). Secondly, I used to love sitting on the floor on inflatables when I was younger, but silly me badly injured my spine a couple of years back... could it get uncomfortable after a while?

And finally the RNLI inflatable... pure mean! These things could take a bit of rough weather, but the thing is i'd never be out on bad weather and nearly all my use would be on an inland lake

Can I be ignorant and ask any people in the know... What kinda of realistic, straight line, flat calm speeds can I expect from each?
The thundercat above has a 75hp
Most Zapcats seem to have 50hp
Not sure about the RNLI but I realise that these wouldn't be all that fast

I realise this is a "how long is a piece of string" question depending on load, prop size etc. but a general round figure would be nice

And finally, is it possible to find a 2nd hand Zapcat that was never raced?

chris123 · 16 February 2008, 12:48

If you could find an ex RNLI D-class SIB for sale, it would be the 'EA16' rather than the newer 'IB1' . The RNLI use them with a 40HP 2 stroke, which gives 18 - 20 knots. Length is 5 metres.

Out of interest, the newer IB1 has a 50HP outboard and gives 25 knots, but there were a lot of design changes to achieve this rather than just a bigger outboard.

The Y boat is about 3 metres long and used by the RNLI with a 15HP outboard. Not sure how fast, but not very.

The 'problem' with all of them is that strength comes at the price of weight.

Cheers

Chris

alt · 16 February 2008, 13:00

Chris,
Thanks for that. I think i'm going to go down the Thundercat/Thunderbolt route - I want a bit of speed.

Nauti Buoy · 16 February 2008, 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by alt

OK so I had a plan last winter to sell the sports cruiser and go hardcore RIB (7m+ with a diesel inboard)

Well i've decided against that, going to keep the sports cruiser and the 2.8m inflatable tender for pottering about... and buy myself a ltitle toy

I want to buy a pretty hardcore SIB in the region of about 4m. The reason for a SIB as opposed to RIB is because i'd like to be able to beach without thinking to myself "Am I going to scratch gelcoat etc. etc.". Ideally i'd love something like those RNLI inflatables - they look damn cool and solid, but something like a Zodiac inflatable would be nice

I was looking at those Yam 380's etc with a 25HP engine but they're a little too 'tender' for what I want to be able to do. What I want is speed, but also be able to have a bit or river/lake messing about in windy weather

The only thing I can come up with in this instance is a Zapcat or the likes... those things are rockets and can take the weather.

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22972 ... This bad boy really makes me wet! (ooh er!) but I can't decide if I want the convenience of having a nice seat, or would I prefer the aggression of a tiller control

Any ideas/suggestions etc. welcomed. I want something for the upcoming season, and would ideally want to travel over to the UK to buy either the 3rd-4th week in March (It's the only free time i'd have to take 1/2 days off to travel)

Brainstorm people!

How about this, open to reasonable offers, takes upto a 15hp, I am currently using a borrowed 6hp on it, with that 1 up the cat skims across the water, with a 15hp it will really go well.

http://www.ukpowerboat.co.uk/brokera...190463674a76d2

alt · 16 February 2008, 16:42

Hi Nauti

Been discussing this over lunch with the GF and i've decided that i'm going to go for a Ceasar (Through recommendation) ThunderCAT

The reason being that 'herself' reckons the thundbolts are like thundercats for OAP's

Personally I think the cats will be more fun for the use i'll give it. I'm still trying to decide to go for new or 2nd hand... would it be hard to find an unabused 2nd hand model thundercat?

Any opinions on the Tohatsu engines?

Nauti Buoy · 16 February 2008, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by alt

Hi Nauti

Been discussing this over lunch with the GF and i've decided that i'm going to go for a Ceasar (Through recommendation) ThunderCAT

The reason being that 'herself' reckons the thundbolts are like thundercats for OAP's

Personally I think the cats will be more fun for the use i'll give it. I'm still trying to decide to go for new or 2nd hand... would it be hard to find an unabused 2nd hand model thundercat?

Any opinions on the Tohatsu engines?

Hi

So is this one any good for you then?

http://www.ukpowerboat.co.uk/brokera...22a51c976832a8

Rgds

Richard

alt · 16 February 2008, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Hi

So is this one any good for you then?

http://www.ukpowerboat.co.uk/brokera...22a51c976832a8

Rgds

Richard

You have PM

codprawn · 16 February 2008, 20:32

Tohatsu engines are great - light and powerful and the older 2 strokes are bulle proof. Just tried to buy one but no 18hps left!!!

alt · 16 February 2008, 20:34

Nice one cod, I think I may have a Thundercat sorted. 2nd hand boat and trailer with a new engine - so long as the boat isint showing signs of abuse I think we may have a deal

Cookee · 17 February 2008, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nauti Buoy

Hi

So is this one any good for you then?

http://www.ukpowerboat.co.uk/brokera...22a51c976832a8

Rgds

Richard

I want the buggy! Now if it only had 2 seats!

alt · 25 February 2008, 17:51

Thanks for all the help and suggestions, I have decided to go with a brand new Thundercat package. Boys and their toys, eh!

I had origionally planned on selling the sports cruiser and buying a decent diesel RIB, but I like the sports cruiser too much to sell outright. So I still have the sports cruiser for the sunny days and i'll have the Thundercat for messing about in/using as a tender

Engine is coming next week, boat is being delivered mid March

If anyone has one of these, or similar, any advise etc appreciated!

two stroke mick · 25 February 2008, 18:50

Pure Class,

your sure going to have some craic in that one. what size engine are you placing on the tail?

alt · 25 February 2008, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

Pure Class,

your sure going to have some craic in that one. what size engine are you placing on the tail?

Tohatsu 50HP, stainless prop... the usual setup

I'm going to keep it standard for the time being. Might change props after I get used to it but just want to get used to it for the time being, should be good craic alright

ian parkes · 25 February 2008, 20:58

Iam jealous thats a very very nice toy . Iam almost tempted to sell my yam fazer for one of those . In fact if we have another wet summer I probably will .

have you managed to find a new tohatsu 50 . I got the impression that although there are none available there must be some kept back for the zap cat racers .